Several case studies confirm that habitat and seasonal preferences of necrophilous insects are the source of valuable information about the season of death or corpse relocation. Rove beetles (Staphylinidae) are common predators found on... more
Several case studies confirm that habitat and seasonal preferences of necrophilous insects are the source of valuable information about the season of death or corpse relocation. Rove beetles (Staphylinidae) are common predators found on corpses and subfamily Staphylininae includes species of the largest forensic importance. In order to evaluate usefulness of Staphylininae as indicators of season of death or corpse relocation, a pig carrion experiment was made from Aprilto October in open and forest habitats of Central Europe. Forty species of Staphylininae were collected, with hairy rove beetle (Creophilus maxillosus) being the most abundant. Some species exhibited a clear preference towards particular habitats. It was found that Philonthus lepidus was exclusive to open habitats and therefore may be useful as indicator of corpse relocation from open to forest habitats. Philonthus decorus was the only species found exclusively on carcasses in forests. Clear seasonality was present in nine species. Philonthus lepidus, Bisnius nitidulus, Philonthus concinnus and Gabrius osseticus were spring – early summer species, while Philonthus spinipes and Ocypus olens were late summer – early fall species. Bisnius fimetarius and Staphylinus erythropterus were spring – summer species. Platydracus stercorarius was summer species. These results indicate that some Staphylininae are good candidates for indicators of season of death or corpse relocation.
In the case of many forensically important insects an interval preceding appearance of an insect stage on a corpse (called the pre-appearance interval or PAI) is strongly temperature-dependent. Accordingly, it was proposed to estimate PAI... more
In the case of many forensically important insects an interval preceding appearance of an insect stage on a corpse (called the pre-appearance interval or PAI) is strongly temperature-dependent. Accordingly, it was proposed to estimate PAI from temperature by using temperature models for PAI of particular insect species and temperature data specific for a given case. The quality of temperature models for PAI depends on the protocols for PAI field studies. In this article we analyze effects of sampling frequency and techniques, temperature data, as well as the size of a sample on the quality of PAI models. Models were created by using data from a largely replicated PAI field study, and their performance in estimation was tested with external body of PAI data. It was found that low frequency of insect sampling distinctly deteriorated temperature models for PAI. The effect of sampling techniques was clearly smaller. Temperature data from local weather station gave models of poor quality, however their retrospective correction clearly improved the models. Most importantly, current results demonstrate that sample size in PAI field studies may be substantially reduced, with no model deterioration. Samples consisting of 11–14 carcasses gave models of high quality, as long as the whole range of relevant temperatures was studied. Moreover, it was found that carcasses exposed in forests and carcasses exposed in early spring are particularly important, as they ensure that PAI data is collected at low temperatures. A preliminary best practice model for PAI field studies is given.
Carcass mass largely affects pattern and rate of carrion decomposition. Supposedly, it is similarly important for carrion entomofauna; however, most of its likely effects have not been tested experimentally. Here, simultaneous effects of... more
Carcass mass largely affects pattern and rate of carrion decomposition. Supposedly, it is similarly important for carrion entomofauna; however, most of its likely effects have not been tested experimentally. Here, simultaneous effects of carcass mass and clothing are analyzed. A factorial block experiment with four levels of carcass mass (small carcasses 5–15 kg, medium carcasses 15.1–30 kg, medium/large carcasses 35–50 kg, large carcasses 55–70 kg) and two levels of carcass clothing (clothed and unclothed) was made in a grassland habitat of Western Poland. Pig carcasses (N = 24) were grouped into spring, early summer, and late summer blocks. Insects were sampled manually and with pitfall traps. Results demonstrate that insect assemblages are more complex, abundant, and long-lasting on larger carcasses, whereas clothing is of minor importance in this respect. Only large or medium/large carcasses were colonized by all guilds of carrion insects, while small or medium carcasses revealed high underrepresentation of late-colonizing insects (e.g., Cleridae or Nitidulidae). This finding indicates that carcasses weighing about 23 kg—a standard in forensic decomposition studies—give an incomplete picture of carrion entomofauna. Residencies of all forensically relevant insects were distinctly prolonged on larger carcasses, indicating that cadaver mass is a factor of great importance in this respect. The pre-appearance interval of most taxa was found to be unrelated to mass or clothing of a carcass. Moreover, current results suggest that rate of larval development is higher on smaller carcasses. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that carcass mass is a factor of crucial importance for carrion entomofauna, whereas the importance of clothing is small.
