Carrion decomposition and assemblage of necrophagous dipterans associated with Terbufos (Organophosphate) intoxicated rat carcasses.

Carrion decomposition and assemblage of necrophagous dipterans associated with Terbufos (Organophosphate) intoxicated rat carcasses. Acta Trop. 2020 Aug 05;:105652 Authors: Jales JT, Barbosa TM, Dos Santos LC, Rachetti VPS, Gama RA Abstract Organophosphate use represents one of the main causes of intentional and accidental poisoning in Brazil. Because they induce alteration in carcass decomposition and succession of necrophagous Diptera, they are important investigative tool in forensic entomology for determining the postmortem interval (PMI) and cause of death. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the influence of Terbufos, the most commonly used organophosphate for suicides in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, in the decomposition process and necrophagous fly assemblies in intoxicated rat carcasses. For this, 150g female Wistar rats received, by gavage, 200µL of Terbufos (5mg/kg or 10mg/kg) or distilled water (control). Approximately 30 minutes after administration, animals were euthanized and distributed in suspended traps to decompose under environmental conditions. Decomposition was monitored daily, with photographic record and collection of the visiting dipterofauna until the dry phase. Data show that the higher dose of Terbufos i) accelerates carcass decomposition in 24h; ii) decreases the species richness and abundance of scavengers flies when compared to the control; iii) changes the succession pattern, delaying the arrival of impo...
Source: Acta Tropica - Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Tags: Acta Trop Source Type: research