Verhaltensökologie - Behavioural Ecology

Volker Nehring

University Freiburg, Biology I
Hauptstrasse 1
D-79104 Freiburg
Phone: ++49 / 761 / 203 - 2502

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Host choice in a phoretic mite

Mites of the genus Poecilochirus reproduce on vertebrate carcasses and use burying beetles as vectors to reach new carrions; more than 1000 mites have been found on one single Nicrophorus humator. When the beetles arrive at a carcass and prepare it for reproduction, the mites dismount, moult into adults and reproduce. The deuteronymphs of the next generation again attach to the beetles.
Poecilochirus mites have shown to be capable of recognising their host species and of discriminating between sexually mature and immature beetles. Deuteronymphs are relatively mobile and can swap from one to another individual, if beetles meet. Furthermore, during the beetle's brood care, the mites seem to prefer the parental beetle, which will leave the carrion first. Caused by this, the first leaving beetle is carrying virtually all deuteronymphs present in the crypt at that time.
My intention is to examine proximate and ultimate factors responsible for the host choice of Poecilochirus carabi in and outside the crypta of Nicrophorus vespilloides. I am especially interested in identifying the cues that the mites use to detect, which beetle will leave the carcass first.