Direct relationship between evapotranspiration rate (ET) and vertebrate decomposition rate.

When vertebrate scavenging is excluded, the Evapotranspiration Rate (ET) of a given geographic region directly regulates the decomposition rate of unclothed vertebrate carrion, with any deviation attributed to insect activity. We conducted four decomposition experiments using pig carrion (Sus scrofa domesticus) over the span of two years (2018-2020) at a location in Davis, California. We used ET, a variable that accounts for five climatic parameters (wind, temperature, humidity, solar radiation, and altitude) as the rate-determining variable of the decomposition process.

A novel approach to combatting proboscidean ivory trafficking using a multiplex High-Resolution Melt (M-HRM) assay.

To support efforts in prosecuting wildlife crimes, we developed and validated a multiplex High-Resolution Melt (M-HRM) assay for the identification of proboscidean taxa commonly required to be identified or excluded in ivory seizures and forensic casework: Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), African elephant (Loxodonta spp.), mammoth (Mammuthus spp.), and mastodon (Mammut spp.