Entomological identification of the cadaver fauna of wolf and lynx carcasses in Germany between 2014-2021

The frequency of illegal killings of animals that are under special protection in Germany is continuously increasing. Especially the carnivores wolf and lynx are strongly threatened by humans. To counteract these developments, it is necessary to investigate and prosecute such offenses. An important clue for police investigations is the time of death of the deceased animal. Forensic entomology makes use of the knowledge of temperature-dependent development rates as well as succession patterns of necrophagous flies and beetles and to determine an approximate time of death. While the carcass fauna of other species as well as humans is well studied, the composition of insects on wolves and lynx worldwide has not yet been deciphered. The aim of this work is to investigate the carcass fauna of wolf and lynx. For this purpose, the species composition of insects from 70 wolf carcasses and 8 lynx carcasses was analysed with respect to different habitat types, decomposition stages, and seasons. This data set provides extensive knowledge of the arthropod fauna on wolf and lynx carcasses. The frequency of illegal killings of animals that are under special protection in Germany is continuously increasing. Especially the carnivores wolf and lynx are strongly threatened by humans. To counteract these developments, it is necessary to investigate and prosecute such offenses. An important clue for police investigations is the time of death of the deceased animal. Forensic entomology makes use of the knowledge of temperature-dependent development rates as well as succession patterns of necrophagous flies and beetles and to determine an approximate time of death. While the carcass fauna of other species as well as humans is well studied, the composition of insects on wolves and lynx worldwide has not yet been deciphered. The aim of this work is to investigate the carcass fauna of wolf and lynx. For this purpose, the species composition of insects from 70 wolf carcasses and 8 lynx carcasses was analysed with respect to different habitat types, decomposition stages, and seasons. This data set provides extensive knowledge of the arthropod fauna on wolf and lynx carcasses.

德国受特殊保护动物的非法猎杀频率持续攀升。其中，食肉动物狼与猞猁尤受人类的严重威胁。为遏制这一态势，需对此类违法行为开展调查并依法追诉。对于警方侦查而言，涉案动物的死亡时间是一项关键线索。法医昆虫学（forensic entomology）借助嗜尸性蝇类和甲虫（necrophagous flies and beetles）的温度依赖性发育速率及其演替模式等相关知识，可推定动物的大致死亡时间。目前，其他物种乃至人类的尸体昆虫群落均已得到充分研究，但全球范围内狼与猞猁尸体上的昆虫组成仍未被阐明。本研究旨在调查狼与猞猁的尸体昆虫群落，为此我们针对70具狼尸体与8具猞猁尸体的昆虫物种组成，结合不同生境类型、分解阶段及季节进行了分析。本数据集提供了关于狼与猞猁尸体上节肢动物群落（arthropod fauna）的丰富研究资料。德国受特殊保护动物的非法猎杀频率持续攀升。其中，食肉动物狼与猞猁尤受人类的严重威胁。为遏制这一态势，需对此类违法行为开展调查并依法追诉。对于警方侦查而言，涉案动物的死亡时间是一项关键线索。法医昆虫学（forensic entomology）借助嗜尸性蝇类和甲虫（necrophagous flies and beetles）的温度依赖性发育速率及其演替模式等相关知识，可推定动物的大致死亡时间。目前，其他物种乃至人类的尸体昆虫群落均已得到充分研究，但全球范围内狼与猞猁尸体上的昆虫组成仍未被阐明。本研究旨在调查狼与猞猁的尸体昆虫群落，为此我们针对70具狼尸体与8具猞猁尸体的昆虫物种组成，结合不同生境类型、分解阶段及季节进行了分析。本数据集提供了关于狼与猞猁尸体上节肢动物群落（arthropod fauna）的丰富研究资料。