Fungi metabolise organic matter in situ and so alter both the bio-/physico-chemical properties and
microbial community structure of the ecosystem. In particular, they are responsible reportedly for
specific stages of decomposition. Therefore, this study aimed to extend previous bacteria-based forensic
ecogenomics research by investigating soil fungal community and cadaver decomposition interactions
in microcosms with garden soil (20 kg, fresh weight) and domestic pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) carcass
(5 kg, leg). Soil samples were collected at depths of 0–10 cm, 10–20 cm and 20–30 cm on days 3, 28 and
77 in the absence (control Pg) and presence (experimental +Pg) of Sus scrofa domesticus and used for
total DNA extraction and nested polymerase chain reaction and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis
(PCR–DGGE) profiling of the 18S rRNA gene. The Shannon–Wiener (H0) community diversity indices
were 1.25 0.21 and 1.49 0.30 for the control and experimental microcosms, respectively, while
comparable Simpson species dominance (S) values were 0.65 0.109 and 0.75 0.015. Generally, and in
contrast to parallel studies of the bacterial 16S rRNA and 16S rDNA profiles, statistical analysis (t-test) of the
18S dynamics showed no mathematically significant shifts in fungal community diversity (H0; p = 0.142) and
dominance (S; p = 0.392) during carcass decomposition, necessitating further investigations