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Büchner G, Hothorn T, Feldhaar H, von Hoermann C, Lackner T, Rietz J, Schlüter J, Mitesser O, Benbow ME, Heurich M, Müller J. Ecological drivers of carrion beetle (Staphylinidae: Silphinae) diversity on small to large mammals. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e70203. [PMID: 39224157 PMCID: PMC11366687 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.70203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Silphinae (Staphylinidae; carrion beetles) are important contributors to the efficient decomposition and recycling of carrion necromass. Their community composition is important for the provision of this ecosystem function and can be affected by abiotic and biotic factors. However, investigations are lacking on the effects of carrion characteristics on Silphinae diversity. Carrion body mass may affect Silphinae diversity following the more individuals hypothesis (MIH). The MIH predicts a higher number of species at larger carrion because higher numbers of individuals can be supported on the resource patch. Additionally, biotic factors like carrion species identity or decomposition stage, and the abiotic factors elevation, season and temperature could affect Silphinae diversity. To test the hypotheses, we collected Silphinae throughout the decomposition of 100 carcasses representing 10 mammal species ranging from 0.04 to 124 kg. Experimental carcasses were exposed in a mountain forest landscape in Germany during spring and summer of 2021. We analysed Silphinae diversity using recently developed transformation models that considered the difficult data distribution we obtained. We found no consistent effect of carrion body mass on Silphinae species richness and, therefore, rejected the MIH. Carrion decomposition stage, in contrast, strongly influenced Silphinae diversity. Abundance and species richness increased with the decomposition process. Silphinae abundance increased with temperature and decreased with elevation. Furthermore, Silphinae abundance was lower in summer compared to spring, likely due to increased co-occurrence and competition with dipteran larvae in summer. Neither carrion species identity nor any abiotic factor affected Silphinae species richness following a pattern consistent throughout the seasons. Our approach combining a broad study design with an improved method for data analysis, transformation models, revealed new insights into mechanisms driving carrion beetle diversity during carrion decomposition. Overall, our study illustrates the complexity and multifactorial nature of biotic and abiotic factors affecting diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwen Büchner
- Population Ecology, Animal Ecology I, Bayreuther Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER) Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth SciencesUniversity of BayreuthBayreuthGermany
| | - Torsten Hothorn
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention InstituteUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Heike Feldhaar
- Population Ecology, Animal Ecology I, Bayreuther Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER) Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth SciencesUniversity of BayreuthBayreuthGermany
| | - Christian von Hoermann
- Field Station FabrikschleichachJulius‐Maximilians‐University WuerzburgRauhenebrachGermany
- Conservation and ResearchBavarian Forest National ParkGrafenauGermany
| | - Tomáš Lackner
- Department of Environmental Systems ScienceETH ZürichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Janine Rietz
- National Park Monitoring and Animal ManagementBavarian Forest National ParkGrafenauGermany
| | - Jens Schlüter
- Conservation and ResearchBavarian Forest National ParkGrafenauGermany
| | - Oliver Mitesser
- Field Station FabrikschleichachJulius‐Maximilians‐University WuerzburgRauhenebrachGermany
| | - M. Eric Benbow
- Department of Entomology, Department of Osteopathic Medical Specialties, College of Agriculture and Natural ResourcesMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA
| | - Marco Heurich
- National Park Monitoring and Animal ManagementBavarian Forest National ParkGrafenauGermany
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Biology, Faculty of Environment and Natural ResourcesAlbert‐Ludwigs‐University FreiburgFreiburgGermany
- Institute for Forest and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied SciencesEvenstads Vei 80, 2480 Koppang, NO‐34Norway
| | - Jörg Müller
- Field Station FabrikschleichachJulius‐Maximilians‐University WuerzburgRauhenebrachGermany
- Conservation and ResearchBavarian Forest National ParkGrafenauGermany
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Wenting E, Jansen PA, Burggraeve S, Delsman DF, Siepel H, van Langevelde F. The influence of vertebrate scavengers on leakage of nutrients from carcasses. Oecologia 2024:10.1007/s00442-024-05608-w. [PMID: 39153020 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-024-05608-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
The decomposition of carcasses by scavengers and microbial decomposers is an important component of the biochemical cycle that can strongly alter the chemical composition of soils locally. Different scavenger guilds are assumed to have a different influence on the chemical elements that leak into the soil, although this assumption has not been empirically tested. Here, we experimentally determine how different guilds of vertebrate scavengers influence local nutrient dynamics. We performed a field experiment in which we systematically excluded different subsets of vertebrate scavengers from decomposing carcasses of fallow deer (Dama dama), and compared elemental concentrations in the soil beneath and in the vegetation next to the carcasses over time throughout the decomposition process. We used four exclusion treatments: excluding (1) no scavengers, thus allowing them all; (2) wild boar (Sus scrofa); (3) all mammals; and (4) all mammals and birds. We found that fluxes of several elements into the soil showed distinct peaks when all vertebrates were excluded. Especially, trace elements (Cu and Zn) seemed to be influenced by carcass decomposition. However, we found no differences in fluxes between partial exclusion treatments. Thus, vertebrate scavengers indeed reduce leakage of elements from carcasses into the soil, hence influencing local biochemical cycles, but did so independent of which vertebrate scavenger guild had access. Our results suggest that carcass-derived elements are dispersed over larger areas rather than locally leak into the soil when vertebrate scavengers dominate the decomposition process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elke Wenting
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, Box 47, 6700, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
- Department of Ecology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Box 9010, 6500, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Patrick A Jansen
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, Box 47, 6700, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Ancon, Balboa, Panama
| | - Simon Burggraeve
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, Box 47, 6700, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Devon F Delsman
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, Box 47, 6700, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Henk Siepel
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, Box 47, 6700, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Ecology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Box 9010, 6500, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Frank van Langevelde
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, Box 47, 6700, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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3
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Potticary AL, Belk MC, Creighton JC, Ito M, Kilner R, Komdeur J, Royle NJ, Rubenstein DR, Schrader M, Shen S, Sikes DS, Smiseth PT, Smith R, Steiger S, Trumbo ST, Moore AJ. Revisiting the ecology and evolution of burying beetle behavior (Staphylinidae: Silphinae). Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e70175. [PMID: 39170054 PMCID: PMC11336061 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.70175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Investigating fundamental processes in biology requires the ability to ground broad questions in species-specific natural history. This is particularly true in the study of behavior because an organism's experience of the environment will influence the expression of behavior and the opportunity for selection. Here, we provide a review of the natural history and behavior of burying beetles of the genus Nicrophorus to provide the groundwork for comparative work that showcases their remarkable behavioral and ecological diversity. Burying beetles have long fascinated scientists because of their well-developed parenting behavior, exhibiting extended post-hatching care of offspring that varies extensively within and across taxa. Despite the burgeoning success of burying beetles as a model system for the study of behavioral evolution, there has not been a review of their behavior, ecology, and evolution in over 25 years. To address this gap, we leverage a developing community of researchers who have contributed to a detailed knowledge of burying beetles to highlight the utility of Nicrophorus for investigating the causes and consequences of social and behavioral evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahva L. Potticary
