Dipterans Associated with a Decomposing Animal Carcass in a Rainforest Fragment in Brazil: Notes on the Early Arrival and Colonization by Necrophagous Species

Abstract

This study aimed to provide the first checklist of forensically-important dipteran species in a rainforest environment in Northeastern Brazil, a region exposed to high rates of homicides. Using a decomposing pig, Sus scrofa L. (Artiodactyla: Suidae), carcass as a model, adult flies were collected immediately after death and in the early stages of carcass decomposition. To confirm actual colonization of the carcass, insects that completed their larval development on the resource were also collected and reared until adult stage. A diverse assemblage of dipterans composed of at least 28 species from seven families with necrophagous habits was observed within minutes after death. Besides Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae, species from forensically-important families such as Phoridae, Anthomyiidae, and Fanniidae were also registered. Eleven species were shown to complete their development on the carcass. The majority of individuals emerged from larvae collected at the dry stage of decomposition. Hemilucilia segmentaria Fabricius (Diptera: Calliphoridae), H. semidiaphana (Rondani), and Ophyra chalcogaster (Wiedemann) (Muscidae) were the dominant species among the colonizers, which supports their importance as forensic evidence in Brazil.

Diurnal and Nocturnal Flight Activity of Blow Flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in a Rainforest Fragment in Brazil: Implications for the Colonization of Homicide Victims

“…This study also reinforces preliminary data regarding the asynanthropic (i.e., aversion to human modified environments) behavior of H. semidiaphana , which has only been recorded in forested areas to date . This species can be forensically relevant as an indicator of postmortem relocation of a cadaver, in case the corpse that has been colonized by this species is found outside the forest habitat.…”

“…Information on female behavior is critical in assessing the forensic relevance of necrophagous species, especially when native and invasive species compete for the same resource. The information on flight behavior of native species H. segmentaria and M. bicolor reinforces their forensic importance, as they have been described as a pioneer species in the colonization of ephemeral resources , and used in the estimation of min PMI in Brazil . The fact that M. bicolor exhibits some degree of nocturnal activity and are most active in the early morning implies that cadavers resulting from crimes committed at night may be more readily colonized by this species in forested areas.…”

“…Blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) comprise ca. 1300 species which have been reported as early colonizers of cadavers and carcasses (4)(5)(6). While empirical studies corroborate the diurnal activity of calliphorids in several countries (7)(8)(9), data on temporal patterns of flight in South America are mostly anecdotal.…”

Hexapod decomposers of Serra de Santa Catarina, Paraíba, Brazil: an area with high potential for conservation of Caatinga biodiversity

“…Studies on Sarcophagidae of the Caatinga are scarce, and the data for this family are restricted to distribution notes and species lists (Alves et al 2014). The other studies in the Northeast are restricted to humid forests, such as the Atlantic Forest (Lopes 1974, Vasconcelos & Araújo 2012, Vasconcelos et al 2013, Barbosa et al 2017.…”

Uma lista atualizada das espécies de diptera causadoras de miíases na pecuária no Nordeste do Brasil

“…A rainforest fragment in the municipality of Recife, Pernambuco State (08º09'17''S; 34º52'05"W) was surveyed in 2008 and 2009. As attractant to adult flies we used two 15-kg pig carcasses and traps containing animal tissue baits, consisting of 200 g of decomposing chicken liver (Vasconcelos et al, 2013). An area of seasonally dry tropical forest, known as Caatinga, which is typical of Northeastern Brazil, was also sampled in 2010.…”