A survey of Calliphoridae and Mesembrinellidae (Diptera) in semideciduous seasonal forest, Paraná, Brazil

Abstract

Calliphoridae and Mesembrinellidae include Diptera species that are good indicators of changes in forest environments. The present work aimed to inventory the Calliphoridae and Mesembrinellidae in Ilha Grande National Park and correlate the abundance of these organisms with environmental variables. Adult dipterans were collected during two expeditions in 2019 using two sampling methods, a Malaise trap and baited traps, distributed on two islands in the park. During the study, 1,007 individuals of 12 species of Calliphoridae and four species of Mesembrinellidae were collected. Family Calliphoridae was more abundant (97.12%). The abundance of native species showed a strong negative correlation with the abundance of the genus Chrysomya. Rodrigues Island (Island I) had higher diversity levels and no species of Chrysomya were recorded in this area, which may indicate a greater degree of environmental preservation. The results indicate that human action in natural environments can negatively impact species diversity, as found in Ilha Grande National Park that, historically, was partially occupied and is still in the process of regeneration.

Keywords

• Atlantic Forest
• Blowflies
• Chrysomya
• Diversity
• Calyptratae