COⅠ and 16S rDNA Sequence Identification of Common Necrophagous Flies in Fujian Province / 法医学杂志

Objective To identify the species of common necrophagous flies in Fujian Province by gene fragment sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit Ⅰ （COⅠ） and 16S ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid （16S rDNA）, and to explore the identification efficacy of these two molecular markers. Methods In total 22 common necrophagous flies were collected from the death scenes in 9 different regions in Fujian Province and DNA was extracted from the flies after morphological identification. The gene fragments of COⅠ and 16S rDNA were amplified and sequenced. All the sequences were uploaded to GeneBank and BLAST and MEGA 10.0 software were used to perform sequence alignment, homology analysis and intraspecific and interspecific genetic distance analysis. The phylogenetic trees of DNA fragment sequences of COⅠ and 16S rDNA of common necrophagous flies in Fujian Province were established by unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic means （UPGMA）, respectively. Results The flies were classified into 6 species, 5 genera and 3 families by morphological identification. The results of gene sequence analysis showed that the average number of interspecific and intraspecific genetic distance of 16S rDNA ranged from 1.8% to 8.9% and 0.0% to 2.4%, respectively. The average number of interspecific and intraspecific genetic distance of COⅠ ranged from 7.2% to 13.6% and 0.0% to 6.3%, respectively. Conclusion The gene sequences of COⅠ and 16S rDNA can accurately identify the species of different necrophagous flies, and 16S rDNA showed higher value in species identification of common calliphoridae necrophagous flies in Fujian Province.

Utilizando un recurso inusual: escarabajos del estiércol atraídos a milpiés (Diplopoda: Spirobolida) / Using an unusual resource: dung beetles attracted to millipedes (Diplopoda: Spirobolida)

Entre 2017 y 2018 se realizaron muestreos durante cuatro meses en un fragmento de bosque tropical perennifolio de un área natural protegida de Chiapas, México. Se instalaron trampas de caída ubicados a lo largo de un trayecto de aproximadamente 500 m. Las trampas fueron cebadas con individuos recién muertos de Messicobolus magnificus, un milpiés abundante en la reserva durante la temporada lluviosa. Se capturaron 108 individuos de cuatro especies de escarabajos: Canthon vazquezae (92), Deltochilum pseudoparile (13), Coprophanaeus corythus (2) y Ateuchus rodriguezi (1). Únicamente D. pseudoparile ha sido previamente recolectada con carroña de otras especies de milpiés. El uso de este tipo de recurso posiblemente sea una fuente alterna que permite reducir la competencia interespecífica por otros recursos efímeros entre los Scarabaeinae.

Between 2017 and 2018, samplings out for four months in a tropical evergreen forest fragment from a natural protected area of Chiapas, Mexico, were carried. Pitfall traps were installed along a path of about 500 m. The traps were baited with freshly killed individuals of Messicobolus magnificus, an abundant millipede during the rainy season in the reserve. 108 individuals of four beetles' species were captured: Canthon vazquezae (92), Deltochilum pseudoparile (13), Coprophanaeus corythus (2) and Ateuchus rodriguezi (1). Only D. pseudoparile has been previously collected with carcasses from other millipede species. The use of this resource type is possibly an alternative source that reduces interspecific competition among the Scarabaeinae for other ephemeral resources.

Analysis of 28S rRNA and COⅠ Gene Sequence of Nine Necrophagous Calliphorid Flies from Luoyang / 法医学杂志

