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Shao S, Liu S, Li L, Hu G, Zhang Y, Wang Y. Research Status of Sarcosaprophagous Beetles as Forensic Indicators. INSECTS 2024; 15:711. [PMID: 39336679 PMCID: PMC11432003 DOI: 10.3390/insects15090711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2024] [Revised: 09/13/2024] [Accepted: 09/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024]
Abstract
In forensic entomology, research focused on sarcosaprophagous flies, but the sarcosaprophagous beetles, as important "forensic indicator species" of late-stage PMI in cadaver decomposition, received less attention. To increase attention on, and use and understanding of, sarcosaprophagous beetles in forensic entomology, this paper presents a bibliometric analysis of the available relevant literature. The occurrence frequency of beetle families and species from succession studies, actual cases, and experiments were calculated and illustrated using graphs. As a result, a total of 14 families and 1077 species associated with carcasses were collected, with Staphylinidae being the most frequently recorded among the families, and Necrobia rufipes (Fabricius, 1781) (Coleoptera: Cleridae) being the most frequently recorded species. In addition, a brief introduction of the cadaver-related beetles of each family is given, and research on the species identification of the immature stages, age estimation of the immature stages, and estimation of the arrival time of sarcosaprophagous beetles are discussed and prospected. This work will aid in the increased use of sarcosaprophagous beetles in forensic science practice in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shipeng Shao
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Ganjiang East Road, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Siqi Liu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Ganjiang East Road, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Liangliang Li
- Key Laboratory of Evidence Identification in Universities of Shandong Province, Shandong University of Political Science and Law, Jiefang East Road, Jinan 250014, China
| | - Gengwang Hu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Ganjiang East Road, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Yingna Zhang
- Department of Anatomy, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi 832000, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Ganjiang East Road, Suzhou 215000, China
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Hu G, Zhang Y, Li L, Wang Y, Guo Y, Shao S, Gao Y, Zhang R, Wang Y, Tao L. New developmental data for Dermestes maculatus (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) from the Yangtze River Delta region of China under different constant temperatures. Sci Justice 2024; 64:377-388. [PMID: 39025563 DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2024.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Necrophagous beetles are sometimes used to estimate the minimum postmortem interval (PMImin) in the decay and remains stages of a corpse. Among these, the Dermestidae is one of the most common groups used and therefore has important research and application value. In this study, the developmental events of Dermestes maculatus de Geer, 1774, were recorded at six constant temperatures, and isomorphen diagrams were established. The thermobiological parameters were estimated using linear and non-linear models, and morphological indicators such as larval body length were measured. The results showed that the developmental duration of the whole immature stage decreased from 66.13 ± 8.58 days at 19 °C to 21.9 ± 2.01 days at 34 °C. The survival rate of the immature stages, especially the egg stage, varies greatly with temperature, with the lowest survival observed at 34 °C and the highest at 22 °C. The lower developmental threshold, the intrinsic optimum temperature, and the upper lethal developmental threshold obtained by the curvilinear Optim SSI models were 15.28 °C, 28.36 °C, and 34.03 °C, respectively. The body length, head capsule width, and pronotum width showed obvious growth patterns with larval developmental duration, which were characterized by equations and isomegalen diagrams. This study provides important basic data for the application of D. maculatus to estimate the PMImin in forensic entomology in the Yangtze River Delta region of China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gengwang Hu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Ganjiang East Road, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Yanan Zhang
- Luoyang Intermediate People's Court of Henan Province, Zhanlan Road, Luoyang 471000, 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
| | - Yi Guo
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Ganjiang East Road, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Shipeng Shao
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Ganjiang East Road, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Yundi Gao
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Ganjiang East Road, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Ruonan 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.
