A preliminary investigation of insect colonization and succession on remains of rabbits treated with an organophosphate insecticide in El-Qalyubiya Governorate of Egypt
Sawaby, Rabab; Abd El-Bar, Marah Mohammad Hassan Abd El-Bar;
Abstract
A preliminary field study in the summer in a rural village in El-Qalyubiya Governorate (Egypt) compared
the necrophagous insects colonizing the cadavers of two male rabbits (Oryctolagus cunicullus domesticus
L.) killed by asphyxia (control), with two poisoned by the organophosphate (OP) pesticide pirimiphosmethyl
(test). Decay of control carcasses was rapid since they reached the skeletal stage in only 19 days.
Test carcasses did not decay completely, even 40 days post-killing. Insect species colonizing both
carcasses types were not different, indicating that despite its odor, the OP were not masking the
decomposition odors which were drawing the species to the bodies. The blowfly Chrysomya albiceps
(Weidemann) constituted 76.6% of all samples collected. They were the first colonizers and played a
major role in the decomposition process of control carcasses and in the partial decay of the test ones.
They were significantly fewer numbers of immature stages developing on the test carcasses which
probably contributed to their distinct lag and poor decomposition. Samples indicate that 17.3% of the
insects were members of the Formicidae. This family was present in all carcasses, mostly in the early
stages of decomposition. Formicidaemay be considered omnivorous, and one of the fauna which use the
cadaver as a refuge, to obtain humidity and food. This study provides additional knowledge in the
context of Egyptian forensic entomology and the influence of OP which is of relevance to forensic science.
the necrophagous insects colonizing the cadavers of two male rabbits (Oryctolagus cunicullus domesticus
L.) killed by asphyxia (control), with two poisoned by the organophosphate (OP) pesticide pirimiphosmethyl
(test). Decay of control carcasses was rapid since they reached the skeletal stage in only 19 days.
Test carcasses did not decay completely, even 40 days post-killing. Insect species colonizing both
carcasses types were not different, indicating that despite its odor, the OP were not masking the
decomposition odors which were drawing the species to the bodies. The blowfly Chrysomya albiceps
(Weidemann) constituted 76.6% of all samples collected. They were the first colonizers and played a
major role in the decomposition process of control carcasses and in the partial decay of the test ones.
They were significantly fewer numbers of immature stages developing on the test carcasses which
probably contributed to their distinct lag and poor decomposition. Samples indicate that 17.3% of the
insects were members of the Formicidae. This family was present in all carcasses, mostly in the early
stages of decomposition. Formicidaemay be considered omnivorous, and one of the fauna which use the
cadaver as a refuge, to obtain humidity and food. This study provides additional knowledge in the
context of Egyptian forensic entomology and the influence of OP which is of relevance to forensic science.
Other data
Title | A preliminary investigation of insect colonization and succession on remains of rabbits treated with an organophosphate insecticide in El-Qalyubiya Governorate of Egypt | Authors | Sawaby, Rabab ; Abd El-Bar, Marah Mohammad Hassan Abd El-Bar | Keywords | Forensic entomology, Insect development, Organophosphate, Pirimiphos-methyl, Chrysomya albiceps, Egypt. | Issue Date | 20-May-2011 | Publisher | Elsevier Ireland Ltd | Source | 13 | Journal | Forensic Science International | Series/Report no. | 208;e26–e30 | DOI | 10.1016/j.forsciint.2010.10.007 |
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