Chemical ecology of vertebrate carrion

Authors: CAMMACK, JONATHAN - Texas A&M University; PIMSLER, MEAGHAN - Texas A&M University; Crippen, Tawni - Tc; TOMBERLIN, JEFFERY - Texas A&M University

Submitted to: Carrion Ecology, Evolution, and Their Applications
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/28/2015
Publication Date: 8/26/2015
Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/4085861
Citation: Cammack, J.A., Pimsler, M.L., Crippen, T.L., Tomberlin, J.K. 2015. Chemical ecology of vertebrate carrion. In: Benbow, M.E., Tomberlin, J.K., Tarone, A.M, editors. Carrion Ecology, Evolution, and Their Applications. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. p. 187-211.

Interpretive Summary: Vertebrate carrion is a nutrient-rich, short-lived resource that is used by many different animal and insect scavengers as well as by bacterial and fungal microbes. These organisms play an important ecological role vital to ecosystem functioning. Without these scavengers, vital chemical elements (such as nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, carbon, and water) would not be released from the carrion back into the environment in a timely manner. This chapter will explore the chemical ecology of the land based carrion system, with emphasis on the molecules that are produced during the process of carrion decomposition and what interactions these molecules have with other organisms. We examine the behaviors exhibited by organisms, such as insects, in response to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released during vertebrate carrion decomposition and the role these behaviors play in an ecological context. We also discuss appropriate methods for collection and analysis. Ultimately, understanding the interactions between entities such as insects and microbes will lead to the development of new tools that attract, repel, and/or control both microbial and insect problems in agricultural and animal production facilities.

Technical Abstract: Vertebrate carrion is a nutrient-rich, ephemeral resource that is utilized by many different organisms ranging from vertebrate and invertebrate scavengers to microbes. The organisms that consume carrion play an important ecological role, as decomposition is vital to ecosystem function. Without these scavengers, vital elements (especially nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, carbon, and water) that are initially trapped in primary producers (plants) and subsequently concentrated in animal tissues would not be released back into the ecosystem in a timely manner. This chapter will explore the chemical ecology of the terrestrial carrion system. Chemical ecology encompasses the range of molecules that organisms produce or encounter, and what interactions these molecules have with other organisms. This chapter will focus on the important chemical mechanisms occurring during the process of carrion decomposition. The chapter begins with a discussion of the various volatile organic compounds (VOCs), or semiochemicals, released during vertebrate carrion decomposition, followed by a review of the various sources of these compounds. Next, the chapter examines the behaviors exhibited by organisms in response to these semiochemicals (VOCs that convey information within or between species) and the role these behaviors play in a larger ecological context. Finally, an introduction is provided on the methods for collection and analysis that are appropriate for answering questions about these chemical compounds in an ecological context.