Article Abstract

Volume 36, No. (2), 2026 (April)
THREE NEW RECORDS OF SCARABAEINAE (SUBFAMILY: SCARABAEINAE; FAMILY: SCARABAEIDAE; ORDER: COLEOPTERA) FROM THE ARID ZONE OF SOUTH PUNJAB, PAKISTAN
Muhammad Waseem, Santosh Kumar, Riffat Sultana, Irfan Baboo, Zahid Manzoor

M. Waseem¹, S. Kumar²*, R. Sultana³, I. Baboo⁴, Z. Manzoor⁵

¹ Depratment of Zoology, Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bahawalpur,
² Depratment of Zoology, Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bahawalpur,
³ Department of Zoology, University of Sindh, Jamshoro,
⁴ Depratment of Zoology, Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bahawalpur,
⁵ Depratment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bahawalpur,

Corresponding Author: drsantosharshii@gmail.com
Page Number(s): 438-448
Published Online First: December 25, 2025
Publication Date: February 28, 2026
ABSTRACT

The Cholistan Desert in South Punjab, Pakistan, represents a historically under-surveyed arid ecosystem where the insect fauna, particularly dung beetles (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae), remains poorly documented. Given the crucial ecological services provided by dung beetles, including nutrient cycling, soil aeration, and pest control, understanding their diversity is essential for appreciating the functioning and health of desert ecosystems. This study addresses this knowledge gap by surveying the Scarabaeinae fauna of this region. A total of 123 specimens were collected from the Cholistan Desert and identified as belonging to two genera: Onitis Fabricius, 1798 and Digitonthophagus Balthasar, 1959. The species include Onitis philemon Fabricius, 1801, Digitonthophagus uks Génier, 2017, and Digitonthophagus catta Fabricius, 1787, This study documents all of these species for the first time in this arid zone. This discovery enhances the known biodiversity of the region. It underscores the ecological value of scarab beetles in Pakistan's desert ecosystems, highlighting the importance of further entomological research to inform conservation efforts.

Keywords: Beetles, Biodiversity, Cholistan desert, Regional record, Scarabaeinae, Systematics
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Cite Score: 1.3

JCR Year: 2025

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SCOPUS (Q3)

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Journal Impact Factor: 0.5

HEC Category: W

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Print ISSN: 1018-7081

Electronic ISSN: 2309-8694

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