bronsstumpbagge
Saprinus planiusculus
The bronsstumpbagge (Saprinus planiusculus) is a small, metallic bronze-colored carrion beetle with a distinctively flattened body that allows it to navigate beneath decomposing organic matter. This specialized scavenger plays a crucial ecological role in nutrient cycling by breaking down dead animal tissue and accelerating decomposition processes in its ecosystem.
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) caprimulgus_psilocinus, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Coleoptera
Family
Histeridae
Genus
Saprinus
bronsstumpbagge belongs to the family Histeridae, order Coleoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
The bronsstumpbagge (Saprinus planiusculus) is a small, metallic bronze-colored carrion beetle with a distinctively flattened body that allows it to navigate beneath decomposing organic matter. This specialized scavenger plays a crucial ecological role in nutrient cycling by breaking down dead animal tissue and accelerating decomposition processes in its ecosystem.
Saprinus planiusculus faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of its specialized dung beetle ecosystem requirements. The species' dependence on specific carrion and dung resources makes it particularly vulnerable to changes in livestock management practices and agricultural intensification.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
This species inhabits open grasslands, agricultural pastures, and woodland edges where large mammal carcasses are naturally present. They require areas with sufficient carrion resources and loose, well-drained soils suitable for their larval development stages.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Saprinus planiusculus faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of its specialized dung beetle ecosystem requirements. The species' dependence on specific carrion and dung resources makes it particularly vulnerable to changes in livestock management practices and agricultural intensification.
Agricultural intensification
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Changes in livestock management practices
Climate change altering habitat conditions
Pesticide use affecting carrion quality
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). bronsstumpbagge (Saprinus planiusculus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/bronsstumpbagge