Objective To assess the feasibility of using 28S ribosomal RNA （28S rRNA） and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit Ⅰ （COⅠ） gene sequences of nine necrophagous Calliphorid flies for the identification of common necrophagous Calliphorid flies, and to provide technical support for postmortem interval （PMI） estimation. Methods Twenty-three Calliphorid flies were collected and identified morphologically, and DNA were extracted from legs. The gene fragments of 28S rRNA and COⅠ were amplified and sequenced, then the sequence alignment was performed with BLAST. The composition of obtained sequences was analyzed and evolutionary divergence rate between species and intraspecies were established. The phylogeny tree was constructed with neighbor-joining method. Results The 23 necrophagous Calliphorid flies were identified to 9 species of 5 genera. The 715 bp from 28S rRNA and 637 bp from COⅠ gene were obtained and the online BLAST result showed more than 99% of similarity. The phylogeny tree showed that the necrophagous flies could cluster well into 9 groups, which was consistent with morphological identification results. The intraspecific difference in 28S rRNA was 0 and the interspecific difference was 0.001-0.033. The intraspecific difference in COⅠ was 0-0.008 and the interspecific difference was 0.006-0.101. Conclusion Combined use of 28S rRNA and COⅠ gene sequence fragments can effectively identify the nine Calliphorid flies in this study. However, for closely related blowfly species, more genetic markers should be explored and used in combination in future.

Investigation of the Necrophagous Flies in Beijing / 法医学杂志

Objective T o explore the num ber of necrophagous flies and seasonal distribution of com m on necrophagous flies at present in B eijing. Methods T he specim ens of necrophagous flies w ere collected by the m ethods of anim al carcass, trapping and feeding. A nd the specim ens w ere observed and counted after the classification and preservation. Results T he necrophagous flies in B eijing belonged to 4 fam i-lies, 9 subfam ilies, 21 genera and 46 species, and 12 species of them w ere the first records in B eijing. T he necrophagous flies had the characteristics of regional and seasonal distribution. Conclusion T he data of seasonal distribution of necrophagous flies and com m on necrophagous flies in B eijing can provide refer-ence for related research.

Investigation of the Necrophagous Flies in Beijing / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To explore the number of necrophagous flies and seasonal distribution of common necrophagous flies at present in Beijing.@*METHODS@#The specimens of necrophagous flies were collected by the methods of animal carcass, trapping and feeding. And the specimens were observed and counted after the classification and preservation.@*RESULTS@#The necrophagous flies in Beijing belonged to 4 families, 9 subfamilies, 21 genera and 46 species, and 12 species of them were the first records in Beijing. The necrophagous flies had the characteristics of regional and seasonal distribution.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The data of seasonal distribution of necrophagous flies and common necrophagous flies in Beijing can provide reference for related research.

Molecular identification of five common Sarcophagidae species of necrophagous flies from Luoyang / 中国法医学杂志

Objective To identify the common Sarcophagidae species of necrophagous flies in Luoyang by DNA barcoding and 28S ribosomal RNA(28S rRNA) gene and evaluate its effectiveness for forensic practice. Methods Eighteen Sarcosaprophagous flies were collected and classified by entomologists with traditional morphological characteristics. The DNA of flies was extracted with Chelex-100 method. The fragments of mitochondrial cytochromec oxidase subunit I (COI) and 28S rRNA gene were amplified and sequenced. Twenty corresponding species (China and South Korea) were loaded from Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD) and added to the alignment. All the sequences were analyzed by MEGA 7.0 software package for nucleotide composition, genetic distance computation and phylogenetic tree construction. Results Eighteen Sarcosaprophagous flies were classified into 5 species of 3 genera. The result of amplification with 18 samples showed that length of the obtained COI and 28S rRNA gene sequences were 646bp and 721bp, respectively. And the result of alignment on BLAST online showed that index of similarity of the same species was above 99%. The thirty-eight COI sequences of Sarcosaprophagous flies were clustered into five groups by a neighbor-joining (NJ) tree on value of Bootstrap 1000. The intraspecific difference in COI was 0 to 0.022 while the interspecific difference ranged from 0.057 to 0.090 excluding Sarcophaga Africa and Sarcophaga haemorrhoidalis, which was 0~0.086. The NJ tree of 28S rRNA showed Sarcophaga peregrine and Sarcophaga portschinskyi sequences were obviously clustered into two groups and the others a group. Conclusion For the five sarcophagous flies in this study, the DNA barcoding based on COI gene were able to effectively identify the Sarcophaga peregrine, Sarcophaga dux and Sarcophaga portschinskyi, while 28S rRNA gene can only differentiate Sarcophaga peregrine from others. DNA barcoding based on COI gene and 28S rRNA gene can be used as supplemental molecular markers for identifying these species.