- Department of BiologyNorthern Michigan UniversityMarquetteMichiganUSA
- Department of EntomologyUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgiaUSA
| | - Mark C. Belk
- Department of BiologyBrigham Young UniversityProvoUtahUSA
| | - J. Curtis Creighton
- Department of Biological SciencesPurdue University NorthwestHammondIndianaUSA
| | - Minobu Ito
- Department of Environmental ScienceToho UniversityFunabashiChibaJapan
| | | | - Jan Komdeur
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life SciencesUniversity of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Nick J. Royle
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, Faculty of Environment, Science & the EconomyUniversity of ExeterCornwallUK
| | - Dustin R. Rubenstein
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental BiologyColumbia UniversityNew York CityNew YorkUSA
| | - Matthew Schrader
- Department of BiologySewanee, The University of the SouthSewaneeTennesseeUSA
| | | | - Derek S. Sikes
- University of Alaska Museum and Department of Biology and WildlifeUniversity of Alaska FairbanksFairbanksAlaskaUSA
| | - Per T. Smiseth
- Institute of Ecology and EvolutionThe University of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Rosemary Smith
- Department of Biological SciencesIdaho State UniversityPocatelloIdahoUSA
- Rocky Mountain Biological LaboratoryCrested ButteColoradoUSA
| | - Sandra Steiger
- Department of Evolutionary Animal EcologyUniversity of BayreuthBayreuthGermany
| | - Stephen T. Trumbo
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of ConnecticutWaterburyConnecticutUSA
| | - Allen J. Moore
- Department of EntomologyUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgiaUSA
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4
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Krige Z, Spencer EE, Crowther MS, Dickman CR, Newsome TM. Flooding, season and habitat interact to drive changes in vertebrate scavenging and carcass persistence rates. Oecologia 2024; 204:861-874. [PMID: 38589583 PMCID: PMC11062959 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-024-05531-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Scavenging dynamics are influenced by many abiotic and biotic factors, but there is little knowledge of how scavengers respond to extreme weather events. As carrion is a major driver of the organisation and structure of food webs within ecological communities, understanding the response of scavengers to extreme weather events is critical in a world that is increasingly subject to climate change. In this study, vertebrate scavenging and carcass persistence rates were quantified in the Simpson Desert of central Australia; a system that experiences major fluctuations and extremes in weather conditions. Specifically, a total of 80 adult red kangaroo (Osphranter rufus) carcasses were placed on the landscape and monitored using remote sensor cameras. This included 40 carcasses monitored before and then 40 carcasses monitored after a major flooding event. The carcasses were monitored equally before and after the flood across different seasons (warm and cool) and in dune and interdune habitats. Overall, a total of 8124 scavenging events for 97,976 visitation minutes were recorded for 11 vertebrate species within 30 days of carcass placement pre- and post-flood. Vertebrate scavenging increased post-flood in the warm season, especially by corvids which quadrupled their scavenging events during this time. There was little difference in carcass persistence between habitats, but carcasses persisted 5.3-fold longer post-flood in warm seasons despite increased vertebrate scavenging. The results demonstrate that a flood event can influence scavenging dynamics and suggest a need to further understand how seasons, habitats and extreme weather events can drive changes in carrion-based food webs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zyna Krige
- The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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5
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Kriegel P, Vogel S, Angeleri R, Baldrian P, Borken W, Bouget C, Brin A, Bussler H, Cocciufa C, Feldmann B, Gossner MM, Haeler E, Hagge J, Hardersen S, Hartmann H, Hjältén J, Kotowska MM, Lachat T, Larrieu L, Leverkus AB, Macagno ALM, Mitesser O, Müller J, Obermaier E, Parisi F, Pelz S, Schuldt B, Seibold S, Stengel E, Sverdrup-Thygeson A, Weisser W, Thorn S. Ambient and substrate energy influence decomposer diversity differentially across trophic levels. Ecol Lett 2023. [PMID: 37156097 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The species-energy hypothesis predicts increasing biodiversity with increasing energy in ecosystems. Proxies for energy availability are often grouped into ambient energy (i.e., solar radiation) and substrate energy (i.e., non-structural carbohydrates or nutritional content). The relative importance of substrate energy is thought to decrease with increasing trophic level from primary consumers to predators, with reciprocal effects of ambient energy. Yet, empirical tests are lacking. We compiled data on 332,557 deadwood-inhabiting beetles of 901 species reared from wood of 49 tree species across Europe. Using host-phylogeny-controlled models, we show that the relative importance of substrate energy versus ambient energy decreases with increasing trophic levels: the diversity of zoophagous and mycetophagous beetles was determined by ambient energy, while non-structural carbohydrate content in woody tissues determined that of xylophagous beetles. Our study thus overall supports the species-energy hypothesis and specifies that the relative importance of ambient temperature increases with increasing trophic level with opposite effects for substrate energy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Kriegel
- Field Station Fabrikschleichach, Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology (Zoology III), Julius Maximilians University Würzburg, Rauhenebrach, Germany
| | - Sebastian Vogel
- Field Station Fabrikschleichach, Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology (Zoology III), Julius Maximilians University Würzburg, Rauhenebrach, Germany
- Bavarian Environment Agency, Biodiversitätszentrum Rhön, Bischofsheim in der Rhön, Germany
| | - Romain Angeleri
- School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences HAFL, Bern University of Applied Sciences BFH, Zollikofen, Switzerland
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution IEE - Conservation Biology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Petr Baldrian
- Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Praha 4, Czech Republic
| | - Werner Borken
- Department for Soil Ecology, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Christophe Bouget
- French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment INRAE, 'Forest Ecosystems' Research Unit, Nogent-sur-Vernisson, France
| | - Antoine Brin
- University of Toulouse, Engineering School of Purpan, UMR 1201 INRAE-INPT DYNAFOR, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Cristiana Cocciufa
- Arma dei Carabinieri CUFA, Projects, Conventions, Environmental Education Office, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Martin M Gossner
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
- Department of Environmental Systems Science, Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Elena Haeler
- School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences HAFL, Bern University of Applied Sciences BFH, Zollikofen, Switzerland
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
- Department of Environmental Systems Science, Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Forest Growth, Silviculture and Genetics, Federal Research and Training Centre for Forests Natural Hazards and Landscape BFW, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jonas Hagge
- Forest Nature Conservation, Northwest German Forest Research Institute, Hann. Münden, Germany
- Department for Forest Nature Conservation, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sönke Hardersen
- Reparto Carabinieri Biodiversità di Verona, Centro Nazionale Carabinieri Biodiversità "Bosco Fontana", Marmirolo, Italy
| | - Henrik Hartmann
- Department of Biogeochemical Processes, Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Jena, Germany
- Julius Kühn Institute (JKI), Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Forest Protection, Quedlinburg, Germany
| | - Joakim Hjältén
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Martyna M Kotowska
