Evaluation of current American burying beetle (ABB), Nicrophorus americanus, trapping protocols and population estimation methods in Southeast Oklahoma

Abstract

Burying beetles in the genus Nicrophorus are carrion feeding beetles that display cooperative brood care behavior. Historically, the American Burying Beetle (ABB) (Olivier) (Coleoptera; Silphidae) was found across the eastern United States but is currently limited to three viable populations in SE OK, Block Island, RI, and Central NE. ABB were trapped over 3 years from 4 locations across SE OK. This study focused on: 1) Evaluating sampling grids of traps vs single traps for estimating ABB densities, 2) Comparing two different population density estimation methods, the program MARK and the Schnabel Index, and 3) developing current population estimates for ABB in SE OK. We showed that a single trap is sufficient for population estimates but for higher resolution a 5-trap grid sampled 2 nights a week is sufficient. MARK was able to produce population estimates regardless of recaptures and produced more conservative estimates but it requires individual capture histories which require individual marking on each animal. This is hard to accomplish safely with ABB so the Schnabel index is still the recommended population density estimation calculator. ABB populations in SE OK are within ranges found in other areas of their extant range and seem stable since records from 1996.