title: Observations of differential decomposition on sun exposed v. shaded pig carrion in coastal Washington State.
abstract: The decomposition of two pig carcasses in close proximity to each other, one exposed and the other shaded, in a continuous woodland were observed and different rates of decay were recorded. The exposed pig decomposed much faster than the shaded pig, reaching a stable minimal weight two weeks before the shaded carcass. Bloat size, body weight, occurrence of blow fly larvae, and ambient air temperatures are compared. Maggot development appeared to be a major factor in the overall rate of decomposition and was affected primarily by different temperature patterns at the two sites.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins.
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Shean
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Messinger
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Papworth
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004175:Diptera; D005260:Female; D009198:Myiasis; D010058:Oviposition; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D013472:Sunlight; D013552:Swine; D013997:Time Factors; D014861:Washington; D015431:Weight Loss