Carcass Types Research Articles

Characterization of Post-Mortem pH Evolution and Rigor Mortis Process in Botucatu Rabbit Carcasses of Different Categories.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the characteristics of carcasses, monitor their pH evolution during the first 24 h post-mortem, and determine the time required for the establishment and resolution of rigor mortis in different categories of Botucatu rabbits. Live weight at slaughter, carcass weight, and yield were higher in 12-month-old animals compared to 3-month-old rabbits, regardless of sex. There was an effect of muscle type, age, and sex on the kinetics of muscle acidification, with the Biceps femoris showing a significantly higher pH than the Longissimus lumborum from 4 h post-mortem onward. The establishment of rigor mortis occurred at 5 h post-mortem in young rabbits and bucks and at 6 h post-mortem in does, along with pH stabilization, while the resolution of rigor occurred at 18 h post-mortem for all types of carcasses evaluated. In conclusion, Botucatu rabbit carcasses should be chilled continuously at 4 °C for a minimum of 18 h to ensure efficient rigor mortis progression and muscle-to-meat transformation throughout the carcass.

Red fox cannibalism in a temperate forest ecosystem

Scavengers benefit from carrion and simultaneously provide essential ecosystem services. To assess benefits and risks that carrion might bring, it is crucial to understand ecosystem-specific scavenger communities. Carrion research has mostly focussed on ungulate carcasses and has rarely explored the effects of carnivore carcasses, which can be critical to understanding disease transmission pathways. Therefore, using red fox, roe deer and red deer carcasses, we investigated factors that affect facultative vertebrate scavenger assemblages visiting carnivore and herbivore carcasses in a temperate forest ecosystem. Due to potentially increased disease transmission risk associated with carnivore carrion, we predicted that carnivore carcasses would be visited less and have a reduced visiting species composition compared to herbivore carcasses. Further, we expected red foxes to exhibit less consumption behavior of conspecific carcasses. We placed 22 red fox and 22 herbivore carcasses in a temperate montane protected area in Central Europe, the Bavarian Forest National Park, and analyzed the visits of all species and the consumption behavior of red fox at carcasses to understand whether these depended on carcass type. We found no significant effects of carcass type on visitation rates, visiting species composition, or red fox behavior. Cannibalism of foxes was common and, when controlling for confounding factors, e.g., elevation, temperature, and scavenging seasonality, the predicted consumption rate of red fox at conspecifics was higher than at herbivore carrion. Foxes appeared to consume conspecifics earlier than herbivore carrion, but the difference was not significant. At the very least, our results show that carnivore carcasses and fox behavior, including cannibalism, could provide a pathway for disease transmission. We thereby provide a first impression of the patterns of vertebrate scavenger assemblages at different carcass types in a temperate ecosystem and show that red fox behavior might precipitate a disease transmission pathway.

RNA sampling time on postmortem avian carcasses in the wild

Genetic sampling, especially high‐quality RNA from wild avian populations, is challenging in wildlife biology due to rapid RNA degradation. Although carcasses could be a potential RNA source, the optimal postmortem sampling time on the avian carcasses under field conditions remains unclear. Here, we carried out a field experiment on the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau (QTP) and evaluated the relationship between PMI and RNA degradation in three tissue types (muscle, brain, and liver) of the domestic chicken Gallus gallus domesticus carcasses. In the muscle and brain tissues, we found that the RNA Integrity Number (RIN) of samples collected within 60 h postmortem was more than 7.0, suggesting a high RNA extract quality. The following RNA‐seq experiment demonstrated that gene expression profiles of the samples collected within 36 h postmortem were comparable to those of fresh samples (i.e. 0 h), with a low percentage of differentially expressed genes (< 3.0%) observed between samples at 0 and 36 h postmortem. However, in the liver tissue, RNA samples already degraded at 12 h postmortem, showing low RIN values (< 7.0), different gene expression profiles from fresh samples, and a high percentage of differentially expressed genes (15.6%). Therefore, our study suggests that samples from muscle and brain tissues collected within 36 h postmortem are qualified for RNA‐seq analyses. In contrast, only the fresh RNA samples from liver tissue are qualified. Our study provides a practicable and efficient sampling strategy for the transcriptome study on avian populations under extreme environment such as the QTP.

