Data and codes from: Unveiling seral dynamics from spatiotemporal patterns of insect succession on carcasses

Twelve domestic pig carcasses (Sus scrofa domesticus) were used as experimental units and proxies for human cadavers. Each carcass weighed approximately 22.8 ± 0.4 kg (mean ± SEM; ranging from 20.6 to 24.9 kg). The carcasses were randomly assigned to either Block 1 or Block 2, and to one of six sub-sites within each block at Site B. Carcasses were visited daily in a predetermined random order. First, the number of individuals by recognizable taxonomic units (RTU; species, genera, or family) was visually estimated for up to 5 minutes. The cage was removed, and flying insects were collected for up to 10 minutes using a handheld net, followed by another 10 minutes of collecting ground insects with forceps. To avoid potential effects on the taxonomic composition, collections were limited to specimens that could not be readily identified in the field. Insect specimens were placed in vials containing 70% isopropanol. The decay stage of carcasses was determined daily using definitions from Michaud and Moreau (2009), namely fresh, bloated, active, advanced, and dry decay. All specimens were transported to the laboratory and identified using current identification keys.本研究以12头家猪（Sus scrofa domesticus）尸体作为实验单元，用作人类尸体的替代模型。每头猪尸体重约为22.8 ± 0.4 kg（平均值±标准误（Standard Error of the Mean，SEM），体重范围为20.6至24.9 kg）。所有猪尸被随机分配至区组1（Block 1）或区组2（Block 2），并进一步随机分配至B样地（Site B）内每个区组下辖的6个亚样地中的一个。每日按照预先设定的随机顺序对猪尸开展观测：首先，在最长5分钟的时间内，通过可识别分类单元（Recognizable Taxonomic Units，RTU；涵盖物种、属或科）对个体数量进行目视估算；随后移除承载猪尸的笼具，使用手持捕虫网采集飞行昆虫，采集时长不超过10分钟，接着使用镊子采集地表昆虫，时长同样不超过10分钟。为避免对昆虫分类组成造成潜在干扰，仅采集野外无法快速识别的标本。将采集到的昆虫标本置于装有70%异丙醇的标本瓶中保存。每日依据Michaud与Moreau（2009）提出的判定标准，对猪尸的腐烂阶段进行分级，具体包括新鲜期、肿胀期、活跃分解期、高级分解期以及干燥分解期。所有采集到的标本均被运送至实验室，使用现行的分类鉴定检索表完成物种鉴定。