Long-term changes of carrion entomofauna are poorly understood. No single carrion study lasted longer than one year. We studied entomofauna of large pig carcasses in the second and the third year postmortem. Ten carcasses were exposed in... more
Long-term changes of carrion entomofauna are poorly understood. No single carrion study lasted longer than one year. We studied entomofauna of large pig carcasses in the second and the third year postmortem. Ten carcasses were exposed in xerothermic grasslands of Western Poland in spring, early and late summer of 2012. Entomofauna was monitored until September of 2014. 72 species were found in the second year, and six in the third year. In the second or the third year carcasses from the late summer block revealed larger number of taxa compared to carcasses from the spring or the early summer block. Taxa differed in pattern of multiple larval colonizations. Only necrophagous taxa breeding in long-lasting carrion parts as well as predators feeding on arthropods present in these parts were found to recolonize. Recolonizations were always recorded in the second or the third year after death. Patterns of multiple colonization depended on the time of carcass exposure in the first year. Residencies of larvae were unexpectedly long in the second year. Several forensically important flies overwintered on carcasses in the larval stage. Current results support the view that insect fauna of cadavers with long post-mortem interval (PMI) may be used for PMI estimation.
Carcass mass largely affects pattern and rate of carrion decomposition. Supposedly, it is similarly important for carrion entomofauna; however, most of its likely effects have not been tested experimentally. Here, simultaneous effects of... more
Carcass mass largely affects pattern and rate of carrion decomposition. Supposedly, it is similarly important for carrion entomofauna; however, most of its likely effects have not been tested experimentally. Here, simultaneous effects of carcass mass and clothing are analyzed. A factorial block experiment with four levels of carcass mass (small carcasses 5–15 kg, medium carcasses 15.1–30 kg, medium/large carcasses 35–50 kg, large carcasses 55–70 kg) and two levels of carcass clothing (clothed and unclothed) was made in a grassland habitat of Western Poland. Pig carcasses (N=24) were grouped into spring, early summer, and late summer blocks. Insects were sampled manually and with pitfall traps. Results demonstrate that insect assemblages are more complex, abundant, and long-lasting on larger carcasses, whereas clothing is of minor importance in this respect. Only large or medium/large carcasses were colonized by all guilds of carrion insects, while small or medium carcasses revealed high underrepresentation of late-colonizing insects (e.g., Cleridae or Nitidulidae). This finding indicates that carcasses weighing about 23 kg—a standard in forensic decomposition studies—give an incomplete picture of carrion entomofauna. Residencies of all forensically relevant insects were distinctly prolonged on larger carcasses, indicating that cadaver mass is a factor of great importance in this respect. The preappearance interval of most taxa was found to be unrelated to mass or clothing of a carcass. Moreover, current results suggest that rate of larval development is higher on smaller carcasses. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that carcass mass is a factor of crucial importance for carrion entomofauna, whereas the importance of clothing is small.
Information on distribution and habitats of 176 bryophyte species revealed by a survey of the Wolin Island conducted during the 12 th Bryological Workshop organised by the Bryological Section of the Polish Botanical Society is presented.... more
Information on distribution and habitats of 176 bryophyte species revealed by a survey of the Wolin Island conducted during the 12 th Bryological Workshop organised by the Bryological Section of the Polish Botanical Society is presented. The most interesting (rare, protected and threatened) are: Ctenidium molluscum, Dicranum viride, Frullania tamarisci, Leiocolea badensis, Orthotrichum pulchellum, Syntrichia ruraliformis, Zygodon stirtonii, Z. viridissimus.
Hylaeus (Paraprosopis) lineolatus (SCHENCK, 1861) (Hymenoptera, Apoidea, Colletidae) was collected in Poland for the first time. Discovered in 2011 in eight localities near Gubin and Zasieki, Wielkopolsko-Kujawska Lowland, very close to... more
Hylaeus (Paraprosopis) lineolatus (SCHENCK, 1861) (Hymenoptera, Apoidea, Colletidae) was collected in Poland for the first time. Discovered in 2011 in eight localities near Gubin and Zasieki, Wielkopolsko-Kujawska Lowland, very close to Polish-German board. All the localities are very warm (in a climatic sense), based on sandy grounds. All the specimens were collected/observed only on Jasione montana flowers. Additionally, a note on identification, worldwide distribution and situation in neighbouring countries of this species is given.
