Necrobiome, soil chemistry profiles, and bone density associated with penguin (Pygoscelis Papua and Pygoscelis Antarcticus) carcasses under antarctica climate

Carrion acts as a nutrient pulse to the ecosystem. The carrion decomposition process involves breaking down organic materials through the activities of invertebrates, vertebrates, and microbes. Eventually, the nutrients from the decomposition process will be incorporated into the soil and contribute to the soil fertility. However, carrion decomposition research in Antarctica is still unexplored. Therefore, this study is the first to explore the carrion decomposition process under Antarctica’s climates. This investigation aimed to document the necrobiome, soil chemistry profiles, bone density, and the correlation of the necrobiome and soil chemistry with the penguin species, stage of decomposition, and soil sampling location. Soil samples were collected from around and beneath penguin carrion at a penguin rookery Antarctic Specially Protected Areas 171 (ASPA 171) near King Sejong Station, Barton Peninsula, King George Island, Antarctica. Soil bacterial and fungal identification was conducted using Illumina MiSeq sequencing of the 16S rRNA and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) genes. The process of Sanger sequencing recognized arthropods, while nematodes were determined using morphological identification. Dry combustion methods were employed to detect soil nitrogen and sulphur for the analysis of soil chemistry profiles. Additionally, ammonia, nitrate, and phosphate levels were measured using a spectrophotometer through colourimetric analysis. Furthermore, the study also determined total carbon, pH, electrical conductivity, soil moisture, and soil porosity. Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) was measured using a Dexa scanner.This study shows a low diversity of the necrobiome (arthropods, nematodes, bacteria and fungi), and no significant differences were found in the soil chemistry profiles of different decomposition stages around and beneath the penguin carrion. BMD and BMC between fresh and dry decomposition stages also shows no significant changes suggesting that the inhospitable conditions of Antarctica do not accelerate bone degradation. Meanwhile, correlation analysis shows variability between the necrobiome and soil chemistry with the penguin species, stage of decomposition, and soil sampling location, indicating that carrion presence influencing the chemical composition of the surrounding environment. This research serves as the first study to document the carrion decomposition process in Antarctica and offers insights into nutrient dynamics and bone preservation in extreme environments, with potential applications in ecology, microbiology, and governance. Thus, it offers important opportunities to advance both basic and applied perspectives of carrion ecology in Antarctica.