Size does matter: intraspecific geometric morphometric analysis of wings of the blowfly Chrysomya albiceps (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Blowflies have forensic, sanitary and veterinary importance, as well as being pollinators, parasitoids and ecological bioindicators. There is still little work with real data and from experiments assessing the relationship between blowflies’ morphologic features and environmental and demographic factors. The present work tests whether the variation, in the shape and size, of Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann, 1819) wings is influenced by the following factors: 1) time; 2) temperature; 3) sex and; 4) different types of carcasses (pig, dog/cat and whale). Male and female wings from four different sites collected in six different years were used to obtain wing size and shape of C. albiceps. Analyses between wing shape and the variables tested had low explanatory power, even though they had statistical support. However, it was possible to identify differences in wing shape between males and females, with good returns in sex identification. The comparison between wing size and the variables tested showed that wing size has a negative relationship with temperature, significant differences between sexes, slight variation over time and no influence by carcass types. Furthermore, wing size influenced wing shape. Understanding population-specific characteristics of C. albiceps provide important insights about how the species reacts under specific conditions.

Trophic interactions at avian carcasses: Do scavengers feed on vulture carrion?

Scavenging is a pervasive foraging strategy among vertebrates, yet researchers have only recently begun to reveal the complex implications of scavenging dynamics. Scavenging studies have predominantly used lower trophic level (i.e., herbivore) species as carrion bait, and the few studies that have used higher trophic level (i.e., carnivore) carrion have found these carcass types are generally avoided by vertebrates or scavenged by fewer species than similarly sized herbivore carcasses. No studies have assessed the fate of carcasses of obligate scavengers. To investigate potential differences in scavenging dynamics among avian carrion representing different guilds and trophic levels, we conducted scavenging trials using 20 replicates of two obligate scavenger species (i.e. black vulture, Coragyps atratus; turkey vulture, Cathartes aura) and two lower trophic level species, chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus), and mallard (Anas platyrhynchos). Carcass trials were conducted at the Savannah River Site, SC, USA, and monitored with remote cameras. We hypothesized carcasses of vultures would persist longer and have a distinct scavenging community compared to lower trophic level carcasses (mallard and chicken). As expected, turkey and black vulture carcasses persisted in the environment longer, were less likely to be entirely consumed by vertebrate scavengers, and had a different scavenging community than mallard and chicken carcasses. These results contribute to the growing body of evidence suggesting higher trophic level carrion is exploited differently by vertebrate scavengers. Our findings suggest nutrients derived from vulture carcasses are likely largely reincorporated into lower trophic levels.

Factors affecting searcher efficiency and scavenger removal of bat carcasses in Neotropical wind facilities

AbstractBat fatalities at wind facilities have been reported worldwide, and environmental impact assessments depend on searches for carcasses around wind turbines to quantify impacts. Some of the carcasses may go undetected by search teams or be removed by scavengers during search intervals, so these biases must be evaluated and taken into account in fatality estimation. We investigated the influence of different factors on searcher efficiency and scavenger removal in a dry forest area in northeastern Brazil, one of the regions with the highest density of wind turbines in the Neotropics. We conducted searcher efficiency and scavenger removal trials around 34 wind turbines from January 2017 to January 2018. Searcher efficiency was influenced by cover type, season, and carcass size, ranging between 12% for small bats in shrub vegetation during the rainy season and 96% for large bats in absent or sparse vegetation during the dry season. Carcass type and season affected scavenger removal; carcass persistence time was shorter for chicks (1.2 days) than for bats and mice (2.1 days), and the probability of a carcass persisting for a whole day was higher in the rainy season, while the probability of carcass persistence for 7, 14, and 28 days was higher in the dry season. The scavenger community was composed of canids, birds of prey, and insects, with systematic removal of carcasses by the crab‐eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) throughout the year and by dung beetles in the rainy season. Based on our findings, impact assessments of wind facilities on bats should conduct searcher efficiency trials in all seasons and cover types around wind turbines, using bat carcasses or models of different sizes. Scavenger removal trials should cover all seasons as well, and use mouse carcasses (but not chick carcasses) as surrogates for bats.

