Diversity and succession of carrion arthropods on pig sus scrofa domestica carcasses under different conditions in Nan province, Thailand

Abstract

This research aimed to establish the basic preliminary data base of insect species associated with decomposing cadavers and the main succession trends to develop forensic entomology in Thailand. Insect succession and rate of decomposition were studied on domestic pig (20-25 kg) carcasses during 2010-2011, in Nan province, Thailand. Three major differences were considered, the affect of habitat (mixed deciduous forest and rural area), season (monsoon wet, winter and summer seasons) and spatial position / access (carcasses were hung on a tree or laid on the ground). The ambient temperature and relative humidity in the vicinity of the carcass, the internal carcass temperature and the rate of carcass decomposition were compared with the insect succession stages for each experimental variable. Habitats, seasons and spatial positions of the carcasses directly affect the decomposition rate of the carcasses, being greater in ground-laid carcasses than hanging carcass in the wet and winter seasons. Patterns of insect succession occurred in a predictable sequence that varied across the different habitats, seasons and conditions. About 40 taxa were collected and identified. Chrysomya megacephala and Achoetandrus rufifacies were the dominant fly species in every season. The diversity of carrion insect was highest in monsoon wet season, followed by summer and winter seasons, respectively.