Carcases and mites

Abstract

Mites are involved in the decomposition of animal carcases and human corpses at every stage. From initial decay at the fresh stage until dry decomposition at the skeletal stage, a huge diversity of Acari, including members of the Mesostigmata, Prostigmata, Astigmata, Endeostigmata, Oribatida and Ixodida, are an integral part of the constantly changing food webs on, in and beneath the carrion. During the desiccation stage in wave 6 of Mégnin's system, mites can become the dominant fauna on the decomposing body. Under conditions unfavourable for the colonisation of insects, such as concealment, low temperature or mummification, mites might become the most important or even the only arthropods on a dead body. Some mite species will be represented by a few specimens, whereas others might build up in numbers to several million individuals. Astigmata are most prominent in numbers and Mesostigmata in diversity. More than 100 mite species and over 60 mite families were collected from animal carcases, and around 75 species and over 20 families from human corpses.

Decomposition Process and Post Mortem Changes: Review

“…Minimal moisture from environment or grease may present on the bone surface and the smell of decomposition generally fades off (Matuszewski et al 2008). Some insect species are still present in this stage but mostly from Coleoptera and Acari (mites) (Ahmad et al 2011;Braig & Perotti 2009). Sequence of skeletonization may vary depending on environmental setting and condition of the corpse.…”

“…It could be challenging for forensic pathologists to use a single stage of decomposition to describe the extent of degradation of a corpse (Adlam & Simmons 2007;Duday & Guillon 2006). It is generally accepted that head and limbs will decompose faster compared to body trunk, mainly because there is a higher concentration of soft tissue to be digested (Braig & Perotti 2009;Matuszewski et al 2008). …”

Macrochelid Mites (Mesostigmata: Macrochelidae) as Biological Control Agents

“…4.1 ), of the order Mesostigmata, is one of the most abundant and diverse groups of predatory mites living in excrements or decomposing animals (Vitzthum 1930 ;Koehler 1999 ;Behan-Pelletier 2003 ;Gerson et al 2003 ;Braig and Perotti 2009 ;Lindquist et al 2009 ;Perotti and Braig 2009 ). Filipponi ( 1964 ) divided the macrochelids into three main groups, fi micolous, humicolous and insecticolous, referring to their association with excrements, humus or insects (mainly as carriers of these mites).…”

Phoretic mites associated with animal and human decomposition

“…Since studies on phoretic mites of forensically important carrier species are quite rare, the actual number and diversity of phoretic mite species is expected to be much higher. Mites in general and non-phoretic mites found on human and animal carcases have been reviewed by Braig and Perotti (2009).…”