Record and foraging behavior of ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in vertebrate carcasses / Registro de forrageio de formigas (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) em carcaças de vertebrados

Knowing the importance of participation by insects at cadaverous decomposition processes, and the limited use of the family Formicidae in criminal investigations, this study aims to record the foraging activity of four genera of ants in carcasses of birds and mammals. Observations occurred accidentally in two locations in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. In total, seven species of ants foraging in eight vertebrate carcasses were recorded. In addition, the study reported for the first time the presence of Wasmannia in carcasses in Brazil.

Sabendo da importância da participação dos insetos em processos de decomposição cadavérica e do uso limitado da família Formicidae em investigações criminais, o objetivo do presente estudo foi registrar a atividade de forrageio de quatro gêneros de formigas em carcaças de aves e mamíferos. As observações ocorreram de forma acidental em duas localidades do Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. No total, foram registradas sete espécies de formigas forrageando em oito carcaças de vertebrados. O trabalho registrou ainda pela primeira vez a presença do gênero Wasmannia em carcaças no Brasil.

Influência da granulometria do solo na estrutura de guildas funcionais de besouros rola-bostas (Coleoptera: scarabaeidae: scarabaeinae) em florestas semideciduais no estado do Mato Grosso, Brasil / Influence of soil granulometrey on the structure of functional guilds of dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) at semideciuous forests in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil

O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever as guildas funcionais dos besouros rola-bostas (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) e analisar a influência da granulometria do solo na estruturação destas guildas e inferir possíveis processos geradores. Para isso, foram coletados besouros rola-bostas e amostras de solo, em áreas de floresta semidecidual, na região norte (módulos do PPbio) e sudoeste (22 reservas de fazendas) do estado de Mato Grosso. Para as coletas dos besouros foram utilizados 85 armadilhas pitfall, iscado com fezes humanas expostas por 48 horas, na região norte e 132 armadilhas na região sudoeste. As duas regiões apresentaram estrutura de guilda similar, com dominância de paracoprídeos, seguido de telecoprídeos e endocoprídeos. Padrão coerente com o padrão Neotropical, o que reforça a teoria da existência de uma estrutura determinística taxonômica e funcional para as subamostras na região. A concentração de argila apresentou efeitos distintos para ambas as regiões estudadas. Na região norte causou redução na abundância de endocoprídeos e telecoprídeos pequenos e reduziu a riqueza de paracoprídeos grandes, enquanto na região sudoeste influenciou principalmente a redução de paracoprídeos pequenos e aumento de telecoprídeos pequenos e endocoprídeos grandes. A concentração de argila no solo influenciou a estrutura das guildas funcionais apenas em nível de micro-habitat. As guildas dos paracoprídeos e telecoprídeos pequenos são as mais afetadas pela variação da granulometria. O aumento da concentração de argila levou a redução dos paracoprídeos pequenos e aumento dos telecoprídeos pequenos.

This study aimed to describe the structure functional guilds of dung beetles (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) and analyze the effects of the concentration of clay in soil in this structure. The studies were developed in the north and southwest in the state of Mato Grosso. The dung beetles and soil samples were collected in the north (PPBio) and southwest (22 farms reserve) in Mato Grosso. The dung beetle were captured with pitfall traps baited with human feces exposed for 48 hours. In the north region were utilized 85 traps and 132 in the southwest. Both regions, the results showed similarity at guild structure, with paracoprids dominance, followed by telecoprids and endocoprids. Which demonstrates consistency with the Neotropical pattern. Which emphasizes the theory of the existence of a deterministic taxonomic and functional structure for the subsamples in this region. The concentration of clay showed different effects for both regions studied. To the north caused the reduction in the abundance of endocoprids and small telecoprids and reduced the richness of large paracoprids. In the southwest region had mainly influences on reducing of small paracoprids, the increase of small telecoprids and also the large endocoprids. In micro-habitat scale, concentration of clay in the soil showed an important structural element of the functional guilds of dung beetles. The Guilds of the small paracoprids and small telecoprids were most affected by the variation of soil granulometry.

