Effect of diazinon (organophosphate) on the composition and succession of Calliphoridae assemblages in rabbit carcasses in the Eastern Amazon

AbstractFatal poisonings with diazinon may occur both accidentally or intentionally in suicide cases. Forensic entomotoxicology can aid in understanding these deaths by detecting and analyzing the interference of toxic substances in the biology of necrophagous insects. Hence, this study sought to evaluate diazinon ’s effect on the composition and succession of calliphorid species in the tropical savannas of the Amazon. Nine rabbit carcasses were divided into three groups: one control and two diazinon treatments (100 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg); each group had three replicates. Three fragments of the Amazon tropi cal savanna were selected for the experiments. Daily collections of adult and immature calliphorids were performed. Five decomposition stages were observed: fresh, bloated, active decay co-occurring, advanced decay, and dry. Eight species of Calliphoridae were identified among the collected adults:Chloroprocta idioidea (0.1%),Chrysomya albiceps (58.3%),Chrysomya megacephala (14.2%),Chrysomya putoria (2.6%),Cochliomyia hominivorax (1.3%),Cochliomyia macellaria (0.5%),Lucilia eximia (19.8%), andParalucilia paraensis (3.3%). The adult specimens in the control group with the highest abundance were observed only from the advanced decay stage onward. In the dry stage, abundance was higher in control than in treated carcasses. From the sampled 941 Calliphorid immatures, three species were identified: C. albiceps (76,3%),C. putoria (1%), andL. eximia (22,7). The number of immatu...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - Category: Medical Law Source Type: research