Temporal resource partitioning mediates vertebrate coexistence at carcasses: The role of competitive and facilitative interactions

Unravelling how biodiversity is maintained despite species competition for shared resources has been a central question in community ecology, and is gaining relevance amidst the current biodiversity crisis. Yet, we have still a poor understanding of the mechanisms that regulate species coexistence and shape the structure of assemblages in highly competitive environments such as carrion pulsed resources. Here, we study how large vertebrates coexist in scavenger assemblages by adapting their diel activity at large ungulate carcasses in NW Spain. We used camera traps to record vertebrate scavengers consuming 34 carcasses of livestock and hunted wild ungulates, which allowed us to assess also differences regarding carcass origin. To evaluate temporal resource partition among species, we estimated the overlap of diel activity patterns and the mean times of each scavenger at carcasses. We recorded 16 species of scavengers, 7 mammals and 9 birds, and found similar richness at both types of carcasses. Birds and mammals showed contrasting diel activity patterns, with birds using carcasses during daytime (mean= 11:38 h) and mammals mostly at night (23:09 h). The unimodal activity patterns of scavengers showed asynchronous peaks among species. Subordinate species modified their activity patterns at carcasses used by apex species to reduce temporal overlap. Also, diel activity patterns of vultures closely followed those of corvids, suggesting facilitation processes in which corvids would enhance carcass detection by vultures. Two mammal species (12.5%) increased nocturnality at carcasses of hunted ungulates, which could be a response to human disturbance. Our results suggest that both temporal segregation and coupling mediate the coexistence of large vertebrates at carcasses. These mechanisms might lead to richer scavenger assemblages and thereby more efficient ones in driving critical ecosystem functions related to carrion consumption, such as energy and nutrient recycling and biodiversity maintenance.

Comparing scavenging in marine and terrestrial ecosystems: a case study with fish and gull carcasses in a small Mediterranean island

Carrion consumption by scavengers is a key component of both terrestrial and aquatic food webs. However, there are few direct comparisons of the structure and functioning of scavenging communities in different ecosystems. Here, we monitored the consumption of 23 fish (seabream Sparus aurata) and 34 bird (yellow-legged gull Larus michahellis) carcasses on a small Mediterranean island (Isla Grosa, southeastern Spain) and surrounding waters in summer to compare the structure of the scavenger assemblages and their carrion consumption efficiencies in terrestrial and shallow water habitats. Scavenging was highly efficient both in marine and terrestrial environments, especially in the presence of a highly abundant vertebrate scavenger species, the yellow-legged gull. The vertebrate scavenger community was richer in the marine environment, whereas the invertebrate community was richer on land. The scavenger network was usually well-structured (i.e., nested), with the exception of the community associated with fish terrestrial carcasses, which were almost monopolized by yellow-legged gulls. In contrast, gulls left conspecific carcasses untouched, thus allowing longer persistence of gull carcasses on land and their exploitation by a diverse insect community. Our study shows important differences in the scavenging process associated with environment and carcass type. Promising avenues for further eco-evolutionary and applied research arise from the comparison of scavenging processes in terrestrial and marine ecosystems, from small islands to continents.

Formicidae fauna in pig carcasses contaminated by insecticide: implications for forensic entomology

Corpses in Brazil are commonly hidden in sugarcane plantations in the attempt to delay their finding and hinder the solution of the crime. On the other hand, these plantations are regularly sprayed with insecticides for pest control. Until now no study has reported the effects of insecticides on ant fauna. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that if a body hidden in a monoculture is accidentally contaminated by an insecticide, both the carcass decomposition pattern and the Formicidae fauna will be affected. To accomplish this, pig carcasses contaminated and non-contaminated were placed in a sugarcane monoculture environment and subsequently examined for data collection every 24 hours. The concentration used to contaminate the carcasses was 20 grams per liter of thiamethoxam. The decomposition patterns of contaminated carcasses were changed, in turn affecting the behavior of Formicidae fauna. A total of 5318 ants were collected, 3397 in contaminated carcasses and 1919 in non-contaminated carcasses, and 30 species of 11 genera were identified. According to the analysis, there are no differences between the composition of species between contaminated and non-contaminated carcasses, however, a significant difference was observed in the composition of species along the stages of decomposition between the two types of carcasses. Therefore, our hypothesis has been confirmed, contaminated carcasses undergo changes in their normal pattern of decomposition and the fauna of ants that act on them. As this group of insects has great importance for forensic sciences, the analysis of the experts should take these results into account.

