Diversity of Sarcophagidae (Insecta, Diptera) associated with decomposing carcasses in a rural area of the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract

Abstract. Cerrado biome presents high biodiversity, but it still lacks works that focus on entomological inventories. New records for species of Sarcophagidae were provided, including the first record of Blaesoxipha (Acridiophaga) caridei (Brèthes) to Brazil, and new occurrences of the following species for the Cerrado and/or for the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil: Blaesoxipha (Acanthodotheca) acridiophagoides (Lopes & Downs), Oxysarcodexia mineirensis Souza & Paseto, Oxysarcodexia occulta Lopes, Nephochaetopteryx orbitalis (Curran & Walley), Ravinia effrenata (Walker) and Sarcophaga (Neobellieria) polistensis (Hall). These flies are necrophagous and lay first instar larvae directly on the substrate for feeding and development. Pig carcasses were used as animal model for monitoring the decaying process and attractiveness to insects. This study aimed to evaluate the diversity and abundance of adult Sarcophagidae collected from eight pig carcasses exposed in two different environments at a rural area, and to identify which species used the carcasses as rearing substrates for the immatures. The experiment was carried out until the end of the carcasses decomposition, and lasted 49 days during the dry and cool season (2012), and 30 days during the wet and warm season (2013). A total of 44,446 adults of Sarcophagidae, belonging to 12 genera, 46 species and two morphotypes were collected, mostly during the decay stage of decomposition. In addition, 389 adults of Sarcophagidae emerged from the immatures collected from the carcasses. The present study demonstrated the high diversity of Sarcophagidae attracted by pig carcasses and the high ecological relevance to develop similar studies in other Cerrado areas.Diversidade de Sarcophagidae (Insecta, Diptera) associada à decomposição de carcaças em uma área rural do Estado de Minas Gerais, BrasilResumo. O bioma Cerrado apresenta grande biodiversidade, mas trabalhos sobre levantamento entomológico ainda são escassos. Novos registros de espécies de Sarcophagidae foram relatados, incluindo o registro inédito de Blaesoxipha (Acridiophaga) caridei (Brèthes) para o Brasil e novas ocorrências das seguintes espécies para o Cerrado e/ou para o estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil: Blaesoxipha (Acanthodotheca) acridiophagoides (Lopes & Downs), Oxysarcodexia mineirensis Souza & Paseto, Oxysarcodexia occulta Lopes, Nephochaetopteryx orbitalis (Curran & Walley), Ravinia effrenata (Walker) e Sarcophaga (Neobellieria) polistensis (Hall). Essas moscas são necrófagas e depositam suas larvas de primeiro instar diretamente sobre o substrato para alimentação e desenvolvimento. Carcaças suínas foram utilizadas como modelo animal para monitorar o processo de decomposição e atratividade de insetos. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a diversidade e abundância de sarcofagídeos adultos coletados em oito carcaças suínas expostas em dois diferentes ambientes de uma área rural, e identificar qual espécie utilizou a carcaça como substrato para criação dos imaturos. O experimento foi encerrado quando as carcaças atingiram o último estágio de decomposição, totalizando 49 dias durante a estação fria e seca (2012) e 30 dias durante a estação quente e úmida (2013). Um total de 44.446 sarcofagídeos adultos, pertencentes a 12 gêneros, 46 espécies e dois morfotipos, foi coletado, principalmente durante o estágio seco do processo de decomposição. Além disso, 389 sarcofagídeos adultos emergiram dos imaturos coletados nas carcaças. O presente estudo demonstrou a grande diversidade de Sarcophagidae atraídos por carcaças suínas e a relevância ecológica de desenvolver estudos similares em outras áreas do Cerrado.

Succession of medico-legal important flesh flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) in the temporal gradient of pig decomposition in the Brazilian Cerrado

“…These investigations require diverse environmental contexts, encompassing various seasons and regions characterized by distinct land use and coverage, including urban, rural, or natural vegetation areas. This approach allows for data extrapolation in order to establish the chronology of cadaver decomposition 3 , 4 , 9 , 14 , 16 .…”

“…In particular, when working with areas characterized by native vegetation, distinct biomes, or varying plant formations, there exists a notable diversity in the composition of Sarcophagidae species and the surrounding environmental conditions 7 , 9 , 10 , 14 , 17 – 19 . Consequently, it becomes imperative to investigate these contexts separately in order to enhance the accuracy of extrapolating previous knowledge to cadavers.…”

Scavengers flesh flies (Diptera, Sarcophagidae) from two phytophysiognomies in the state of Maranhão, Northeastern of Brazil

“…Many studies on the Sarcophagidae fauna of the Cerrado have been conducted in various regions of Brazil, particularly in the Central-West and Southeast areas (Rosa et al 2011, Paseto et al 2019, Toma et al 2020. Sousa et al (2016) carried out a comprehensive research on the scavenger Sarcophagidae fauna in several types of phytophysiognomy, including the Cerrado in the northeastern Brazilian state of Maranhão.…”

Ultrastructure Morphology of the Antennae of Three Peckia (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) Species: Peckia dominicana, P. nicasia, and P. chrysostoma

“…The study adds to ultrastructure studies on the antennae of Sarcophagidae, increasing the information available for comparison in phylogeny adaptations and synapomorphy.Sarcophagidae, a family of true flies, are highly valuable in forensic investigations as they commonly inhabit carcasses and corpses in both adult and larval forms. Oxysarcodexia Townsend, Blaesoxipha Loew, Sarcophaga Meigen, and Peckia Robineau-Desvoidy are globally recognised genera of Sarcophagidae that are of significant forensic and medical importance (Carrico et al 2017;Paseto et al 2019).The genus Peckia (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) exhibits remarkable diversity in its breeding habits. These flies lay their eggs in human corpses, vertebrate excrement, and carrion (Jirón et al 1983;Salviano et al 1996;Carvalho et al 2000;Reeves et al 2000).…”

“…Sarcophagidae, a family of true flies, are highly valuable in forensic investigations as they commonly inhabit carcasses and corpses in both adult and larval forms. Oxysarcodexia Townsend, Blaesoxipha Loew, Sarcophaga Meigen, and Peckia Robineau-Desvoidy are globally recognised genera of Sarcophagidae that are of significant forensic and medical importance (Carrico et al 2017; Paseto et al 2019).…”