| Histologically, the lesions present as a degradation of the epicuticle and exocuticle. |
| All possess an extremely thin epicuticle and a thick, massive outer exocuticle. |
| Category 1 is the least severe erosion, with shallow lesions extending into the epicuticle and exocuticle. |
| With exposure after death, the epicuticle, which is the epibiont attachment surface, has been shown to degrade. |
| Although the epicuticle may be degraded during the life of the host, that is an intrinsic factor leading to epibiont patchiness, not a result of taphonomy. |