Rola-bostas (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) de florestas e pastagens no sudoeste da Amazônia brasileira: Levantamento de espécies e guildas alimentares / Dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) of forests and pastures of southwestern Brazilian Amazon: Survey of species and feeding guilds

The dung beetles are copro-necrophagous insects and use mainly feces and carrion of mammals as food and nesting source. These insects are sensitive to habitat modification mainly related to vegetation cover. The substitution of the Amazon forest by pasture cause drastic changes in the habitat of native species. This reduces richness and modifies assembly species composition. The aim of this work was understand the effects of substitution of native forest by pasture introduced in richness, abundance, species composition and structure of feeding guilds of dung beetle in southwestern Brazilian Amazon. A total of 10,073 individuals of dung beetles were collected, belonging to 84 species in 22 genera. Forests areas (six secondary forest fragments) had 71 species and the pastures areas (neighboring areas where original forest was substitution by introduced pasture) had significantly lower richness (30 species), and community turnover between forests and pasture was very high. In forests the majority of species were generalist, while pastures showed higher abundance of coprophagous species, which shows a change in feeding guilds caused by the substitution of forest by pasture. Among 30 species collected in pastures, twelve are present in native open vegetation too (cerrado e chaco). That represents a recent regional colonization, where species of dung beetles, coming from open areas, are invading the Amazonian pastures.

Os besouros rola-bostas são insetos copro-necrófagos e utilizam primariamente fezes e carcaça de mamíferos como fonte de alimento e nidificação. Estes insetos são sensíveis à modificação do habitat principalmente relacionados à cobertura da vegetação. A substituição da floresta Amazônica por pastagem altera drasticamente o habitat das espécies nativas e acarreta redução da riqueza de espécies e modificação na composição das assembleias locais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi compreender os efeitos da substituição da floresta nativa por pastagem introduzida na riqueza, abundância, composição de espécies e estrutura das guildas alimentares dos besouros rola-bostas no sudoeste da Amazônia brasileira. Foram coletados 10.073 indivíduos de besouros rola-bostas pertencentes a 84 espécies e 22 gêneros. As florestas (seis fragmentos de floresta secundária) apresentaram 71 espécies em sua maioria com abundância intermediária. As pastagens (áreas vizinhas onde a floresta original foi substituída por pastagens introduzidas) apresentaram redução significativa no número de espécies, e composição de espécies diferente. Nas florestas a maioria das espécies foi considerada generalista, enquanto as pastagens apresentaram maior abundância de espécies coprófagas o que demonstra uma modificação na guilda alimentar causado pela substituição da floresta por pastagem. Entre as 30 espécies coletadas nas pastagens, doze estão presentes em vegetação aberta nativa (cerrado e chaco). Isto retrata, provavelmente, um processo de colonização regional recente. Onde espécies de besouros rola-bostas, oriundas de áreas abertas, estão invadindo as pastagens amazônicas.

Beetles (Insecta, Coleoptera) associated with pig carcasses exposed in a Caatinga area, Northeastern Brazil / Coleópteros (Insecta, Coleoptera) associados a carcaças de suínos em Caatinga, Nordeste do Brasil

The species richness, abundance and seasonality of Coleoptera fauna associated with pig carcasses exposed in a Caatinga area were examined. Tray, pitfall and modified Shannon traps were settled together to collect these insects during two seasons (dry and rainy). 4,851 beetles were collected, belonging to 19 families and 88 species. Staphylinidae (2,184) and Histeridae (1,264) were the most abundant families and accounted for 71.1% of the specimens collected. Scarabaeidae (15) showed the highest species richness. The most abundant species were Atheta iheringi Bernhauer, 1908 (Staphylinidae) (1,685), Euspilotus sp. (Histeridae) (461), Stelidota geminata (Say, 1825) (Nitidulidae) (394), Xerosaprinus diptychus (Marseul, 1855) (Histeridae) (331) and Dermestes maculatus De Geer, 1774 (Dermestidae). Amongst these species, X. diptychus showed to be strongly influenced by seasonality, since 96.1% of the specimens were collected during the dry season.

