DOCSLIB.ORG

Carrion Beetles Visiting Pig Carcasses During Early Spring in Urban, Forest and Agricultural Biotopes of Western Europe Abstract

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Carrion Beetles Visiting Pig Carcasses During Early Spring in Urban, Forest and Agricultural Biotopes of Western Europe Abstract Journal of Insect Science: Vol. 11 | Article 73 Dekeirsschieter et al. Carrion beetles visiting pig carcasses during early spring in urban, forest and agricultural biotopes of Western Europe Jessica Dekeirsschieter1a, François J. Verheggen1, Eric Haubruge1 and Yves Brostaux2 1Department of Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, 2 Passage des Déportés, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium 2 Department of Applied Statistics, Computer Science and Mathematics, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, 2 Passage des Déportés, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium Abstract Carrion beetles are important in terrestrial ecosystems, consuming dead mammals and promoting the recycling of organic matter into ecosystems. Most forensic studies are focused on succession of Diptera while neglecting Coleoptera. So far, little information is available on carrion beetles postmortem colonization and decomposition process in temperate biogeoclimatic countries. These beetles are however part of the entomofaunal colonization of a dead body. Forensic entomologists need databases concerning the distribution, ecology and phenology of necrophagous insects, including silphids. Forensic entomology uses pig carcasses to surrogate human decomposition and to investigate entomofaunal succession. However, few studies have been conducted in Europe on large carcasses. The work reported here monitored the presence of the carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Silphidae) on decaying pig carcasses in three selected biotopes (forest, crop field, urban site) at the beginning of spring. Seven species of Silphidae were recorded: Nicrophorus humator (Gleditsch), Nicrophorus vespillo (L.), Nicrophorus vespilloides (Herbst), Necrodes littoralis L., Oiceoptoma thoracica L., Thanatophilus sinuatus (Fabricius), Thanatophilus rugosus (L.). All of these species were caught in the forest biotope, and all but O. thoracica were caught in the agricultural biotope. No silphids were caught in the urban site. Keywords: Silphidae, carrion ecology, decomposition, forensic entomology, insect succession Correspondence: a [email protected] Editor: Tugrul Giray was Editor of this paper Received: 1 June 2010, Accepted: 11 October 2010 Copyright : This is an open access paper. We use the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license that permits unrestricted use, provided that the paper is properly attributed. ISSN: 1536-2442 | Vol. 11, Number 73 Cite this paper as: Dekeirsschieter J, Verheggen FJ, Haubruge E, Brostaux Y. 2011. Carrion beetles visiting pig carcasses during early spring in urban, forest and agricultural biotypes of Western Europe. Journal of Insect Science 11:73 available online: insectscience.org/11.73 Journal of Insect Science | www.insectscience.org 1 Journal of Insect Science: Vol. 11 | Article 73 Dekeirsschieter et al. Introduction Carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Silphidae) of beetles in forensic entomology can be perform vital ecosystem functions (Wolf and relevant (Kulshrestha and Satpathy 2001; Gibbs 2004) by promoting the breakdown and Midgley et al. 2010). Families of beetles of recycling of organic matter into terrestrial forensic importance are Silphidae (carrion ecosystems (Ratcliffe 1996; Hastir and Gaspar beetles), Dermestidae (larder, skin or hide 2001; Kalinova et al. 2009). Most silphids are beetles), Staphylinidae (rove beetles), carrion feeders (necrophagous species) or prey Histeridae (clown or hister beetles), Cleridae on other carrion inhabitants such as fly eggs (checker beetles) and Nitidulidae (sap beetles) or maggots and other carrion beetles (Haskell et al. 1997; Byrd and Castner 