17 Muhammad Waseem Santosh Kumar Riffat Sultana Irfan Baboo Zahid Manzoor Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences JAPS 20262026/02/28 36 2 438-448 1018-7081 https://doi.org/10.36899/JAPS.2026.2.0036 <p>The Cholistan Desert in South Punjab, Pakistan, represents a historically under-surveyed arid ecosystem where the insect fauna, particularly dung beetles (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae), remains poorly documented<strong>.</strong>&nbsp;Given the crucial ecological services provided by dung beetles, including nutrient cycling, soil aeration, and pest control, understanding their diversity is essential for appreciating the functioning and health of desert ecosystems. This study addresses this knowledge gap by surveying the Scarabaeinae fauna of this region. A total of 123 specimens were collected from the Cholistan Desert and identified as belonging to two genera:&nbsp;<em>Onitis</em>&nbsp;Fabricius, 1798 and&nbsp;<em>Digitonthophagus</em>&nbsp;Balthasar, 1959. The species include&nbsp;<em>Onitis philemon</em>&nbsp;Fabricius, 1801,&nbsp;<em>Digitonthophagus uks</em>&nbsp;G&eacute;nier, 2017, and&nbsp;<em>Digitonthophagus catta</em> Fabricius, 1787, This study documents all of these species for the first time in this arid zone. This discovery enhances the known biodiversity of the region. It underscores the ecological value of scarab beetles in Pakistan's desert ecosystems, highlighting the importance of further entomological research to inform conservation efforts.</p> Beetles, Biodiversity, Cholistan desert, Regional record, Scarabaeinae, Systematics Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum https://thejaps.org.pk/AbstractView.aspx?mid=2025-JAPS-546