Vertebrate scavenging dynamics differ between carnivore and herbivore carcasses in the northern boreal forest

AbstractVertebrate scavenging can impact food web dynamics, but our understanding of this process stems predominantly from monitoring herbivore carrion and extrapolating results across carcass types. Recent evidence suggests carnivores may avoid intraguild scavenging to reduce parasite transmission. If this behavior is widespread across diverse ecosystems, estimation of nutrient cycling and community scavenging rates are likely biased to a currently unknown degree. We examined whether the time to initiate scavenging, carcass persistence, or the richness of species scavenging in the boreal forest of Yukon, Canada, differed between carnivore and herbivore carcasses. Vertebrates took longer to initiate scavenging on carnivore carcasses (3.2 d) relative to herbivore carcasses (1.1 d), and carnivore carcasses persisted on the landscape for over a month longer (48.4 d and 5.5 d, respectively). The longer persistence times were due to the reduction in scavenging by carnivores such as Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis). Decreased scavenging was caused by changes in the propensity to consume carnivore carrion, as the number of species detecting a carcass within the first week did not differ between carnivore and herbivore carcasses. These results have ramifications for our understanding of nutrient cycling and food web dynamics in the boreal forest and provide further support that carcass type should be included in future studies.

Understanding potential implications for non-trophic parasite transmission based on vertebrate behavior at mesocarnivore carcass sites

High infection risk is often associated with aggregations of animals around attractive resources. Here, we explore the behavior of potential hosts of non-trophically transmitted parasites at mesocarnivore carcass sites. We used videos recorded by camera traps at 56 red fox (Vulpes vulpes) carcasses and 10 carcasses of other wild carnivore species in three areas of southeastern Spain. Scavenging species, especially wild canids, mustelids and viverrids, showed more frequent rubbing behavior at carcass sites than non-scavenging and domestic species, suggesting that they could be exposed to a higher potential infection risk. The red fox was the species that most frequently contacted carcasses and marked and rubbed carcass sites. Foxes contacted heterospecific carcasses more frequently and earlier than conspecific ones and, when close contact occurred, it was more likely to be observed at heterospecific carcasses. This suggests that foxes avoid contact with the type of carcass and time period that have the greatest risk as a source of parasites. Overall, non-trophic behaviors of higher infection risk were mainly associated with visitor-carcass contact and visitor contact with feces and urine, rather than direct contact between visitors. Moreover, contact events between scavengers and carnivore carcasses were far more frequent than consumption events, which suggests that scavenger behavior is more constrained by the risk of acquiring meat-borne parasites than non-trophically transmitted parasites. This study contributes to filling key gaps in understanding the role of carrion in the landscape of disgust, which may be especially relevant in the current global context of emerging and re-emerging pathogens.Graphical abstract

