Browsing by Subject "Altitudinal gradient"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Embargo
    Formicidae (Hymenoptera) community in corpses at different altitudes in a semiarid wild environment in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula
    (Wiley, 2020-06-18) Pérez Marcos, María; López-Gallego, Elena; Arnaldos Sanabria, María Isabel; Martínez-Ibáñez, Dolores; García, María Dolores; Zoología y Antropología Física
    The Formicidae are considered crucial components of the entomosarcosaprophagous fauna because they can delay the decomposition process, cause tissue postmortem damage and produce bloodstain patterns that may confuse investigations. Moreover, some studies suggest that the Formicidae can act as environmental and seasonal indicators. However, studies on this group on vertebrate carcasses are scarce, especially in the Iberian Peninsula and the southwest of Europe. Thus, comparative studies at different altitudes in a protected wild mountain area could provide useful information on its composition in such environmental conditions, their role as environmental indicators and their forensic implications. For this reason, the Formicidae sarcosaprophagous community was studied at three different altitudes, between 400 and 1,500 m, in a wild mountainous area in the southeast of Spain using a modified Schoenly trap, with two pitfall traps inside, baited with 5 kg piglets (Sus scrofa L.). This work illustrates an approach to the community of the Formicidae, as a representative of the sarcosaprophagous community in an altitudinal gradient, showing a great variability in its composition. Furthermore, when comparing our results with other studies carried out in the Iberian Peninsula, we are able to suggest certain species with a potential utility as geographic and environmental indicators. Thus, Iberoformica subrufa, Lasius brunneus, Lasius cinereus and Camponotus sylvaticus are species of special interest as they appeared in either one of the sampled areas or in the same region.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Open Access
    Phenological organization of mediterranean pastures in different environments studied through diversity parameters
    (Murcia : Universidad de Murcia, Servicio de Publicaciones, 1993) Ortega, M.; Levassor, C.; Casado, M.A.; Facultad de Biología
    The phenology of Mediterranean pastures was studied along an altitudinal gradient in relation to geomorphology and consumption of plants by large and medium-size herbivores. Diversity parameters were used to analyze the percentage of species in four phenological states (vegetative growth, flowering, fmiting and decay or dormancy) throughout an annual cycle. The distribution of phenological states in time varied from the most heterogeneous situations in low altitude pastures -in which different phenological states predominated at different times-. to more uniform situations at higher altitudes with a predominante of vegetative growth. The altitudinal rise was also accompanied by a shortening and delay in the reproductive phenophases. These trends also appeared when comparing upper and lower slope zones or unfenced and fenced plots. Phenological organ
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Embargo
    The influence of altitude on the abundance and occurrence of species of the family Calliphoridae (Diptera) in corpses in a Mediterranean area
    (2024-03-15) Pérez-Marcos, María; Ruiz-Franco, Laura; García, María Dolores; López-Gallego, Elena; Arnaldos Sanabria, María Isabel; Zoología y Antropología Física
    A carcass is defined as a temporary resource that can support high levels of diversity compared to other resources. The level of diversity often depends on the environmental conditions in which the corpse is found. Calliphoridae (Diptera) are the most important necrophagous insects used in forensic investigations because this family is common, widespread, abundant, and usually the first to colonize a corpse. However, understanding the processes responsible for variation in calliphorid species abundance and richness along gradients in ecology remains a key challenge. In this study, we analyzed the influence of altitude on the abundance and diversity of Calliphoridae species in corpses at three different altitudes (400, 900, and 1500 m a.s.l.) in a mountainous area of southeastern Spain. The results revealed a gradient of decreasing abundance with increasing altitude. An altitudinal substitution of species was observed, with Chrysomya albiceps being found at the lowest altitude and Calliphora vicina at the highest altitude. Seasonal variation was also noted, with Ch. albiceps being the dominant species in the warmer months and C. vicina being the dominant species in winter. Our results confirm the importance of Calliphorids as seasonal, altitudinal, and environmental indicators, given the wide distribution and abundance of this family. This information is of great interest on the interpretation of data in forensic practice.