Arthropod Succession on Exposed Carrion in Three Contrasting Tropical Habitats on Hawaii Island, Hawaii

Abstract

Decomposition studies were conducted using domestic pig carcasses to determine arthropod succession patterns on exposed carrion for the island of Hawaii. The carcasses were placed in upland forest and woodland (1,877 m). rainforest (1,169 m) and midelevation woodlands (646 m) habitats. Marked differences in species composition, rates of biomass removal, and succession patterns were observed between these 3 sites. These results also differed from patterns observed during previous decomposition studies conducted on the island of Oahu.