Factors impacting the post release viability of American Burying Beetle (Nicrophorus Americanus Oliver) to New York

Abstract

Effects of rapid decline in species numbers often pressures practitioners to rely on both theoretical deduction and observational based evidence when making decisions about reintroductions. The reintroduction of a species cannot be deemed a success simply due to the translocation of a species to its historic home range. Success in reintroduction is often defined as the establishment of a self-sustaining population of locally born individuals. Efforts to reintroduce the endangered American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus; ABB) from the extant population on Block Island, RI back to NY are underway. Our research focused on factors which may impact the survival of ABB once reintroduced to NY. Carrion is an ephemeral resource which burying beetles (Nicrophorus spp.) rely upon in raising their brood. Competition for this resource is fierce among burying beetles, carrion flies, and vertebrate scavengers in the northeastern US. Results of our carrion competition study determined that the congener, N. orbicollis will be the competitor that ABB will most likely face during their reproductive season. Our olfactometry study comparing overwinter site selection choices of two populations of N. orbicollis (RI, NY) indicated no significant difference among the choices made. Results from our overwinter survival study in NY forests comparing the survival rates of two populations of N. orbicollis (RI, NY) determined that population significantly affects the rate of overwinter survival. Our results will aid in decisions regarding the timing of ABB reintroduction, site considerations, and the number of ABB released.