The paper presents the record of Chrysis immaculata BUYSS., the species of ruby-tailed wasp (Hymenoptera: Chrysididae) new from Poland. The species is similar to Chrysis fulgida LINNAEUS, 1761, common in Poland, and the characteristics... more
The paper presents the record of Chrysis immaculata BUYSS., the species of ruby-tailed wasp (Hymenoptera: Chrysididae) new from Poland. The species is similar to Chrysis fulgida LINNAEUS, 1761, common in Poland, and the characteristics for identification of the two species are given.
The crabronid wasp Nysson hrubanti Balthasar 1972 is reported from Poland for the first time. A single male of this rare species was collected in Gołuchów Arboretum in Wielkopolsko-Kujawska Lowland in July 2015. N. hrubanti is an endemic... more
The crabronid wasp Nysson hrubanti Balthasar 1972 is reported from Poland for the first time. A single male of this rare species was collected in Gołuchów Arboretum in Wielkopolsko-Kujawska Lowland in July 2015. N. hrubanti is an endemic species in Central Europe dependent on sandy habitats.
Wendzonka et al.: Dasypoda morawitzi Radchenko 2016 is a species reported for the first time from Poland. Data on the distribution of this species and related D. hirtipes (Fabricius, 1793) were obtained on the basis of the analysis of... more
Wendzonka et al.: Dasypoda morawitzi Radchenko 2016 is a species reported for the first time from Poland. Data on the distribution of this species and related D. hirtipes (Fabricius, 1793) were obtained on the basis of the analysis of specimens from the authors' collections
There are 170 lobelian lakes in Poland. In these lakes the following species: Lobelia dortmanna L., Isoëtes lacustris L. and Littorella uniflora (L.), which are characteristic of this lake type are present (or have been present recently).... more
There are 170 lobelian lakes in Poland. In these lakes the following species: Lobelia dortmanna L., Isoëtes lacustris L. and Littorella uniflora (L.), which are characteristic of this lake type are present (or have been present recently). This paper presents the results of dragonfly research of 13 lobelian lakes of Kaszuby. Some of them are situated in the Trójmiejski Landscape Park of which two lakes in the “Pełecznica” reserve. In 8 lakes, the typical plant species of lobelian lakes are abundant, in 5 of them all three characteristic plants are present. The four basic types of lakes: dystrophic, balanced, eutrophised and degraded were investigated. 35 species of dragonflies were found. 10 – 28 species (average 18) were recorded from each lake. More species-reach were dystrophic and balanced lakes and less abundant were eutrophised and degraded ones. The highest frequency was observed in Enallagma cyathigerum, Cordulia aenea, Libellula quadrimaculata, Somatochlora metallica and Isc...
In xerothermic swards and thickets at 17 research sites in the lower Vistula valley (N Poland), 253 species of bees (Apiformes) were recorded. Southern and southeastern species (Ponto-Mediterranean, Pontic and Mediterranean) accounted for... more
In xerothermic swards and thickets at 17 research sites in the lower Vistula valley (N Poland), 253 species of bees (Apiformes) were recorded. Southern and southeastern species (Ponto-Mediterranean, Pontic and Mediterranean) accounted for 20% of all recorded species. Substantial differences in species composition, diversity, and dominance structure were found between research sites and also between small plots (about 3 ha each) within one reserve. A discussion of the origin of the fauna of the study area suggests that the migratory route along the Vistula river from the Podolye refuge (W Ukraine) probably played a major role, beside two other routes: along the Toruń-Eberswalde Proglacial Valley from Germany and across the Moravian Gate from the south. A northward decrease in diversity of southern and southeastern species was confirmed.
Psilochalcis subarmata (Förster, 1855) new chalcid wasp species (Hymenoptera, Chalcididae, Haltichellinae) in Polish fauna. Psilochalcis subarmata (Förster, 1855) is a species known from most of Europe and West Asia. The specimens were... more
Psilochalcis subarmata (Förster, 1855) new chalcid wasp species (Hymenoptera, Chalcididae, Haltichellinae) in Polish fauna. Psilochalcis subarmata (Förster, 1855) is a species known from most of Europe and West Asia. The specimens were found at two sites in the "Bory Tucholskie" National Park (NW Poland). The collection sites were sandy, very dry and warm, covered with scattered Calluno-Genistetum initial vegetation, surrounded by Leucobryo-Pinetum pine forests.
