Abstract:
Succession patterns of carrion insects on large mammal\'s carrion has been widely studied, notably to estimate the post-mortem interval in forensic investigations as accurately as possible. However, little attention has been paid to the carrion insects living inside these bones once a carcass is skeletonized. One very recent study documented flies emerging from pig carcasses, and only scarce authors reported the presence of other carrion insects taking advantage of the bone marrow. We, thus, aimed to (1) estimate the frequency of inner-bone space colonization by carrion insects, with particular attention to bone-skipper flies; (2) identify the insects living inside the carrion bones; and (3) determine whether or not carrion insects found within the bones can successfully exit the bones and complete their development. We extensively sampled 185 large mammals\' bones collected from twelve vulture feeding stations and four isolated carcasses in southwest France and northern Spain. Sampled bones were opened, and the insects found inside were identified. For two bones, foramen, i.e., the holes providing a natural entrance and exit to the bone\'s inner cavity, was monitored with a camera to assess the insect\'s putative exit. We describe the entomofauna, i.e., the set of insect species, living within the bones, and illustrate insects\' ability to exit the bones for their subsequent development and maturity. These results are discussed in the framework of carrion insect conservation and forensic entomology perspectives.
摘要:
大型哺乳动物腐肉上腐肉昆虫的演替模式已被广泛研究,尤其是尽可能准确地估计法医调查中的死后间隔。然而,一旦尸体被骨骼化,生活在这些骨头内的腐肉昆虫就很少受到关注。最近的一项研究记录了从猪尸体中出现的苍蝇,只有很少的作者报道了利用骨髓的其他腐肉昆虫的存在。我们,因此,目的是(1)估计腐肉昆虫定植内骨空间的频率,特别注意骨骼船长苍蝇;(2)识别生活在腐肉骨骼内部的昆虫;(3)确定在骨骼中发现的腐肉昆虫是否可以成功地离开骨骼并完成其发育。我们从法国西南部和西班牙北部的十二个秃鹰饲喂站和四个孤立的尸体中收集了185个大型哺乳动物的骨头。取样的骨头被打开,在里面发现的昆虫被发现了。对于两块骨头,孔,即,为骨头的内腔提供自然入口和出口的孔,用摄像机监测,以评估昆虫的推定出口。我们描述了昆虫,即,一组昆虫物种,生活在骨头里,并说明昆虫为随后的发育和成熟而离开骨骼的能力。在腐肉昆虫保护和法医昆虫学观点的框架内讨论了这些结果。