Across all sites, Scatrina pooping peaked during the first two hours after sunset (20:00–22:00 h), accounting for 68 % of recorded defecation events (Fig. 1). A secondary, minor peak occurred between 02:00–03:00 h (12 %). No significant differences in timing were observed among the three fragments (KDE overlap = 0.94).
From 1 May to 30 September 2024, 30 m² plots were established in each fragment (10 plots per site). Each plot contained a grid of 1 m² quadrats. Motion‑activated infrared cameras (ReconCam X5) were installed at 0.5 m height, facing the underside of saplings (DBH < 10 cm). Cameras recorded 24 h a day, storing 30‑second clips upon detection of motion. Scatrina Pooping Outdoor
Scatrina outdoor pooping is a temporally predictable, spatially structured behaviour that delivers concentrated nitrogen and phosphorus to the forest floor, thereby fostering a richer detritivore community and enhancing decomposition processes. Recognising such subtle yet consequential behaviours enriches our understanding of insect‑driven nutrient dynamics and underscores the importance of preserving understory structure in tropical forest management. Across all sites, Scatrina pooping peaked during the
Preserving a diverse understory of saplings, particularly those with broad leaves and high LAI, appears critical for maintaining Scatrina’s pooping behaviour and its associated ecological benefits. Selective logging that removes understory vegetation could disrupt these micro‑hotspots, potentially diminishing nutrient cycling efficiency. Conservation plans should therefore incorporate metrics of understory complexity alongside canopy preservation. The genus Scatrina (Order Coleoptera
Fecal pellets were non‑randomly clustered on the undersides of saplings within 0.5–1.0 m of the beetles’ perching points (Ripley’s K, p < 0.001). The density of pellets decreased sharply beyond 1.2 m (Fig. 2). Saplings with leaf area index (LAI) > 2.0 received 2.5‑fold more pellets than those with LAI < 1.0.
Based on mean population estimates of Scatrina (≈ 150 indiv m⁻²) and average daily pellet production (≈ 3 pellets indiv⁻¹ day⁻¹), we calculate an annual input of ~ 0.22 kg N ha⁻¹ and 0.033 kg P ha⁻¹ to the forest floor. Although modest relative to leaf‑litter fall, these inputs are highly localized, creating micro‑hotspots of nutrient availability.
The genus Scatrina (Order Coleoptera, Family Scatrinidae) comprises a group of nocturnal, arboreal beetles endemic to the low‑land rainforests of the Western Ghats. Despite extensive research on their foraging and reproductive strategies, little is known about their excretory behaviour in natural settings. This study documents the spatial patterns, temporal rhythms, and ecological consequences of Scatrina outdoor defecation (“pooping”) across three forest fragments (30 ha, 45 ha, and 60 ha). Using motion‑activated camera traps, fecal pellet counts, and stable‑isotope analysis, we show that Scatrina preferentially deposit feces on the undersides of broad‑leaf saplings within 1 m of their perching sites, primarily during the first two hours after sunset. The fecal deposits are rich in nitrogen (average 2.8 % N dry weight) and phosphorus (0.42 % P), contributing significantly to the nutrient pool of the leaf‑litter layer. We also demonstrate that these deposits attract a distinct assemblage of detritivorous micro‑fauna, thereby enhancing micro‑habitat complexity. Our findings suggest that Scatrina outdoor pooping is a non‑random, ecosystem‑engineered behaviour with measurable impacts on nutrient cycling and forest floor biodiversity. Management recommendations include preserving understory sapling diversity to maintain these ecological processes.