The decomposition of vertebrate carrion is an important source of nutrients and necrophagous insects are a crucial part in the decomposition of carrion, aiding in the breakdown of carrion leading to quicker decomposition times. Which insects arrive at the carrion first can drastically alter the colonization of future decomposers and in turn affect decomposition times, and even different species of the same genus may cause different colonization patterns of subsequent entomofauna on the carrion. Ants exclude other arthropods from carrion and delay colonization of other insects, particularly necrophagous flies such as Calliphoridae. Ants may arrive at any stage of decomposition but are more common during early or late stage decomposition. Solenopsis invicta and Pheidole dentata are both extremely competitive and necrophagous ants that are prevalent in Southeast Texas. I will be testing the differences in competitive exclusion on carrion by ants at different distances from established mounds and between these two different species.
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