| | - Luyang Tao
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Soochow University, Ganjiang East Road, Suzhou 215000, China
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Geissenberger J, Amendt J, Klampfer J, Thuemmel L, Jakob L, Monticelli FC, Steinbacher P, Pittner S. Morphological changes and protein degradation during the decomposition process of pig cadavers placed outdoors or in tents-a pilot study. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2024; 20:508-517. [PMID: 37126198 PMCID: PMC11297119 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-023-00632-3] [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] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The delimitation of the postmortem interval (PMI) is of utmost importance in forensic science. It is especially difficult to determine the PMI in advanced decomposition stages and/or when dead bodies are found under uncommon circumstances, such as tents, or other (semi-) enclosed environments. In such cases, especially when insect access is restricted, morphological assessment of body decomposition is one of the remaining approaches for delimitation of the PMI. However, as this method allows only vague statements/indications about the PMI, it is required to develop new and more reliable methods. One of the most important candidates is the biochemical analysis of protein degradation. In this regard, it has been demonstrated that specific skeletal muscle protein degradation patterns characterize certain time points postmortem and thus can be used as markers for PMI estimation. In order to test this method in different micro-environments, a pilot study using ten pig carcasses was conducted in summer in Northern Germany. The cadavers were openly placed outside (freely accessible for insects), as well as enclosed in tents nearby, and left to decompose to investigate decomposition processes over a time course of 10 days. Muscle samples of the M. biceps femoris were collected on a regular basis and processed via SDS-PAGE and degradation patterns of selected proteins identified by Western blotting. In addition, morphological changes of the cadavers during decomposition were assessed using the total body score (TBS). Results showed that postmortem protein degradation patterns are largely consistent between treatment groups (open field versus tents) despite major morphological differences in the decomposition rate. This field study provides evidence that muscle protein degradation is mostly unaffected by different levels of exposure, making it a sufficient candidate for PMI delimitation under various circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Geissenberger
- Department of Environment and Biodiversity, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria.
| | - J Amendt
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - J Klampfer
- Department of Environment and Biodiversity, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - L Thuemmel
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - L Jakob
- Department of Environment and Biodiversity, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - F C Monticelli
- Department of Legal Medicine and Forensic Neuropsychiatry, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - P Steinbacher
- Department of Environment and Biodiversity, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - S Pittner
- Department of Legal Medicine and Forensic Neuropsychiatry, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
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Rakopoulou GD, Dadour IR. A preliminary study of carrion insects in Greece and their attraction to three animal baits: a forensic entomology perspective. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2024:10.1007/s12024-024-00796-6. [PMID: 38430404 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-024-00796-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
The current study provides data on the composition of the dipteran and coleopteran fauna attracted to three different animal baits (chicken stomach, beef liver, fish) in the urban ecosystem of Athens, Greece. An additional objective was to examine the effect of bait choice by the collected taxa. Three trap locations were established within the Agricultural University of Athens. At each location two different types of baited traps were used to capture and record the local dipteran and coleopteran biodiversity. During the sampling period, a total of 2416 dipteran and coleopteran specimens representing 43 species were collected and identified. The three most abundant dipteran taxa were Sarcophaga sp. (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy, Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae). The results showed that the structure of the local insect community associated with the decomposition of animal baits depends on the bait used for sampling. This study reinforced the feasibility of using animal tissues as attractants to a wide diversity of medical, parasitological and forensically important taxa. Overall, beef liver attracted the most insects with Diptera preferring beef liver and Coleoptera preferring chicken stomach. Furthermore, this study revealed that baits of one animal tissue did not attract all species but in combination a much better understanding of this biodiversity was achieved. Finally, from a forensic entomology perspective this study highlights the lack of understanding of the value of entomological data related to case work in Greece.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ian Robert Dadour
- Source Certain, Research and Development, Wangara DC, Western Australia, 6947, Australia.
