title: Marks caused by the scavenging activity of Necrobia rufipes (Coleoptera: Cleridae) under laboratory conditions.
abstract: Insects are an important group involved in carrion consumption and are thus of forensic interest. In the laboratory we studied the taphonomic marks that Necrobia rufipes (Cleridae) can produce. Pig trotters were exposed to adult beetles at 21 ± 3 °C and 12:12 h day/night cycle. We made observations and took photographs every 4-5 days for 12 months. Marks were noted after a month. We found scratches, pits, holes, and tunnels in several kinds of tissue such as integumental, connective and muscular. This work contributes preliminary data of significant application in biology, ecology, anthropology and forensics. Until now, no study has provided taphonomic information with N. rufipes.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Entomología Aplicada y Forense, Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Roque Sáenz Peña 352, Bernal 1876, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Cátedra de Parasitología Clínica, Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur, San Juan 670, Bahía Blanca 8000, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Electronic address: noeinesz@yahoo.com.ar.
authors.forename: Noelia I
authors.initials: NI
authors.lastname: Zanetti
authors.affiliation: Cátedra de Parasitología Clínica, Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur, San Juan 670, Bahía Blanca 8000, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Electronic address: evisciar@criba.edu.ar.
authors.forename: Elena C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Visciarelli
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Entomología Aplicada y Forense, Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Roque Sáenz Peña 352, Bernal 1876, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Electronic address: ncenteno@unq.edu.ar.
authors.forename: Néstor D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Centeno
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D004772:Entomology; D004780:Environment, Controlled; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D018732:Forensic Anthropology; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D007814:Larva; D023421:Models, Animal; D010781:Photography; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D011679:Pupa; D013552:Swine; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Cadaveric beetles; Controlled conditions; Forensic entomology; Forensic taphonomy; Necrobia rufipes