Macrohabitat associations and phenology of carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Silphidae, Leiodidae: Cholevinae)

Abstract

1. As decomposers of vertebrate carcasses, carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Silphidae, Leiodidae:Cholevinae) play a significant role in the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. Despite this, the ecology and phenology of this group is relatively understudied. This research determines carrion beetle assemblages in three macrohabitats -native broadleaf woodland, non-native coniferous plantations and unforested sites of grassland or heathland. Further, it explores phenological changes over the growing season. 2. Each macrohabitat type was replicated in eight geographical clusters, giving a total of 24 sites. Clusters were selected to give a wide geographical spread across Britain. Six pitfalls were set at each site, three baited with mice and three with cheese. Traps were set and collected fortnightly within every month from May to September 2016. 3. The taxa differed in response to macrohabitat and growing season. Silphidae assemblages differed between forested and unforested habitats, whereas Leiodidae: Cholevinae were not distinguished by macrohabitat, although some specialists of forests were identified. 4. Silphidae assemblages differed over the growing season, with May and June supporting a different suite of species to those in July -September. In contrast, Leiodidae: Cholevinae assemblages changed very little over the growing season though some species did prefer particular time periods. 5. This research presents the first large-scale study of the macrohabitat preference and phenology of carrion beetles in Western Europe, providing important ecological and phenological information which could aid in their conservation.

Cryptic diversity within thePoecilochirus carabimite species complex phoretic onNicrophorus buryingbeetles: phylogeny, biogeography, and host specificity

“…Several Nicrophorus species occur sympatrically in Europe, and most of them overlap in their seasonal reproductive period but differ in seasonal and diel activity and habitat use (Dekeirsschieter et al, 2011;Esh & Oxbrough, 2021;Majka, 2011;Müller & Eggert, 1987;Scott, 1998). Thus, as earlier work already suggested (Schwarz, 1996), the European mite generalist (Europe-1 = P. carabi s.s.) exploits several host species with different life history traits, while P. necrophori (= Europe-2) is specialized on N. vespillo, which prefers open area habitats where other Nicrophorus species are less abundant (Esh & Oxbrough, 2021).…”

“…Nicrophorus species vary in their habitat preferences. Some species inhabit woodlands and others open areas, and differences in the diel activity and reproductive season have been reported for species on both continents (Anderson 1982, Burke et al, 2020Esh & Oxbrough, 2021;Majka, 2011;Scott, 1998).…”

Cryptic diversity within thePoecilochirus carabimite species complex phoretic onNicrophorusburying beetles: Phylogeny, biogeography, and host specificity

“…Based on their association with different beetle species, these mite clusters appear to either prefer or avoid certain hosts, which is in agreement with observations on the host range of the two reproductively isolated mite species (Müller & Schwarz, 1990; Nehring et al, 2017; Schwarz, 1996; Schwarz et al, 1998). Several Nicrophorus species occur sympatrically in Europe, and most of them overlap in their seasonal reproductive period but differ in seasonal and diel activity and habitat use (Dekeirsschieter et al, 2011; Esh & Oxbrough, 2021; Majka, 2011; Müller & Eggert, 1987; Schwarz & Koulianos, 1998; Scott, 1998). Thus, as early work has already suggested (Schwarz, 1996), the European mite generalist (Europe‐1 = P .…”

“…Several Nicrophorus species occur sympatrically in Europe, and most of them overlap in their seasonal reproductive period but differ in seasonal and diel activity and habitat use (Dekeirsschieter et al, 2011;Esh & Oxbrough, 2021;Majka, 2011;Müller & Eggert, 1987;Scott, 1998). Thus, as early work has already suggested (Schwarz, 1996), the European mite generalist (Europe-1 = P. carabi s.s.) exploits several host species with different life history traits, while P. necrophori (= Europe-2) is specialized on N. vespillo, which prefers open area habitats where other Nicrophorus species are less abundant (Esh & Oxbrough, 2021).…”

“…Today, only N. vespilloides and N. investigator are distributed in both the eastern and western hemispheres (Sikes et al, 2008(Sikes et al, , 2016. Often, multiple Nicorphorus species occur in sympatry (e.g Brown & Wilson, 1992;Dekeirsschieter et al, 2011) but vary in their habitat preferences, diel activities, and reproductive seasons (Anderson, 1982;Burke et al, 2020;Esh & Oxbrough, 2021;Majka, 2011;Scott, 1998).…”