2001; (necrophilous species) (Ratcliffe 1996; Hastir Wyss and Cherix 2006). Among them, carrion and Gaspar 2001; Sikes 2005, 2008). The beetles can provide information on necrophagous insects, including flies and postmortem colonization on remains and time carrion beetles, have particular relationships since death (Haskell et al. 1997; Smith 1986; with decomposing remains of vertebrate Watson and Carlton 2005). So far, little carcasses that constitute a rich, but ephemeral information is available on carrion beetles resource (Anderson and VanLaerhoven 1996; postmortem colonization and the process of Grassberger and Frank 2004; Carter et al. decomposition in temperate biogeoclimatic 2007). These specialized insects are attracted countries. to the cadaver that they colonize in a relative predictable sequence called the entomofaunal The world fauna of Silphidae is composed of succession or insect succession (Megnin 1894; fewer than 200 species distributed in 15 Putman 1983; Schoenly and Reid 1987; genera (Portevin 1926; Peck 2001; Sikes Marchenko 1988, 2001; Benecke 2004). Study 2005). This family has a Holarctic distribution of these insects in a medico-legal context is (Peck 2001). In Western Europe, this family is part of forensic entomology (Hall 1990; divided in two subfamilies: Nicrophorinae Amendt et al. 2004). Many forensic (i.e. burying beetles) with eleven species and entomological studies have been conducted on Silphinae including seventeen species pig carcasses as surrogate human models for (Portevin 1926; Du Chatenet 1986; Hastir and physiological, ethical and economical reasons Gaspar 2001; Debreuil 2003a,b, 2004a,b,c). (Rodriguez and Bass 1983; Catts and Goff There are seven species of Nicrophorinae and 1992; Anderson and VanLaerhoven 1996; thirteen species of Silphinae reported in Grassberger and Frank 2004; Hart and Belgium (Hastir and Gaspar 2001; Ružicka Whitaker 2005), but few were conducted in and Schneider 2004). Many forensic Europe with pig carcasses (Grassberger and entomological papers highlight the necessity Frank 2004; Garcia-Rojo 2004; Wyss and to generate data on insect succession and Cherix 2006; Matuszewski et al. 2008). Many insect seasonal activity on carrion in specific published reports are focused on Diptera geographic regions and various biotopes pattern colonization and very few looked at within these regions (Catts and Goff 1992; Coleoptera succession (Kocarek 2003; Byrd and Castner 2001; Amendt et al. 2004; Matuszewski et al. 2008; Midgley and Villet Sharanowski et al. 2008). This paper identifies 2009, Midgley et al. 2010). However, the use the early activity of silphids that occur on Journal of Insect Science | www.insectscience.org 2 Journal of Insect Science: Vol. 11 | Article 73 Dekeirsschieter et al. large carcasses in a temperate biogeoclimatic x 90 cm x 90 cm) to avoid scavenging by region in three different biotopes (forest, vertebrate carnivores. agricultural and urban site). Insect collection and identification Materials and Methods In order to quantify insect colonization on pig carcasses, pitfall traps and yellow traps were Sites and study period used to collect sarcosaprophagous insects. For continuous surveillance, six pitfall traps (glass This study was conducted during spring 2007 jars of 15 cm in height and 8 cm in diameter) (29 March - 11 May) in three distinct and two yellow traps (plastic container of 9 biotopes: a forest biotope, an agricultural cm in height and 27 cm in diameter), both biotope and an urban site, located in Belgium. filled with soapy water, were placed around The forest habitat consisted of pedonculate each carcass. The disposition of the pitfall oaks, Quercus robur L. (Fagales: Fagaceae), traps flush to the surface, was the following: European beeches, Fagus sylvatica L. and two near the ventral face, two near the dorsal sycamore maples, Acer pseudoplatanus L. face, one near the head and one near the anus. (Sapindales: Sapindaceae). The agricultural One yellow trap was placed near the head and biotope was a transect (5 meters