The effects of arrival order were investigated using three blow fly species: Phormia regina (Meigen), Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) and Lucilia sericata (Meigen). A total of 400 first instar larvae were transferred to fetal pig carcasses (Sus scrofa (Linnaeus)), where the arrival sequence of each species varied. Larval, pupal and emergent adult mortality was measured as well as emergent adult fitness. Results determined that L. sericata acts as a facilitator species for both P. regina and C.rufifacies by increasing the colonization potential, survivability and adult fitness of both species. However, L. sericata does experience some negative effects due to the presence of either species in the system. These experiments indicate that multiple mechanisms play a role in structuring the dynamics of the carrion insect community. These mechanisms should be further explored to gain more insight into how the carrion community, as well as other complex communities assemble themselves to allow for the coexistance of various species types within the same system.
doi: 10.1603/ICE.2016.51636
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