Levantamento preliminar da fauna de Diptera (Insecta) associada à carcaça do porco doméstico (Sus scrofa L.) em área de Cerrado de Rondonópolis – MT

Abstract

Insects play an important role in nature acting on the decomposition process. Some groups are the first to locate a corpse within minutes of the individual's death, and they remain in the body throughout the decomposition process. Knowledge of the succession of cadaveric entomofauna is important in forensic and ecological studies, as it contributes to the identification of patterns associated with decomposition stages, as well as to the identification of bioindicator groups which can be used in the calculation of postmortem interval estimation (MPI). For this reason, a survey about Diptera entomofauna of forensic importance was accomplished in a Cerrado area located in the campus of the Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso (UFMT), situated in Rondonópolis-MT. Insect collection occurred during the beginning of the dry season (May 2019). Four carcasses of domestic pig (S. scrofa), protected by screened metal cages, were used as bait, allowing only the entry of small arthropods and plastic trays containing sawdust to capture immature insects whom eventually leave the carcass. A total of 664 Diptera individuals were obtained from 13 families, which 4 were of forensic importance: Calliphoridae (7 spp.), Muscidae (3 spp.), Fanniidae (4 spp.) and Sarcophagidae (4 mofoespecies). A total of 8 genera and 15 species of forensic importance were recorded. Chrysomya albiceps Wiedemann, 1819 (Calliphoridae) was the most abundant and recorded in all phases of carcass decomposition. The less abundant species were Lucilia cuprina Wiedemann, 1830 and Cochliomyia macellaria Fabricius, 1775 (Calliphoridae), Fannia canicularis Linnaeus, 1761 (Fanniidae) and Ophira aenescens Wiedemann, 1830 (Muscidae). Nine families were considered as visitors of the carcass, for instance: Ulidiidae (21 ind.) The most abundant followed by Chloropidae (6 ind.) And Tachinidae (3 ind.). Oestridae ("doubleton") and Drosophilidae, Empididae, Ephydridae, Micropezidae and Tephritidae ("singletons") were considered rare.