1
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Walczak K, Grzywacz A. An illustrated identification key to early instar larvae of forensically important Muscidae (Diptera) of the western Palaearctic region. Forensic Sci Int 2024; 360:112028. [PMID: 38772063 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
There is a significant gap in the availability of comprehensive identification keys for the early larval stages of forensically important fly species. While well-documented identification keys exist for the third instar larvae, particularly for the Calliphoridae, Muscidae and Sarcophagidae families, there is a notable scarcity of keys for the first, except Calliphoridae, and the second instar larvae, with no such resources available for muscid species. The second instar larvae suffer the most from the lack of morphological descriptions and available identification keys. The Muscidae is one of the most frequently reported dipteran families of forensic importance colonising animal cadavers and human corpses. Nevertheless, descriptions of the morphology of their early instars remain scarce and limited to only a few species, thus their larval identification is challenging or impossible. Considering the numerous challenges associated with studying small-sized entomological material, we tested whether it is feasible to identify muscid flies to the species or at least genus level based predominantly on the details of the cephaloskeleton. To overcome the obstacle of observing details of small sclerites, especially their shapes and interconnections, we effectively employed confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) as a supplementary method for light microscopy (LM). This study provides an identification key for first and second instar larvae of forensically important muscid species from the western Palaearctic (Europe, North Africa, Middle East). The proposed key primarily utilises details of the cephaloskeleton with only addition of external morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Walczak
- Department of Ecology and Biogeography, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland; Centre for Modern Interdisciplinary Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland.
| | - Andrzej Grzywacz
- Department of Ecology and Biogeography, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland; Centre for Modern Interdisciplinary Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland.
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2
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Kotze Z, Martín-Vega D, Reimer LJ, Weeks ENI. Novel tools and techniques in forensic entomology: The need for robust research. Med Vet Entomol 2023; 37:423-424. [PMID: 37211650 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zanthe Kotze
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Daniel Martín-Vega
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Spain and Natural History Museum, London, UK
| | - Lisa J Reimer
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Emma N I Weeks
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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3
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Giordani G, Tuccia F, Martín-Vega D, Angell CS, Pradelli J, Vanin S. Morphological and molecular characterization of puparia of Piophilidae species of forensic relevance. Med Vet Entomol 2023; 37:339-358. [PMID: 36598171 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Piophilidae are a small family of Diptera with a worldwide distribution and which are historically associated with human activities. In addition to their economic importance, piophilid larvae can also be of medical and legal relevance. Within a medicolegal context, piophilids are frequently associated with cadavers in advanced stages of decomposition, thus being potentially useful forensic indicators and they have been reported also from archaeo-funerary contexts. An accurate species identification is therefore an essential prerequisite to ensure the reliable analysis of insect material in medical, forensic and archaeological investigations. Identification of the adult piophilid flies is possible because of the availability of identification keys, in contrast immature insects, especially puparia, have been poorly investigated and described. In this paper, puparia of 11 species of forensic interest (Piophila casei, Piophila megastigmata, Parapiophila atrifrons, Parapiophila flavipes, Parapiophila vulgaris, Protopiophila litigata, Liopiophila varipes, Prochyliza nigrimana, Prochyliza xanthosoma and Stearibia nigriceps in subtribe Piophilina and Centrophlebomyia furcata in subtribe Thyreophorina) are described and a molecular analysis, based on the COI sequencing, is presented to show the potential of the molecular approach in their identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Giordani
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FABIT), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabiola Tuccia
- School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK
| | - Daniel Martín-Vega
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, UK
| | - Chris S Angell
- Department of Biology, Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana, USA
| | - Jennifer Pradelli
- School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK
| | - Stefano Vanin
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra dell'Ambiente e della Vita (DISTAV), Università di Genova, Genova, Italy
- National Research Council, Institute for the Study of Anthropic Impact and Sustainability in the Marine Environment (CNR-IAS), Genova, Italy
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4
