Incidental observation of bone modification by Crematogaster cf. liengmei (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Cape Town, South Africa.
Ants
Crematogaster cf. liengmei
Forensic entomology
Insect scavenging
Taphonomy
Journal
Forensic science, medicine, and pathology
ISSN: 1556-2891
Titre abrégé: Forensic Sci Med Pathol
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 101236111
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
13 Sep 2023
13 Sep 2023
Historique:
accepted:
01
09
2023
medline:
13
9
2023
pubmed:
13
9
2023
entrez:
13
9
2023
Statut:
aheadofprint
Résumé
Different taxa of insects have been reported to modify the skeletal remains of vertebrates during feeding or the creation of their larval and pupal chambers. Anecdotal reports on the modification of skeletal remains by ants exist but are rare. In this paper, a case of modification of bone due to the feeding activity of the ant, Crematogaster cf. liengmei (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), is reported. In November 2022, a bone was encountered incidentally in the vicinity of the Table Mountain National Park. The bone had been colonized by several individuals of Crematogaster cf. liengmei. Several ants were observed feeding on and removing bone particles and soft tissue remnants. A closer observation revealed striae/furrows on the epiphyseal ends of the bone. A 60-kg pig cadaver used in a winter decomposition trial in the same area was similarly colonized by this ant species, resulting in soft-tissue modification. Due to the similarity in the striae/furrows observed on the bone and the bitemarks inflicted by the ants on the right ear of the pig cadaver in the vicinity, it was concluded that the striae/furrows seen on the bone were created by the ants. Our observations show that Crematogaster cf. liengmei is an important taphonomic bio-agent that can contribute to the modification of skeletal remains in terrestrial environments.
Identifiants
pubmed: 37702964
doi: 10.1007/s12024-023-00714-2
pii: 10.1007/s12024-023-00714-2
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Subventions
Organisme : National Research Foundation
ID : CSUR116299
Organisme : National Research Foundation
ID : Bursary
Organisme : University of Cape Town
ID : International Students Scholarship
Organisme : University of Capetown
ID : JW Jagger Centenary Gift Scholarship
Organisme : University of Capetown
ID : Postgraduate Research Training Grant
Informations de copyright
© 2023. The Author(s).
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