Decomposition of vertebrate carcasses is an important ecosystem function in terrestrial environments. Burying beetles (Silphidae: Nicrophorus), which bury carcasses that their larvae consume, frequently contribute to burial of small-sized vertebrate carcasses in temperate forests. Mammals such as raccoon dogs are also known as important scavengers of carcasses in temperate forests.

Burial rates by burying beetles increase with forest area, while removal rates by scavenging mammals decrease with forest area. Different responses to forest loss between burying beetles and scavenging mammals could maintain the carcass burying/removing function at a landscape level.

Publications

Sugiura, S. & Hayashi, M. (2018) Functional compensation by insular scavengers: the relative contributions of vertebrates and invertebrates vary among islands. Ecography, 41: 1173–1183.

Sugiura, S. & Masuya, H. (2015) Keratin subsidies promote feather decomposition via an increase in keratin-consuming arthropods and microorganisms in bird breeding colonies. The Science of Nature – Naturwissenschaften, 102: 25.

Sugiura, S. & Ikeda, H. (2014) Keratin decomposition by trogid beetles: evidence from a feeding experiment and stable isotope analysis. Naturwissenschaften – The Science of Nature, 101: 187–196.

Sugiura, S. & Ikeda, H. (2013) Which insect species numerically respond to allochthonous inputs? Naturwissenschaften – The Science of Nature, 100: 749-759.

Sugiura, S., Tanaka, R., Taki, H. & Kanzaki, N. (2013) Differential responses of scavenging arthropods and vertebrates to forest loss maintain ecosystem function in a heterogeneous landscape. Biological Conservation, 159: 206–213.