A riqueza, abundância e sazonalidade da coleopterofauna associada a carcaças de suínos expostas em uma área de Caatinga foram examinadas. Para captura desses insetos foram utilizadas armadilhas do tipo bandeja, pitfall e Shannon modificada, durante duas estações (seca e chuvosa). 4.851 coleópteros foram coletados, pertencentes a 19 famílias e 88 espécies. Staphylinidae (2.184) e Histeridae (1.264) foram as famílias mais abundantes e somaram 71,1% dos espécimes coletados. Scarabaeidae (15) apresentou a maior riqueza. As espécies mais abundantes foram Atheta iheringi Bernhauer, 1908 (Staphylinidae) (1,685), Euspilotus sp. (Histeridae) (461), Stelidota geminata (Say, 1825) (Nitidulidae) (394), Xerosaprinus diptychus (Marseul, 1855) (Histeridae) (331) e Dermestes maculatus De Geer, 1774 (Dermestidae). Entre essas espécies, X. diptychus mostrou-se fortemente influenciada pela sazonalidade, uma vez que 96,1% dos espécimes foram coletados durante a estação seca.

Sarchophagid flies (Insecta, Diptera) from pig carcasses in Minas Gerais, Brazil, with nine new records from the Cerrado, a threatened Neotropical biome

Sarchophagid flies (Insecta, Diptera) from pig carcasses in Minas Gerais, Brazil, with nine new records from the Cerrado, a threatened Neotropical biome. The diversity of the Sarcophagidae fauna of the Cerrado biome, also know as the Brazilian Savanna, is still underestimated. In this research we collected flies in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, during a Forensic Entomology experiment. Samples were collected throughout the decomposition process of domestic pig (Sus scrofa Linnaeus) carcasses, and the experiments were conducted in areas of pasture and semideciduous forest. A total of 85,694 adult flesh flies belonging to 57 species were collected from all carcasses. New records for nine species of Sarcophaginae are provided, including the first record of Blaesoxipha (Acridiophaga) caridei (Brèthes, 1906) to Brazil, and new occurrences of the following species for the Cerrado and/or for the state of Minas Gerais: Blaesoxipha (Acanthodotheca) acridiophagoides (Lopes & Downs, 1951), Malacophagomyia filamenta (Dodge, 1964), Nephochaetopteryx orbitalis (Curran & Walley, 1934), Nephochaetopteryx cyaneiventris Lopes, 1936, Nephochaetopteryx pallidiventris Townsend, 1934, Oxysarcodexia occulta Lopes, 1946, Ravinia effrenata (Walker, 1861) and Sarcophaga (Neobellieria) polistensis (Hall, 1933).

Sarcophagidae and Calliphoridae related to Rhinella schneideri (Anura, Bufonidae), Bothrops moojeni (Reptilia, Serpentes) and Mabuya frenata (Reptilia, Lacertilia) carcasses in Brasília, Brazil / Sarcophagidae e Calliphoridae associados às carcaças de Rhinella schneideri (Anura, Bufonidae), Bothrops moojeni (Reptilia, Serpentes) e Mabuya frenata (Reptilia, Lacertilia) em Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brasil

Sarcophagidae and Calliphoridae related to Rhinella schneideri (Anura, Bufonidae), Bothrops moojeni (Reptilia, Serpentes) and Mabuya frenata (Reptilia, Lacertilia) carcasses in Brasília, Brazil. This paper presents a list of necrophagous insects associated with small size carrions of two reptiles and one amphibian, found in areas of riparian forests and Cerrado sensu stricto physiognomies in a Conservation Unit located in Brasilia, Distrito Federal. We found seven species of insects related to these carcasses, being five Sarcophagidae, one Calliphoridae and one Braconidae parasitoid wasp. Lucilia eximia and Peckia (Pattonella) intermutans were the most abundant species in the study, corroborating with other studies that suggests that these species have specializations for colonization of small size animal carcasses.

