Colonization of rabbit carcasses by drain fly larvae, psychoda sp. (Diptera: Psychodidae): The first report
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-1-2021
Abstract
Introduction Psychoda sp. is often collected from patchy habitats such as sewers, drains and decomposing organic matters. The discovery of Psychoda sp. in forensic studies indicated that it might have noteworthy value in assisting death investigations. Purpose This study reports on the first finding of Psychoda larvae collected from decomposing rabbit carcasses placed in Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia. Methods The larvae were first observed on rabbit carcasses and were collected using tweezers and carefully preserved in 70% ethanol. They were subsequently mounted on microscopy slides using Hoyer's medium and identified as Psychoda sp. morphologically. The identification was also confirmed through a DNA barcoding analysis. Results Psychoda sp. larvae were collected on day-10 post-mortem where the rabbit carcasses were at the advanced decay stage of decomposition. The cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene sequences of the larvae had 90% similarity with the Psychoda spp. in the database. Conclusion The finding of these larvae on carrion may provide additional valuable insights into forensic entomology and may assist in death investigations.
Keywords
Psychoda sp, Forensic entomology, Malaysia, Highland, Drain fly
Divisions
tidrec
Funders
Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor, Malaysia [600-IRMI/DANA-KCM-5/3/LESTARI (147/2017)] [600-IRMI 5/3/GIP (017/2018)],Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE) program, University of Malaya [MO002-2019]
Publication Title
Acta Parasitologica
Volume
66
Issue
2
Publisher
Springer International Publishing Ag
Publisher Location
GEWERBESTRASSE 11, CHAM, CH-6330, SWITZERLAND