scholarly journals Do longer sequences improve the accuracy of identification of forensically important Calliphoridae species?

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5962 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Bortolini ◽  
Giorgia Giordani ◽  
Fabiola Tuccia ◽  
Lara Maistrello ◽  
Stefano Vanin
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Entomology ◽  
Unsolved Problem ◽  
Phormia Regina ◽  
Calliphora Vicina ◽  
Morphological Identification ◽  
Correct Identification ◽  
Closely Related Species ◽  
Crucial Step ◽  
Post Mortem Interval ◽  
Megaselia Scalaris

Species identification is a crucial step in forensic entomology. In several cases the calculation of the larval age allows the estimation of the minimum Post-Mortem Interval (mPMI). A correct identification of the species is the first step for a correct mPMI estimation. To overcome the difficulties due to the morphological identification especially of the immature stages, a molecular approach can be applied. However, difficulties in separation of closely related species are still an unsolved problem. Sequences of 4 different genes (COI, ND5, EF-1α, PER) of 13 different fly species collected during forensic experiments (Calliphora vicina, Calliphora vomitoria, Lucilia sericata, Lucilia illustris, Lucilia caesar, Chrysomya albiceps, Phormia regina, Cynomya mortuorum, Sarcophaga sp., Hydrotaea sp., Fannia scalaris, Piophila sp., Megaselia scalaris) were evaluated for their capability to identify correctly the species. Three concatenated sequences were obtained combining the four genes in order to verify if longer sequences increase the probability of a correct identification. The obtained results showed that this rule does not work for the species L. caesar and L. illustris. Future works on other DNA regions are suggested to solve this taxonomic issue.

scholarly journals Impact of Comingled Heterospecific Assemblages on Developmentally Based Estimates of the Post-Mortem Interval—A Study with Lucilia sericata (Meigen), Phormia regina (Meigen) and Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 280
Author(s):  
Krystal R. Hans ◽  
Sherah L. Vanlaerhoven
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Development Time ◽  
Lucilia Sericata ◽  
Phormia Regina ◽  
Calliphora Vicina ◽  
Immature Stages ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Blow Fly ◽  
Blow Flies ◽  
Post Mortem Interval

Estimates of the minimum post-mortem interval (mPMI) using the development rate of blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) are common in modern forensic entomology casework. These estimates are based on single species developing in the absence of heterospecific interactions. Yet, in real-world situations, it is not uncommon to have 2 or more blow fly species developing on a body. Species interactions have the potential to change the acceptance of resources as suitable for oviposition, the timing of oviposition, growth rate, size and development time of immature stages, as well as impacting the survival of immature stages to reach adult. This study measured larval development and growth rate of the blow flies Lucilia sericata (Meigen, 1826), Phormia regina (Meigen, 1826) and Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Calliphoridae) over five constant temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30, 35 °C), in the presence of conspecifics or two-species heterospecific assemblages. Temperature and species treatment interacted such that L. sericata larvae gained mass more rapidly when in the presence of P. regina at 20 and 30 °C, however only developed faster at first instar. At later stages, the presence of P. regina slowed development of L. sericata immatures. Development time of C. vicina immatures was not affected by the presence of P. regina, however larvae gained mass more slowly. Development time of P. regina immatures was faster in the presence of either L. sericata or C. vicina until third instar, at which point, the presence of L. sericata was neutral whereas C. vicina negatively impacted development time. Phormia regina larvae gained mass more rapidly in the presence of L. sericata at 20 °C but were negatively impacted at 25 °C by the presence of either L. sericata or C. vicina. The results of this study indicate that metrics such as development time or larval mass used for estimating mPMI with blow flies are impacted by the presence of comingled heterospecific blow fly assemblages. As the effects of heterospecific assemblages are not uniformly positive or negative between stages, temperatures or species combinations, more research into these effects is vital. Until then, caution should be used when estimating mPMI in cases with multiple blow fly species interacting on a body.

scholarly journals Flies Do Not Jump to Conclusions: Estimation of the Minimum Post-Mortem Interval for a Partly Skeletonized Body Based on Larvae of Phormia regina (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 294
Author(s):  
Senta Niederegger ◽  
Gita Mall
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Entomology ◽  
Female Body ◽  
The Other ◽  
Phormia Regina ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Post Mortem Interval ◽  
Other Hand

