Common dung beetle vs

Aphodius pedellus compared with Gomphonema paludosum

Key Differences

• Common dung beetle is Least Concern while is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Common dung beetle
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Chromista (Chromista)
Phylum	Arthropoda (Arthropods)	Ochrophyta (Ochrophyta)
Class	Insecta (Insects)	Bacillariophyceae (Bacillariophyceae)
Order	Coleoptera (Beetles)	Cymbellales (Cymbellales)
Family	Scarabaeidae	Gomphonemataceae
Genus	Aphodius	Gomphonema
Species	Aphodius pedellus	Gomphonema paludosum

Conservation Status

Common dung beetle

LC — Least Concern

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Common dung beetle
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Common dung beetle

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and United States.

Habitat

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Norway and Sweden.

Common dung beetle

<em>Aphodius pedellus</em>, a species of dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List, indicating a stable conservation outlook across its known range. The species has been documented in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States, with its distribution spanning virtually all terrestrial and freshwater biome types. As a member of the Aphodiini tribe, <em>Aphodius pedellus</em> typically inhabits pastures, meadows, and woodland edges where mammalian dung is available, as dung beetles in this genus rely on feces as both a breeding medium and a food resource. These beetles play a critical role in nutrient cycling and soil aeration, breaking down organic waste and accelerating the return of nutrients to the soil. Their burrowing activity beneath dung pats enhances soil structure and improves water infiltration. <em>Aphodius pedellus</em> is part of a guild of coprophagous insects that collectively support healthy agricultural and natural ecosystems across temperate Europe and North America. Biological traits of this species remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.

Gomphonema paludosum is a freshwater diatom in the family Gomphonemataceae, characterized by its asymmetrical, wedge-shaped frustule attached to substrates by a mucilaginous stalk. It inhabits shallow, standing waters, marshes, and boggy habitats where it grows on sediment surfaces, plant stems, and submerged debris. As a benthic diatom, it is a useful bioindicator of water chemistry and organic enrichment.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 2 countries:

🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden