Arthropod succession on pig carcasses in southeastern Nigeria

Abstract

The domestic pig (Sus scrofa) was used as a model to study arthropod succession on carcasses under tree shade and out of shade in southern Nigeria. Carcass decomposition took longer periods under tree shade than in exposed sites, at 24.5 and 16.5 days, respectively. Four decomposition stages - fresh, bloated, decay, and dry - were observed. No significant variabilities were recorded in the types and patterns of infestation of the carcasses by arthropods in both locations. Four classes of arthropods - Insecta, Arachnida, Diplopoda and Crustacea - were recorded. The class Insecta dominated the total arthropods collected with 24 families, and formed 94% of the catches. The other three classes each had one family represented, and contributed only 2% of the total catches. The calliphorids, a phorid, and sarcophagids arrived and bred on the carcasses only a few hours after death of the pigs. Families of coleopterans came during the bloated stage, and fed on the immature dipterous maggots and carrion materials. The ants (Hymenoptera) came in large numbers to eat the carcasses, and also preyed on all other fauna of the food resource. A muscid and a stratiomyiid, bred on the carcass as to the decay stage. Other insects and arthropods arrived mostly during the decay stage to feed on the carcasses. Species richness on the carcasses peaked during the decay stage.

Succession pattern of insects in relation to killing methods of <i>Rattus norvegicus</i> at Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria

“…Calliphorids (blowflies) were observed in all stages of decomposition of the strangled carcass, but only observed in the active stage of the slaughtered carcass. This correlate with the findings of Centeno et al (2002), Bharti and Singh (2003), Ekanem and Dike (2010) and Al-Musawu et (2016). Savage (2002) stated that Necrophagous Diptera help in nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems which in turn accelerates the disintegration of animal tissue thereby facilitating the action of microorganisms.…”

“…These Hymenopterans collected during the experiment did not necessarily breed on the carcasses or affect the decay. Hence, they are not, in this context, the most forensically important insects (Bharti and Singh, 2003;Ekanem and Dike, 2010).…”

“…Ants can be regarded as predators and omnivores. Worthy of note, according to Ekanem and Dike (2010), Formicidae possesses strong mandibles that enables them to take off pieces of decomposing carcasses as well as prey on dipterous eggs and larvae and any other easily reached arthropods on the carcasses their incursion specifically as they come in colonies, may have affected the carcass decomposition level, either by predating on immature stages of dipterous flies or by the deduction of portion of the carcasses. These Hymenopterans collected during the experiment did not necessarily breed on the carcasses or affect the decay.…”

Morphology and Identification of First Instars of African Blow Flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Commonly of Forensic Importance

“…However, the assemblage of species regularly developing on large vertebrate carrion (including human corpses) seems to be quite consistent and is largely restricted to the following species: Calliphora croceipalpis Jaennicke, 1876; Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann, 1819); Chrysomya chloropyga (Wiedemann, 1818); Chrysomya marginalis (Wiedemann, 1830); Chrysomya megacephala (F., 1794); Chrysomya putoria (Wiedemann, 1830); Hemipyrellia fernandica (Macquart, 1855); Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann, 1830); and Lucilia sericata (Meigen, 1826) (Prins 1982, Braack 1987, Louw and van der Linde 1993, Tantawi et al 1996, Kurahashi and KirkSpriggs 2006, Ekanem and Dike 2010. Calliphora vomitoria (L., 1758) occurs in North Africa (Erzinçlioglu 1987a), and Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 is now found in South Africa (Williams and Villet 2006), and both may therefore become signiÞcant in forensic contexts in Africa.…”

Positive and negative impact to decomposition of pig cadavers by ants (hymenoptera: Formicidae) at the Islet Yeongdo in Busan, South Korea

“…Flies and beetles have been considered pertinent to the estimation of postmortem intervals (PMIs) and to measure insect succession in medicolegal entomology (Ekanem & Dike 2010;Payne 1965). Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) are one of the most vigorous insects of ambivalent roles in decomposition ecosystem; necrophagous feeding activities facilitating decomposition and predatory feeding on insects approaching dead animals delaying decomposition (Bonacci et al 2011;Catts & Haskell 1990;Ramón & Donoso 2015).…”