What is it about?
This study demonstrates the impact of habitat ecology on the decomposition of rabbit carcasses in three selected regions in Malaysia: jungle, rural, and highland. The carcasses exhibited the same pattern of colonization by adult flies, but the dominant species of larvae and adult flies on each carcass in specific habitats were different.
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Photo by Егор Камелев on Unsplash
Why is it important?
Representative specimens of adult flies, larvae, pupa, and mites were collected from the carcasses and processed in the laboratory. There were differences in decomposition rate and faunal succession between the carcasses. The fastest rate of decomposition was recorded in a rural area, and the slowest rate of decomposition was recorded in the highland area. This can give more accuracy in determining details regarding the time of death of a corpse.
Perspectives
Forensic entomology is the field where arthropods and judicial systems interact, using the presence of insects as evidence to discover circumstances of interest to the law, often related to a crime. Examining insects from and around a corpse can assist in making estimates of the time of death. Through their activities, they start a biological clock that will allow for an estimation of the time since death. The arthropods may also be used to detect drugs and poisons, the presence, and time of the infliction of wounds and in determining the location of death.
Dr Chong Chin Heo
Universiti Teknologi MARA
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The Importance of Habitat in the Ecology of Decomposition on Rabbit Carcasses in Malaysia: Implications in Forensic Entomology, Journal of Medical Entomology, January 2015, Oxford University Press (OUP),
DOI: 10.1093/jme/tju001.
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