Scavenging of animal carcasses by Gumaga nigricula (Sericostomatidae, Trichoptera), an apparent herbivore

Authors

Stephanie M. Carlson, Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-3114Follow
Pablo Rodriguez-Lozano, Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-3114; Department of Geography, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma, SpainFollow
Hana Moidu, Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-3114Follow
Robert A. Leidy, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, San Francisco, CA 94105Follow

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.


Los tricópteros del género Gumaga se consideran, generalmente, trituradores de hojas o raspadores de algas. El objetivo de esta publicación es informar sobre nuestras observaciones de individuos de Gumaga nigricula alimentándose de cadáveres de animales en las pozas aisladas de un río intermitente (Coyote Creek, Santa Clara County, California, USA). En concreto, durante el verano de 2018, observamos individuos de G. nigricula alimentándose de cadáveres de peces dentro de pozas aisladas, así como de restos de carne en huesos de ciervo de cola negra (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) depositados en la orilla de una poza aislada. Hasta donde tenemos conocimiento, estas observaciones constituyen la primera publicación de Gumaga spp. alimentándose de cadáveres animales. Nuestras observaciones también destacan cómo, al final de verano, las difíciles condiciones dentro de las pozas aisladas en ríos intermitentes pueden producir un incremento puntual de la disponibilidad de recursos alimenticios para animales carroñeros.

Recommended Citation

Carlson, Stephanie M.; Rodriguez-Lozano, Pablo; Moidu, Hana; and Leidy, Robert A. (2020) "Scavenging of animal carcasses by Gumaga nigricula (Sericostomatidae, Trichoptera), an apparent herbivore," Western North American Naturalist: Vol. 80: No. 4, Article 15.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/wnan/vol80/iss4/15