Influence of Sunlight and Shade on Decomposition and Insect Colonization

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of microenvironmental factors on carcass decomposition and insect colonization, emphasizing the detailed analysis of insect communities. The research involved placing two pig carcasses in contrasting environments: one in a sunlit open field and the other in a shaded forest area. Over 10 days, we observed variations in decomposition rates, with the carcass in the sunlit area decomposing faster than the one in the shade. This research applies Symbolic Aggregate approXimation to transform the daily measurements of carcass weight into symbolic sequences, enabling a comparison of temporal patterns in insect colonization and decomposition dynamics between the environments. Additionally, we utilized alpha and beta diversity assessments to explore the composition and behavior of the insect populations. Our findings revealed dynamic shifts in insect diversity in the sunlit area, marked by a rapid increase followed by a decline, contrasting with steadier, gradual changes in the shaded area. These shifts underscore the sensitivity of insect communities to subtle differences in sunlight and temperature exposure. Our study confirms the significant impact of these environmental factors on both decomposition rates and insect community dynamics, highlighting their potential to refine post-mortem interval estimations in forensic entomology. This enhances our understanding of how environmental conditions directly influence insect colonization, offering valuable insights for forensic applications.