ANIMAL-ILTe (2)

Necrophagous arthrophages indicative of ILTe-related animal mortality

The finding at the origin of this project is simple: the regular intake of animal carcasses (necromass) in one area leads to an increase in necrophagous insect populations in this area. This assertion, supported by scientific literature and many field observations, implies a strong association between the resource (the dead bodies) and the species that exploit it (necrophagous insects). Based on this dependence, this project aims to establish a reliable correlation between necromass and necrophagous populations and to build a large scale exploitable biological indicator. In addition, we propose to combine with this quantitative approach an original qualitative component allowing to effectively and cheaply identify the main wildlife groups that are victims of roadkill (genetic identification of the digestive contents of necrophagous flies).