- Department of Plant Ecology and Ecosystems Research, Georg-August University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Thibault Lachat
- School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences HAFL, Bern University of Applied Sciences BFH, Zollikofen, Switzerland
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Laurent Larrieu
- University of Toulouse, INRAE, UMR 1201 DYNAFOR, Castanet-Tolosan, France
- CNPF-CRPF Occitanie, Auzeville-Tolosane, France
| | | | - Anna L M Macagno
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Indiana, Bloomington, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Biostatistics Consulting Center, Indiana University, Indiana, Bloomington, USA
| | - Oliver Mitesser
- Field Station Fabrikschleichach, Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology (Zoology III), Julius Maximilians University Würzburg, Rauhenebrach, Germany
| | - Jörg Müller
- Field Station Fabrikschleichach, Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology (Zoology III), Julius Maximilians University Würzburg, Rauhenebrach, Germany
- Bavarian Forest National Park, Grafenau, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Obermaier
- Ecological-Botanical Garden of the University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Francesco Parisi
- Department of Bioscience and Territory, Università degli Studi del Molise, Pesche, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Stefan Pelz
- Institute for Applied Science, University of Applied Forest Sciences Rottenburg, Rottenburg, Germany
| | - Bernhard Schuldt
- Chair of Forest Botany, Institute of Forest Botany and Forest Zoology, Technical University of Dresden, Tharandt, Germany
- Chair of Ecophysiology and Vegetation Ecology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Seibold
- Ecosystem Dynamics and Forest Management Research Group, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
- Berchtesgaden National Park, Berchtesgaden, Germany
- Technische Universität Dresden, Forest Zoology, Tharandt, Germany
| | - Elisa Stengel
- Field Station Fabrikschleichach, Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology (Zoology III), Julius Maximilians University Würzburg, Rauhenebrach, Germany
| | - Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management (MINA), Norwegian University of Life Sciences NMBU, Ås, Norway
| | - Wolfgang Weisser
- Department for Life Science Systems, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Simon Thorn
- Field Station Fabrikschleichach, Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology (Zoology III), Julius Maximilians University Würzburg, Rauhenebrach, Germany
- Hessian Agency for Nature Conservation, Environment and Geology, Biodiversity Center, Gießen, Germany
- Czech Academy of Sciences, Biology Centre, Institute of Entomology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
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6
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Hu G, Kang C, Zhu R, Guo Y, Li L, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Wang Y, Wang J. A Preliminary Study of Body Decomposition and Arthropod Succession in an Arid Area in Northwest China During Summer. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 60:306-315. [PMID: 36478242 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjac174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The study of insect fauna and their development and succession patterns on decaying cadavers is crucial to promoting insect evidence as a useful tool in forensic science, particularly for estimating the postmortem interval (PMI). Body decomposition and arthropod succession are affected by many factors and exhibit substantial regional variations; therefore, detailed succession studies in different biogeographic regions are required for understanding the successional patterns of insects in various environments. This study was conducted in the summer of 2021 using three domestic pig carcasses (Sus scrofa domestica L., 1758) in the field of Shizuishan City, Ningxia, Northwest China. A total of 40 species of necrophagous insects belonging to three orders and 16 families were collected. Among Diptera, Lucilia sericata (Meigen,1826), Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius,1794), and Phormia regina (Meigen,1826) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) were the dominant species. As for Coleoptera, the dominant species changed throughout the process of carcass decomposition from Saprinus semipunctatus (Fabricius,1792) (Coleoptera: Histeridae) to Dermestes maculatus DeGeer,1774 and Dermestes frischii Kugelann,1792 (Coleoptera: Dermestidae). The carcasses desiccated rapidly and reached the remains stage under extreme conditions of high temperatures and low humidity, after which a large amount of dried tissue of the carcasses attracted populations of Coleoptera, particularly Dermstidae, which were abundant and remained until the end of the experiment on day 50. The current study is the first forensic entomological investigation of succession in Northwest China and provides basic data for the estimation of PMI during summer in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gengwang Hu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Ganjiang East Road, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Chengtao Kang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Ganjiang East Road, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Rui Zhu
- Shizuishan Public Security Bureau, Criminal Police Branch, Shengli East Road, Shizuishan 753099, China
| | - Yi Guo
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Ganjiang East Road, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Liangliang Li
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Ganjiang East Road, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Yinghui Wang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Ganjiang East Road, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Yanan Zhang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Ganjiang East Road, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Ganjiang East Road, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Jiangfeng Wang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Ganjiang East Road, Suzhou 215000, China
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von Hoermann C, Benbow ME, Rottler-Hoermann AM, Lackner T, Sommer D, Receveur JP, Bässler C, Heurich M, Müller J. Factors influencing carrion communities are only partially consistent with those of deadwood necromass. Oecologia 2023; 201:537-547. [PMID: 36697878 PMCID: PMC9943954 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-023-05327-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Research on decomposer communities has traditionally focused on plant litter or deadwood. Even though carrion forms highly nutrient-rich necromass that enhance ecosystem heterogeneity, the factors influencing saprophytic communities remain largely unknown. For deadwood, experiments have shown that different drivers determine beetles (i.e., decay stage, microclimate, and space), fungi (i.e., decay stage and tree species) and bacteria (decay stage only) assemblages. To test the hypothesis that similar factors also structure carrion communities, we sampled 29 carcasses exposed for 30 days that included Cervus elaphus (N = 6), Capreolus capreolus (N = 18), and Vulpes vulpes (N = 5) in a mountain forest throughout decomposition. Beetles were collected with pitfall traps, while microbial communities were characterized using amplicon sequencing. Assemblages were determined with a focus from rare to dominant species using Hill numbers. With increasing focus on dominant species, the relative importance of carcass identity on beetles and space on bacteria increased, while only succession and microclimate remained relevant for fungi. For beetle and bacteria with focus on dominant species, host identity was more important than microclimate, which is in marked contrast to deadwood. We conclude that factors influencing carrion saprophytic assemblages show some consistency, but also differences from those of deadwood assemblages, suggesting that short-lived carrion and long-lasting deadwood both provide a resource pulse with different adaptions in insects and microbes. As with deadwood, a high diversity of carcass species under multiple decay stages and different microclimates support a diverse decomposer community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian von Hoermann
- Department of Conservation and Research, Bavarian Forest National Park, Freyunger Str. 2, 94481 Grafenau, Germany
| | - M. Eric Benbow
- Department of Entomology, Department of Osteopathic Specialties, AgBioResearch and Ecology, Evolution and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA
| | - Ann-Marie Rottler-Hoermann
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, 89069 Ulm, Germany
| | - Tomáš Lackner
- Department of Conservation and Research, Bavarian Forest National Park, Freyunger Str. 2, 94481 Grafenau, Germany
