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18 December 2020 Scavenging of Animal Carcasses by Gumaga nigricula (Sericostomatidae, Trichoptera), an Apparent Herbivore
Stephanie M. Carlson, Pablo Rodriguez-Lozano, Hana Moidu, Robert A. Leidy
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Abstract

Caddisflies within the genus Gumaga are generally considered shredders (i.e., consumers of leaf litter) or grazers (i.e., consumers of algae). We report on observations of Gumaga nigricula scavenging animal carcasses within and adjacent to isolated pools along intermittent reaches of Coyote Creek, Santa Clara County, California, USA. In particular, during the summer of 2018, we observed G. nigricula scavenging fish carcasses within isolated pools as well as bits of flesh from the bones of a black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) deposited on the stream bank. To the best of our knowledge, our observations represent the first published record of Gumaga spp. scavenging animal carcasses. Our observations also highlight how deteriorating conditions within isolated pools create a late-summer resource pulse for scavengers.

© 2020
Stephanie M. Carlson, Pablo Rodriguez-Lozano, Hana Moidu, and Robert A. Leidy "Scavenging of Animal Carcasses by Gumaga nigricula (Sericostomatidae, Trichoptera), an Apparent Herbivore," Western North American Naturalist 80(4), 551-555, (18 December 2020). https://doi.org/10.3398/064.080.0415
Received: 2 July 2019; Accepted: 22 May 2020; Published: 18 December 2020
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