Scavenging activity of Dermestes maculatus (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) on burned cadaveric tissue

Abstract

The aim of this work was to study the effect that fire exposure in tissues may have on Dermestes maculatus DeGeer (Dermestidae: Dermestini) taphonomic behaviour under controlled conditions. Two different times of fire exposure (treatments) were evaluated, 15 min and 30 min, after spraying pig trotters with gasoil. The pig trotters were provided to adult hide beetles and both were maintained at 24 ± 0.1°C, 55.4% ± 2% relative humidity, and a 12:12 h day/night cycle. An unburned pig trotter was used as a control for each treatment. Observations were made and photographs were taken every 4–5 days for 4 months. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed. Dermestes maculatus was able to feed and reproduce on burned tissues. Beetles in adult and larvae stages produced different types of marks in several kinds of tissues such as integumental, connective, and muscular, in the controls and treatments. Apparently, 15 min of burning the pig trotters were not sufficient enough to cause differences in the taphonomic marks with respect to the control, but post mortem burning for 30 min may have implicated changes (lesser insect damage represented by lesser number and surface of both depressions and holes were found with respect to the control; greater surfaces and diameters were noticed compared to those found in the unburned pig trotters). The shape of the marks was equal in the controls and treatments.