Sarcocystis species in bovine carcasses from a Belgian abattoir: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundSarcocystis species are obligatorily heteroxenous parasites, of which some are zoonotic, representing a public health and economic impact. This study investigated the occurrence of Sarcocystis spp. in cattle sampled from a Belgian slaughterhouse.MethodsA total of 200 carcasses were included in the study, sampled during 10 sampling days. The sedimentation method was applied to isolate the sarcocysts from both heart and diaphragm muscles collected from each carcass. Multiplex PCR, PCR–RFLP as well as cox1 gene sequencing techniques were applied serially on collected sarcocysts for species identification.ResultsSarcocystis spp. were detected in 64% (128/200; 95% CI 57–71%) of the sampled carcasses. Female dairy cattle presented the highest Sarcocystis occurrence rate (91%) as well as the highest Sarcocystis species diversity compared to female beef and male beef. Sarcocystis spp. were detected more often in the heart muscles than in the diaphragm among female beef (p < 0.001) and dairy carcasses (p = 0.001), while in male carcasses no significant difference was observed (p = 0.763). The effect of age was not significant in male carcasses (p = 0.872), while the odds of finding sarcocysts significantly increased with age (p = 0.003) within both types of female carcasses. S. cruzi was the most prevalent species and was found in 56.5% (113/200) of the carcasses, followed by S. hominis (21.0%, 42/200), S. bovifelis (12.5%, 25/200), S. bovini (2.0%, 4/200), S. hirsuta (1.5%, 3/200) and S. heydorni (0.5%, 1/200). Six different species were detected in the diaphragm, while only two species were recovered from the heart. S. cruzi was the most prevalent species in heart, while in the diaphragm, this was S. hominis.ConclusionsThe detection of S. hominis in 21% of the sampled carcasses presents a potential food safety issue, and further research is warranted into controlling this infection.Graphical

Not avian but mammalian scavengers efficiently consume carcasses under heavy snowfall conditions: a case from northern Japan

Interest in trophic interactions and ecosystem functions derived from carcass consumption by scavengers has been increasing. Here, we conducted the first evaluation of scavenging processes in an ecosystem with heavy snow, located in northern Japan, which is characterized by the limitations of visual and odor cues to detect carcasses. In this study, we verified the behavioral traits and assemblage compositions of avian and mammalian scavengers, which consumed six different carcass types buried in snow. We measured the visits of scavengers using camera traps between 2010 and 2020. The total scavenger richness observed was relatively low (only 12 species) compared to warmer biomes. We observed seven avian scavenger species, but their visit frequencies were extremely low compared with those of nocturnal mammalian scavengers, such as raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) and martens (Martes melampus), which were able to detect carcasses more rapidly and frequently. Our findings imply that large snow piles significantly prevent avian scavengers from detecting carcasses. In contrast, the snow piles could protect carcasses from the freezing air and ensure the occurrence of a basal level of microbial decomposition, possibly leading to carcass decomposition. This probably results in carcasses still providing odor cues for mammalian scavengers with heightened sense of smell. Moreover, considering the high carcass consumption rate (91.3% of full-body carcass; n = 23) and short carcass detection times (approximately 90 h) observed, it is possible that scavenging in heavy snowfall conditions has become systematically integrated into the foraging tactics of many mammalian scavengers.

Olfactory Choice for Decomposition Stage in the Burying Beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides: Preference or Aversion?

Simple SummaryIn the burying beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides, mating pairs raise their offspring together on a small carrion resource. We tested whether carcass age affected brood quantity and quality and found that pairs had significantly more offspring on fresher carcasses. To determine whether this reproductive benefit translates to an olfactory preference or aversion for carcass age, we conducted a series of olfactory trials testing adult mated female preferences for carcasses differing in age. Mated females spent more time associating with fresh carcass odors relative to those of an aged one, but also spent more time in empty chambers than those with an aged carcass, suggesting that mated females have a general aversion to those odors. Lastly, we characterized the odor profiles of fresh and aged carcasses to determine which compounds might be driving this olfactory aversion in mated female burying beetles.Sensory cues predicting resource quality are drivers of key animal behaviors such as preference or aversion. Despite the abundance of behavioral choice studies across the animal kingdom, relatively few studies have tested whether these decisions are driven by preference for one choice or aversion to another. In the burying beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides, adult pairs exhibit parental care to raise their offspring on a small carrion resource. We tested whether carrion decomposition stage affected brood quantity and quality and found that mating pairs had significantly more offspring on fresher carcasses. To determine whether this observed reproductive benefit correlates with maternal preference behavior, we conducted a series of olfactory trials testing mated female preferences for mouse carcasses of differing decomposition stages. When given the option between fresh and older carcasses, females associated significantly more with fresher, 1-day old carcasses. However, this behavior may be driven by aversion, as females that were given a choice between the 7-day old carcass and a blank control spent significantly more time in the control chamber. We characterized volatile organic compound profiles of both carcass types, highlighting unique compounds that may serve as public information (sensu lato) conveying resource quality information to gravid beetles.