| | - David Sommer
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 7, 12844 Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Kamycka 1176, 16521 Praha, Czech Republic
| | - Joseph P. Receveur
- Department of Entomology, Department of Osteopathic Specialties, AgBioResearch and Ecology, Evolution and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA
| | - Claus Bässler
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Institute for Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Conservation Biology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Bavarian Forest National Park, Freyunger Str. 2, 94481 Grafenau, Germany
| | - Marco Heurich
- Department of Visitor Management and National Park Monitoring, Bavarian Forest National Park, 94481 Grafenau, Germany
- Chair of Wildlife Ecology and Wildlife Management, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- Institute for Forest and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Science, 2480 Koppang, Norway
| | - Jörg Müller
- Department of Conservation and Research, Bavarian Forest National Park, Freyunger Str. 2, 94481 Grafenau, Germany
- Field Station Fabrikschleichach, Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, University of Würzburg, 96181 Rauhenebrach, Germany
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8
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von Hoermann C, Weithmann S, Sikorski J, Nevo O, Szpila K, Grzywacz A, Grunwald JE, Reckel F, Overmann J, Steiger S, Ayasse M. Linking bacteria, volatiles and insects on carrion: the role of temporal and spatial factors regulating inter-kingdom communication via volatiles. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:220555. [PMID: 36061525 PMCID: PMC9428529 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.220555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Multi-kingdom community complexity and the chemically mediated dynamics between bacteria and insects have recently received increased attention in carrion research. However, the strength of these inter-kingdom interactions and the factors that regulate them are poorly studied. We used 75 piglet cadavers across three forest regions to survey the relationship between three actors (epinecrotic bacteria, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and flies) during the first 4 days of decomposition and the factors that regulate this interdependence. The results showed a dynamic bacterial change during decomposition (temperature-time index) and across the forest management gradient, but not between regions. Similarly, VOC emission was dynamic across a temperature-time index and the forest management gradient but did not differ between regions. However, fly occurrence was dynamic across both space and time. The strong interdependence between the three actors was mainly regulated by the temperature-time index and the study regions, thereby revealing regulation at temporal and spatial scales. Additionally, the actor interdependence was stable across a gradient of forest management intensity. By combining different actors of decomposition, we have expanded our knowledge of the holistic mechanisms regulating carrion community dynamics and inter-kingdom interactions, an important precondition for better describing food web dynamics and entire ecosystem functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian von Hoermann
- Department of Conservation and Research, Bavarian Forest National Park, Grafenau, Germany
| | - Sandra Weithmann
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Johannes Sikorski
- Department of Microbial Ecology and Diversity Research, Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures GmbH, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Omer Nevo
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Krzysztof Szpila
- Department of Ecology and Biogeography, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland
| | - Andrzej Grzywacz
- Department of Ecology and Biogeography, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland
| | - Jan-Eric Grunwald
- Bavarian State Criminal Police Office, SG 204, Microtraces/Biology, 80636 Munich, Germany
| | - Frank Reckel
- Bavarian State Criminal Police Office, SG 204, Microtraces/Biology, 80636 Munich, Germany
| | - Jörg Overmann
- Department of Microbial Ecology and Diversity Research, Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures GmbH, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Sandra Steiger
- Department of Evolutionary Animal Ecology, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Manfred Ayasse
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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9
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Sawyer SJ, Eubanks MD, Beasley JC, Barton BT, Puckett RT, Tomeček JM, Tomberlin JK. Vertebrate and invertebrate competition for carrion in human‐impacted environments depends on abiotic factors. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Micky D. Eubanks
- Department of Entomology Texas A&M University College Station Texas USA
| | - James C. Beasley
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory University of Georgia Aiken South Carolina USA
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources University of Georgia Athens Georgia USA
| | - Brandon T. Barton
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Manitoba Winnipeg Manitoba Canada
| | - Robert T. Puckett
- Department of Entomology Texas A&M University College Station Texas USA
| | - John M. Tomeček
- Department of Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management Texas A&M University College Station Texas USA
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10
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Bragato PJ, Spencer EE, Dickman CR, Crowther MS, Tulloch A, Newsome TM. Effects of habitat, season and flood on corvid scavenging dynamics in Central Australia. AUSTRAL ECOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.13177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick J. Bragato
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences The University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales 2006 Australia
| | - Emma E. Spencer
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences The University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales 2006 Australia
| | - Chris R. Dickman
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences The University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales 2006 Australia
| | - Mathew S. Crowther
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences The University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales 2006 Australia
| | - Ayesha Tulloch
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences The University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales 2006 Australia
| | - Thomas M. Newsome
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences The University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales 2006 Australia
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11
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Diverse Effects of Climate, Land Use, and Insects on Dung and Carrion Decomposition. Ecosystems 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10021-022-00764-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
AbstractLand-use intensification and climate change threaten ecosystem functions. A fundamental, yet often overlooked, function is decomposition of necromass. The direct and indirect anthropogenic effects on decomposition, however, are poorly understood. We measured decomposition of two contrasting types of necromass, rat carrion and bison dung, on 179 study sites in Central Europe across an elevational climate gradient of 168–1122 m a.s.l. and within both local and regional land uses. Local land-use types included forest, grassland, arable fields, and settlements and were embedded in three regional land-use types (near-natural, agricultural, and urban). The effects of insects on decomposition were quantified by experimental exclusion, while controlling for removal by vertebrates. We used generalized additive mixed models to evaluate dung weight loss and carrion decay rate along elevation and across regional and local land-use types. We observed a unimodal relationship of dung decomposition with elevation, where greatest weight loss occurred between 600 and 700 m, but no effects of local temperature, land use, or insects. In contrast to dung, carrion decomposition was continuously faster with both increasing elevation and local temperature. Carrion reached the final decomposition stage six days earlier when insect access was allowed, and this did not depend on land-use effect. Our experiment identified different major drivers of decomposition on each necromass form. The results show that dung and carrion decomposition are rather robust to local and regional land use, but future climate change and decline of insects could alter decomposition processes and the self-regulation of ecosystems.