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Walczak K, Szpila K, Nelson L, Pape T, Hall MJR, Alves F, Grzywacz A. Larval morphology of the avian parasitic genus Passeromyia: playing hide and seek with a parastomal bar. Med Vet Entomol 2023; 37:14-26. [PMID: 36156281 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The enigmatic larvae of the Old World genus Passeromyia Rodhain & Villeneuve, 1915 (Diptera: Muscidae) inhabit the nests of birds as saprophages or as haematophagous agents of myiasis among nestlings. Using light microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, we provide the first morphological descriptions of the first, second and third instar of P. longicornis (Macquart, 1851) (Diptera: Muscidae), the first and third instar of P. indecora (Walker, 1858) (Diptera: Muscidae), and we revise the larval morphology of P. heterochaeta (Villenueve, 1915) (Diptera: Muscidae) and P. steini Pont, 1970 (Diptera: Muscidae). We provide a key to the third instar of examined species (excluding P. steini and P. veitchi Bezzi, 1928 (Diptera: Muscidae)). Examination of the cephaloskeleton revealed paired rod-like sclerites, named 'rami', between the lateral arms of the intermediate sclerite in the second and third instar larva. We reveal parastomal bars fused apically with the intermediate sclerite, the absence of which has so far been considered as apomorphic for second and third instar muscid larvae. Examination of additional material suggests that modified parastomal bars are not exclusive features of Passeromyia but occur widespread in the Muscidae, and rami may occur widespread in the Cyclorrhapha.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Walczak
- Department of Ecology and Biogeography, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Toruń, Poland
- Centre for Modern Interdisciplinary Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Toruń, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Szpila
- Department of Ecology and Biogeography, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Toruń, Poland
| | - Leanne Nelson
- Biosecurity Sciences Laboratory, Health and Food Sciences Precinct, Archerfield, Queensland, Australia
| | - Thomas Pape
- Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Martin J R Hall
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, UK
| | - Fernanda Alves
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Andrzej Grzywacz
- Department of Ecology and Biogeography, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Toruń, Poland
- Centre for Modern Interdisciplinary Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Toruń, Poland
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5
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Walczak K, Pape T, Ekanem M, Szpila K, Grzywacz A. Insights into the systematics of
Alluaudinella
and allied
Aethiopomyia
and
Ochromusca
(Muscidae, Diptera). ZOOL SCR 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/zsc.12584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Walczak
- Department of Ecology and Biogeography Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń Toruń Poland
- Centre for Modern Interdisciplinary Technologies Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń Toruń Poland
| | - Thomas Pape
- Natural History Museum of Denmark University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Mfon Ekanem
- Department of Zoology University of Uyo Uyo Nigeria
| | - Krzysztof Szpila
- Department of Ecology and Biogeography Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń Toruń Poland
| | - Andrzej Grzywacz
- Department of Ecology and Biogeography Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń Toruń Poland
- Centre for Modern Interdisciplinary Technologies Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń Toruń Poland
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6
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Röglin A, Szentiks CA, Dreßler J, Ondruschka B, Schwarz M. Entomological identification of the post-mortem colonization of wolf cadavers in different decomposition stages. Sci Justice 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2022.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Lutz L, Zehner R, Verhoff MA, Bratzke H, Amendt J. It is all about the insects: a retrospective on 20 years of forensic entomology highlights the importance of insects in legal investigations. Int J Legal Med 2021; 135:2637-2651. [PMID: 34591184 PMCID: PMC8523412 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-021-02628-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
This study highlights the importance of insect evidence by evaluating 949 insect-associated cases, including 139 entomological reports, from 2001 to 2019 at the Institute of Legal Medicine Frankfurt/Germany. With a high number of cases in the summer months and a low number in the colder season, 78.5% of the bodies were found indoors, regardless of year or month. In more than 80% of the cases, where PMI information was available (n = 704), the presumed PMI ranged from 1 to 21 days, a period during which entomological evidence can provide a day-specific estimate of PMImin. In cases where insects have been identified to species level (n = 279), most bodies were infested by one or two species with a maximum of 10 different species. Overall, a total of 55 insect species were found. Information on biology, activity and distribution of the most abundant taxa is given and applied for 5 case histories estimating different PMImins of up to over 6 months. Despite proved importance and scientific development of forensic entomology, insects are still rarely considered as a tool in forensic case work. The main reasons are a lack of awareness and (too) late involvement of a forensic entomologist. Our work shows that forensic entomology is an independent discipline that requires specialist expertise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Lutz