width) of the other was placed near the anus (Figure 1). meadow with an alignment of willows (Salix sp.) between a barley Hordeum vulgare L. (Poales: Poaceae) field and an enclosed grassland. The meadow was not grazed for the duration of the experiment. The urban biotope was an abandoned building of two floors with broken windows and inside vegetation Clematis vitalba L. (Ranunculales: Ranunculaceae). The building was located on Figure 1. Disposition of the traps around the pig carcass (dark grey, a secure site belonging to the National pitfall traps; light grey, yellow traps). High quality figures are available Institute of Criminalistic and Criminology online (INCC-NICC, Brussels, Belgium). The insect traps were removed every four days and the collected specimens were Animal model conserved in 80% norvanol D (ethanol denatured with ether). Only the adult stages Six piglets, Sus domesticus L. (Artiodactyla: were included in the counting of collected Suidae), (25 Kg) were killed by penetrative insects during this study. captive bolt (fractured skull) and disposed in the experimental sites within the next 4 hours. Silphidae specimens were determining using Immediately after the euthanasia, the pig different identification keys (Hastir and carcasses were packed in double plastic bag to Gaspar 2001; Debreuil 2003a,b, 2004a,b,c) avoid any insect colonization before being and reference collections from the placed in the experimental biotope. In each entomological conservatory at Gembloux site, two pig carcasses were placed 50 meters Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege from each other, in metal mesh cages (180 cm Journal of Insect Science | www.insectscience.org 3 Journal of Insect Science: Vol. 11 | Article 73 Dekeirsschieter et al. (Department of Functional and Evolutionary calculated by dividing each insect count by Entomology). the total abundance of that
Load more

Recommended publications
  • A Catalogue of Coleoptera Specimens with Potential Forensic Interest in the Goulandris Natural History Museum Collection
    ENTOMOLOGIA HELLENICA Vol. 25, 2016 A catalogue of Coleoptera specimens with potential forensic interest in the Goulandris Natural History Museum collection Dimaki Maria Goulandris Natural History Museum, 100 Othonos St. 14562 Kifissia, Greece Anagnou-Veroniki Maria Makariou 13, 15343 Aghia Paraskevi (Athens), Greece Tylianakis Jason Zoology Department, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand http://dx.doi.org/10.12681/eh.11549 Copyright © 2017 Maria Dimaki, Maria Anagnou- Veroniki, Jason Tylianakis To cite this article: Dimaki, M., Anagnou-Veroniki, M., & Tylianakis, J. (2016). A catalogue of Coleoptera specimens with potential forensic interest in the Goulandris Natural History Museum collection. ENTOMOLOGIA HELLENICA, 25(2), 31-38. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.12681/eh.11549 http://epublishing.ekt.gr | e-Publisher: EKT | Downloaded at 27/12/2018 06:22:38 | ENTOMOLOGIA HELLENICA 25 (2016): 31-38 Received 15 March 2016 Accepted 12 December 2016 Available online 3 February 2017 A catalogue of Coleoptera specimens with potential forensic interest in the Goulandris Natural History Museum collection MARIA DIMAKI1’*, MARIA ANAGNOU-VERONIKI2 AND JASON TYLIANAKIS3 1Goulandris Natural History Museum, 100 Othonos St. 14562 Kifissia, Greece 2Makariou 13, 15343 Aghia Paraskevi (Athens), Greece 3Zoology Department, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand ABSTRACT This paper presents a catalogue of the Coleoptera specimens in the Goulandris Natural History Museum collection that have potential forensic interest. Forensic entomology can help to estimate the time elapsed since death by studying the necrophagous insects collected on a cadaver and its surroundings. In this paper forty eight species (369 specimens) are listed that belong to seven families: Silphidae (3 species), Staphylinidae (6 species), Histeridae (11 species), Anobiidae (4 species), Cleridae (6 species), Dermestidae (14 species), and Nitidulidae (4 species).
