Succession Patterns and Diversity of Arthropods Associated with Decomposing Domestic Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus L, 1758) in Different Habitats

Abstract

Succession patterns of arthropods associated with decomposing domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus Linnaeus, 1758) were investigated in exposed and sheltered habitats, located at 4o 53'41.680 N, 6o 54'39.127 E and 4o 54'19.83N, 6o55'17.36E respectively, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The decomposition of the six domestic rabbits was observed during the onset of the wet season (1st March – 30th April 2017) to identify forensically important insects attracted to them and determine temperatures and relative humidity influencing carrion decomposition. Five stages of decomposition: Fresh, bloated, active decay, advanced decay and dry remains stages were observed. The sequence of insect succession followed a distinct pattern: dipteran flies first colonized the rabbit carcasses and were succeeded by coleopterans. A total of 33 species of arthropods, in 23 families and 7 orders were collected. The insect families recorded were: Calliphoridae, Muscidae, Sarcophagidae, Histeridae, Piophilidae, Drosophilidae, Bostrichidae, Stratiomyidae, Staphylinidae, Tabanidae, Carabidae, Tenebrionidae, Scarabaedae, Cleridae, Formidae, Sphecidae, Curculionidae and Dermestidae. Three unidentified insect taxa in Lepidoptera, Orthoptera and Odonata were collected in the exposed habitat, while two unidentified species in the class Arachnida; a Macrocheles mite and a non-acarine were collected in both habitats. Based on frequency of occurrence and role of Calliphorids, Chrysomya chloropyga and C.albiceps were the most forensically significant insects. Temperature apparently accelerated the rate of decomposition although but there was no significant difference (p>5%) between the rates of decomposition of the carcasses in the two habitats.