Sarcophagidae e Calliphoridae associados às carcaças de Rhinella schneideri (Anura, Bufonidae), Bothrops moojeni (Reptilia, Serpentes) e Mabuya frenata (Reptilia, Lacertilia) em Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brasil. Este trabalho apresenta uma lista de insetos decompositores associados a carcaças de pequeno porte de dois répteis e de um anfíbio, encontrados em áreas de matas de galeria e de cerrado sensu stricto em unidades de conservação do Distrito Federal. Foram encontradas sete espécies de insetos associados a essas carcaças, sendo cinco sarcofagídeos, um califorídeo e uma vespa parasitóide Braconidae. Lucilia eximia e Peckia (Pattonella) intermutans foram as espécies mais abundantes, corroborando com outros estudos que sugerem que estas espécies apresentam especializações para a colonização de carcaças menores.

DNA-Based Identification of Necrophagous Fly Species Using Abdominal-B (Abd-B) Homeobox Sequence / 대한법의학회지

In medicolegal investigations, correct identification of the necrophagous fly species collected around and on the corpse is an essential step for estimating the postmortem interval (PMI). Therefore, forensic pathologists and entomologists investigating deaths due to violent crimes need a rapid, easy-to-use protocol to identify fly species found on corpses. A rapid and robust DNA-based tool that can distinguish between various immature and mature species from the Calliphoridae, Muscidae, and Sarcophagidae families would be ideal for such investigations. To date, the DNA barcode initiative is the best approach for identifying species-specific nucleotide sequences. We have developed 3 sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR)-based identification systems derived from the Abdominal-B homeobox sequences of 17 fly species belonging to the Muscidae and Sarcophagidae. The flies used in this study were collected in Korea. These assay systems can classify 17 forensically important fly species into the dipteran family group and reliably distinguish them from inter- and intraspecific fly species through a 2-step multiplex PCR. This novel approach may also be used as an alternative to conventional DNA-based identification methods.

Estudio de la entomofauna sucesional asociada a la descomposición de un cadáver de cerdo doméstico (Sus scrofa) en condiciones de campo / Study of successional entomofauna associated to domestic pig (Sus Scrofa) corpse decomposition in field conditions

Durante los meses de julio a septiembre de 2003, se realizó la caracterización de la entomofauna de importancia forense presente en la descomposición de dos cerdos (Sus scrofa), utilizados como sujeto de muestreo y control respectivamente, en la granja experimental de la Federación Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia (sede Consacá, Nariño). Los primeros insectos colonizadores del cadáver fueron las familias Calliphoridae y Sarcophagidae (Diptera); de la primera se capturaron individuos pertenecientes a Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann 1819), Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart 1843), Chrysomya putoria (Wiedemann 1818) y Lucilia sp. siendo C. albiceps y Lucilia sp. las más abundantes durante el muestreo. Además de Diptera se presentaron algunas familias del orden Coleoptera, de los cuales los más importantes fueron: Histeridae, Staphilinidae, Silphidae, como depredadores, y Dermestidae como necrófago. Los otros grupos de insectos fueron observados ocasionalmente. Sin embargo, Labidus sp. subfamilia Ecitoninae (Formicidae), que se comportó como depredador de larvas de Diptera, estuvo presente durante todo el proceso de descomposición.

During July to September of 2003, characterization of entomofauna attracted by decomposition of two pigs (Sus scrofa) was carried out in the experimental farm of Federación Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia at Consacá (Nariño). One of the two pigs was used as a control sample. Pioneer settler insects of carcass belonged to families Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae (Diptera). From Calliphoridae individuals from Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann 1819), Chrysomya putoria (Wiedemann 1818), Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart 1843) and Lucilia sp. were captured. C. albiceps and Lucilia sp. were the most abundant species. Families from Coleoptera order were also found: Histeridae, Staphilinidae, Silphidae, as predators, and Dermestidae as necrophagous. Other groups of insects were observed occasionaly. Nevertheless, as predators of Diptera grubs, individuals of Labidus sp. (Formicidae: subfamily Ecitoninae) were present during the entire decomposition process.