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe-University, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Richard Zehner
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe-University, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Marcel A Verhoff
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe-University, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Hansjürgen Bratzke
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe-University, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jens Amendt
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe-University, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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8
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Arnaldos MI, García MD. Entomological Contributions to the Legal System in Southeastern Spain. Insects 2021; 12:insects12050429. [PMID: 34068735 PMCID: PMC8150274 DOI: 10.3390/insects12050429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this work is to present a number of forensic cases that took place in Southeastern Spain (Murcia province) in which the entomological evidence aided to fully solve the issues raised during the legal enquiry, enhancing the close interrelationships between experimental studies performed and actual forensic cases assessed. In all cases, the expert report was requested by the police agents or the medical examiners, the latter attempting to make stronger their own conclusions. The assessment of all cases was possible by comparing the evidence and circumstances of each one with the experimental data previously obtained in our laboratory concerning aspects such as faunistic, ecological, morphological, etc., and by considering data from other researchers. In all cases, the evidence could be addressed, although in some cases, it had not been properly collected or processed. Thus, the utility of the experimental studies in forensic practice, even when being considered merely biological, and without immediate practical application, can be demonstrated as well as the need for providing specialized instruction on Forensic Entomology procedures to the different agents involved in forensic investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- María-Isabel Arnaldos
- Area of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain;
- Unit of Forensic Entomology and Evidence Microscopic Analysis, External Service of Forensic Sciences and Techniques, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - María-Dolores García
- Area of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain;
- Unit of Forensic Entomology and Evidence Microscopic Analysis, External Service of Forensic Sciences and Techniques, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
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9
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Cortinhas LB, Martins Mendonça P, Braga MV, Queiroz MMDC. Ultrastructure of the Immature Stages of Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae: Muscinae). J Med Entomol 2020; 57:1712-1721. [PMID: 32504087 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Musca domestica (Linnaeus, 1758) is a muscoid species that is widespread throughout the world and acts as a mechanical vector of different enteropathogens primarily in underdeveloped countries. The adult and its immature forms are associated with decaying organic matter and can be seen visiting human corpses and animal carcass, and the larvae can also cause an infestation on human and animal wounds, feeding on the tissues. These characteristics make them have a forensic significance and, mainly, a great sanitary importance. This study aimed to analyze and describe morphological aspects of their immature stages of M. domestica, including the eggs, the first-, second-, and third-instar larvae, and the puparium using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The eggs have standard format that all muscoid flies shared. The exochorion has some modified cells that were used for embryonic respiration. The first-instar larvae present two openings on the posterior spiracle as in the second-instar larvae, but with the last one, we can observe the anterior spiracle structure. The third-instar larvae, as in some other Muscidae species, have a posterior spiracular opening with a sinuous form that is located near the edge of the spiracular plate. The puparium morphology is equal to the third instar with a respiratory structure that helps the breathing during the metamorphosis process. This article supports the need for knowledge over the morphological characteristics of the immature forms of the muscoid Diptera (Linnaeus, 1758) at the same time helping with the correct identification of this insect phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Barbosa Cortinhas
- Laboratório de Entomologia Médica e Forense (LEMEF), Instituto Oswaldo Cruz - IOC/FIOCRUZ, Manguinhos, RJ, Brazil
- Doutorando do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Parasitária, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz - IOC/FIOCRUZ, Manguinhos, RJ, Brazil
| | - Paloma Martins Mendonça
- Pós-Doutoranda do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Saúde, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz - IOC/FIOCRUZ, Manguinhos, RJ, Brazil
- Docente do Mestrado Profissional em Ciências Ambientais, Universidade de Vassouras, Avenida Expedicionário Osvaldo de Almeida Ramos, RJ, Brazil
| | - Marina Vianna Braga
- Laboratório de Entomologia Médica e Forense (LEMEF), Instituto Oswaldo Cruz - IOC/FIOCRUZ, Manguinhos, RJ, Brazil
| | - Margareth Maria de Carvalho Queiroz
- Laboratório de Entomologia Médica e Forense (LEMEF), Instituto Oswaldo Cruz - IOC/FIOCRUZ, Manguinhos, RJ, Brazil
- Docente do Mestrado Profissional em Ciências Ambientais, Universidade de Vassouras, Avenida Expedicionário Osvaldo de Almeida Ramos, RJ, Brazil
