Accessibility navigation


Carcases and mites

Braig, H. R. and Perotti, M. A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3769-7126 (2009) Carcases and mites. Experimental and Applied Acarology, 49 (1-2). pp. 45-84. ISSN 0168-8162

Full text not archived in this repository.

It is advisable to refer to the publisher's version if you intend to cite from this work. See Guidance on citing.

To link to this item DOI: 10.1007/s10493-009-9287-6

Abstract/Summary

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 M,gnin'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.

Item Type:Article
Refereed:Yes
Divisions:Life Sciences > School of Biological Sciences
Interdisciplinary centres and themes > Soil Research Centre
ID Code:9571
Uncontrolled Keywords:Carrion, Carcass, Corpse, Cadaver, Animal decomposition, Necrophagy, Necrophagia, Succession, Post mortem interval, ARTHROPOD SUCCESSION PATTERNS, EXPOSED RABBIT CARRION, HAWAIIAN-ISLANDS, FORENSIC ENTOMOLOGY, DECOMPOSITION, HABITATS, ACARI, DIPTERA, OAHU, MACROCHELIDAE

University Staff: Request a correction | Centaur Editors: Update this record

Page navigation