ABSTRACT
Cadavers attract numerous species and genera of Muscidae, both regular elements of carrion insect assemblages, and accidental visitors. Identification of adult Muscidae may be considered difficult, particularly by non-experts. Since species identification is a vital first step in the analysis of entomological material in any forensic entomology orientated experiment and real cases, various alternative methods of species identification have been proposed. We investigated possibility of semiautomated identification by means of wing measurements as an alternative for classic morphology and DNA-based approaches. We examined genus-level identification success for 790 specimens representing 13 genera of the most common European cadavers visiting Muscidae. We found 99.8% of examined specimens correctly identified to the genus-level. Without error, the following were identified: Azelia, Eudasyphora, Graphomya, Hydrotaea, Musca, Muscina, Mydaea, Neomyia, Polietes, Stomoxys and Thricops. Genus-level misidentifications were found only in Helina and Phaonia. Discrimination of examined material on the species level within Hydrotaea (318 specimens representing eight species) and Muscina (163 specimens representing four species) showed lower, yet still high average identification success, 97.2 and 98.8%, respectively. Our results revealed relatively high success in both genus and species identification of Muscidae of medico-legal importance. Semiautomated identification by means of wing measurements can be used by non-experts and does not require sophisticated equipment. This method will facilitate the identification of forensically relevant muscids in comparison to more difficult and more time-consuming identification approaches based on taxonomic keys or DNA-based methods. However, for unambiguous identification of some taxa, we recommend complementary use of identification keys.
Subject(s)
Muscidae/classification , Wings, Animal/physiology , Animals , Cadaver , Entomology , Forensic SciencesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Dermoscopy is a non-invasive diagnostic technique that allows visualization melanocytic lesions in even up to 100x magnification. Pattern, structure, distribution and density of melanin pigmentation allows to perform differential diagnosis between benign melanocytic nevi and malignant melanoma. Unique anatomical structure of acral volar skin determine the dermoscopic patterns of acral melanocytic lesions OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to analyse retrospectively dermoscopic patterns observed on the soles of the feet of the patients who were diagnosed at the Department of Dermatology Jagiellonian University, Krakow. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using retrospective data 360 dermoscopic images of acral melanocytic lesions present on the soles of 257 Caucasian patients were analysed, 179 (69.6%) women and 78 (30.4%) men. The types of patterns, the frequency of their occurrence and distribution of patterns on the skin soles of the feet have been analysed. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics. RESULTS: The most common pattern was the lattice-like pattern, which was seen in 120 (33.3%) images of melanocytic nevi. The fibrillar pattern was detected in 109 (30%) images and the parallel furrow pattern was identified in 80 (22.2%) images. 131 (36.4%) melanocytic lesions were located in arch area of the soles, while 126 (35%) in areas directly pressed by body weight and 103 (28.6%) in other areas. The fibrillar pattern was mostly observed in melanocytic lesions located in areas directly pressed by body weight 94 (86.2%), while the lattice-like pattern in arch area 81 (67.5%) and the parallel furrow pattern in other areas of the soles of the feet 51 (63.7%). Two of the melanocytic lesions showed nonspecific pattern and one parallel ridge pattern. One acral malignant lesion localized in arch area of the sole was detected. CONCLUSION: Dermoscopic patterns seen in melanocytic nevi in European population are similar to those seen in Japanese population. In analysed population the most common patten was lattice like pattern, followed by fibrillar and parallel furrow pattern, which differs from results of other studies Analysis showed differences in distribution of melanocytic nevi between anatomical sites of the soles. The lattice-like pattern was mosly observed in arch area, the fibrillar pat tern in areas directly pressed by body weight, the parallel furrow pattern in other areas. Vast majority of dermoscopic images showed patterns describing benign melanocytic lesions. Three of 360 melanocytic lesions had dermoscopic signs of malignancy.
