Thermal summation models in selected species of Silphinae (Coleoptera)

Iana Ipatova

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

Information regarding necrophagous beetles is under-represented in forensic entomology studies despite the fact that knowing about larval development rate of selected species could be used for the postmortem interval (PMI) determination. The theoretical part of my thesis can be divided into three main topics: a description of the family Silphidae and information about forensic entomology and thermal summation models. In the practical part of the thesis, information is presented about the genus Diamesus Hope 1840 in general and laboratory research conducted. The laboratory study was conducted on the species Diamesus osculans (Vigors 1825) within one month. Collected beetles were kept in climate chambers at constant temperature (20, 22 and 24 ◦C) and their development was regularly documented. In total, we had 180 first instar larvae to explore, although most of the larval specimens did not develop into 3. larval instars. The R statistical program was used for calculated parameters of thermal summation models and standard errors for 1st larval instar.

Keywords

Forensic entomology, Larval development, Silphidae, Coleoptera, Thermal summation models

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 23. 4. 2019

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: doc. Mgr. Jan Růžička, Ph.D.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Environmental Sciences

Bachelor programme / field:
Environmental Scinces / Applied Ecology