The complete mitochondrial genome of the bazaar fly, Musca sorbens Wiedemann (Diptera: Muscidae)

Phylogenetic insights based on the first complete mitochondrial genome of Isomyia nebulosa (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

To investigate the phylogenetic position of Isomyia Walker, 1860, a genus that suffered from frequent revisions of the taxonomic status following the subfamily Rhiniinae (Diptera, Calliphoridae), we sequenced, assembled, annotated, and analyzed the first complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Isomyia nebulosa (Townsend, 1917) in this study. This mitogenome is 16,438 bp in length, with a standard set of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNAs, two rRNAs, and an A + T riched non-coding region without genetic rearrangement as most dipteran mitogenomes, but long intergenic nucleotides (IGNs) between trnQ and trnM are found. The phylogeny yielded by both Bayesian inference and maximum-likelihood analysis for all mitochondrial PCGs and rRNAs of 23 mitogenomes supports the monophyly of the family Calliphoridae and the subfamilies Calliphorinae, Chrysomyinae, and Luciliinae. In addition, I. nebulosa diverged anterior to the above-mentioned three calliphorid subfamilies with high genetic distances.

Application of omics techniques in forensic entomology research

With the advent of the post-genome era, omics technologies have developed rapidly and are widely used, including in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and microbiome research. These omics techniques are often based on comprehensive and systematic analysis of biological samples using high-throughput analysis methods and bioinformatics, to provide new insights into biological phenomena. Currently, omics techniques are gradually being applied to forensic entomology research and are useful in species identification, phylogenetics, screening for developmentally relevant differentially expressed genes, and the interpretation of behavioral characteristics of forensic-related species at the genetic level. These all provide valuable information for estimating the postmortem interval (PMI). This review mainly discusses the available omics techniques, summarizes the application of omics techniques in forensic entomology, and their future in the field.

The Development of Cutaneous Lesions in Tropically Adapted Beef Cattle Is Associated with Hypersensitive Immune Response to Buffalo Fly Antigens

This study investigated the role of cattle immune responses in the pathogenesis of buffalo fly (Haematobia irritans exigua) (BF) lesions. Brangus steers phenotyped for lesion development were divided into three groups: high lesion susceptibility (HL), low lesion susceptibility (LL) and no lesions (NL), based on lesion severity scores. Each steer was injected intradermally with different concentrations of BF, Onchocerca gibsoni (Og), and Musca domestica (Md) antigens. At 1 h post-injection, wheal areas at BF injection sites were found to be significantly larger in HL than NL cattle, but there were no significant differences (p < 0.05) found between either the HL or NL cattle and LL cattle. At 24, 48, and 72 h post-injection, the skinfold thickness response to both BF and Md antigens was significantly greater in the HL group than the NL group. However, skin thickness was significantly greater for the BF antigens than the Md antigens (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences found between the LL and NL animals in response to the BF antigens at any time, and no significant differences were determined between any of the lesion groups in response to the Og antigens. Histological examination of skin sections taken from the BF antigen injection sites in HL cattle at 72 h post-injection revealed necrosis of the epidermis and superficial dermis, along with severe eosinophilic inflammation. This study suggests that differences in the hypersensitivity to BF antigens underlie differences amongst the cattle in their susceptibility to the development of BF lesions, and breeding for immune-related biomarkers may assist in selecting more BF lesion-resistant cattle.

Phylogeny and Evolutionary Timescale of Muscidae (Diptera: Calyptratae) Inferred from Mitochondrial Genomes

House flies (Muscidae) comprise the most species-rich family of the muscoid grade with over 5000 described species worldwide, and they are abundant in various terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The high number of species, varied appearances, complex feeding habits, and wide distributions have hindered researchers from understanding their phylogeny and evolutionary history. Here, we newly sequenced fifteen mitochondrial genomes and reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships and divergence time among eight subfamilies of Muscidae (Diptera). The best phylogenetic tree, which was inferred by IQ-Tree, recovered the monophyly for seven out of eight subfamilies (except for Mydaeinae). Based on phylogenetic analyses and morphological characteristics, we prefer the subfamily status of Azeliinae and Reinwardtiinae, and separate Stomoxyinae from Muscinae. Genus Helina Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 was synonymized with Phaonia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830. The divergence time estimation indicated Muscidae originated at 51.59 Ma (early Eocene). Most subfamilies had originated around 41 Ma. We provided a mtgenomic viewpoint on the phylogenetic relationships and divergence time estimation of Muscidae.