Dipteran diversity and succession pattern on carcass of rabbits treated with opium dross: Implication in forensic medicine

Abstract. Keshavarz D, Rassi Y, Oshaghi MA, Azizi K, Rafizadeh S, Shahriarinamadi M. 2020. Dipteran diversity and succession pattern on carcass of rabbits treated with opium: Implication in forensic medicine. Biodiversitas 21: 3135-3141. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of opium on the succession pattern and diversity of Diptera on rabbit carcasses. In the present experimental study, dipteran species were collected from rabbit carcasses during the decay process. During this study, two replicates were performed, and four rabbits were used in each. Rabbits divided equally into two groups. In the first group, animals were received 25 mg opium dross orally via a gastric tube and then gradually increased the dose to 100 mg/case/day, while the second group were used as controls and received distilled water. The most frequent species on both carcass types were Chrysomya albiceps (26.2%), Lucilia sericata (15.9%), and Musca domestica (13.9%). Diversity analysis indicates high species richness on untreated carcasses (Shannon: 2.1; Margalef: 1.7). However, a significant difference was not detected for the Shannon index between the treated and untreated carcasses (P: 0.56). The taxa similarity values for sampling intervals ranged from 0.20-0.46 for both untreated and treated carcasses. Permutation analysis showed that successional patterns of dipteran species were similar between opium dross-treated and untreated carcasses. Therefore, in the case of opioid (opium) abused cadaver, this substance could not have an effect on the PMI estimation based on the pattern of succession. But it seems that the PMI should be corrected when the estimate is based on larval growth rate.

Analiza właściwości wytrzymałościowych zużytych tkaninowych taśm przenośnikowych z różnymi typami rdzenia po renowacji górnej okładki

Conveyors are the means of transportation used in many industries. The load-bearing and tractive component of a belt conveyor is a conveyor belt which consists of a carcass and cover layers. During an operation, belts are exposed to loads that cause damage to the belts. It is therefore necessary to ensure that a conveyor belt possesses required mechanical properties during the transport of material. The key mechanical properties of a conveyor belt are tensile properties. They are significantly affected by the fabric carcass of a conveyor belt. The tensile properties of conveyor belts are largely affected by the carcass materials. They are also affected by the types of fibres in the longitudinal (warp) and transverse (weft) directions of the fabric carcass because the carcass transfers all tensile stresses of the conveyor belt. A fabric conveyor belt is regarded as a composite material, consisting of the carcass (polyamide P and polyamide-polyester EP) and the cover layers. The costs of a conveyor belt represent 10-30 % of the price of the entire conveyor. It is therefore reasonable to prefer only those conveyor belts that show the properties prescribed by relevant norms. The subject of the article is worn conveyor belts with renovated top cover (renovated conveyor belts). The tensile properties are used to assess the suitability for further use of renovated conveyor belts in practice. The article presents the analysis of tensile properties of renovated fabric conveyor belts in relation to the carcass type. The observed results were compared applying the DOE method, regression and correlation analysis, and the method of statistic induction. All the conclusions, made based on the above-listed methods, are identical for the examined tensile properties. The results indicate that the examined tensile properties of conveyor belts have not undergone any significant change after the renovation of the top cover layer.

Scavenger Vertebrates of Dörtdivan Vulture Restaurant, Turkey

Fairly recently scavenging was thought to be restricted to a few groups of 'classic' and sometimes facultative scavengers and vultures, but what most of the more recent researches has shown is that a much wider range of groups and species are scavenger. There is a need to investigate this diversity and interactions with different communities of avian and mammalian scavengers in Turkey. The diversity of scavenger vertebrate species, their behaviour, and interactions between individuals are investigated. This study was conducted in Dörtdivan Vulture Restaurant, Bolu, Turkey. Twenty five species are recorded (eighteen birds and seven mammal) while feeding on the carcasses. The diversity of vertebrates feeding on the carcass is varied according to the carcass type. Opportunistic non-obligatory scavengers are more dominant than obligatory scavengers in this study. The intraspecific and interspecific competitions are detected between scavengers. This is the first assessment of scavenger vertebrates in Turkey. It could be the useful reference for new assessments in the future.