    [Show full text]
  • Mutualistic Interactions with Phoretic Mites Poecilochirus Carabi Expand
    bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/590125; this version posted March 26, 2019. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under aCC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license. 1 Title: 2 Mutualistic interactions with phoretic mites Poecilochirus carabi expand the 3 realised thermal niche of the burying beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides 4 5 Authors: Syuan-Jyun Sun1* and Rebecca M. Kilner1 6 Affiliations: 7 1 Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, 8 CB2 3EJ, UK 9 10 Keywords: climate change, context dependency, phoresy, cooperation, niche theory, 11 interspecific interactions. 12 13 Corresponding author: Syuan-Jyun Sun; [email protected]; +44-1223 (3)34466 14 Statement of authorship: Both authors conceived the study, designed the 15 experiments, and wrote the draft. S.-J.S. conducted the experiments and carried out 16 data analysis. 17 18 bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/590125; this version posted March 26, 2019. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under aCC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license. 19 Abstract: 20 Mutualisms are so ubiquitous, and play such a key role in major biological processes, 21 that it is important to understand how they will function in a changing world. Here we 22 test whether mutualisms can help populations to persist in challenging new 23 environments, by focusing on the protective mutualism between burying beetles 24 Nicrophorus vespilloides and their phoretic mites (Poecilochirus carabi).
    [Show full text]
  • A New Species of Oxelytrum Gistel (Coleoptera, Silphidae) from Southern Argentina, with a Key to the Species of the Genus
    A peer-reviewed open-access journal ZooKeys 203:A new1–14 (2012)species of Oxelytrum Gistel (Coleoptera, Silphidae) from southern Argentina... 1 doi: 10.3897/zookeys.203.2837 RESEARCH ARTICLE www.zookeys.org Launched to accelerate biodiversity research A new species of Oxelytrum Gistel (Coleoptera, Silphidae) from southern Argentina, with a key to the species of the genus Adriana Oliva1,† 1 Laboratorio de Entomología forense, Museo argentino de Ciencias naturales, Avenida Ángel Gallardo 470, C1405DJR, Buenos Aires, Argentina † urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:E2A91E65-1F3C-4A09-A9FF-0B439B0DD5DA Corresponding author: Adriana Oliva ([email protected]; [email protected]) Academic editor: J. Klimaszewski | Received 14 February 2012 | Accepted 6 June 2012 | Published 20 June 2012 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8E5D99A1-622B-4D0B-91D1-43FF94A0128D Citation: Oliva A (2012) A new species of Oxelytrum Gistel (Coleoptera, Silphidae) from southern Argentina, with a key to the species of the genus. ZooKeys 203: 1–14. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.203.2837 Abstract A new species of the forensically interesting genus Oxelytrum Gistel (Coleoptera, Silphidae), O. selknan, is described from Santa Cruz and Tierra del Fuego provinces, Argentina. The new species resembles O. biguttatum (Philippi) in outer aspect, but has different male genitalia, in particular a median lobe longer than the paramera. All the described species of Oxelytrum have the median lobe shorter than the paramera. The internal sac, as far as it could be reconstructed from dry-pinned specimens, also shows differences between the two species. A key to the species of Oxelytrum is given and illustrated. Resumen Se describe una nueva especie de Oxelytrum Gistel (Coleoptera, Silphidae), género de interés forense: O.
