Interactions between burying beetles and phoretic organisms

Burying beetles are long known to associate with phoretic organisms, ranging from mites to nematodes, yet their effects on burying beetles, and vice versa, are less clear. This is likely because their interactions are context dependent upon ecological contexts, and their importance can't be emphasised more particularly under constantly changing environments.

We are interested in exploring whether mites are not merely commensal as phoresey, but indeed can shift in their relationships with beetles. We are also keen to identify the ecological drivers of such interactions. 

Yita and Yu-Hsuan are working on mites and nematodes, respectively, and their interactions with the burying beetles.