Journal article
Carrion ecology: concepts, interdisciplinary synthesis, and perspectives
Biological Reviews, Vol.Advanced access
17-Jul-2026
PMID: 42466645
Abstract
Carrion is a ubiquitous resource in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, yet it has long been overlooked in ecological research. Over the past two decades, studies on carrion and the many organisms that exploit it have flourished, revealing not only wide-ranging ecological functions but also significance far beyond ecology. This growing body of knowledge underscores the need for the formal recognition and consolidation of carrion ecology as a distinct ecological discipline. In this review, we begin by outlining the ecological features that make carrion a unique resource, provide practical definitions of scavenger and scavenging to reduce persistent ambiguities, describe carcass decomposition by linking stages with insect succession, and position carrion within a broader scientific context. Building on this foundation, we then pursue three main goals. First, we show how incorporating carrion ecology enriches ecological concepts and paradigms across levels of biological organisation, from individuals to ecosystems. Second, we emphasise how expanding knowledge of carrion ecology informs many disciplines beyond ecology. Third, we present a conceptual framework that integrates the diverse ecological functions of carrion across eco-evolutionary timescales and addresses the structured and dynamic connections among the multiple disciplines concerned with carrion. By underscoring the ecological and interdisciplinary relevance of this resource, our framework not only clarifies the components and flows of the carrion system but also highlights opportunities for novel cross-disciplinary collaborations. As carrion ecology continues to mature as a scientific field, we expect that this review and synthesis will consolidate current knowledge, stimulate innovative research across disciplines, and firmly position carrion ecology within the broader ecological and scientific landscape.
Details
- Title
- Carrion ecology: concepts, interdisciplinary synthesis, and perspectives
- Authors
- Marcos Moleón (Corresponding Author) - Universidad de GranadaJosé A Sánchez-Zapata - Universitat de Miguel Hernández d'ElxTravis L DeVault - University of GeorgiaWayne M Getz - Berkeley CollegeZebensui Morales-Reyes - Universidad de La LagunaDaniel Redondo-Gómez - Universidad de GranadaLara Naves-Alegre - Universitat de Miguel Hernández d'ElxSolange A Batista-Nunes - Universidad de GranadaEsther Sebastián-González - University of AlicanteJuan M Pérez-García - Universitat de Miguel Hernández d'ElxKelly A Waters - Michigan State UniversityThijs van Overveld - Estación Biológica de DoñanaCraig Smith - University of Hawaiʻi at MānoaNuria Selva - Estación Biológica de DoñanaThomas A Schlacher - University of the Sunshine CoastGraeme Ruxton - University of St AndrewsJesús Rodríguez - Centro Nacional de Investigación sobre la Evolución HumanaMartina-M Quaggiotto - University of StirlingPaula L Perrig - National University of ComahueNorman Owen-Smith - University of the WitwatersrandThomas M Newsome - The University of SydneyIsabel Navas - Universidad de MurciaYoshihiro Nakashima - Nihon UniversityAna Mateos - Centro Nacional de Investigación sobre la Evolución HumanaCarlos Martínez-Carrasco - Universidad de MurciaDaniel Martín-Vega - Universidad de AlcaláBerta Martín-López - Leuphana University of LüneburgAntoni Margalida - Instituto de Investigación en Recursos CinegéticosSergio A Lambertucci - National University of ComahueAdam Kane - University College DublinKevin Healy - Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of GalwayAkane Hashizume - Research Institute for Humanity and NatureAntonio J García-Fernández - Universidad de MurciaJosé A Donázar - Estación Biológica de DoñanaM Eric Benbow - Michigan State UniversityJames C Beasley - Universitat de Miguel Hernández d'ElxPhilip S Barton - Deakin UniversityKathleen A Alexander - Virginia TechEneko Arrondo - Universidad de Granada
- Publication details
- Biological Reviews, Vol.Advanced access
- Publisher
- Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
- DOI
- 10.1002/brv.70203
- ISSN
- 1469-185X
- PMID
- 42466645
- Copyright note
- © 2026 The Author(s). Biological Reviews published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Cambridge Philosophical Society. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.
- Data Availability
- The data that supports the findings of this study are available in the supplementary material of this article.
- Grant note
- This research was funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by ERDF, EU through grants PID2021-128952NB-I00 and PID2019-105101GB-I00, by the University of Granada's Research and Transfer Plan, the Spanish Association for Terrestrial Ecology (AEET), and fototrampeo.es. T. L. D. and J. C. B. acknowledge support from the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management and National Nuclear Security Administration under Award Number DE-EM0005228 to the University of Georgia Research Foundation; Z. M.-R. from the University of La Laguna (ULL), Fundación Bancaria “la Caixa”, and Fundación Bancaria CajaCanarias; L. N.-A. from the Generalitat Valenciana and the European Social Fund through grant CIAPOS/2023/235; ES-G from grants RYC2019-027216-I and CNS2023-144791; S. A. L. from Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) and Universidad Nacional del Comahue (Grant No. 04/B260) and ANCYPT 2021-I-A-00484; KA from NSF CNH2: Dynamics of Integrated Socio-Environmental Systems award #2009717; and E. A. from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities through grant FJC2021-047885-I.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991246275402621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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