Saprophagous Arthropod Fauna Associated with Turtle Carrion

Abstract

A carrion study on the red-eared turtle, Pseudemys scripta elegans was carried out in relation to the incidence and possible succession of arthropod fauna. Four discrete stages of decomposition were observed in carrion exposed to arthropods, arthropod-free carrion showed slow decomposition and no stages of decay were evident. Primary carrion fauna were restricted to four arthropod groups: Acarina, Coleoptera, Diptera and Hymenoptera. Soil fauna were grossly altered by seepage of fluids under the carcasses. A clear successional pattern was observed in the dipterous and coleopterous adults and larvae. © 1982, JAPANESE SOCIETY OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY AND ZOOLOGY. All rights reserved.