    [Show full text]
  • Action of Fauna and Flora on the Cadaveric Phenomena
    Forensic Research & Criminology International Journal Clinical Paper Open Access Action of fauna and flora on the cadaveric phenomena observed in the carcass of sus scrofa (Linnaeus-Suidae) in the wild area Brazilian savannah of the central region-Brazil Abstract Volume 7 Issue 4 - 2019 Decomposition is the process of cadaver degradation into its respective basic 1,2 constituents by action of biological (microorganisms and arthropods) and abiotic Diniz Pereira Leite Júnior, Elisangela 3,4 (environmental conditions) agents. The objective was to know the richness, abundance Santana de Oliveira Dantas, Diana Costa and succession of entomological and fungal species with emphasis on the forensic Nascimento,5 Heitor Simões Dutra Corrêa,6 importance in carcass of Sus scrofa in Brazilian Savannah of the central region Paulo Anselmo Nunes Felippe,7,8 Rodrigo Brazil. In this work, samples were collected and the action of biological agents was Antônio Araújo Pires,8 Luciana da Silva observed during putrefaction of experimental model. Overall, 5,009 insects specimens Ruiz,9 Márcia de Souza Carvalho Melhem,10 were collected, belonging to 3 orders, 15 families, 22 subfamilies, 39 genera and 47 Claudete Rodrigues Paula11 species. Diptera was the most representative order, with 2,848 individuals (56.9%), 1Laboratory research, Federal University of Mato Grosso followed by Hymenoptera with 1,628 (32.5%) and Coleoptera with 533 (10.6%). (UFMT)-Cuiaba, MT, Brazil Diptera were present in all phases of cadaveric decomposition, of which, the butyric 2 fermentation phase was the most relevant (26.6%). Hymenoptera were also present in University Center of Várzea Grande (UNIVAG)-Várzea Grande, MT, Brazil the butyric fermentation phase (15.8%) and Coleoptera were present in the final phase 3 of decomposition (7.8%).
    [Show full text]
  • Phylogeny, Biogeography, and Host Specificity
    bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.05.20.443311; this version posted May 22, 2021. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under aCC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license. 1 Cryptic diversity within the Poecilochirus carabi mite 2 species complex phoretic on Nicrophorus burying 3 beetles: phylogeny, biogeography, and host specificity 4 Julia Canitz1, Derek S. Sikes2, Wayne Knee3, Julia Baumann4, Petra Haftaro1, 5 Nadine Steinmetz1, Martin Nave1, Anne-Katrin Eggert5, Wenbe Hwang6, Volker 6 Nehring1 7 1 Institute for Biology I, University of Freiburg, Hauptstraße 1, Freiburg, Germany 8 2 University of Alaska Museum, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska, 9 99775, USA 10 3 Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids, and Nematodes, Agriculture and 11 Agri-Food Canada, 960 Carling Avenue, K.W. Neatby Building, Ottawa, Ontario, 12 K1A 0C6, Canada 13 4 Institute of Biology, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 2, 8010 Graz, Austria 14 5 School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IL 61790-4120, USA 15 6 Department of Ecology and Environmental Resources, National Univ. of Tainan, 33 16 Shulin St., Sec. 2, West Central Dist, Tainan 70005, Taiwan 17 Correspondence: [email protected] 1 1/50 bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.05.20.443311; this version posted May 22, 2021. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity.
    [Show full text]
  • Disturbance and Recovery of Litter Fauna: a Contribution to Environmental Conservation
    Disturbance and recovery of litter fauna: a contribution to environmental conservation Vincent Comor Disturbance and recovery of litter fauna: a contribution to environmental conservation Vincent Comor Thesis committee PhD promotors Prof. dr. Herbert H.T. Prins Professor of Resource Ecology Wageningen University Prof. dr. Steven de Bie Professor of Sustainable Use of Living Resources Wageningen University PhD supervisor Dr. Frank van Langevelde Assistant Professor, Resource Ecology Group Wageningen University Other members Prof. dr. Lijbert Brussaard, Wageningen University Prof. dr. Peter C. de Ruiter, Wageningen University Prof. dr. Nico M. van Straalen, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam Prof. dr. Wim H. van der Putten, Nederlands Instituut voor Ecologie, Wageningen This research was conducted under the auspices of the C.T. de Wit Graduate School of Production Ecology & Resource Conservation Disturbance and recovery of litter fauna: a contribution to environmental conservation Vincent Comor Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of doctor at Wageningen University by the authority of the Rector Magnificus Prof. dr. M.J. Kropff, in the presence of the Thesis Committee appointed by the Academic Board to be defended in public on Monday 21 October 2013 at 11 a.m. in the Aula Vincent Comor Disturbance and recovery of litter fauna: a contribution to environmental conservation 114 pages Thesis, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands (2013) With references, with summaries in English and Dutch ISBN 978-94-6173-749-6 Propositions 1. The environmental filters created by constraining environmental conditions may influence a species assembly to be driven by deterministic processes rather than stochastic ones. (this thesis) 2. High species richness promotes the resistance of communities to disturbance, but high species abundance does not.
