In order to assess the change in bacterial community structure through time, the current study collected bacterial samples from several sites across two cadavers placed outdoors to decompose; and they were analyzed through 454 pyrosequencing and analysis of variable regions 3–5 of the bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene.
Decomposition is a dynamic ecological process dependent upon many factors, such as environment, climate, and bacterial, insect, and vertebrate activity, in addition to intrinsic properties inherent to individual cadavers. Although largely attributed to microbial metabolism, very little is known about the bacterial basis of human decomposition. In the current study, each cadaver was characterized by a change in bacterial community structure for all sites sampled as time and decomposition progressed. Bacteria community structure was variable at placement and before purge for all body sites. At bloat and purge and until tissues began to dehydrate or were removed, bacteria associated with flies, such as Ignatzschineria and Wohlfahrtimonas, were common. After dehydration and skeletonization, bacteria associated with soil, such as Acinetobacter, were common at most body sites sampled; however, more cadavers sampled through multiple seasons are necessary to assess major trends in bacterial succession. 41 references (publisher abstract modified)