author(s)
Van Bac Bui

abstract
Dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) are vital for ecosystem functioning and serve as bioindicators of environmental change. This study examines the impact of forest canopy cover on dung beetle communities in the Dong Chau-Khe Nuoc Trong Nature Reserve, Central Vietnam. Sampling was conducted across three canopy levels: high (>80%), moderate (50-80%), and low (<50%), using baited pitfall traps. A total of 36 species and 1,611 individuals were recorded, with sampling completeness exceeding 90% across all sites. Low canopy areas exhibited higher species richness, abundance, and Shannon diversity compared to moderate canopy areas, likely due to diverse dung resources from small vertebrates. High canopy areas supported larger-bodied beetles dependent on large herbivore dung, highlighting distinct community structures along the gradient. NMDS analysis and PERMANOVA confirmed significant differences in community composition among canopy levels. The results demonstrate the sensitivity of dung beetles to canopy cover, with implications for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services in tropical forests. Maintaining habitat heterogeneity is critical to sustaining dung beetle communities and their ecological roles. This study provides insights into the relationship between forest structure and dung beetle diversity, contributing to conservation efforts in Vietnam's rapidly changing landscapes.