    [Show full text]
  • Col., Silphidae) in Agriculturally Used Areas - 2297
    Konieczna et al.: Assemblages of necrophilous carrion beetles (Col., Silphidae) in agriculturally used areas - 2297 - ASSEMBLAGES OF NECROPHILOUS CARRION BEETLES (COL., SILPHIDAE) IN AGRICULTURALLY USED AREAS KONIECZNA, K.* – CZERNIAKOWSKI, Z. W. – WOLAŃSKI, P. Department of Agroecology, Faculty of Biology and Agriculture, University of Rzeszów Ćwiklińskiej 1, 35-601 Rzeszów, Poland *Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected] (Received 19th Oct 2018; accepted 2nd Jan 2019) Abstract. This study on Silphidae fauna was carried out at different sites forming part of an agricultural landscape. Catches were carried out in two selected habitats (Borek Stary and Widna Góra) in the Subcarpathian region (south-eastern Poland) during three growing seasons (2009-2010 and 2014) using Barber pitfall traps. It included potato, fodder beet and cereal crops (Widna Góra) as well as field margins (Borek Stary and Widna Góra). Four traps were placed at each of the sites studied then were emptied on average every two weeks. As a result of the observations, a total of 5491 beetles from 13 species were collected. Keywords: Silphidae, Thanatophilus sinuatus, Nicrophorus vespillo, crop culture, field margins Introduction Most representatives of carrion beetles (Col., Silphidae) are necrophagous and/or predatory. Herbivorous species are a minority (Anderson and Peck, 1985; Sikes, 2008). Alongside ground beetles (Col., Carabidae) and rove beetles (Col., Staphylinidae), beetles from this family are an important component of epigeic entomofauna of agricultural landscape from the ecological point of view (Tischler, 1955). Necrophagous carrion beetles perform important ecological functions, which can be particularly seen in the agricultural aspect. Biochemical transformations that accompany the decomposition of dead animals lead to an increased amount of mineral nutrients and humus in the soil and, as a further consequence, they affect soil fertility regeneration.
    [Show full text]
  • Ofcanada Part13
    THE INSECTS ANDARAOHNIDS OFCANADA PART13 The ofca,.m'ffitrslP; Coleo r* SgHHy'" THE INSECTS ANDARACHNIDS OFCANADA t%RT13 The Carrion Beetles of Canada and Alaska Coleoptera Silphidae and Agyrtidae Robert S. Andersonl and Stewart B. Peck2 Biosystematics Research Institute Ottawa, Ontario Research Branch Agriculture Canada Publication 1778 1985 rUniyersity of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta 2Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario oMinister of Supply and Services Canada 1985 Available in Canada through Authorized Bookstore Agents and other bookstores or by mail from Canadian Government Publishing Centre Supply and Services Canada Ottawa, Canada KIA 0S9 Catalogue No. A42-42,21985-l3E Canada: $7.00 ISBN 0-662-11752-5 Other Countries: $8.40 Price subject to change without notice Canadian Cataloguing in Publication Data Anderson, Robert Samuel The carrion beetles of Canada and Alaska (Coleoptera: Silphidae and Agyrtidae) (The Insects and arachnids of Canada, ISSN 0706-7313 ; pt. 13) (Publication ;1778) Includes bibliographical references and index. l. Silphidae. 2. Beetles - Canada. 3. Beetles -- Alaska. I. Peck, Stewart B. II. Canada. Agricul- ture Canada. Research Branch. III. Title. IV. Series. V. Series: Publication (Canada. Agri- culture Canada). English ; 1778. QL596.S5A5 1985 595.76 C85-097200-0 The Insects and Arachnids of Canada Part l. Collecting, Preparing, and Preserving Insects, Mites, and Spiders, compiled by J. E. H. Martin, Biosystematics Research Institute, Ottawa, 1977. 182 p. Price: Canada $3.50, other countries $4.20 (Canadian funds). Cat. No. A42-42/1977 -1. Partie 1. R6colte, prdparation et conservation des Insectes, des Acariens et des Araign6es, compil6 par J.E.H. Martin, Institut de recherches biosyst6- matiques, Ottawa, 1983.