Price dynamics of red meat types in South Africa for the period 2013 to 2017

The agricultural product market is changing from a producer-orientated to a more consumer-orientated market. Consumer rely on the classification system within the red meat types. Different red meat types and carcass classifications influence the prices of red meat. This study was conducted to determine the price dynamics of different red meat carcasses and carcass classes. It was theorised that the different red meat classification classes and number of carcasses sold influence the price and demand of red meats. It was also theorised that specific meat classes have a greater influence on meat prices and demand than others. The results of this study supports the hypothesis that red meat carcass type and specific meat classes within carcass type influence red meat carcass prices. There is a differentiation among classes in terms of the degree to which class influences price, since classes were identified that had no influence on price dynamics of other meat types.

The Usage of Bamboo as the Concrete Carcass Due to the Pressure and Diffraction Strength

Concrete is as one of building materials that is relatively more used in development. Nowadays, there are more usages of additional materials for increasing the quality of concrete such as coming from gray and plant fiber. There are any kinds of bamboo in Merauke Regency which has not been well used by the society. Bamboo that is planted in Merauke Regency can be used as the alternative additional material of plant fiber and as the changing of steel carcass. This study intends to know the quality of concrete strength by adding plant fiber and bamboo carcass. The methodology consists of experimental method by using the variety of bamboo fiber and carcass. The variety of bamboo fiber is as 0.5% and 1%. The evaluation and analysis of cleft pull strength uses SK-SNI 03-2491-2002, concrete defraction strength uses SK SNI 03-4431-1997, and concrete pressure strength uses SK SNI 03-6429-2000. The samples consists of 30 units with cylindrical shape for cleft pulling strength and concrete pressure strength tests; and 15 units with block shape for concrete fraction strength test. Result shows that bamboo caracass in concrete is significantly affected and it can be seen from the increasing of diffraction strength which the normal concrete is 3.321 MPa and on bamboo carcass type 3 is as 19.925 MPa. However, bamboo carcass type 3 can be used as the changing of steel carcass mainly for non-structural building

Successive waves of dipteran flies attracted to warfarin-intoxicated rabbit carcasses in Cairo, Egypt

BackgroundForensic entomology is an increasing area of research, focuses on the violent crime, and deals with the necrophagous-feeding insects that typically decompose carcasses. The present study aimed to update the baseline data of the decay process and its associated successive waves of necrophagous flies on rabbits placed in an urban city (Cairo, Egypt) in spring season.ResultsSix rabbits divided equally into two groups were used. The first group was killed by asphyxia via hanging and marked as the control (C), while the second group was intoxicated with rodenticide warfarin (WI). The fresh, bloated, active decay, advanced decay, and skeletal stages of decomposition were observed and defined in all carcasses. Out of 30 insect families collected, 3 families were more common (Calliphoridae, Muscidae, and Sarcophagidae). Thirteen insect families were collected of which Calliphoridae, Muscidae, and Sarcophagidae were common. A total of 10,121 individuals (immature and adult stages) of 26 species were collected, of which Chrysomya rufifacies was the most common species on both types of carcasses (14.7%) followed by Musca domestica, Chrysomya megacephala, Chrysomya albiceps, Muscina stabulans, Sarcophaga hertipes, Calliphora vicina, Musca sorbens, Lucilia cuprina, Sarcophaga argyrostoma, and Lucilia sericata (2.0–12.4%). The other 15 species were represented by small numbers (cumulatively 2.9%). Among the collected flies, Scathophaga litorea (Scathophagidae) was reported for the first time as a new report in Egypt. Unexpectedly, significantly more adults and immatures were attracted to WI than to C carcasses (P < 0.05).ConclusionThis study investigated the rabbit carrion dipteran necrophagous fauna as a model which may be of value for medico-legal cases.