Physiological, morphological and ecological traits drive desiccation resistance in north temperate dung beetles.

Resistance to desiccation was explained mainly by the dung beetles' ability to reduce water loss rate (avoidance) and to tolerate water loss (tolerance). A reduction in water availability may impose a selection pressure on body size that varies based on nesting strategies, even though these responses may be phylogenetically constrained. Changes in water availability are more likely to affect dweller species, and hence the ecosystem services they provide.