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Microbial community functional change during vertebrate carrion decomposition.

Jennifer L Pechal1, Tawni L Crippen, Aaron M Tarone

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Microbiology
  • Biogeochemistry

Background:

  • Microorganisms are vital for decomposition and nutrient cycling in ecosystems.
  • The functional activity of epinecrotic microbial communities on carrion remains poorly understood.
  • Carrion decomposition is a critical ecosystem process influenced by microbial activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe carrion-associated microbial community functional activity using differential carbon source utilization.
  • To investigate how functional profiles change with decomposition, season, year, and necrophagous insect colonization.
  • To identify key bacterial phyla associated with functional changes via high-throughput sequencing.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized Biolog EcoPlates to measure microbial function via 29 carbon source utilization on vertebrate carrion.
  • Employed pyrosequencing to characterize bacterial community composition and identify key phyla.
  • Collected data across different seasons, years, and with/without insect colonization.

Main Results:

  • Microbial functional activity generally increased during decomposition in spring, summer, and winter, but decreased in autumn.
  • Higher microbial functional activity was observed in 2011 compared to 2010 when insect effects were evaluated.
  • Inconsistent functional trends were noted in insect-colonized carrion between years, highlighting the need for mechanistic insights.

Conclusions:

  • Functional analysis of epinecrotic microbial communities is feasible and valuable for carrion decomposition studies.
  • Seasonal and annual variations, along with insect colonization, significantly influence microbial functional profiles.
  • Further research is needed to mechanistically understand the role of necrophagous insects in shaping microbial function during decomposition.