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Geissenberger J, Pittner S, Ehrenfellner B, Jakob L, Stoiber W, Monticelli FC, Steinbacher P. Effect of temporary freezing on postmortem protein degradation patterns. Int J Legal Med 2023; 137:1803-1814. [PMID: 37268796 PMCID: PMC10567868 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-023-03024-y] [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: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A precise determination of time since death plays a major role in forensic routine. Currently available techniques for estimating the postmortem interval (PMI) are restricted to specific time periods or cannot be applied for individual case-specific reasons. During recent years, it has been repeatedly demonstrated that Western blot analysis of postmortem muscle protein degradation can substantially contribute to overcome these limitations in cases with different background. Enabling to delimit time points at which certain marker proteins undergo distinct degradation events, the method has become a reasonable new tool for PMI delimitation under various forensic scenarios. However, additional research is yet required to improve our understanding of protein decomposition and how it is affected by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Since there are temperature limits for proteolysis, and investigators are confronted with frozen corpses, investigation of the effects of freezing and thawing on postmortem protein decomposition in the muscle tissue is an important objective to firmly establish the new method. It is also important because freezing is often the only practical means to intermittently preserve tissue samples from both true cases and animal model research. METHODS Sets of dismembered pig hind limbs, either freshly detached non-frozen, or thawed after 4 months of freeze-storage (n = 6 each), were left to decompose under controlled conditions at 30 °C for 7 days and 10 days, respectively. Samples of the M. biceps femoris were regularly collected at predefined time points. All samples were processed via SDS-PAGE and Western blotting to identify the degradation patterns of previously characterized muscle proteins. RESULTS Western blots show that the proteins degrade predictably over time in precise patterns that are largely unaffected by the freeze-and-thaw process. Investigated proteins showed complete degradation of the native protein band, partly giving rise to degradation products present in distinct time phases of the decomposition process. CONCLUSION This study provides substantial new information from a porcine model to assess the degree of bias that freezing and thawing induces on postmortem degradation of skeletal muscle proteins. Results support that a freeze-thaw cycle with prolonged storage in frozen state has no significant impact on the decomposition behavior. This will help to equip the protein degradation-based method for PMI determination with a robust applicability in the normal forensic setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Geissenberger
- Department of Environment and Biodiversity, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria.
| | - S Pittner
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Psychiatry, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - B Ehrenfellner
- Department of Environment and Biodiversity, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - L Jakob
- Department of Environment and Biodiversity, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - W Stoiber
- Department of Environment and Biodiversity, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - F C Monticelli
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Psychiatry, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - P Steinbacher
- Department of Environment and Biodiversity, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
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Sluis I, Duijst W, Krap T. Subaerial Decomposition of Small-Sized Remains in The Netherlands: Important Findings Regarding the PMI of a Four-Year Taphonomic Study. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1164. [PMID: 37759564 PMCID: PMC10525113 DOI: 10.3390/biology12091164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Studying post-mortem changes based on signs of decomposition (e.g., using scoring models) is one of the methods used in scientific studies to relate observable changes to the post-mortem interval (PMI). The majority of the studies on cadaver decomposition are based on large cadavers. There is limited literature on the decomposition pattern and rate of small cadavers, even though it is at least as important to be able to estimate the PMI for infants and subadults. Therefore, it is crucial to acquire knowledge of the decomposition process of child-sized remains. To fill this knowledge gap, a season-based subaerial outdoor decomposition study was conducted with small pig cadavers at the Forensic Anthropological Outdoor Research Facility located in Den Ham, The Netherlands, over a period of 4 years. Den Ham is located in the eastern part of the Netherlands, close to the German border, and has a temperate maritime climate, with a Cfb classification according to the Köppen-Geiger system. Salient findings were acquired during the decomposition study, specifically regarding a deviating decomposition rate during winter and the subsequent spring, reproducibility, the effect of body weight, post-mortem movement, the effect of heavy rainfall on insect activity, delayed bloating, the interaction of different insect species, and invertebrate activity. This article includes a systemic review of the results obtained during this four-year decomposition study and discusses the impact of the findings on the estimation of the PMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Sluis
- Faculty of Law and Criminology, Maastricht University, Minderbroedersberg 4-6, 6211 LK Maastricht, The Netherlands; (W.D.); (T.K.)
- Forensic Laboratory Research, University of Applied Sciences Van Hall Larenstein, Agora 1, 8934 CJ Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - Wilma Duijst
- Faculty of Law and Criminology, Maastricht University, Minderbroedersberg 4-6, 6211 LK Maastricht, The Netherlands; (W.D.); (T.K.)
- GGD IJsselland, Zeven Alleetjes 1, 8011 CV Zwolle, The Netherlands
| | - Tristan Krap
- Faculty of Law and Criminology, Maastricht University, Minderbroedersberg 4-6, 6211 LK Maastricht, The Netherlands; (W.D.); (T.K.)