Skeletonization is often perceived as an indicator of long post-mortem intervals. The finding of feeding larvae of first colonizers, on the other hand, indicates days. We present a case in which both findings were present. Larvae of Phormia regina, aged 9 days, and skeletonization of the head and part of the thorax were both found on an unidentified female body. Identification of dentures eventually led to resolution of the case and a confession, which settled the seeming contradiction in favor of forensic entomology.

scholarly journals Using the Developmental GeneBicoidto Identify Species of Forensically Important Blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seong Hwan Park ◽  
Chung Hyun Park ◽  
Yong Zhang ◽  
Huguo Piao ◽  
Ukhee Chung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Markers ◽  
Forensic Entomology ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Genomic Sequences ◽  
Phormia Regina ◽  
Calliphora Vicina ◽  
Coding Sequences ◽  
Major Subject ◽  
Flanking Sequences ◽  
Intron 2

Identifying species of insects used to estimate postmortem interval (PMI) is a major subject in forensic entomology. Because forensic insect specimens are morphologically uniform and are obtained at various developmental stages, DNA markers are greatly needed. To develop new autosomal DNA markers to identify species, partial genomic sequences of thebicoid(bcd) genes, containing the homeobox and its flanking sequences, from 12 blowfly species (Aldrichina grahami, Calliphora vicina, Calliphora lata, Triceratopyga calliphoroides, Chrysomya megacephala, Chrysomya pinguis, Phormia regina, Lucilia ampullacea, Lucilia caesar, Lucilia illustris, Hemipyrellia ligurriensandLucilia sericata; Calliphoridae: Diptera) were determined and analyzed. This study first sequenced the ten blowfly species other thanC. vicinaandL. sericata. Based on thebcdsequences of these 12 blowfly species, a phylogenetic tree was constructed that discriminates the subfamilies of Calliphoridae (Luciliinae, Chrysomyinae, and Calliphorinae) and most blowfly species. Even partial genomic sequences of about 500 bp can distinguish most blowfly species. The short intron 2 and coding sequences downstream of thebcdhomeobox in exon 3 could be utilized to develop DNA markers for forensic applications. These gene sequences are important in the evolution of insect developmental biology and are potentially useful for identifying insect species in forensic science.

scholarly journals First record ofPhormia regina(Meigen, 1826) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) from mummies at the Sant’Antonio Abate Cathedral of Castelsardo, Sardinia, Italy

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giorgia Giordani ◽  
Fabiola Tuccia ◽  
Ignazio Floris ◽  
Stefano Vanin
Keyword(s):  
Warm Season ◽  
First Record ◽  
Phormia Regina ◽  
Calliphora Vicina ◽  
Single Specimen ◽  
The Past ◽  
Human Decomposition ◽  
The Family ◽  
The Moment ◽  
Biodiversity Changes

The studies of insects from archaeological contexts can provide an important supplement of information to reconstruct past events, climate and environments. Furthermore, the list of the species present in an area in the past allows the reconstruction of the entomofauna on that area at that time, that can be different from the nowadays condition, providing information about biodiversity changes. In this work, the results of a funerary archaeoentomological study on samples collected from mummified corpses discovered during the restoration of the crypt of the Sant’Antonio Abate Cathedral of Castelsardo (Sardinia, Italy) are reported. The majority of the sampled specimens were Diptera puparia, whereas only few Lepidoptera cocoons and some Coleoptera fragments were isolated. Among Diptera, Calliphoridae puparia were identified asPhormia regina(Meigen, 1826) andCalliphora vicina, (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830) both species typical of the first colonization waves of exposed bodies. Three puparia fragments were also identified as belonging to aSarcophagaMeigen, 1826, species (Sarcophagidae). Several Muscidae puparia of the speciesHydrotaea capensis(Weidmermann, 1818), a late colonizer of bodies, and typical of buried bodies were also collected. The few moth (Lepidoptera) cocoons were identified as belonging to the family Tineidae. This family comprises species feeding on dry tissues and hair typical of the later phases of the human decomposition. Among Coleoptera a single specimen in the family Histeridae,Saprinus semistriatus(Scriba, 1790) and a single elytra, potentially of a species in the family Tenebrionidae, were also collected. Overall, the samples collected indicated an initial colonization of the bodies in an exposed context, mainly in a warm season. This research allows the finding of elements indicating the presence, at least in the past, ofP. reginain Sardinia. This species at the moment seems extinct from Sardinia while it is quite common in the continent.

scholarly journals Forensic entomology research and application in southern Africa: A scoping review

