Necrophagous or predators? The role of Pheidole radoszkowskii Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on Rattus norvegicus (Berkenhout) carcasses (Rodentia: Muridae).

This study aimed to identify the feeding habit ofPheidole radoszkowskiiMayr onRattus norvegicus(Berkenhout) carcasses, as well as whether its presence limits the occurrence of flies.Pheidole radoszkowskiiexhibited more necrophagous than predatory behaviour. Its abundance was inversely proportional to that of flies, confirming that this ant species may cause lesions in carcasses and its presence limits the occurrence of flies. This work clarifies the behaviour of an ant species often encountered on carcasses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]