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Cited by 19Forensic Entomology and Diptera StudiesForensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology StudiesWildlife Ecology and Conservation

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Scavenger activity in a peri-urban agricultural setting in the Highveld of South Africa

Keyes, Craig A., Myburgh, J., Brits, D.·2021·International Journal of Legal Medicine
DOI 10.1007/s00414-020-02413-x
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Abstract

Scavenging animals often scatter skeletal remains of forensic interest and cause scavenging damage. This study aimed to identify scavenging animals in the peri-urban agricultural Highveld of South Africa, describe their scattering patterns, and the damage they cause to bone. Ten pig carcasses (Sus scrofa domesticus) (40-80 kg) were placed at the University of Pretoria's Mierjie Le Roux Experimental Farm (Highveld) in summer and winter. Motion-activated cameras recorded the scavenging. Scavenger species were identified and their behaviors, scattering pattern, and the damage they cause to bone were described. Scavenging was primarily by black-backed jackals; however, mongooses (slender, yellow, and water mongoose), Cape porcupine, and honey badger were also active. Remains were commonly scattered in two directions by jackals. The distance of scattering was heavily influenced by fencing. The remains were scattered within a maximum radius of 73.7 m. The remains were scavenged and skeletonized faster in summer. Jackals caused minimal damage to bone, isolated to superficial, nonspecific scores, furrows, and punctures. A few mongoose bone alterations were present as jagged gnaw marks on the angle of the mandible and gnawing of the vertebral spinous process. Cape porcupine bone damage included gnaw marks on the condyle of a femur and head of humerus, and destruction of the proximal and distal ends of a tibia. The described scattering pattern and bone modification patterns will assist…

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Metadata

Authors
Keyes, C. A., Myburgh, J., & Brits, D.
Affiliations
  • University of the Witwatersrand (ZA)
  • University of Pretoria (ZA)
Corresponding author
Keyes, Craig A.
ORCID
Venue
International Journal of Legal Medicine
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2020-09-01
Volume
135
Issue
3
Pages
979-991
ISSN
  • 0044-3433 (ISSN-L)
  • 0937-9827
  • 1437-1596
DOI
10.1007/s00414-020-02413-x
OpenAlex
W3082227578
Cited by
19
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 1
FWCI
1.62
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • International Journal of Legal Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • UpSpace Institutional Repository (University of Pretoria) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Insect Science › Forensic Entomology and Diptera Studies
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Archeology (arts and humanities) › Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
Keywords
bone injuries, black-backed jackal, mongoose, honey badger, pig carcasses, forensic taphonomy, peri-urban agriculture, Highveld
MeSH terms
Body Remains, Animals, Appetitive Behavior, Bone and Bones, Feeding Behavior, Herpestidae, Seasons, South Africa, Forensic Anthropology, Mustelidae, Jackals, Porcupines

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