Cem anos da Entomologia Forense no Brasil (1908-2008): [revisão] / One hundred years of forensic entomology in Brazil (1908-2008): [review]

Apresentamos uma história do desenvolvimento da Entomologia Forense no Brasil e uma avaliação do estado da arte e perspectivas. Esses estudos no Brasil iniciaram-se em 1908 com os trabalhos pioneiros de Roquette-Pinto e Oscar Freire, que notaram a grande diversidade da fauna de insetos necrófagos e a impossibilidade de aplicação direta de métodos desenvolvidos na Europa. Nas últimas duas décadas a Entomologia Forense tem avançado rapidamente no Brasil, mas ainda existem lacunas importantes no conhecimento, especialmente com relação à taxonomia, biologia e ecologia dos principais grupos de moscas e besouros necrófagos e também falta de integração entre os entomologistas e a polícia judiciária. Atualmente existem no Brasil mais de 20 pesquisadores desenvolvendo pesquisas relacionadas com Entomologia Forense e algumas dezenas de peritos criminais com treinamento nessa área, em quase todos os estados brasileiros. Neste trabalho são também apresentadas algumas diretrizes para políticas de desenvolvimento deste campo de pesquisas no Brasil.

The history of the development of forensic entomology in Brazil, its current status and perspectives are reviewed. Those studies in Brazil began in 1908 with the pioneer works conducted by Roquette-Pinto and Oscar Freire, who noted the high diversity of the native fauna of necrophagous insects and the impossibility of direct application of the methods developed in Europe. In the last two decades, forensic entomology advanced rapidly in Brazil, but there still are some important limitations, especially in relation to the taxonomy, biology and ecology of necrophagous insects and the lack of interaction between researchers and police investigators. Today there are in Brazil over 20 researchers involved with forensic entomology and tens of police investigators with some training in this field. Guidelines for the development of this field of investigation in Brazil are also presented.

DNA-based Identification of Forensically Important Blow Fly Species in Korea; Aldrichina grahami, Calliphora lata, Calliphora vicina and Phormia regina / 대한법의학회지

Entomological evidence, especially necrophagous flies, are important in estimating postmortem interval in a putrefied corpse. Accurate and rapid species identification of eggs, maggots and pupae is required because growth rates and ecological characteristics are different among different species. But species identification of these immature stages of insects is difficult or impossible to even an expert entomologist. We tried to identify the necrophagous fly species using molecular data. Adult specimens of four forensically important blow fly species [Aldrichina grahami, Calliphora lata, Calliphora vicina and Phormia regina] were used for DNA extraction and sequences analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (CO1) in this study. A total of 560 base pairs(bp) of the CO1 region was recovered using the newly designed specific primer pairs and was sequenced to compare it with those of same fly species registered in NCBI GenBank. The results presented in Table 2 to 6 demonstrate not only the potential utility of the COI sequence in interspecific discrimination, but also indicate that this sequence is probably not suitable for use with intraspecific studies, especially for dividing different local populations within the same species.

Molecular Identification of Six Necrophagous Fly Species (Family: Muscidae) by Mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase Subunit I / 대한법의학회지

Estimation of postmortem interval (PMI) in a putrefied corpse has been a long theme in the forensic medicine. Insects, especially necrophagous fly species are now utilized as indicators of PMI because the first visitors to a dead body are usually known to be blow fly species (Family Calliphoridae). House flies (Family Muscidae) are later visitors but they are very significant in forensic entomology because of their worldwide distribution. Entomologic evidences recovered from the scene are often immature individuals such as eggs, maggots and pupae. Because growth rates and ecological characteristics are different among fly species, accurate species identification is essential. As species identification in immature stages is very difficult or even impossible to an expert entomologist, many researchers are trying to identify fly species by molecular techniques. Authors analyzed 400bp of mitochondrial COI gene sequences of six Muscidae fly species (Fannia prisca, Muscina angustifrons, Muscina stabulans, Musca domestica, Hydrotaea dentipes and Ophyra leucostoma). In spite of limited number of flies analyzed in this study, all six fly species have different haplotype of COI gene and shows minimal intraspecific variation. This result shows that six fly species analyzed in this study can be discriminated each other by COI gene sequence analysis. But, more individuals from various geographic region should be analyzed to apply this result to a forensic entomology practice.