|
|||||
|
|
Necrophagous or predators? The role of Pheidole radoszkowskii Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on Rattus norvegicus (Berkenhout) carcasses (Rodentia: Muridae) |
|
| Authors: | Tatiane Archanjo de Sales Erik Daemon Juliane Floriano Santos Lopes |
| Institution: | 1. Programa de Pós-gradua??o em Ciências Biológicas?–?Comportamento e Biologia Animal, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, UFJF?–?Campus Universitário, Bairro Martelos, Juiz de Fora, Brasil;2. Programa de Pós-gradua??o em Ecologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, UFJF?–?Campus Universitário, Bairro Martelos, Juiz de Fora, Brasiltatiane.archanjo@gmail.com;4. Programa de Pós-gradua??o em Ecologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, UFJF?–?Campus Universitário, Bairro Martelos, Juiz de Fora, Brasil |
| Abstract: | This study aimed to identify the feeding habit of Pheidole radoszkowskii Mayr on Rattus norvegicus (Berkenhout) carcasses, as well as whether its presence limits the occurrence of flies. Pheidole radoszkowskii exhibited more necrophagous than predatory behaviour. Its abundance was inversely proportional to that of flies, confirming that this ant species may cause lesions in carcasses and its presence limits the occurrence of flies. This work clarifies the behaviour of an ant species often encountered on carcasses. |
| Keywords: | Ants cause of death feeding behaviour forensic entomology |