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10
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Iancu L, Junkins EN, Necula-Petrareanu G, Purcarea C. Characterizing forensically important insect and microbial community colonization patterns in buried remains. Sci Rep 2018; 8:15513. [PMID: 30341329 PMCID: PMC6195615 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-33794-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
During violent criminal actions in which the perpetrator disposes of the victim's remains by burial, the analysis of insects and bacterial colonization patterns could be necessary for postmortem interval (PMI) estimation. Our research aimed to assess the decomposition process of buried rat carcasses from shallow graves (40 cm), the diversity and dynamics of insects and bacteria throughout the decomposition stages, and the environmental parameters' influence on these variations. The results provide further insight on decomposition in soil and contribute to a broader understanding of the factors involved in decomposition by qualitatively and quantitatively analysing the decomposer community (bacteria and insects). Additionally, two bacterial taxa, Enterococcus faecalis and Clostridium paraputrificum that were investigated for the first time as PMI indicators using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) showed differential abundance over time, promising data for PMI estimation. The current study on the decomposition of buried rat carcasses in a natural environment will strengthen the current knowledge on decomposed remains from shallow graves and represents an effort to quantify insect and bacterial taxa as PMI estimators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavinia Iancu
- Institute of Biology Bucharest, Romanian Academy, Splaiul Independentei, 296, 060031, Bucharest, Romania.
| | - Emily N Junkins
- University of Oklahoma, Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, 770 Van Vleet Oval, Norman, OK, 73019-0390, United States of America
| | | | - Cristina Purcarea
- Institute of Biology Bucharest, Romanian Academy, Splaiul Independentei, 296, 060031, Bucharest, Romania
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Giangaspero A, Marangi M, Balotta A, Venturelli C, Szpila K, Di Palma A. Wound Myiasis Caused by Sarcophaga (Liopygia) Argyrostoma (Robineau-Desvoidy) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae): Additional Evidences of the Morphological Identification Dilemma and Molecular Investigation. ScientificWorldJournal 2017; 2017:9064531. [PMID: 28251174 DOI: 10.1155/2017/9064531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In Mediterranean countries, Sarcophaga (Liopygia) crassipalpis, Sarcophaga (L.) argyrostoma, and Sarcophaga (L.) cultellata share the same ecological niche and can be responsible of myiasis. In this study, the main morphological characters of a larva found in a hospitalized woman were described and illustrated by light and SEM microscopy and the features discussed. Then, a fragment within the mitochondrial encoded cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (coxI) gene of ~735 bp was amplified and sequenced. The molecular investigation was necessary to confirm the species Sarcophaga (Liopygia) argyrostoma (99% of identity). Our findings showed that morphological descriptions of larvae of three Mediterranean species of Liopygia available in several papers might not be clear enough to allow for comparison and correct identification. Until results of reliable comparative studies of larvae of all three species will be available, the use of molecular tools is crucial, to avoid misleading or incomplete identification, and in particular when a myiasis becomes a legal issue.
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12
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Grzywacz A, Hall MJ, Pape T, Szpila K. Muscidae (Diptera) of forensic importance-an identification key to third instar larvae of the western Palaearctic region and a catalogue of the muscid carrion community. Int J Legal Med 2017; 131:855-66. [PMID: 27924407 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-016-1495-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The Muscidae is one of the main dipteran families recognized as important for medico-legal purposes. Although an association of adult flies with decomposing human and animal bodies is documented for about 200 taxa worldwide, cadavers and carrion represents a breeding habitat for considerably fewer species. Species that do colonize dead human bodies can do so under diverse environmental conditions and, under certain circumstances, Muscidae may be the only colonizers of a body. Because of difficulties in identification, many studies have identified immature and/or adult muscids only to the genus or family level. This lack of detailed species-level identifications hinders detailed investigation of their medico-legal usefulness in carrion succession-oriented experiments. Identification to species level of third instars of Muscidae of forensic importance and the utility of larval morphological characters for taxonomic purposes were subjected to an in-depth revision. A combination of characters allowing for the discrimination of third instar muscids from other forensically important dipterans is proposed. An identification key for third instar larvae, which covers the full set of cadaver-colonising species of Muscidae from the western Palaearctic (Europe, North Africa, Middle East), is provided. This key will facilitate more detailed and species-specific knowledge of the occurrence of Muscidae in forensic entomology experiments and real cases. The carrion-visiting Muscidae worldwide are catalogued, and those species breeding in animal carrion and dead human bodies are briefly discussed with regard to their forensic importance.
