Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

Arthropod Succession and Decomposition of Buried Pigs

Nature volume 219, pages 1180–1181 (1968)Cite this article

Abstract

THE decomposition of animals after death is of limited aesthetic appeal but very important. Several recent papers1–5 have described aspects of the ecology of carrion on the soil surface or other exposed locations. With the exception of a few medico-legal papers6–8 that discuss arthropods of tombs and graves, little or nothing is known concerning the processes of decomposition of animal bodies beneath the soil.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Relevant articles

Open Access articles citing this article.

Access options

Rent or buy this article

Get just this article for as long as you need it

$39.95

Learn more

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

References

  1. Bornemissza, G. F., Austral. J. Zool., 5, 1 (1957).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Elton, C. S., The Pattern of Animal Communities, 319 (Methuen, London, 1966).

    Book  Google Scholar 

  3. , Reed, jun., H. B., Amer. Mid. Naturalist, 59, 213 (1958).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Payne, J. A., Ecology, 46, 592 (1965).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Payne, J. A., Dissertation Abstr., 28, 1734B (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  6. Megnin, P., Revue Scient. Bourbonnais Centre Fr., 1, 261 (1888).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Megnin, P., La Faune des Cadames, Application de l'Entomologie à la Médecine Légale, 96 (Gauthier-Villars, Paris, 1894).

  8. Motter, M. G., J. NY Entomol. Soc., 6, 201 (1898).

    Google Scholar 

  9. Reinhard, H., Verhandl. Zool. Botan. Ges. Wein., 31, 207 (1881).

    Google Scholar 

  10. Folsom, J. W., Psyche, 9, 363 (1902).

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. JERRY A. PAYNE

    Present address: Market Quality Research Division, ARS, USDA, Coastal Plain Experiment Station, Tifton, Georgia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Entomology and Zoology, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina

    JERRY A. PAYNE & EDWIN W. KING

  2. Crops Research Division, US Agricultural Research Service, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina

    GEORGE BEINHART

Authors
  1. JERRY A. PAYNE
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. EDWIN W. KING
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. GEORGE BEINHART
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

PAYNE, J., KING, E. & BEINHART, G. Arthropod Succession and Decomposition of Buried Pigs. Nature 219, 1180–1181 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1038/2191180a0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/2191180a0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Advanced search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing