Bioerosion of human bones in the Mediterranean Sea: could it be Osedax?

This paper examines bone modifications caused by taphonomic processes in an aquatic environment, focusing on biotic agents in the Sicilian Channel. It analyzes cranial and post-cranial bones from unidentified and unclaimed remains of a 2015 migrant shipwreck, in accordance with Italian mortuary police regulations. The study identifies bone alterations linked to an annelid of the genus Osedax, previously known for affecting cetacean bones but never before documented on human remains. The findings highlight the impact of micro-environments on taphonomic patterns, demonstrating how even a few metres of distance can lead to different taphonomic changes. Moreover, bone modifications become more prevalent as the duration of submersion increases, with no traces of Osedax found at a PMSI of 3 months. These results could aid in reassociating commingled remains and thus contribute to improving post-mortem data collection. Moreover, Osedax may hold potential as a tool for estimating the minimum post-mortem submersion interval.