- Forensic Laboratory Research, University of Applied Sciences Van Hall Larenstein, Agora 1, 8934 CJ Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
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Thümmel L, Lutz L, Geissenberger J, Pittner S, Heimer J, Amendt J. Decomposition and insect succession of pig cadavers in tents versus outdoors - A preliminary study. Forensic Sci Int 2023; 346:111640. [PMID: 36933523 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
The pattern of insect succession and the species composition on cadavers can be influenced by several parameters, one of which is concealment. It has been previously shown for cadavers inside containers (e.g. suitcases or vehicles) or various indoor situations, that concealment can lead to a delayed arrival, altered species composition and decreased number of taxa present at the cadaver. As no data is yet available for the specific environment of tents on these processes, we placed five pig cadavers inside closed two-person tents during the summer of 2021 in a mixed forest in Germany. Five control cadavers were freely accessible for insects. To minimize disturbances, tents were only opened every fifth day over a period of 25 days for estimating the temperature profiles, insect diversity and quantification of the cadavers' decomposition using the total body score (TBS). The temperature inside the tents was only slightly elevated compared to the ambient temperature during the study. Although the tents prevented direct access of adult flies and beetles, the cadavers were colonized because the flies oviposited on the zippers and fly screens of the inner tents. However, the resulting infestation of the cadavers by fly larvae was reduced and delayed, compared to the exposed cadavers. The dominant fly species on both the tent and exposed cadavers was the blow fly Lucilia caesar. Open cadavers showed the expected decomposition patterns with large larval masses. 25 days after placement, only bones and hair remained from the exposed pigs (TBS = 32), while most of the tissue of the cadavers inside the tents was still present (TBS = 22.5) and post feeding larvae were not able to leave the tents. Regarding the attraction of beetles to both treatments, open cadavers were predominately colonized by the silphid Oiceoptoma thoracicum, while the silphid Necrodes littoralis was the most dominant species in the pitfall traps surrounding the tents. Considering the prolonged pre-appearance interval of fly larvae colonizing the cadavers inside tents, the entomological evidence of forensic cases dealing with concealed bodies should be handled with caution, since the post mortem interval might be significantly underestimated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luise Thümmel
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe-University, Kennedyallee 104, D-60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Lena Lutz
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe-University, Kennedyallee 104, D-60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Janine Geissenberger
- Department of Environment and Biodiversity, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Str. 34, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Stefan Pittner
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Ignaz Harrer St. 79, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Jonathan Heimer
- Institute of Landscape Ecology, University of Münster, Heisenbergstraße 2, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Jens Amendt
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe-University, Kennedyallee 104, D-60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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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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Tembe D, Malatji MP, Mukaratirwa S. Molecular identification and diversity of adult arthropod carrion community collected from pig and sheep carcasses within the same locality during different stages of decomposition in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. PeerJ 2021; 9:e12500. [PMID: 34909274 PMCID: PMC8638566 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The current study aimed at molecular identification and comparing the diversity of arthropods communities between pig and sheep carcasses during the cold and warm season in KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. Adult arthropods found on and around the carcasses were collected using either fly traps or forceps. Molecular analyses confirmed the identification of twelve arthropod species collected from both sheep and pig carcasses during the cold season. Results showed that 11 of 12 arthropod species were common in both sheep and pig carcasses, with exception to Onthophagus vacca (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) (Linnaeus, 1767) and Atherigona soccata (Diptera: Muscidae) (Rondani, 1871) species which were unique to sheep and pig carcasses respectively. However, during the warm season, the sheep carcass attracted more arthropod (n = 13) species as compared to the pig carcass. The difference in the obtained arthropod was due to the presence of O. vacca which was also unique to the sheep carcass during this season. Furthermore, there was an addition of a beetle species Hycleus lunatus (Coleoptera: Meloidae) (Pallas, 1782), which was collected from both sheep and pig carcasses but unique to the warm season. The pig carcass attracted more dipteran flies during both warm (n = 1,519) and cold season (n = 779) as compared to sheep carcass during the warm (n = 511) and cold season (n = 229). In contrast, coleopterans were more abundant on the sheep carcass during the warm season (n = 391) and cold season (n = 135) as compared to the pig carcass in both warm season (n = 261) and cold season (n = 114). In overall, more flies and beetles were collected on both sheep and pig carcasses during the warm season, and this further highlight that temperature influenced the observed difference in the abundance of collected arthropod between seasons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danisile Tembe
- School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Mokgadi Pulane Malatji
- School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Foundational Research and Services, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Samson Mukaratirwa
- School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, West Indies
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