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13
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Gunn A. The colonisation of remains by the muscid flies Muscina stabulans (Fallén) and Muscina prolapsa (Harris) (Diptera: Muscidae). Forensic Sci Int 2016; 266:349-356. [PMID: 27450040 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2016] [Revised: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
In the field, the muscid flies Muscina stabulans (Fallén) and Muscina prolapsa (Harris) only colonised buried baits in June, July and August. The two-species co-occurred on baits buried at 5cm but only M. prolapsa colonised baits buried at 10cm. Other species of insect were seldom recovered from buried baits regardless of the presence or absence of Muscina larvae. In the laboratory, both M. stabulans and M. prolapsa preferentially colonised liver baits on the soil surface compared to those buried at 5cm. Baits buried in dry soil were not colonised by either species whilst waterlogged soil severely reduced colonisation but did not prevent it entirely. Dry liver presented on the soil surface was colonised and supported growth to adulthood but if there was no surrounding medium in which the larvae could burrow then they died within 24h. M. stabulans showed a consistent preference for ovipositing on decaying liver rather than fresh liver, even when it had decayed for 41 days. The results for M. prolapsa were more variable but it was also capable of developing on both fresh and very decayed remains. Blood-soaked soil and dead slugs and snails stimulated egg-laying by both species and supported larval growth to adulthood. Mushrooms, melon, and bananas also stimulated egg-laying although to a much lesser extent and very few larvae survived to adulthood. Horse faeces stimulated extensive egg-laying but the larvae invariably died during the first or second instar and none survived to pupariation. This information could be useful when determining the forensic significance of Muscina larvae recovered from dead bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Gunn
- School of Natural Sciences & Psychology, John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK.
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14
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Bernhardt V, Fremdt H, Huibregts H, Geduld L, Verhoff MA, Amendt J. Muscina prolapsa (Harris 1780): Ein bislang unterschätztes Werkzeug der forensischen Entomologie. Rechtsmedizin (Berl) 2016; 26:97-102. [DOI: 10.1007/s00194-015-0073-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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15
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Paños-Nicolás Á, Arnaldos MI, García MD, Ubero-Pascal N. Sarcophaga (Liosarcophaga) tibialis Macquart 1851 (Diptera: Sarcophagidae): micromorphology of preimaginal stages of a fly of medical and veterinary interest. Parasitol Res 2015; 114:4031-50. [PMID: 26227140 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-015-4631-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2015] [Accepted: 07/16/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Sarcophagids are a large family of Diptera, with a worldwide distribution. They are related to decomposing organic matter and are very interesting for health science and in forensic cases since many species produce myiasis and occur in human corpses. This family is considered difficult to study, particularly with regard to their immature stages, to which little attention has been paid. Genus Sarcophaga Meigen, 1826 is composed of species of very similar morphology, making very difficult to distinguish. Knowledge of the immature stages of this genus is important because such stages occupy the greater part of the life cycle, so that establishing a basis for their identification will increase their usefulness in systematic and applied sciences. This contribution presents a detailed study of the morphological features, both external and internal, of the preimaginal stages of Sarcophaga (Liosarcophaga) tibialis Macquart, 1851, providing a taxonomical context for the correct identification of Liosarcophaga species of forensic interest in the Iberian Peninsula. Both light and scanning electron microscopy were applied. Complete descriptions of every stage are provided and illustrated, and their usefulness for species comparison, taking into account our uneven knowledge of morphologically immature stages of this subgenus, is indicated. Features of the cephalopharyngeal skeleton, such as the shape of the mouth hook and the intermediate and basal sclerites, and external morphology, such as the pattern of spinose band and anterior and posterior spiracles, proved useful for separating species. Finally, tentative identification keys based on light microscopy observation to distinguish S. (L.) tibialis from other species of forensic interest belonging to Liosarcophaga subgenus are proposed for every immature stage.
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