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12
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Wenting E, Rinzema SCY, van Langevelde F. Functional differences in scavenger communities and the speed of carcass decomposition. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8576. [PMID: 35228859 PMCID: PMC8861590 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Carcass decomposition largely depends on vertebrate scavengers. However, how behavioral differences between vertebrate scavenger species, the dominance of certain species, and the diversity of the vertebrate scavenger community affect the speed of carcass decomposition is poorly understood. As scavenging is an overlooked trophic interaction, studying the different functional roles of vertebrate species in the scavenging process increases our understanding about the effect of the vertebrate scavenger community on carcass decomposition. We used motion-triggered infrared camera trap footages to profile the behavior and activity of vertebrate scavengers visiting carcasses in Dutch nature areas. We grouped vertebrate scavengers with similar functional roles. We found a clear distinction between occasional scavengers and more specialized scavengers, and we found wild boar (Sus scrofa) to be the dominant scavenger species in our study system. We showed that these groups are functionally different within the scavenger community. We found that overall vertebrate scavenger diversity was positively correlated with carcass decomposition speed. With these findings, our study contributes to the understanding about the different functional roles scavengers can have in ecological communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elke Wenting
- Department of Environmental SciencesWageningen University and ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
- Department of Animal Ecology and PhysiologyInstitute for Water and Wetland ResearchRadboud UniversityNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Salomé C. Y. Rinzema
- Department of Environmental SciencesWageningen University and ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
| | - Frank van Langevelde
- Department of Environmental SciencesWageningen University and ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
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13
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Marschalek DA, Deutschman DH. Differing insect communities and reduced decomposition rates suggest compromised ecosystem functioning in urban preserves of southern California. Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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14
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Dawson BM, Wallman JF, Evans MJ, Barton PS. Is Resource Change a Useful Predictor of Carrion Insect Succession on Pigs and Humans? JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:2228-2235. [PMID: 33970275 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Carrion is a dynamic and nutrient-rich resource that attracts numerous insect species that undergo succession due to the rapid change in the carrion resource. Despite this process being well-understood, few studies have examined resource change as a driver of carrion insect succession, and instead have focused on the effects of time per se, or on coarse, qualitative measures such as decay stage. Here we report on three field succession experiments using pig carcasses and human cadavers encompassing two winters and one summer. We quantified the effects of resource change (measured as total body score, TBS), carrion type, initial carrion mass, ambient temperature, and season on insect species richness and community composition. We found that all variables had an effect on different taxonomic or trophic components of the insect community composition, with the exception of initial carrion mass which had no effect. We found significant positive effects of TBS on beetle species richness and composition, while fly species richness was not significantly affected by TBS, but was by ambient temperature. TBS had a significant positive effect on all trophic groups, while ambient temperature also had a significant positive effect on the necrophages and predator/parasitoids. Our study indicates that resource change, as indicated by TBS, is an important driver of carrion insect species turnover and succession on carrion, and that TBS can provide information about insect ecological patterns on carrion that other temporal measures of change cannot.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blake M Dawson
- Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - James F Wallman
- Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007,Australia
| | - Maldwyn J Evans
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra, 2601, Australia
- Department of Ecosystem Studies, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Philip S Barton
- School of Science, Psychology and Sport, Federation University Australia, Mount Helen, VIC 3350,Australia
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15
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Carnosaurs as Apex Scavengers: Agent-based simulations reveal possible vulture analogues in late Jurassic Dinosaurs. Ecol Modell 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2021.109706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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16
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Wu X, Niklas KJ, Sun S. Climate change affects detritus decomposition rates by modifying arthropod performance and species interactions. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2021; 47:62-66. [PMID: 34033945 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2021.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Climate change can indirectly affect ecosystem functions including detritus decomposition by modifying physiological traits, feeding behavior, and species interactions (including consumptive and non-consumptive top-down cascading effects) of decomposing arthropods. It is known that the effect of climate change on decomposition can be negative, neutral, or positive, and that it is highly context-dependent, depending on detritus quality, species identity, species interactions, and ecosystem type. Thus, ongoing climate change will undoubtedly influence the effects of arthropods on decomposition rates. More comprehensive studies are urgently needed to elucidate the effect of climate change on arthropod-detritus decomposers, particularly in the context of the decomposition of animal droppings and carrion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinwei Wu
- Department of Ecology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Karl J Niklas
- Department of Plant Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Shucun Sun
- Department of Ecology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.
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17
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Alvarado‐Montero S, Boesing AL, Metzger JP, Jaffé R. Higher forest cover and less contrasting matrices improve carrion removal service by scavenger insects in tropical landscapes. J Appl Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastián Alvarado‐Montero
- Department of Ecology University of São Paulo São Paulo Brazil
- Costa Rica Wildlife Foundation San José Costa Rica
| | | | | | - Rodolfo Jaffé
- Department of Ecology University of São Paulo São Paulo Brazil
- Vale Institute of Technology – Sustainable Development Rua Boaventura da Silva Belém Brazil
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18
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Ilardi MO, Cotter SC, Hammer EC, Riddell G, Caruso T. Scavenging beetles control the temporal response of soil communities to carrion decomposition. Funct Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marco O. Ilardi
- School of Biological Sciences Queen's University Belfast Belfast UK
| | | | | | - Gillian Riddell
- School of Biological Sciences Queen's University Belfast Belfast UK
| | - Tancredi Caruso
- School of Biology & Environmental Science University College Dublin Dublin 4 Ireland
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19
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Newsome TM, Barton B, Buck JC, DeBruyn J, Spencer E, Ripple WJ, Barton PS. Monitoring the dead as an ecosystem indicator. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:5844-5856. [PMID: 34141188 PMCID: PMC8207411 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Dead animal biomass (carrion) is present in all terrestrial ecosystems, and its consumption, decomposition, and dispersal can have measurable effects on vertebrates, invertebrates, microbes, parasites, plants, and soil. But despite the number of studies examining the influence of carrion on food webs, there has been no attempt to identify how general ecological processes around carrion might be used as an ecosystem indicator. We suggest that knowledge of scavenging and decomposition rates, scavenger diversity, abundance, and behavior around carrion, along with assessments of vegetation, soil, microbe, and parasite presence, can be used individually or in combination to understand food web dynamics. Monitoring carrion could also assist comparisons of ecosystem processes among terrestrial landscapes and biomes. Although there is outstanding research needed to fully integrate carrion ecology and monitoring into ecosystem management, we see great potential in using carrion as an ecosystem indicator of an intact and functional food web.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas M. Newsome
