The convergence between our results and those of studies carried out elsewhere in the tropics may be explained by the influence of landscape configuration.
In homogeneous conditions of climate and trophic resources, landscape configuration may be more important than habitat type as a determinant of dung beetle distribution , particularly matrix structure and between-fragment distance
In this context, reduced species similarity between small fragments and Coimbra
Forest (the largest fragment) may partially reflect the long distance between them (low structural connectivity), what may impose severe limitations for between-fragments dispersal as fragments are completely surrounded by a uniform and stable matrix of sugar-cane monoculture