2020 ◽  
Vol 116 (5/6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Danisile Tembe ◽  
Samson Mukaratirwa
Keyword(s):  
Southern Africa ◽  
Forensic Entomology ◽  
Criminal Investigation ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Post Mortem Interval ◽  
Criminal Investigations ◽  
Arthropod Species ◽  
Abundance And Diversity

The use of forensic entomology is well established in the northern hemisphere, but is still emerging in the southern hemisphere, where most of the current research is not explicitly undertaken in the context of forensics. In this review, we provide an update on the current status of forensic entomology research and its application in relation to estimation of post-mortem interval in various criminal investigations ranging from murder cases, cases of human neglect and the poaching of wildlife in southern Africa, among other issues. A literature search was conducted using Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus and EBSCOhost databases. The studies reviewed were focused on arthropod diversity during different stages of carcass decomposition, effect of seasons on the abundance and diversity of carrion feeding arthropod species during carcass decomposition, and diurnal and nocturnal oviposition of forensically important insect species during carcass decomposition. It was further observed that arthropod species that established on a decomposing carcass are potentially useful in the estimation of post-mortem interval and determining clues in cases of criminal investigations. The review confirmed the paucity of research in forensic entomology, and its application in southern Africa. Future studies on the research and application of forensic entomology in various criminal investigation scenarios – such as murder cases, human neglect, and wildlife poaching in southern Africa – are therefore needed. Significance: • Forensic entomology research and its application is lagging in southern Africa. • There is seasonal variation in the arthropod species used for estimation of post-mortem intervals in southern Africa. • Identification of arthropod species diversity in the region has potential for application in forensic investigations.

scholarly journals Identification of Megaselia scalaris (Diptera : Phoridae) based on morphology and mitochondrial 16S rRNA and COI gene sequences

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Shamimul Alam ◽  
Khandaker Asif Ahmed ◽  
Rowshan Ara Begum ◽  
Reza M Shahjahan
Keyword(s):  
16S Rrna ◽  
Model Organism ◽  
Coi Gene ◽  
Morphological Identification ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Neighbor Joining ◽  
Mitochondrial Coi ◽  
Molecular Approaches ◽  
Megaselia Scalaris ◽  
Rrna Sequences

Megaselia scalaris (Diptera: Phoridae), commonly known as scuttle fly, is widely distributed all over the world. It is easily cultured in the laboratory condition making it a potential model organism. Besides, it has forensic importance. However, no report from Bangladesh could be retrieved about this fly. So, in the present study, identification of this species was attempted using both morphological and molecular approaches. Characteristics of male hypopygium and legs played key roles in morphological identification. To strengthen identification, mitochondrial COI and 16S rRNA gene fragments were amplified and sequenced. Blast search at NCBI provided highest hits to available COI and 16S rRNA sequences of M. scalaris. A neighbor joining phylogenetic tree was built using sequences of respective COI gene region to show its relationship among other closely related dipteran flies. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 25(2): 149-159, 2016 (July)

scholarly journals Characterization of necrophagus entomofauna in a typical agricultural area in Emilia-Romagna region (Northern Italy)

Entomologia ◽  
2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Calzolari ◽  
F. Defilippo ◽  
G. Zani ◽  
M. Colombo ◽  
M. Dottori
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Entomology ◽  
Interval Estimation ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Agricultural Area ◽  
Post Mortem Interval ◽  
Po Valley ◽  
Flying Insects ◽  
Emilia Romagna Region ◽  
Pig Carcasses

This study presents a checklist of Dipterans and Coleopterans accountable for carrion decay in the Po Valley (Italy), a contribution to the Forensic Entomology knowledge in Italy. Insects colonizing two pig carcasses in an agricultural area in Mezzani municipality (Parma, Northern Italy) were sampled by pitfall traps and original Malaise-like traps, which allowed the sampling of a very relevant number of flying insects. A checklist of 57 taxa was obtained, of which 26 were considered of forensic importance. For the latter the arrival time of adult specimens on the carcasses was recorded, as an important parameter in minimum post mortem interval estimation. Dipterans (6141 specimens) were the most common insects; the fastest specimens to detect and colonize the carcass belonged to the Calliphoridae family, while Fanniidae and Muscidae infested the carrion until completion of the skeletal stage. Coleopterans appeared later (308 adult specimens and 114 larvae were captured). Staphylinidae, Dermestidae, and Histeridae were the most common coleopterans sampled in this study.

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