A male burying beetle Nicrophorus nepalensis is assessing the carcass size of a Taiwan Barbet (Psilopogon nuchalis) prior to breeding. Photo credit: Syuan-Jyun Sun
Ecological research increasingly reveals the vital role of animal carcasses in ecosystems, especially for burying beetles which depend on them for survival and reproduction. Traditionally, scientists have used burying beetles in lab settings to test ecological theories. However, these studies often use similar, limited-size carcasses, raising questions about their real-world relevance.
A groundbreaking study by a team led by Assistant Professor Syuan-Jyun Sun from the International Degree Program in Climate Change and Sustainable Development (IPCS), National Taiwan University, tackles this issue. They compared burying beetle breeding performance across various carcass sources and sizes from both lab and field environments.
“We were initially concerned about sourcing wild carcasses, but fortunately, we received support from Taiwan Roadkill Observation Network and Wild Bird Society of Taipei. We are very grateful to them for allowing these wild remains to contribute to science rather than simply being disposed of,” says Syuan-Jyun Sun.
The lead authors, Gen-Chang Hsu and Wei-Jiun Lin, analyzed 121 sets of breeding trial, and discovered a fascinating pattern: medium-sized carcasses (around 30-40 grams) were optimal for reproduction, regardless of origin (lab or field). Surprisingly, even though the nutritional content varied across animal types (mammals, birds, reptiles) and body parts, these differences didn't significantly impact breeding success, carcass utilization, or larval growth.
This research also reveals a trade-off between carcass size and offspring quality and quantity. Larger carcasses offered more resources, but larvae may have faced increased competition. The study also demonstrates that larval life history traits adapt to carcass size.
These findings not only deepen our understanding of burying beetle ecology but also validate decades of research using lab carcasses. This paves the way for further exploration of these fascinating creatures and their role in decomposition.
Professor Syuan-Jyun Sun’s email address: [email protected]
