High water‐loss rates and rapid dehydration in the burying beetle, Nicrophorus marginatus

Abstract

During the summer months, there is a high mortality of burying beetle (Coleoptera: Silphidae) species in pitfall traps containing dry soil. The present study investigated the possibility that the burying beetle Nicrophorus marginatus is highly susceptible to death from desiccation. In the laboratory, adult beetles lose 1-5% body mass per hour in low humidity conditions (25-30% relative humidity), depending on temperature. This rate of water-loss results in a 50% mortality within 7-16 h at temperatures between 16 and 28 C. Nicrophorus marginatus produces oral and anal defensive secretions when disturbed but these secretions do not significantly contribute to the high rate of water loss. Beetles readily drink and thus beetles with access to water or in high humidity conditions suffer near zero mortality. For comparison, the similarly sized mesic bess beetle (Coleoptera: Passalidae), Odontotaenius disjunctus, and a large nocturnal tiger beetle (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae), Amblychila cylindriformis, are exposed to dehydrating conditions. Nicrophorus marginatus have higher rates of water-loss (by 26% and 79%, respectively). It is predicted that the diurnal N. marginatus uses behavioural mechanisms to avoid lethal water loss. In the field, N. marginatus displays a strong bimodal activity pattern, avoiding the hottest hours of the day. The significance of these findings is that N. marginatus defies normal predictions of association between water-loss rates and habitat type, and has extended its range into apparently unfavourable habitats despite high water-loss rates. In addition, the results suggest that researchers should provide moisture when studying burying beetles, including the endangered American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus).

Effect of investigator disturbance in experimental forensic entomology: succession and community composition

“…All four specimens were observed or collected within the first 3 days of succession. Drought conditions experienced throughout the central United States in 2002 appear to have reduced populations of Nicrophorus regionally (Bedick et al . 2006).…”

“…All four specimens were observed or collected within the first 3 days of succession. Drought conditions experienced throughout the central United States in 2002 appear to have reduced populations of Nicrophorus regionally (Bedick et al 2006). One other species of silphid beetle, Thanatophilus lapponicus Herbst, was represented by three specimens collected only within the first 2 days of succession.…”

Temperature and Food Availability Differentially Affect the Production of Antimicrobial Compounds in Oral Secretions Produced by Two Species of Burying Beetle

“…From the current findings, the antimicrobial activity of the beetles' oral secretions is most active at temperatures below 20°C. Bedick et al (2006) reported a 50% mortality rate due to water loss for N. marginatus beetles when kept above 20°C in low humidity conditions for 10 h.…”

Landsat to monitor an endangered beetle population and its habitat: addressing annual life history and imperfect detection

“…Lab studies have suggested that N. americanus prefer moist soils (W. W. Hoback, unpubl. data), and other members of the genus Nicrophorus can be extremely susceptible to dessication (Bedick et al ., ). Although they are hypothesised to be associated with moist soils, burying beetles must avoid flood prone areas to prevent inundation of their underground brood chambers.…”

“…Temperature is likely the most important determinant of flight activity with upper and lower bounds beyond which flight activity is reduced or physiologically impossible (Taylor, ; Merrick & Smith, ). Due to the susceptibility of burying beetles to desiccation (Bedick et al ., ; Bedick et al ., D. Leasure, pers. obs.…”