Diel Activity and Effect of Carcass Decomposition on the Attractiveness to the Forensically Important Species Oxelytrum Discicolle (Coleoptera: Silphidae)† |
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| Authors: | Luiz Antonio Lira M.Sc. Marcos Patrício Macedo M.Sc. José Roberto Pujol‐Luz Ph.D. Simão Dias Vasconcelos Ph.D |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Insects of Forensic Importance Research Group, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil;2. Laboratory of Entomology/Coleoptera, University of Brasília ‐ UnB, CEP: 70910‐900, Brasília‐DF‐BrazilCorresponding author: Luiz Antonio Lira, M.Sc. University of Brasília ‐ UnB CEP: 70910‐900, Brasília‐DF‐Brazil E‐mail:;3. Laboratorial Analysis Division ‐ Federal District Police, Brasília, DF, Brazil;4. Laboratory of Entomology/Coleoptera, University of Brasília ‐ UnB, CEP: 70910‐900, Brasília‐DF‐Brazil |
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| Abstract: | Oxelytrum discicolle is a carrion beetle commonly found in the Neotropical region, mainly associated with cadavers and carcasses. Information on behavior related to the likelihood of cadaver colonization is scarce. We performed two field experiments in peri‐urban forest in Brazil in order to strengthen our knowledge on O. discicolle behavior. In the first experiment, we assessed the preference for piglet carcasses at different stages of decomposition offered simultaneously in two seasons, dry and rainy, while in the second experiment we investigated the diel activity of adults. A total of 493 adults were collected in the experiments. A significantly higher abundance was detected in the rainy season. There was a marked preference for carcasses at advanced stages. Adults exhibited a typical nocturnal behavior, the number trapped at night was 17 times greater than those collected during the day. Oxelytrum discicolle is nocturnal species that prefers carcasses in advanced stage of decomposition. |
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| Keywords: | forensic science forensic entomology carrion beetles decomposition carrion colonization Brazil |
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