Mechanisms of succession between two Silphidae, Necrophila japonica and Nicrophorus concolor on small vertebrate carcasses

Abstract

1. In carrion insect communities, facilitation and processing chain models, in which carcass feeding by early colonists facilitates colonisation by later colonists, have been regarded as the succession mechanisms without sufficient empirical evidence. Although the two models are similar, the processing chain model also assumes a facilitation process independent of early colonists. 2. To reveal the succession mechanisms, field experiments focusing on two silphids, Necrophila japonica, early colonist, and Nicrophorus concolor, later colonist, were conducted. 3. I controlled carcass feeding by Ne. japonica by introducing different numbers of them to carcasses in the field to address three questions: (i) whether the introduction promoted Ni. concolor colonisation, (ii) whether the introduction affected Ni. concolor carcass utilisation, and (iii) whether Ni. concolor colonisation affected the introduced Ne. japonica. 4. Although Ne. japonica introduction hastened colonisation by Ni. concolor, Ni. concolor colonisation did not depend on Ne. japonica, as assumed by the facilitation model because, due to normal carcass decomposition, it occurred on carcasses that Ne. japonica had not fed on, as assumed by the processing chain model. 5. Carcasses with more Ne. japonica feeding was utilised by Ni. concolor for feeding rather than reproduction. After arrival, Ni. concolor excluded Ne. japonica from carcasses. 6. These results suggested that succession between Ne. japonica and Ni. concolor may be driven by the processing chain model and interference competition.

The impact of wildfire and mammal carcasses on beetle emergence from heathland soils

“…The abundance of emerging Staphylinidae peaked in the second and third sampling period when the abundance of other scavenger beetles decreased considerably. This pattern suggests that resource competition or predator–prey relationship between these beetles may contribute to the observed community dynamics in addition to habitat and resource preferences (see also Heard, 1994; Ito, 2021; Zanetti et al, 2015).…”

“…This pattern suggests that resource competition or predator-prey relationship between these beetles may contribute to the observed community dynamics in addition to habitat and resource preferences (see also Heard, 1994;Ito, 2021;Zanetti et al, 2015).…”

Microbial volatiles and succession of beetles on small carrion

“…Rather, the changing profile of microbially‐derived volatiles likely determines the succession of insects. Fly larvae and other carrion feeders have important indirect effects on the volatile profile as their activity opens holes through the skin where microbes can proliferate (Brodie et al, 2016; Ito, 2022; Putnam, 1978), leading to the release of greater quantities of attractants (Chen et al, 2020; Recinos‐Aguilar et al, 2019). When burying beetle parents prepare a carcass during nest‐making, they alter the microbial community and repair any such holes to better hide their resource from competitors (Duarte et al, 2018; Trumbo, 2017; Trumbo et al, 2020).…”

The effect of pioneer carrion beetles on the emission of volatile organic compounds and carrion insect community assembly

“…However, a recent study has revealed interspecific interactions between the Silphini beetle, Necrophila japonica, and Nicrophorus concolor on small carcasses (Ito, 2022). In this study, carcasses fed on by Ne.…”

“…Flies and Silphini beetles (Staphylinidae, Silphinae) are considered the main colonists that interact on large carcasses (Anderson, 1982 ; Matuszewski & MĄdra‐Bielewicz, 2022 ), and Nicrophorus beetles (Staphylinidae, Silphinae, Nicrophorini) interact on small carcasses (Anderson, 1982 ; Trumbo & Bloch, 2002 ). However, a recent study has revealed interspecific interactions between the Silphini beetle, Necrophila japonica , and Nicrophorus concolor on small carcasses (Ito, 2022 ). In this study, carcasses fed on by Ne.…”