Scavenging activity of Dermestes maculatus (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) on burned cadaveric tissue

NC CENTENO; AA FERRERO; NI ZANETTI

NEOTROPICAL ENTOMOLOGY

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOC BRASIL

Lugar: BRASIL; Año: 2019 vol. 48 p. 1001 - 1013

1519-566X

The aim of this work was to study the effect that burning could have on Dermestes maculatus DeGeer (Dermestidae: Dermestini) taphonomic behaviour under controlled conditions. Two different times of fire exposure (treatments) were evaluated, 15 min and 30 min, after spraying the pig trotters with gasoil. Pig trotters were provided to hide beetles adults and maintained at 24 ± 0.1 °C, 55.4% ± 2% relative humidity and a 12:12 h day/night cycle. A pig trotter without accelerant and burns was used as a control for each treatment. Observations were made and photographs were taken every 4?5 days during 4 months. Qualitative and quantitative analysis were performed. Dermestes maculatus was able to feed and reproduce on burned tissues. Beetles produced in adult and larvae stages different types of marks in several kinds of tissue such as integumental, connective, and muscular, in the controls and treatments. 15 min of burning was apparently insufficient to cause differences in the taphonomic marks respect to control, but burning for 30 min could implicate changes. The form of the marks was equal in the controls and treatments.