Necrophagous Muscoids that develop in carcasses of Didelphis albiventris Lund, 1841 (Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae) in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Abstract

Information regarding the similarity of the fauna that colonizes decomposing wildlife is insipient among the different carcass models. Species with different tissues and alimentary diets are hypothesized to be a colonization source of different necrophagous species. To verify this hypothesis, we observed the decomposition of a carcass of Didelphis albiventris Lund, 1841 (Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae), that had been run over by a vehicle. 2,273 adults were reared from specimens at immature stages collected on the carcass. The most representative species belongs to Calliphoridae, Muscidae, Sarcophagidae and Fanniidae, with numeric dominance of Lucilia eximia Wiedemann, 1819 (Diptera, Calliphoridae). Another six species were found, besides non-identified Fanniidae specimens. All species were colonizers of traditionally used forensic models.

Keywords

• Calliphoridae
• forensic entomology
• wildlife