TAPHONOMY OF SMALL VERTEBRATES IN DRY VERSUS WET SANDY SUBSTRATES

Both substrate type and moisture level can affect the rate of decay a carcass undergoes. An experiment was designed to compare decomposition rate and style in dry, sandy substrate with that in a wet sandy substrate. Coarse sand was autoclaved to thoroughly dry and sterilize it. The autoclaved sand was split between two ten-gallon aquaria. Both aquaria were placed under heat lamps on a day-night light cycle. Temperature was monitored and light adjusted to maintain a steady temperature. The sand in one of the tanks was thoroughly wetted by sterilized pond water. The carcasses stayed in the tanks for 6 weeks. A pair of mice from each tank were removed every week, weighed and taphonomically evaluated. Overall, the mice in the dry sandy substrate lost mass faster, and experienced an increased amount of muscle breakdown.