First record of Physyphora alceae (Preyssler, 1791) (Diptera, Ulidiidae) from a forensic case in Northern Italy: description of immature stages, DNA barcoding and phylogenetic analysis

Abstract

In forensic entomology the estimation of the minimum postmortem interval and any other evaluation depend on the accuracy of the species identification. Despite the most common species received a lot of attention in the last years, other species belonging to less common families still remain poorly studied and sometimes their immature stages are not described. The finding of Physyphora alceae (Preyssler, 1791) (Diptera, Ulidiidae) in a decapitated cadaver in Northern Italy allowed the description of the III instar larvae and of the puparium of this species. Further molecular analysis allowed the confirmation of the correct species identification and the monophyly of the genus. In general, phylogenetic analysis confirmed the monophyly of the family, however some issues arised on the real monophyly of the genus Homalocephala. This paper highlights the need of a combination of morphological and molecular identification of the species especially when immatures are collected.

Morphological and molecular characterization of puparia of Piophilidae species of forensic relevance

“…Properly illustrated descriptions of puparial morphology are therefore needed to enable the reliable identification of material collected either at a forensic scene or an archaeological site. Regrettably, with very few exceptions (Giordani et al, 2018; Giordani & Vanin, 2020; Tuccia et al, 2021), morphological studies of the puparia of fly species of forensic and archaeological relevance have been neglected.…”