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A global study of the sarcosaprophagous community that occurs in the southeastern Iberian Peninsula during all four seasons is made for the first time, and its diversity is described with reference to biological indices. A total of 18,179 adults and, additionally, a number of preimaginal states were collected. The results for the main arthropod groups, and their diversity are discussed in relation to the season and decompositional stages. The results provide an extensive inventory of carrion-associated arthropods. An association between decomposition stages and more representative arthropod groups is established. With respect to the biological indices applied, Margalef's index shows that the diversity of the community increases as the state of decomposition advances, while Sorenson's quantitative index shows that the greatest similarities are between spring and summer on the one hand, and fall and winter, on the other.

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The Sarcophagidae are one of the most numerous groups of Diptera in the world, consisting of many species of forensic interest, whose immature stages are useful in the estimation of postmortem interval. The immature stages of some species of forensic importance still remain unknown or undescribed, like in the case of Sarcophaga (Liopygia) cultellata Pandellé, 1986, a species restricted to the Iberian Peninsula, south of France and north of Italy, which shares a ecological niche with species of the same subgenus, e.g., Sarcophaga (Liopygia) argyrostoma (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830) and Sarcophaga (Liopygia) crassipalpis Macquart, 1839, making it necessary to lay the groundwork for a proper specific differentiation before it can be successfully applied in forensic practice. This study provides the first micromorphological description of all preimaginal stages of S. (L.) cultellata using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the results of which allow the morphology of the main features to be followed during the immature life cycle. We propose a combination of features for distinguishing Liopygia from other sarcophagid subgenera, based on the current level of morphological knowledge of immature stages. S. (L.) cultellata can be differentiated from S. (L.) argyrostoma and S. (L.) crassipalpis in every immature stage by both light microscopy and SEM. The presence of tegumental warts and a fan-shaped anterior spiracle with a single row of 15-18 respiratory papillae allow distinguishing the third instar larvae of S. (L.) cultellata from other Sarcophaga species described hitherto by SEM. Identification keys based on light microscopy observations are provided, covering all the immature stages of Liopygia subgenus occurring in the Iberian Peninsula.

Sound production in the endemic genera of Canarian Pamphagidae Acrostira and Purpuraria has been recorded for the first time. These apterous grasshoppers have developed the alar-notal method alternative to that commonly used by Caelifera for their communication. This method is reported in detail with video recordings, histological sections and oscillograms. A model to explain this mechanism is proposed, given that previous descriptions were incomplete. The song is produced by rubbing together the ventral edge of the metanotum and the basalar sclerite. In the Canarian Pamphagidae this behaviour is found exclusively in females to announce their reproductive receptivity to the males. Females usually have to produce a series of anomalous sounds before they can emit a perfect song.