Dermestes maculatus (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) development under fluoxetine effect using two drug administration models

Abstract

Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, commonly used for the treatment of a variety of psychopathological conditions. As such, fluoxetine may be expected to appear in clinical and forensic cases. Dermestes maculatus De Geer (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) has been recognized as a relevant component of the insect fauna associated with decomposing human and animal remains. Experiments were conducted to study the effect of fluoxetine on developing D. maculatus using twodrug administration models: a non-living animal model (pork muscle) and a living one (Sus scrofa L. pigs). We assessed the duration of immature stages and total life cycle, as well as morphological parameters (body length, cephalic width, and weight). The effect of fluoxetine was studied at an overdose concentration: In the non-living animal model the drug was mixed with macerated pork muscle (2000 mg/kg) and in the living animal model, pigs were given the drug orally (833 mg/kg). A control was used for each model. Daily observations were performed from the beginning to the end of the experiments. GC-MS was used for drug detection and quantification. There were no statistically significant differences in the duration of immature stages, life cycle, larval mortality, morphological parameters, or sex ratio, between treatment and control, regardless of the drug administration model. Given that fluoxetine had no detectable effect on the development of D. maculatus, detection of this drug in forensic situations would not compromise the accuracy of PMI estimations.

Forensic significance of Roundup Full® II effect on the development of Dermestes maculatus (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) and Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

“…Furthermore, this organophosphate caused an increment in the duration of Megaselia scalaris Loew life cycle which was attributable to an increment in the time elapsed from eclosion to pupariation [32]. Different responses to a xenobiotic could be assumed depending upon different factors, such as species, xenobiotic type, xenobiotic concentration, dose, stage of development, variability among individuals, and pharmacokinetics, among others; therefore, the rates of development could be increased, delayed, or unchanged [8, 11, 32].…”

“…The control was a homogenate of pork muscle without the herbicide (0 mL/kg). More details of the protocol are described in Zanetti et al [8].…”

“…Toxicological analysis of insects found at the place of death or on a corpse can help determine the cause of death or the circumstances that surrounded it. Also that analysis can contribute to the estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI) and to establish the geographical area where the body had rested or its origin [8]. Insect development can be affected by different variables, such as toxic substances or xenobiotics [8].…”

“…Also that analysis can contribute to the estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI) and to establish the geographical area where the body had rested or its origin [8]. Insect development can be affected by different variables, such as toxic substances or xenobiotics [8]. Different studies show that the decomposition process, colonization of corpses, species succession, and/or the development of insects or arthropods, and so on, may be affected and this may or may not influence the estimate of the PMI [8][9][10].…”

“…Insect development can be affected by different variables, such as toxic substances or xenobiotics [8]. Different studies show that the decomposition process, colonization of corpses, species succession, and/or the development of insects or arthropods, and so on, may be affected and this may or may not influence the estimate of the PMI [8][9][10]. While some work has been conducted on glyphosate effects on arthropods (see Table 1), no work has been conducted on necrophagous and saprophagous insects, like those found on decomposing remains.…”