Carrion beetles associated with human decomposition in southeast Texas

This study is an investigation of the diversity of carrion feeding beetles of Southeastern Texas specific to the piney woods ecoregion. A human corpse was allowed to decompose above ground at the Southeastern Texas Applied Forensic Science (STAFS) Center at Center for Biological Field Studies (CBSF) at Sam Houston State University in early spring. We detail beetles found on this human carcass in terms of species diversity and total numbers and track their colonization through the major stages of decomposition.