Table 1 Decay stages for the onychophoran Euperipatoides rowelli
From: Decay of velvet worms (Onychophora), and bias in the fossil record of lobopodians
Stage 1 | Days 0–2 | Onset of breakdown of cuticle and pigment granules, soapy gut, loss of slime gland endpieces |
Stage 2 | Days 2–8 | Onset of decay of remaining internal organs, advanced breakdown of cuticle and associated effects on limbs, mouth and trunk |
Stage 3 | Days 8–34 | Total loss of distinct internal organs, onset of decay of all external characters (except jaws, claws and eyes) |
Stage 4 | Days 34–109 | Total loss of epidermis, eyes become less distinct or lost, onset of pigment loss, head consistently decaying |
Stage 5 | Days 109–220+ | Onset of loss of external `structural’ characters, complete loss of pigment granules, initial rupturing of outer cuticle |