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Explore the 5 stages of decomposition after death, from initial decay to dry decay, understanding how bacteria, insects, and other organisms contribute to the process. Discover ecology vocabulary words and concepts related to this natural phenomenon.
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Decomposition Adapted from original PPT by Mr. Tomasevich
During this slideshow, write down as many ecology vocabulary words or concepts that come to mind. The decomposition process after death has 5 stages. • Initial decay • Putrefaction • Black putrefaction • Butyric fermentation • Dry Decay
Initial Decay 0-3 days after death • The outside of the body appears fresh. • Bacteria in the intestines start to feed on the intestines themselves • The bodies natural digestive enzymes start to break down the organs • Insects are attracted to the body immediately after death
Initial Decay Insect Eggs
Putrefaction 4-10 days after death • Bacteria start to break down tissues and cells, releasing body fluid into cavities. • Bacteria also produce gases as waste products such as methane. • People find these gases to be foul smelling but insects are attracted to them
Once putrefaction starts other insects such as flesh flies appear. These insects larvae-posit. Flesh-fly Sexton Beetle American Carrion Beetle Beetles. The flesh-fly larvae and beetles are predacious, meaning they feed on eggs and larvae of other insects.
Putrefaction Pig bloated due to bacteria producing gas.
Putrefaction Insects attracted to the smell of gases
Putrefaction Maggots feeding under the skin
Black Putrefaction 10-20 days after death • The bloated body collapses and large volumes of fluid drain from the body attracting more insects. • Insects and bacteria continue to eat flesh. • Insects include several generations of maggots, predatory beetles, and parasitoid (parasitic) wasps.
Black Putrefaction Body has collapsed with black exposed flesh
Black Putrefaction This stage attracts a wide variety of insects
Black Putrefaction The body has collapsed
Butyric Fermentation 20-50 days after death • The part of the body in contact with the ground gets moldy as the body ferments. • The cheese fly consumes any moist flesh left as beetles feed on skin and ligaments.
Butyric Fermentation The body is now flat and dried out
Dry Decay 50-365 days after death • The body is now dry and decays very slowly • Eventually the hair disappears and leaves only the bone.
