Seasonal colonization and decomposition of rat carrion in water and on land in an open field in South Carolina

Decomposition and insect colonization of rat, Rattus rartus L., carrion on land and in water were compared during summer and winter in a plowed field in northwestern South Carolina. During winter, carcasses on land reached the dried-remains stage of decomposition, whereas carcasses in water reached...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of medical entomology 1998-09, Vol.35 (5), p.704-709
Main Authors: Tomberlin, J.K. (Clemson University, Clemson, SC.), Adler, P.H
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
CALLIPHORIDAE
CANAL ANIMAL
CARCASSE
CARCASSES
CAROLINA DEL SUR
CAROLINE DU SUD
CARRION INSECTS
Death
DEGRADACION
DEGRADATION
DENSIDAD DE LA POBLACION
DENSITE DE POPULATION
Diptera - growth & development
ENTOMOLOGIA
ENTOMOLOGIE
ENTOMOLOGY
Feeding Behavior
Female
FORENSIC ENTOMOLOGY
Forensic medicine
Fresh Water
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
General aspects
HABITAT
HABITATS
Medical sciences
POPULATION DENSITY
Public health. Hygiene
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
RAT
RATA
RATS
Rats - parasitology
RATTUS RATTUS
SARCOPHAGIDAE
SEASONAL VARIATION
Seasons
SOUTH CAROLINA
Synecology
VARIACION ESTACIONAL
VARIATION SAISONNIERE
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Summary:Decomposition and insect colonization of rat, Rattus rartus L., carrion on land and in water were compared during summer and winter in a plowed field in northwestern South Carolina. During winter, carcasses on land reached the dried-remains stage of decomposition, whereas carcasses in water reached the early-floating stage. During summer, carcasses in both habitats entered the final-remains stage of decomposition in 1-2 wk. Fewer than 30 species of carrion insects were recorded from the carcasses over the duration of the study, probably reflecting the small size of the carcasses and the depauperate fauna of the habitat. Three species of blow flies-Cynomyopsis cadaverina (Rohineau-Desvoidy), Calliphora vicino Robineau-Desvoidy, and Lucilia illustris (Meigen)-colonized carrion on land during winter, but no insects colonized carrion in water during winter. Two species of blow flies, Cochliomyia macellaria (F.) and Phaenicia sericata (Meigen), and 1 species of flesh fly, Sarcophaca bullata Parker, colonized the carrion on land and in water during summer, the blow fly Phormia regina (Meigen), colonized only the carrion on land. This study demonstrated seasonal variation in decomposition and colonization patterns of carrion in contrasting habitats, with important implications for forensic entomology
ISSN:0022-2585
1938-2928
DOI:10.1093/jmedent/35.5.704