Action of Ants on Vertebrate Carcasses and Blow Flies (Calliphoridae)

Abstract

Forensic entomology is a science that uses insect fauna as a tool to assist in criminal investigations and civil proceedings. Although the most researched insects are the Diptera and Coleoptera, ants may be present in all stages of decomposition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of ants and their action on blow flies during the decomposition process. Experiments were performed in which four pig carcasses were exposed in the cold and dry season (November/2012 and March/2013) and four in the hot and wet season (May/2013 and August/2013). Flies were the first insects to detect and interact with the carcasses, and six species of the Calliphoridae family were identified. Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) were the second group, with six subfamilies identified. Myrmycinae represented 42% of the species, followed by Formicinae (28%), Ectatominae and Ponerinae (both 10%), and Ecitoninae and Dolichoderinae (both 5%). The ants acted on the carcasses as predators of visiting species, omnivores, and necrophagous, in all cases significantly affecting the decomposition time, slowing it down when the ants preyed on adult and immature insects consuming the carcass, or accelerating it by consuming the carcass and creating holes that could serve as gateways for the action of other organisms. The ants also generated artifacts that could lead to forensic misinterpretation.

Study of community assembly patterns and interspecific interactions involved in insect succession on rat carcasses

“…As suggested in several studies, the large masses of formicid species might have inhibited the colonization of adult calliphorid species through interactions such as attack and predation (Paula et al . ; Barton et al . ; Pereira et al .…”

Natural History of Ants: What We (do not) Know About Trophic and Temporal Niches of Neotropical Species

“…However, the only information available about its trophic niche in the wild comes from Lattke (1990), who reports remnants of several insect orders inside nests, and posteriorly called it "a generalist epigeic forager of humid forests" (Lattke, 1995). A recent account recorded it rarely on experimental vertebrate carcasses left to rot in a forest, predating the larvae and pupae of necrophagous insects (Paula et al, 2016).…”

“…Scavenging was also cited in this study, although not quantified. Both O. chelifer and Pa. striata were recorded on experimental carcasses predating the larvae and pupae of necrophagous insects (Paula et al, 2016).…”

“…Finally, Linepithema pulex Wild, 2007 is one of the smallest and less-known representatives of the genus. It was recorded occasionally on experimental carcasses, predating the larvae and pupae of necrophagous insects (Paula et al, 2016).…”

“…Camponotus lespesii Forel, 1886 is widespread in the Neotropics. Byk and Del-Claro (2010) recorded it qualitatively visiting extra-floral nectaries and Paula et al (2016) observed it on experimental carcasses, predating the larvae and pupae of necrophagous insects and feeding on the carcass itself. Conversely, Camponotus zenon Forel, 1912 has its distribution apparently restricted to southernmost Brazil and nothing is known about its biology.…”