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesThe University of SydneySydneyNSWAustralia
| | - Brandon Barton
- Department of Biological SciencesMississippi State UniversityMississippi StateMSUSA
| | - Julia C. Buck
- Biology and Marine BiologyUniversity of North Carolina WilmingtonWilmingtonNCUSA
| | - Jennifer DeBruyn
- Biosystems Engineering and Soil ScienceUniversity of TennesseeKnoxvilleTNUSA
| | - Emma Spencer
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesThe University of SydneySydneyNSWAustralia
| | - William J. Ripple
- Department of Forest Ecosystems and SocietyOregon State UniversityCorvallisORUSA
| | - Philip S. Barton
- School of ScienceFederation University AustraliaMt HelenVICAustralia
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20
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Carcasses at Fixed Locations Host a Higher Diversity of Necrophilous Beetles. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12050412. [PMID: 34064338 PMCID: PMC8147763 DOI: 10.3390/insects12050412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Whereas vertebrate scavengers have a higher diversity reported at randomly placed carcasses, the drivers of insect diversity on carrion, such as the exposure type (fixed versus random) or the carrion species, are still incompletely understood. We analyzed beetle diversity at differently exposed carcasses in the low-range mountain forest of the Bavarian Forest National Park in Germany. We tested if scavenging beetles, similarly to vertebrate scavengers, show a higher diversity at randomly placed carcasses compared to easily manageable fixed places. Ninety-two beetle species at 29 exposed wildlife carcasses (roe, red deer, and red foxes) were detected. Beetle diversity was higher at fixed locations possessing extended highly nutrient-rich cadaver decomposition islands as important refuges for threatened red-listed species, such as Necrobia violacea (Coleoptera: Cleridae). Particularly noticeable in our insect traps were the following two rare species, the “primitive” carrion beetle Necrophilus subterraneus (Coleoptera: Agyrtidae) and the false clown beetle Sphaerites glabratus (Coleoptera: Sphaeritidae). In Europe, only the species S. glabratus out of the genus Sphaerites is present. This emphasizes the importance of carrion for biodiversity conservation. We clearly show the relevance of leaving and additional providing wildlife carcasses in a dedicated place in protected forests for preserving very rare and threatened beetle species as essential members of the decomposing community. Abstract In contrast to other necromass, such as leaves, deadwood, or dung, the drivers of insect biodiversity on carcasses are still incompletely understood. For vertebrate scavengers, a richer community was shown for randomly placed carcasses, due to lower competition. Here we tested if scavenging beetles similarly show a higher diversity at randomly placed carcasses compared to easily manageable fixed places. We sampled 12,879 individuals and 92 species of scavenging beetles attracted to 17 randomly and 12 at fixed places exposed and decomposing carcasses of red deer, roe deer, and red foxes compared to control sites in a low range mountain forest. We used rarefaction-extrapolation curves along the Hill-series to weight diversity from rare to dominant species and indicator species analysis to identify differences between placement types, the decay stage, and carrion species. Beetle diversity decreased from fixed to random locations, becoming increasingly pronounced with weighting of dominant species. In addition, we found only two indicator species for exposure location type, both representative of fixed placement locations and both red listed species, namely Omosita depressa and Necrobia violacea. Furthermore, we identified three indicator species of Staphylinidae (Philonthus marginatus and Oxytelus laqueatus) and Scarabaeidae (Melinopterus prodromus) for larger carrion and one geotrupid species Anoplotrupes stercorosus for advanced decomposition stages. Our study shows that necrophilous insect diversity patterns on carcasses over decomposition follow different mechanisms than those of vertebrate scavengers with permanently established carrion islands as important habitats for a diverse and threatened insect fauna.
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21
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Local and Landscape Effects on Carrion-Associated Rove Beetle (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) Communities in German Forests. INSECTS 2020; 11:insects11120828. [PMID: 33255456 PMCID: PMC7760899 DOI: 10.3390/insects11120828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Increasing forest management practices by humans are threatening inherent insect biodiversity and thus important ecosystem services provided by them. One insect group which reacts sensitively to habitat changes are the rove beetles contributing to the maintenance of an undisturbed insect succession during decomposition by mainly hunting fly maggots. However, little is known about carrion-associated rove beetles due to poor taxonomic knowledge. In our study, we unveiled the human-induced and environmental drivers that modify rove beetle communities on vertebrate cadavers. At German forest sites selected by a gradient of management intensity, we contributed to the understanding of the rove beetle-mediated decomposition process. One main result is that an increasing human impact in forests changes rove beetle communities by promoting generalist and more open-habitat species coping with low structural heterogeneity, whereas species like Philonthus decorus get lost. Our results are not solely important for carrion ecological, but also for forensic entomological assessments on crime scenes, e.g., postmortem body relocation, because little information is available until now about rove beetles as one of the most important insect groups on bodies. Abstract Intensification of anthropogenic land use is a major threat to biodiversity and thus to essential ecosystem services provided by insects. Rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), which react sensitively to habitat changes, are species-rich colonizers of vertebrate cadavers and contribute to the important ecosystem service of carrion decomposition. The unveiling of anthropogenic and environmental drivers that modify carrion-associated rove beetle communities should improve our understanding of the plasticity of cadaver decay. We report the presence of 80 rove beetle species on 65 decomposing piglet cadavers at forest sites characterized by a gradient of management intensity across three geographic regions in Germany. Local and landscape drivers were revealed that shape beetle abundance, diversity, and community composition. Forest management and regions affect rove beetle abundance, whereas diversity is influenced by local habitat parameters (soil pH, litter cover) and regions. The community composition of rove beetles changes with management intensification by promoting generalist species. Regarding single species, Philonthus decorus and Anotylus mutator are linked to unmanaged forests and Ontholestes tessellatus to highly used forest stands. The spatial information provided about carrion-associated rove beetle communities in German forests is not only of carrion-ecological but also of forensic entomological interest.
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22
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Iancu L, Necula-Petrareanu G, Purcarea C. Potential bacterial biomarkers for insect colonization in forensic cases: preliminary quantitative data on Wohlfahrtiimonas chitiniclastica and Ignatzschineria indica dynamics. Sci Rep 2020; 10:8497. [PMID: 32444702 PMCID: PMC7244533 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65471-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
For the last decades, forensic microbiology became an emerging complementary tool in criminalistics. Although the insect-microbe interactions regarding pathogen transmission were extensively studied, only scarce information is available on bacterial transfer from necrophagous insects to host tissues. Our data provides the first report on the occurrence of Wohlfahrtiimonas chitiniclastica and Ignatzschineria indica in Lucilia illustris Meigen, 1826 (Diptera: Calliphoridae), and the quantitative dynamics of the two bacterial species along the insect life-stages and transfer to beef and pork host tissues using qPCR gyrase b specific primers. The content of both bacterial species increased along the insect life stages. W. chitiniclastica was detected in all developmental stages independent of the feeding substrate. I. indica was measurable with 102 gene copies ng−1 DNA threshold starting from the third instar larvae when feeding on beef, and from the egg stage with a 102× higher representation when using the pork substrate. The transfer of bacterial species to both tissues occurred after 3 colonization days except for I. indica that was visible in beef liver only during day 5. Considering the utilization of pork tissues as human analogues, these quantitative microbial dynamics data provides first insect-specific bacterial candidates as potential colonization biomarkers in forensic investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavinia Iancu
- Institute of Biology Bucharest of Romanian Academy, Splaiul Independentei, 296, 060031, Bucharest, Romania.
