NeoMapas: Dung Beetle Sampling Data from Venezuela for Protocol Optimization

NeoMapas collected 40,337 individual dung beetles representing 115 species/morphospecies across 23 genera in Venezuela between 2006 and 2008. The dataset was created by José R. Ferrer-Paris to analyze and optimize sampling protocols for biodiversity monitoring. It examines the effects of trap number, sampling duration, bait type, and spatial arrangement on estimates of species richness, abundance, and composition.

Use Cases

• Optimizing trap count and spatial arrangement for species richness estimates based on the protocol analysis.
• Evaluating the effect of bait type (e.g., human dung vs. carrion) on species abundance and composition.
• Designing efficient, large-scale biodiversity monitoring programs based on the recommended 50-70 trap strategy.
• Assessing spatial autocorrelation in species composition using the recommended 5-10 km separation distance for trap groups.

Strengths

• Contains records for 40,337 individual specimens, providing a substantial sample size.
• Covers 115 distinct species/morphospecies, offering a view of community diversity.
• Based on a structured, multi-year sampling effort across eight transects from 2006-2008.
• Analysis provides concrete, data-backed recommendations for sampling design (e.g., 50-70 traps, 48-72 hour sampling).

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment for specific analytical needs.
• Data may reflect geographic bias inherent to the specific transects sampled in Venezuela.

Provenance

Source

Iniciativa para el Mapeo de la Biodiversidad Neotropical (NeoMapas) / José R. Ferrer-Paris

Collection Method

Sampling with baited traps across eight transects, analyzed using species accumulation curves and multivariate correlograms.

Time Range

2006-2008

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-18 05:12:50; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Venezuela