MAIN SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE FMVZ-UADY TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF DUNG BEETLE ECOLOGY AND THE ADVERSE EFFECT OF MACROCYCLIC LACTONES ON ITS POPULATIONS

Abstract

Background. Macrocyclic lactones (ML) are effective in controlling endo- and ectoparasites in livestock. ML, specially ivermectin and moxidectin, have a typical pharmacokinetic profile of lipophilic molecules with slow degradation and when administered to livestock are excreted in the faeces almost unaltered. ML released into the environment, can cause lethal and sublethal effects on dung beetles (DB). Objective. To document the main scientific contributions of our research group to the awareness of the adverse effect of ML on DB associated with livestock environments under grazing systems. Methodology. The compilation of scientific articles from the studies carried out by a research group in the first 50 years of the FMVZ-UADY was carried out. Results. The studies have shown that ML (IVM-1%, IVM-3.15%, MOX-10%) in dung from cattle treated with injectable formulations had a sublethal effect on DB. For the species Canthon indigaceus chevrolati dung from cattle treated with injectable formulations of IVM (1% and 3.15%) and MOX (1% and 10%) do not produce lethal and sublethal effects. Faecal ivermectin residues may induce changes in attraction of some neotropical DB species to dung pats. Implications. Current ML application methods may have negative effects on the environmental services provided by dung beetles, and therefore need to be modified to minimize any impacts they might have on these vital members of tropical livestock systems. Conclusions. The review shows the adverse effects of ML on DB in the Mexican tropics; however, for the C. i. chevrolati, dung from cattle treated with IVM and MOX, do not produce lethal and sublethal effects, which suggests some type of tolerance