Using bacterial and necrophagous insect dynamics for post-mortem interval estimation during cold season: Novel case study in Romania

Iancu, Lavinia; Carter, David; Junkins, Emily N.; Purcarea, Cristina

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.07.024

Cited by 31 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 62 publications

(95 reference statements)

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“…The results of this study begin to shed light on the specific responses of soil communities that respond to carrion inputs across applications derived from microbial communities. For instance, in forensic science there is a growing body of evidence that bacterial communities may be useful in determining how long someone has been deceased ( Metcalf et al, 2013 ; Pechal et al, 2013 ; Iancu et al, 2015 ). However, models predicting how long remains have been decomposing with microbial community data are typically implemented using ADD.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temporal and Spatial Impact of Human Cadaver Decomposition on Soil Bacterial and Arthropod Community Structure and Function

et al. 2018

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As vertebrate carrion decomposes, there is a release of nutrient-rich fluids into the underlying soil, which can impact associated biological community structure and function. How these changes alter soil biogeochemical cycles is relatively unknown and may prove useful in the identification of carrion decomposition islands that have long lasting, focal ecological effects. This study investigated the spatial (0, 1, and 5 m) and temporal (3–732 days) dynamics of human cadaver decomposition on soil bacterial and arthropod community structure and microbial function. We observed strong evidence of a predictable response to cadaver decomposition that varies over space for soil bacterial and arthropod community structure, carbon (C) mineralization and microbial substrate utilization patterns. In the presence of a cadaver (i.e., 0 m samples), the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes was greater, while the relative abundance of Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, Gemmatimonadetes, and Verrucomicrobia was lower when compared to samples at 1 and 5 m. Micro-arthropods were more abundant (15 to 17-fold) in soils collected at 0 m compared to either 1 or 5 m, but overall, micro-arthropod community composition was unrelated to either bacterial community composition or function. Bacterial community structure and microbial function also exhibited temporal relationships, whereas arthropod community structure did not. Cumulative precipitation was more effective in predicting temporal variations in bacterial abundance and microbial activity than accumulated degree days. In the presence of the cadaver (i.e., 0 m samples), the relative abundance of Actinobacteria increased significantly with cumulative precipitation. Furthermore, soil bacterial communities and C mineralization were sensitive to the introduction of human cadavers as they diverged from baseline levels and did not recover completely in approximately 2 years. These data are valuable for understanding ecosystem function surrounding carrion decomposition islands and can be applicable to environmental bio-monitoring and forensic sciences.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temporal and Spatial Impact of Human Cadaver Decomposition on Soil Bacterial and Arthropod Community Structure and Function

et al. 2018

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“…In accordance with the activity period (May-September), the specimens were sampled and identified in summer -August 2013. Their presence was not observed in May, during similar experimental settings over the cold period (November -May 2013) in the same location (Iancu et al, 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

First Record Of Meroplius Fukuharai (Iwasa 1984) (Diptera: Sepsidae) On Romanian Territory

Iancu¹,

Purcarea²

2015

Travaux Du Muséum National D’Histoire Naturelle “Grigore Antipa”

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The present study represents the first report on the presence of Meroplius fukuharai (Diptera: Sepsidae) in Romania. The research area was located in Bucharest. Meroplius fukuharai was recorded during an experiment for investigating necrophagous insect species dynamics. Adult specimens were sampled during the summer (August 2013) from swine carcasses at the beginning of the advanced decay stage. The species had a sporadic occurrence, only four male specimens being sampled and identified both morphologically and genetically during the four-month survey. The recorded environmental parameters during the sampling period showed an air temperature of 28-33°C and a relative humidity of 53-57%. This report on the presence of M. fukuharai in Romania leads to the expansion of its known distribution range in the South Eastern part of Europe.

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“…Psychrobacter is a gram-negative, non-motile coccobacilli that is exceptionally cold-tolerant [30], and has been isolated from the guts of several fish species [31], and detected in the rectums of decomposing swine [32]. Variovorax is a genera of gram-negative bacteria found capable of catabolizing toxic and complex compounds and found in water and soil [33].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Psychrobacter and Variovorax are two microbial members unique to venom glands that were found in two sets of spider species ( P. tepidariorum and L. geometricus - Psychrobacter , S. grossa and L. mactans - Variovorax ). Psychrobacter is a gram-negative, non-motile coccobacilli that is exceptionally cold-tolerant [ 30 ], and has been isolated from the guts of several fish species [ 31 ], and detected in the rectums of decomposing swine [ 32 ]. Variovorax is a genera of gram-negative bacteria found capable of catabolizing toxic and complex compounds and found in water and soil [ 33 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spider phylosymbiosis: divergence of widow spider species and their tissues’ microbiomes

Dunaj

Bettencourt²,

Garb

et al. 2020

BMC Evol Biol

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Background: Microbiomes can have profound impacts on host biology and evolution, but to date, remain vastly understudied in spiders despite their unique and diverse predatory adaptations. This study evaluates closely related species of spiders and their host-microbe relationships in the context of phylosymbiosis, an eco-evolutionary pattern where the microbial community profile parallels the phylogeny of closely related host species. Using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, we characterized the microbiomes of five species with known phylogenetic relationships from the family Theridiidae, including multiple closely related widow spiders (L. hesperus, L. mactans, L. geometricus, S. grossa, and P. tepidariorum). Results: We compared whole animal and tissue-specific microbiomes (cephalothorax, fat bodies, venom glands, silk glands, and ovary) in the five species to better understand the relationship between spiders and their microbial symbionts. This showed a strong congruence of the microbiome beta-diversity of the whole spiders, cephalothorax, venom glands, and silk glands when compared to their host phylogeny. Our results support phylosymbiosis in these species and across their specialized tissues. The ovary tissue microbial dendrograms also parallel the widow phylogeny, suggesting vertical transfer of species-specific bacterial symbionts. By cross-validating with RNA sequencing data obtained from the venom glands, silk glands and ovaries of L. hesperus, L. geometricus, S. grossa, and P. tepidariorum we confirmed that several microbial symbionts of interest are viably active in the host. Conclusion: Together these results provide evidence that supports the importance of host-microbe interactions and the significant role microbial communities may play in the evolution and adaptation of their hosts.

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Using bacterial and necrophagous insect dynamics for post-mortem interval estimation during cold season: Novel case study in Romania

Cited by 31 publications

References 62 publications

Temporal and Spatial Impact of Human Cadaver Decomposition on Soil Bacterial and Arthropod Community Structure and Function

Temporal and Spatial Impact of Human Cadaver Decomposition on Soil Bacterial and Arthropod Community Structure and Function

First Record Of Meroplius Fukuharai (Iwasa 1984) (Diptera: Sepsidae) On Romanian Territory

Spider phylosymbiosis: divergence of widow spider species and their tissues’ microbiomes

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