Foraging behavior of fire ant Solenopsis saevissima (Smith) (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in Felis catus Linnaeus (Carnivora, Felidae) carcass

Authors

  • Tatiane Tagliatti Maciel Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental e Bioacústica (LABEC) - Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora
  • Mariana Monteiro Castro Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental e Bioacústica (LABEC) - Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora
  • Bruno Corrêa Barbosa Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental e Bioacústica (LABEC) - Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora
  • Elisa Furtado Fernandes Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental e Bioacústica (LABEC) - Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora
  • Helba Helena Santos-Prezoto Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental e Bioacústica (LABEC) - Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora
  • Fábio Prezoto Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental e Bioacústica (LABEC) - Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v62i4.736

Keywords:

Carcass decomposition, domestic cat, forensic entomology, necrophagous ants

Abstract

Solenopsis saevissima fire ants were found foraging in a Felis catus carcass over tissues an secretions present in holes and mucosa. The ants built a dirt-made physical structure around the carcass, which prevented necrophagous flies from laying eggs in the body. These observations are relevant to increasing knowledge on the role of this ant genus in the decaying process of other animal corpses, including humans. 

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References

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Published

2015-12-31

How to Cite

Maciel, T. T., Castro, M. M., Barbosa, B. C., Fernandes, E. F., Santos-Prezoto, H. H., & Prezoto, F. (2015). Foraging behavior of fire ant Solenopsis saevissima (Smith) (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in Felis catus Linnaeus (Carnivora, Felidae) carcass. Sociobiology, 62(4), 610–612. https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v62i4.736

Issue

Vol. 62 No. 4 (2015)

Section

Short Note

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