Arthropod–microbe interactions on vertebrate remains

Tomberlin, Jeffery K.; Benbow, M. Eric; Barnes, Kate M.; Jordan, Heather R.

doi:10.1002/9781119062585.ch11

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 217 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Originally focused on vertebrate carrion, Benbow et al recently suggested that the term necrobiome should be extended to include microorganisms and any form of necromass such as leaves or wood, for example [48]. It has also been recently demonstrated that the interactions between microorganisms and necrophagous arthropods that colonize decomposing vertebrate carrion affect the rate and timing of decomposition [49]. Thus, the increasing knowledge about this interactive microorganismarthropod network may support the evolution of forensic sciences in the future.…”

Section: The Necrobiome: Thanatomicrobiome and Epinecrotic Communitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Future Is Now: Unraveling the Expanding Potential of Human (Necro)Microbiome in Forensic Investigations

Cláudia-Ferreira,

Barbosa,

Saegeman

et al. 2023

Microorganisms

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The relevance of postmortem microbiological examinations has been controversial for decades, but the boom in advanced sequencing techniques over the last decade is increasingly demonstrating their usefulness, namely for the estimation of the postmortem interval. This comprehensive review aims to present the current knowledge about the human postmortem microbiome (the necrobiome), highlighting the main factors influencing this complex process and discussing the principal applications in the field of forensic sciences. Several limitations still hindering the implementation of forensic microbiology, such as small-scale studies, the lack of a universal/harmonized workflow for DNA extraction and sequencing technology, variability in the human microbiome, and limited access to human cadavers, are discussed. Future research in the field should focus on identifying stable biomarkers within the dominant Bacillota and Pseudomonadota phyla, which are prevalent during postmortem periods and for which standardization, method consolidation, and establishment of a forensic microbial bank are crucial for consistency and comparability. Given the complexity of identifying unique postmortem microbial signatures for robust databases, a promising future approach may involve deepening our understanding of specific bacterial species/strains that can serve as reliable postmortem interval indicators during the process of body decomposition. Microorganisms might have the potential to complement routine forensic tests in judicial processes, requiring robust investigations and machine-learning models to bridge knowledge gaps and adhere to Locard’s principle of trace evidence.

show abstract

Section: The Necrobiome: Thanatomicrobiome and Epinecrotic Communitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Future Is Now: Unraveling the Expanding Potential of Human (Necro)Microbiome in Forensic Investigations

Cláudia-Ferreira,

Barbosa,

Saegeman

et al. 2023

Microorganisms

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Decomposition pattern and insect colonization in two cases of suicide by hanging

Bugelli

Focardi

Pinchi

et al. 2018

Forensic Sciences Research

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Hanging is one of the most common methods of suicide worldwide. Despite the high incidence, only a little knowledge about the pattern of cadaver colonization by insects on hanging corpse is available. Different types of hanging can alter the body decomposition process as well as the pattern and rate of insect colonization. Two case studies where the hanging occurred with a similar postmortem interval of 34 days are described. The two bodies showed different patterns of insect colonization and decomposition scored using the Total Body Score (TBS) and the TBS for hanging (TBShang). The first case was about the body of a 24-years-old male, with mummification of the unclothed upper anatomical parts. A TBS of 14 and a TBShang of 18 were assigned. The second body, belonging to a 15-years-old male, was found pre-skeletonized lying on the ground with the skull disarticulated. A TBS of 31 and a TBShang of 32 were assigned. Average temperatures of (21.5 ± 2.5) °C for the first body and (25.1 ± 2.7) °C for the second body were recorded in the 34 days preceding the bodies’ discovery for a total of 731 and 853 Accumulated Degree Days (ADD) respectively. According to previous studies, the different decomposition patterns were related to temperatures of exposition and to the diversity of arthropod community found on the bodies because of the different types of hanging: totally suspended vs. in contact with the soil. The limited insect activity caused by hanging explains the delay in decomposition of hanging bodies in which mummification can take place, especially on the upper body parts. In vertical body position, the body fluids accumulated in the lower body parts accelerating the desiccation of soft tissues on the upper parts. The effect of gravity can also explain the decrease of internal maggot mass as larvae easily fall from the hanging body to the drip zones below where they are unable to recolonize the body if totally suspended. Furthermore, in a hanging body a greater surface is exposed to wind and sun with a quicker skin drying preventing the additional Diptera colonization. This paper shows the weaknesses of scoring scales and regression models developed to predict ADD when irregular decomposition and mummification have not taken into account.

show abstract

Exploring microbial communities, assessment methodologies and applications of animal's carcass decomposition: a review

Hilal

Zhou

et al. 2021

FEMS Microbiology Ecology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Animals are an essential part of the ecosystem, and their carcasses are the nutrient patches or hotspots where nutrients accumulate for a long time. After death, the physical and chemical properties undergo alterations inside the carcass. The animal carcass is decomposed by many decomposers such as bacteria, fungi, microeukaryotes, and insects. The role of microbial symbionts in living organisms is well explored and studied, but there is a scarcity of knowledge and research related to their role in decomposing animal carcasses. Microbes play an important role in carcass decomposition. The origins of microbial communities associated with a carcass, including the internal and external microbiome, are discussed in this review. The succession and methods used for the detection and exploration of decomposition-associated microbial communities have been briefly described. Also, the applications of carcass-associated microbial taxa have been outlined. This review is intended to understand the dynamics of microbial communities associated with the carcass and pave the way to estimate postmortem interval and its role in recycling nutrients.

show abstract

Arthropod–microbe interactions on vertebrate remains

Cited by 3 publications

References 217 publications

The Future Is Now: Unraveling the Expanding Potential of Human (Necro)Microbiome in Forensic Investigations

The Future Is Now: Unraveling the Expanding Potential of Human (Necro)Microbiome in Forensic Investigations

Decomposition pattern and insect colonization in two cases of suicide by hanging

Exploring microbial communities, assessment methodologies and applications of animal's carcass decomposition: a review

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About