Population Ecology of Cavernicoles Associated with Carrion in Caves of Georgia, USA

The abundance of troglophilic Megaselia spp. (Diptera: Phoridae), trogloxenic Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Calliphoridae), and troglobitic Ptomaphagus whiteselli Barr (Coleoptera: Leiodidae) on carrion was studied in two caves in Georgia, USA. Phorid and leiodid abundance were statistically independent of location in the caves and of time the carrion was available for colonization in a cave. Calliphorid abundance was linked to location in the cave and duration the carrion remained in the cave. The colonization patterns on carrion by cavernicoles differed between permanent and transient cave-dwelling species. Variation could be due to the different reproductive strategies of each species.