Long-term monitoring of roller dung beetles (Scarabaeinae) (abundance and distribution) in Doñana 2004-2012

The monitoring of the roller dung-beetles (Scarabaeinidae) in Doñana, southwestern Spain, was initiated in 2004 as part of the Monitoring Program of Natural Resources and Processes. The aim was to obtain a temporal and continuous series of data in the abundance and distribution of two species (Scarabeus sacer and S. cicatricosus) present in the area. Data were recorded annually from 2004 to 2012 by members of the monitoring team which performed one sampling (between May and August) in different habitats (sand dunes, mediterranean schrublands, flooplain meadows, and marshlands).
Dung-baited pitfalls traps were used as a method to obtain samples of individuals of the two species. These traps were plastic cilinder of 30 cm diameter x 20 cm high buried on the ground. A baited grill of 2cm x 2 cm mesh rested on top of the trap. Bait was fresh horse or cow feaces (250 g) collected around the area early in the morning the day before of trapping. Five pitfall traps were established at each site separated 15 m each other during 24 hours. Two checking were conducted every 12 hours after baiting to avoid the mortality of individuals. Individual of each species were counted and release after it.
Data recorded during the surveys included species identification and number of individuals. Between 2004-2008 data was registered in Excel file and since 2008 data was recorded in CyberTracker sequence.
The protocol used has been supervised by researchers and the data have been validated by the members who performed the sampling.