Dance of the dung beetles : their role in our changing world / Marcus Byrne and Helen Lunn.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Byrne, Marcus, author.

Lunn, Helen, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Dung beetles--Ecology.

Dung beetles.

Dung beetles--Evolution.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xiii, 228 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Place of Publication:

Johannesburg : Wits University Press, 2019.

Summary:

In this sweeping history of more than 3 000 years, beginning with Ancient Egypt, scientist Marcus Byrne and writer, Helen Lunn capture the diversity of dung beetles and their unique behaviour patterns. Dung beetles' fortunes have followed the shifts from a world dominated by a religion that symbolically incorporated them into some of its key concepts of rebirth, to a world in which science has largely separated itself from religion and alchemy. With over 6 000 species found throughout the world, these unassuming but remarkable creatures are fundamental to some of humanity's most cherished beliefs and have been ever present in religion, art, literature, science and the environment. They are at the centre of current gene research, play an important role in keeping our planet healthy, and some nocturnal dung beetles have been found to navigate by the starry skies. Outlining the development of science from the point of view of the humble dung beetle is what makes this charming story of immense interest to general readers and entomologists alike.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 01 Nov 2019).

ISBN:

9781776142354

1776142357

OCLC:

1128105989