| | | | - Cristina Purcarea
- Institute of Biology Bucharest of Romanian Academy, Splaiul Independentei, 296, 060031, Bucharest, Romania
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23
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von Hoermann C, Weithmann S, Deißler M, Ayasse M, Steiger S. Forest habitat parameters influence abundance and diversity of cadaver-visiting dung beetles in Central Europe. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2020; 7:191722. [PMID: 32269801 PMCID: PMC7137943 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.191722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Dung beetles provide crucial ecosystem services and serve as model organisms for various behavioural, ecological and evolutionary studies. However, dung beetles have received little attention as consumers of large cadavers. In this study, we trapped copronecrophagous dung beetles on above-ground exposed piglet cadavers in 61 forest plots distributed over three geographically distinct regions in Germany, Central Europe. We examined the effects of land use intensity, forest stand, soil characteristics, vascular plant diversity and climatic conditions on dung beetle abundance, species richness and diversity. In all three regions, dung beetles, represented mainly by the geotrupid species Anoplotrupes stercorosus and Trypocopris vernalis, were attracted to the cadavers. High beetle abundance was associated with higher mean ambient temperature. Furthermore, A. stercorosus and T. vernalis were more abundant in areas where soil contained higher proportions of fine sand. Additionally, an increased proportion of forest understorey vegetation and vascular plant diversity positively affected the species richness and diversity of dung beetles. Thus, even in warm dry monocultured forest stands exploited for timber, we found thriving dung beetle populations when a diverse understorey was present. Therefore, forestry practices that preserve the understorey can sustain stable dung beetle populations and ensure their important contribution to nutrient cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian von Hoermann
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Management, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacher Str. 4, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- Department of Visitor Management and National Park Monitoring, Bavarian Forest National Park, Freyunger Str. 2, 94481 Grafenau, Germany
| | - Sandra Weithmann
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, 89069 Ulm, Germany
| | - Markus Deißler
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, 89069 Ulm, Germany
| | - Manfred Ayasse
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, 89069 Ulm, Germany
| | - Sandra Steiger
- Department of Evolutionary Animal Ecology, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
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24
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Turner KL, Conner LM, Beasley JC. Effect of mammalian mesopredator exclusion on vertebrate scavenging communities. Sci Rep 2020; 10:2644. [PMID: 32060353 PMCID: PMC7021701 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59560-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Carrion is a valuable resource used by facultative scavengers across the globe. Due to conflicts with humans, many vertebrate scavengers have experienced population declines due to direct persecution or indirect effects of human activities. However, little is known about the implications of altered scavenger community composition on the fate and efficiency of carrion removal within ecosystems. In particular, mammalian mesopredators are efficient scavengers that are often subjected to control, thus, it is important to understand how the reduction of this scavenger guild influences the fate of carrion resources and efficiency of carrion removal within ecosystems. We evaluated the influence of the absence of mammalian mesopredators on vertebrate scavenging dynamics by comparing the efficiency of carrion removal and species composition at carrion between sites where we experimentally manipulated mesopredator abundance and paired control sites. Overall scavenging rates were high, even within our mesopredator exclusion sites (79% of carcasses). Despite the exclusion of an entire guild of dominant scavengers, we saw little effect on scavenging dynamics due to the extensive acquisition of carrion by avian scavengers. However, we observed a slight reduction in vertebrate scavenging efficiency in sites where mesopredators were excluded. Our results suggest vertebrate communities are highly efficient at carrion removal, as we saw a functional response by avian scavengers to increased carrion availability. These data provide insights into the impact of mesopredator control on food web dynamics, and build upon the growing body of knowledge investigating the role of vertebrate scavengers on ecosystem services provided through carrion removal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey L Turner
- University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, P.O. Box Drawer E, Aiken, SC, 29802, USA.,USDA-APHIS-WS, 400 Northeast Dr Suite L, Columbia, SC, 29203, USA
| | - L Mike Conner
- The Jones Center at Ichauway, 3988 Jones Center Drive, Newton, GA, 39870, USA
| | - James C Beasley
- University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, P.O. Box Drawer E, Aiken, SC, 29802, USA.
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25
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Peters MK, Classen A, Müller J, Steffan-Dewenter I. Increasing the phylogenetic coverage for understanding broad-scale diversity gradients. Oecologia 2020; 192:629-639. [PMID: 32052181 PMCID: PMC7058593 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-020-04615-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Despite decades of scientific effort, there is still no consensus on the determinants of broad-scale gradients of animal diversity. We argue that general drivers of diversity are unlikely to be found among the narrowly defined taxa which are typically analyzed in studies of broad-scale diversity gradients because ecological niches evolve largely conservatively. This causes constraints in the use of available niche space leading to systematic differences in diversity gradients among taxa. We instead advocate studies of phylogenetically diverse animal communities along broad environmental gradients. Such multi-taxa communities are less constrained in resource use and diversification and may be better targets for testing major classical hypotheses on diversity gradients. Besides increasing the spatial scale in analyses, expanding the phylogenetic coverage may be a second way to achieve higher levels of generality in studies of broad-scale diversity gradients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcell K Peters
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Alice Classen
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jörg Müller
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany.,Bavarian Forest National Park, Freyunger Str. 2, 94481, Grafenau, Germany
| | - Ingolf Steffan-Dewenter
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
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26
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Muñoz-Lozano C, Martín-Vega D, Martínez-Carrasco C, Sánchez-Zapata JA, Morales-Reyes Z, Gonzálvez M, Moleón M. Avoidance of carnivore carcasses by vertebrate scavengers enables colonization by a diverse community of carrion insects. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0221890. [PMID: 31465519 PMCID: PMC6715269 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Carrion resources sustain a complex and diverse community of both vertebrate and invertebrate scavengers, either obligate or facultative. However, although carrion ecology has received increasing scientific attention in recent years, our understanding of carrion partitioning in natural conditions is severely limited as most studies are restricted either to the vertebrate or the insect scavenger communities. Moreover, carnivore carcasses have been traditionally neglected as study model. Here, we provide the first data on the partitioning between vertebrate and invertebrate scavengers of medium-sized carnivore carcasses, red fox (Vulpes vulpes (Linnaeus)), in two mountainous Mediterranean areas of south-eastern Spain. Carcasses were visited by several mammalian and avian scavengers, but only one carcass was partially consumed by golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos (Linnaeus). These results provide additional support to the carnivore carrion-avoidance hypothesis, which suggests that mammalian carnivores avoid the consumption of carnivore carcasses to prevent disease transmission risk. In turn, the absence of vertebrate scavengers at carnivore carcasses enabled a diverse and well-structured successional community of insects to colonise the carcasses. The observed richness and abundance of the most frequent families was more influenced by the decomposition time than by the study area. Overall, our study encourages further research on carrion resource partitioning in natural conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Muñoz-Lozano
- Department of Animal Health, Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Daniel Martín-Vega
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, SW, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - Carlos Martínez-Carrasco
- Department of Animal Health, Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | | | | | - Moisés Gonzálvez
- Department of Animal Health, Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Marcos Moleón
- Department of Conservation Biology, Doñana Biological Station (EBD-CSIC, Seville, Spain
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27
