Distribution and Abundance of Necrophagous Flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae) in Maranhao, Northeastern Brazil

Abstract

This study aimed at surveying the local calliphorid and sarcophagid species in Maranhão State (Brazil) to determine their distribution and abundance, as well as the distribution of exotic Chrysomya species. In total, 18,128 calliphorid specimens were collected, distributed in 7 genera and 14 species. The species Hemilucilia semidiaphana (Rondani, 1850) and Paralucilia paraensis (Mello, 1969) were new state records. Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann, 1819) and Cochliomyia macellaria (F., 1775) were the most abundant species, and the exotic species of Chrysomya together contributed more than 50% of total blow fly abundance. The abundance distribution of the calliphorid community conformed to a log series model, characterized by a steep curve that reflects an assemblage with a high degree of dominance. For the Sarcophagidae, a total of 14,810 specimens were collected and distributed in 15 genera, 11 subgenera, and 52 species. Tricharaea (Sarcophagula) occidua (F., 1794) and Peckia (Sarcodexia) lambens (Wiedemann, 1830) were the most abundant species. The abundance distribution of the species followed a log normal model, with a gentler slope, consistent with a more uniform community. The cumulative species curve for the sarcophagids did not reach the asymptote. Forty-three sarcophagid species were new state records and 22 were new records for the Brazilian northeast, which emphasizes the need for a continued survey in this region.

Flesh flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae: Sarcophaginae) from the Colombian Guajira biogeographic province, an approach to their ecology and distribution

“…However, Tr. occidua seems to be able to adapt to different environments and has been recorded in both open habitats and forests (Pereira de Sousa et al 2015). All above is consistent with the abundance of this species in feces and fish.…”

“…This species showed necrophagous habit as observed in previous studies (Carvalho and Linhares 2001, Barros et al 2008, Barbosa et al 2009, Bitar et al 2013, Yepes-Gaurisas et al 2013, Vasconcelos et al 2015, Pereira de Sousa et al 2015, one of them including a report in human corpses (Oliveira-Costa et al 2001). The broad biological spectrum of this species also includes parasitism, as it causes myiasis in birds (Bermúdez et al 2010), anurans (Hagman et al 2005), and humans (Queiroz de Leão et al 1996, Fernandes et al 2009).…”

“…This species was also dominant in similar studies in a natural reserve in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where it was found associated with feces (Mariluis et al 2007, Mulieri et al 2008. In Brazil, it was the most abundant species in cow's lung tissue (Pereira de Sousa et al 2015) and the second most abundant in pig carcasses (Barbosa et al 2009), in buffalo excrements (Marchiori 2014), and the third most abundant in feces in the Archipelago Fernando de Noronha (Couri et al 2008). In Colombia, Yepes-Gaurisas et al (2013) recorded Tr.…”

“…This species is widely distributed in the Neotropical Region (D'Almeida 1993, Pape 1996, Buenaventura 2013, Buenaventura and Pape 2013, and seems to adapt to open habitats and forests (Pereira de Sousa et al 2015). In Colombia and Brazil, Linhares (1981), D'Almeida (1984, Oliveira et al (2002), andYepes-Gaurisas et al (2013) reported it as eusynanthropic (strong affinity for human-modified habitats) species associated with carrion.…”

A review on the occurrence of Cochliomyia hominivorax (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Brazil

“…Additional information obtained from screwworm adult captures contributed to providing a more complete distribution of C. hominivorax in the country ( Figure 2D, Table 2). Adults of C. hominivorax have been caught in several sites, mainly by traps baited with carcasses (ALVES et al, 2014;FARIA et al, 2018), rotting viscera or other decaying material (KOLLER et al, 2002(KOLLER et al, , 2011SOUSA et al, 2010;GONÇALVES et al, 2011;GADELHA et al, 2015;PEREIRA DE SOUSA et al, 2015OLIVEIRA et al, 2016). Although decaying baits are not the best attractant to a fly species causing primary myiasis, this relatively inexpensive and simple choice has provided useful information on the distribution of C. hominivorax in Brazil (Figure 2E).…”