    [Show full text]
  • Escarabajos Necrófagos (Coleoptera
    Kempffiana 2010 6(2):15-19 ISSN: 1991-4652 ESCARABAJOS NECRÓFAGOS (COLEOPTERA: SCARABAEIDAE: SCARABAEINAE: PHANAEINI Y COLEOPTERA: SILPHIDAE: NICROPHORINAE y SILPHINAE) DE LA CORDILLERA DE LOS ANDES, DEPRESIÓN DE MARACAIBO Y LLANOS DE VENEZUELA. Jorge Gámez Fundación Entomológica Andina, Quinta Mi Ranchito, Calle Urdaneta, sector Manzano Bajo. Ejido, Estado Mérida. Venezuela. Apartado Postal 075. Código Postal 5101. E-mail: [email protected] Palabras clave: Scarabaeinae, Phanaeini, Silphidae, escarabajos carroñeros, distribución, disturbios humanos, Venezuela. Con relación a la Cordillera de Mérida, se considera que tiene un origen ha finales del Terciario, con un máximo levantamiento durante el Plioceno y el Pleistoceno (Vivas, 1992). Se encuentra bien delimitada por dos fosas de hundimiento que han sido denominadas Depresión del Táchira y Depresión de Barquisimeto. De igual forma, en su recorrido axial longitudinal la cordillera se escinde por la presencia de un surco tectónico fisiográfico que configura la separación de los dos sistemas montañosos presentes: La Sierra Nevada y La Sierra de La Culata (Vivas, 1992). La masividad estructural de la cordillera permite caracterizar a dos regiones fisiográficas de acuerdo con el esquema propuesto por Huber (1997): La de Montañas, con la subregión Cordillera de Los Andes y la de Llanuras Bajas, con las subregiones Depresión de Maracaibo y Los Llanos. En las regiones, se presentan diferencias climáticas en función de la amplitud altitudinal propiciando variadas unidades ecológicas con su vegetación característica (Ataroff y Sarmiento, 2004). En tales hábitats, se han recolectado a escarabajos necrófagos (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae: Phanaeini; y Silphidae: Silphinae y Nicrophorinae) que muestran clara segregación a nivel del nicho espacial y un reemplazo de las especies en relación con la altitud (Tabla 1).
    [Show full text]
  • The Occurrence and Species Richnes of Nicrophagous Silphidae (Coleoptera) in Wooded Areas in Different Degree of Urbanization
    Baltic J. Coleopterol. 19(2) 2019 ISSN 1407 - 8619 The occurrence and species richnes of nicrophagous Silphidae (Coleoptera) in wooded areas in different degree of urbanization Karolina Konieczna, Zbigniew W. Czerniakowski, Paweł Wolański Konieczna K., Czerniakowski Z. W., Wolański P. 2019. The occurrence and species richnes of nicrophagous Silphidae (Coleoptera) in wooded areas in different degree of urbanization. Baltic J. Coleopterol., 19(2): 213 – 232. This study on the fauna of carrion beetles (Col., Silphidae) was conducted in various wooded areas located in Subcarpathian Voivodeship (south-eastern Poland). It covered habitats dif- fering in anthropogenic pressure and the degree of urbanization. Wooded grounds in less urbanized rural areas were located in the Borek Stary (mid-field tree stands I and II). Wooded grounds in more urbanized areas were located in a suburban district of the city of Rzeszów and included two following sites: a cluster of trees and shrubs, and an urban park. The present study covered four growing seasons (2009-2012). Entomological catches were carried out using baited pitfall traps. At each site, four traps were placed and emptied on average every two weeks. A total of 4282 carrion beetles were found, which were classified to 13 species. In the wooded areas with lower urbanization pressure, a higher number of individuals was caught (2907 exx.) than in the urban areas. These sites were also found to have higher values of the Shannon species diversity index (H’ln) and the Pielou evenness index (J’). Species preferring open areas and fields were also found to occur in greater numbers. Keywords: carrion beetles, trees, scale of urbanization Karolina Konieczna* , Zbigniew W.
