Functional and Structural Succession of Soil Microbial Communities below Decomposing Human Cadavers.

ABSTRACT: The ecological succession of microbes during cadaver decomposition has garnered interest in both basic and applied research contexts (e.g. community assembly and dynamics; forensic indicator of time since death). Yet current understanding of microbial ecology during decomposition is almost entirely based on plant litter. We know very little about microbes recycling carcass-derived organic matter despite the unique decomposition processes. Our objective was to quantify the taxonomic and functional succession of microbial populations in soils below decomposing cadavers, testing the hypotheses that a) periods of increased activity during decomposition are associated with particular taxa; and b) human-associated taxa are introduced to soils, but do not persist outside their host. We collected

SUBMITTER: Cobaugh KL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4466320 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature