Four-dimensional virtopsy and the taphonomy of a mole from the Oligocene of Lake Enspel (Germany)

A series of actualistic experiments were conducted to reconstruct probable taphonomic scenarios for a fossil mole specimen from the Enspel locality. Extant Talpa europaea carcasses immersed in water initially floated at the water surface then sank after a few hours or remained floating. Soft tissues started to decompose immediately and concomitantly putrefaction gas was produced and accumulated inside the body. Consequently, the carcasses became...