    [Show full text]
  • The Silphidae (Coleoptera) of the Maritime Provinces of Canada Christopher G
    J. Acad. Entomol. Soc. 7: 83-101 (2011) The Silphidae (Coleoptera) of the Maritime Provinces of Canada Christopher G. Majka ABSTRACT The carrion beetle (Silphidae) fauna of the Maritime Provinces of Canada is surveyed. Eleven species are found in the region, and they are all present in all three provinces and on Cape Breton Island. As a result of this survey, five new provincial records are reported; Necrophila americana, Thanatophilus lapponicus, Nicrophorus pustulatus, and Nicrophorus sayi are newly recorded in Prince Edward Island, and Nicrophorus investigator is newly recorded in New Brunswick. Additionally, N. sayi is newly recorded from the Îles de la Madeleine, Nicrophorus orbicollis is newly recorded from Cape Breton Island, and N. investigator is newly recorded from the mainland of Nova Scotia. Historical reports of one species, the endangered Nicrophorus americanus, are reviewed with the conclusion that there is no verifiable evidence that it has ever occurred in Nova Scotia. Although all species feed and breed on carrion, there are nevertheless substantial differences in their developmental biology, behavior, seasonality, diel activity, habitat preferences, the particular carrion resources they utilize, and other aspects of their biology that allow them to differentially utilize this resource. The general features of the biology of the two subfamilies, the Silphinae and Nicrophorinae are reviewed, and in individual species accounts, particular aspects of each species are highlighted. The distributions of all species are mapped, and the relative abundance and seasonal distribution of species are graphed. Aspects of resource partitioning, competition, and niche width of the species are discussed. To assist in identification, a key to species found in the region is provided, as are colour habitus photographs of all the species.
    [Show full text]
  • Key to the Carrion Beetles (Silphidae) of Colorado & Neighboring States
    Key to the carrion beetles (Silphidae) of Colorado & neighboring states Emily Monk, Kevin Hinson, Tim Szewczyk, Holly D’Oench, and Christy M. McCain UCB 265, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, and CU Museum of Natural History, Boulder, CO 80309, [email protected], [email protected] Version 1 posted online: March 2016 This key is based on several identification sources, including Anderson & Peck 1985, De Jong 2011, Hanley & Cuthrell 2008, Peck & Kaulbars 1997, Peck & Miller 1993, and Ratcliffe 1996. We include all species known from Colorado and those in the surrounding states that might occur in Colorado. Of course, new species may be detected, so make sure to investigate unique individuals carefully. We have included pictures of each species from specimens of the Entomology collection at the CU Museum of Natural History (UCM), the Colorado State C.P. Gillette Museum of Arthropod Diversity (GMAD), and the Florida State Collection of Arthropods (FSCA). A glossary of terms, a list of the states where each species has been detected, and references can be found after the key. We would appreciate reports of omitted species or species from new localities not stated herein. First step—ID as a silphid: Large size, body shape, and antennal club are usually distinctive. Body usually 10-35 mm, moderately to strongly flattened. Elytra broad toward rear, either loosely covering abdomen or short, exposing 1-3 segments. Antennae often ending in a hairy, three-segmented club, usually preceded by two or three enlarged but glabrous segments (subfamily Silphinae) or antennomeres 9-11 lammellate (subfamily Nicrophorinae). Black, often with red, yellow, or orange markings.
    [Show full text]