Diptera Succession during Early Decomposition Stages in a Mediterranean Pinewood Umbrage

The succession of entomosarcosaprophagous fauna depends on multiple factors, being the environment one of the most important. Thus the study of sarcosaprophagous community in different microclimatic environments is relevant, even if the different locations are close to each other. Results concerning the early sarcosaprophagous community collected during a whole year in an umbrage area located at 980 MASL in Sierra Espuña Mountain (Murcia province, SE Spain) are presented. The study was carried out using a Schoenly trap baited with 5kg piglets. A daily sample was taken during all four seasons. More than 12700 specimens, belonging to 18 orders of Arthropoda, were collected. The most abundant in all seasons was Diptera, representing 97.66% of the captures in fall. Among Diptera, Calliphoridae was the most representative family during the first stages of decomposition, representing 94.37% of all Diptera in spring, 41.05% in summer, 61.03% in fall and 80% in winter. Muscidae and Fannidae were also abundant in summer and fall. The Calliphorid species collected were: Calliphora vicina, Calliphora vomitoria, Chrysomya albiceps, Lucilia caesar, Lucilia sericata, Pollenia sp. and Stomorhina lunata. The primary species was always C. vicina. The most abundant species in the whole study was Chrysomya albiceps, being the most representative species in summer and fall. Calliphora vicina was the most representative in spring and winter. These results are compared with previous studies conducted with a piglet and chicken carcasses in a near suburban area. Differences concerning community species composition and dynamics and succession, as well as decomposition process have been detected.