Bone Traces and Modifications from Feeding by Dermestes maculatus

Abstract

That D. maculatus feeding can leave marks on bones is established in the literature - that D. maculatus routinely mark bones is not. Our results here, exposing fleshed bones to D. maculatus adults and immatures for almost two months after complete tissue removal, indicate that under natural conditions D. maculatus do not feed on bones. The key issue seems to be the ability of D. maculatus to seek new food sources versus being confined (and eventually starving) on bones. In a natural setting, once a food supply is exhausted, D. maculatus would seek new food sources. If this process is somehow interrupted, such as through placement of an infested body in a sealed container or experimentally over a long (months to a year) period, D. maculatus could feed on bone. Based on this conclusion, whether in forensics analysis or paleontological analysis, we think the working assumption should be that D. maculatus does not alter bone, with the exception (as we outlined) when beetles and bones are in an enclosure that prevents beetle emigration.