Onthophagus taurus, the taurus scarab, is a species of dung beetle in the genus Onthophagus and the family Scarabaeidae.[1] Also known as the bull-headed dung beetle, it is a species that specializes in cattle dung and is widely utilized to maintain clean pastures, making it agriculturally valuable. These beetles are typically 8–10 millimetres (0.31–0.39 in) in size.[2] The males of this species exhibit distinct characteristics: large “major” males possess long, sweeping, curved horns resembling those of a longhorn bull, while small “minor” males have tiny horns that project upward from the back of their heads. Females, on the other hand, lack horns. These small beetles are oval shaped, the color is usually black or reddish brown. Sometimes the pronotum has a weak metallic sheen. [3]
Illustration of a male (left) and a female (right)
^Onthophagus taurus Schreber, 1759. Retrieved through: Interim Register of Marine and Nonmarine Genera on 20 January 2019.
^"Onthophagus taurus (introduced)" (PDF). Meat and Livestock Australia.
^Emlen, Douglas J.; Marangelo, Jennifer; Ball, Bernard; Cunningham, Clifford W. (2005-05-01). "Diversity in the Weapons of Sexual Selection: Horn Evolution in the Beetle Genus Onthophagus (coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)". Evolution. 59 (5): 1060–1084. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.133.7557. doi:10.1111/j.0014-3820.2005.tb01044.x. ISSN 1558-5646. PMID 16136805. S2CID 221736269.
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Onthophagustaurus, the taurus scarab, is a species of dung beetle in the genus Onthophagus and the family Scarabaeidae. Also known as the bull-headed...
being stolen. Dung beetles can roll up to 10 times their weight. Male Onthophagustaurus beetles can pull 1,141 times their own body weight: the equivalent...
III (1983). "The 1981 Distribution of Onthophagus gazella Fabricius from releases in Texas and Onthophagustaurus Schreber from an unknown release in Florida...
beetle Onthophagustaurus, for example, parental investment in offspring varies based on environmental conditions, especially for males. O. taurus adults...
original "star" of the program, Onthophagus gazella, establishing well, other species such as Euoniticellus intermedius, Onthophagus binodis and Liatongus militaris...
the experimental manipulation of the mating system in the beetle Onthophagustaurus". Journal of Evolutionary Biology. 15 (5): 784–795. doi:10.1046/j...
†Oliva sayana Olivella †Olivella mutica Ondatra †Ondatra zibethicus Onthophagus †Ontocetus – type locality for genus †Ontocetus emmonsi – type locality...
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