Heavy Metal Bioaccumulation in Rabbit Organs and Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann, 1819) Larvae: Implications for Forensic Entomology

Abstract

Background: A closer relationship has been established between entomology and toxicology, giving rise to a new field known as entomotoxicology, which focuses on the bioaccumulation of toxic substances in scavenging insects and other arthropods. Methods: This study investigates the impact of lethal doses of Mercury Chloride (HgCl2) and Cadmium Chloride (CdCl2) administered to male rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus Linnaeus) on the distribution of Mercury and Cadmium in rabbit organs and their subsequent accumulation in Chrysomya albiceps larvae. The experimental groups were subjected to oral administration of specific concentrations of HgCl2 and CdCl2, while a control group received distilled water. Organ dissection and subsequent larval feeding were followed by acid digestion for sample preparation and inductively coupled plasma torch spectrometry coupled with a mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) was employed for analysis. Result: Results indicate a significant increase in Mercury concentrations in treated rabbit organs, with the liver exhibiting the highest concentration. Cadmium showed diverse distribution among rabbit organs, with the highest concentrations in the kidneys. Ch. albiceps larvae, reared on rabbit organs, exhibited varied concentrations of both Mercury and Cadmium, with significantly higher levels in the treated group. These findings underscore the ecological implications of heavy metal exposure and the potential utility of insect larvae in forensic investigations as bioindicators of environmental contamination.