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Martín-Vega D, Baz A, Cifrián B, Gómez-Gómez A, Díaz-Aranda LM. Long-term insect successional patterns on pig carcasses in central Spain. Int J Legal Med 2019; 133:1581-1592. [PMID: 31152279 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-019-02088-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Baseline data on the insect successional patterns on carcasses can be a valuable estimation tool in the investigations of suspicious deaths, particularly when the post-mortem interval is longer than months or years. However, although carrion insect succession is a recurrent topic in forensic science research, the duration of the published studies is typically shorter than 1 year, with only one published study from central Europe documenting successional patterns beyond the first year of decomposition. We provide here the first data on the long-term insect successional patterns in southern Europe, using pig carcasses exposed in the four seasons of the year and documenting the carrion entomofauna during the second and third year of decomposition. Our results confirmed previous observations from central Europe that several Coleoptera species are able to recolonize cadavers during the second and third year after death, with their larvae residing on the remains for long periods. The season of cadaver exposure appears to be a main factor determining the composition of the insect fauna that exploits the remains during subsequent years. Our results suggest that it might be possible to estimate the year and season of death analyzing the composition of the insect fauna occurring on a cadaver. The present data highlight the need for further studies on the long-term insect succession on cadavers in different seasons and geographical areas, in order to fully understand its patterns and ensure its proper application in PMI estimations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Martín-Vega
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad de Alcalá, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona, km 33.6, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain. .,Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Ciencias Policiales, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Arturo Baz
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad de Alcalá, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona, km 33.6, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Ciencias Policiales, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Blanca Cifrián
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad de Alcalá, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona, km 33.6, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Ciencias Policiales, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Aída Gómez-Gómez
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad de Alcalá, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona, km 33.6, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luisa M Díaz-Aranda
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad de Alcalá, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona, km 33.6, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Ciencias Policiales, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
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28
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Benbow ME, Barton PS, Ulyshen MD, Beasley JC, DeVault TL, Strickland MS, Tomberlin JK, Jordan HR, Pechal JL. Necrobiome framework for bridging decomposition ecology of autotrophically and heterotrophically derived organic matter. ECOL MONOGR 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ecm.1331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Eric Benbow
- Department of Entomology; Michigan State University; East Lansing Michigan 48824 USA
- Department of Osteopathic Medical Specialties; Michigan State University; East Lansing Michigan 48824 USA
- Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Behavior Program; Michigan State University; East Lansing Michigan 48824 USA
| | - Philip S. Barton
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; Australian National University; Canberra Australian Capital Territory 2601 Australia
| | | | - James C. Beasley
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory and Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources; University of Georgia; Aiken South Carolina 29802 USA
| | - Travis L. DeVault
- U.S. Department of Agriculture; National Wildlife Research Center; Sandusky Ohio 44870 USA
| | | | | | - Heather R. Jordan
- Department of Biological Sciences; Mississippi State University; Mississippi Mississippi 39762 USA
| | - Jennifer L. Pechal
- Department of Entomology; Michigan State University; East Lansing Michigan 48824 USA
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29
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Wescott DJ. Recent advances in forensic anthropology: decomposition research. Forensic Sci Res 2018; 3:327-342. [PMID: 30788450 PMCID: PMC6374978 DOI: 10.1080/20961790.2018.1488571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Decomposition research is still in its infancy, but significant advances have occurred within forensic anthropology and other disciplines in the past several decades. Decomposition research in forensic anthropology has primarily focused on estimating the postmortem interval (PMI), detecting clandestine remains, and interpreting the context of the scene. Additionally, while much of the work has focused on forensic-related questions, an interdisciplinary focus on the ecology of decomposition has also advanced our knowledge. The purpose of this article is to highlight some of the fundamental shifts that have occurred to advance decomposition research, such as the role of primary extrinsic factors, the application of decomposition research to the detection of clandestine remains and the estimation of the PMI in forensic anthropology casework. Future research in decomposition should focus on the collection of standardized data, the incorporation of ecological and evolutionary theory, more rigorous statistical analyses, examination of extended PMIs, greater emphasis on aquatic decomposition and interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary research, and the use of human cadavers to get forensically reliable data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Wescott
- Department of Anthropology, Texas State University, Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State, San Marcos, TX, USA
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30
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von Hoermann C, Jauch D, Kubotsch C, Reichel-Jung K, Steiger S, Ayasse M. Effects of abiotic environmental factors and land use on the diversity of carrion-visiting silphid beetles (Coleoptera: Silphidae): A large scale carrion study. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0196839. [PMID: 29847551 PMCID: PMC5976144 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0196839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic land use causes global declines in biodiversity. Despite the knowledge that animal carrion is the most nutrient-rich form of dead organic matter, studies on landscape and local scales determining whether and the means by which land use intensity influences the diversity of the carrion-associated insect fauna are globally scarce. We investigated the effects of land use intensity and abiotic and biotic environmental factors on the abundance, species richness, and diversity of the important ecosystem-service-providing silphid beetle taxon (carrion beetles) in three regions of Germany. In 61 forest stands distributed over three geographically distinct regions in Central Europe, we trapped silphid beetles on exposed piglet cadavers during late summer. In all three regions, higher ambient temperatures and higher fine sand contents were associated with the abundance of the silphid beetle taxa. The carrion community silphid diversity was negatively affected by an increase in mean ambient temperature in all three regions. Although management intensity in forests did not affect the overall abundance of Silphidae, the abundance of Nicrophorus humator decreased significantly with higher forest management intensity across all three regions. Unmanaged and age-class forests showed a higher abundance of N. humator compared with extensively managed forest stands. These findings indicate that N. humator has potential as an indicator species for anthropogenic disturbances in forests. Overall, the direct responses of the silphid beetle community to diverse soil characteristics underline soil as an important factor determining the abundance and diversity of necrophagous carrion beetles in Central Europe. To protect these valuable ecosystem-service providers, forest-management-induced soil modifications need to be paid close attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian von Hoermann
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- Department of Conservation and Research, Bavarian Forest National Park, Grafenau, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Dennis Jauch
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Carolin Kubotsch
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Kirsten Reichel-Jung
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Sandra Steiger
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Manfred Ayasse
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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31
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Turner KL, Abernethy EF, Conner LM, Rhodes OE, Beasley JC. Abiotic and biotic factors modulate carrion fate and vertebrate scavenging communities. Ecology 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ecy.1930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey L. Turner
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory P.O. Box Drawer E Aiken South Carolina 29802 USA
- University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory P.O. Box Drawer E Aiken South Carolina 29802 USA
| | - Erin F. Abernethy
- Odum School of Ecology University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory P.O. Box Drawer E Aiken South Carolina 29802 USA
- University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory P.O. Box Drawer E Aiken South Carolina 29802 USA
| | - L. Mike Conner
- Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center 3988 Jones Center Drive Newton Georgia 39870 USA
| | - Olin E. Rhodes
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory P.O. Box Drawer E Aiken South Carolina 29802 USA
- University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory P.O. Box Drawer E Aiken South Carolina 29802 USA
| | - James C. Beasley
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory P.O. Box Drawer E Aiken South Carolina 29802 USA
- University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory P.O. Box Drawer E Aiken South Carolina 29802 USA
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