Records of Chrysomya albiceps in Northern Italy: an ecological and forensic perspective

Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2009 Jul;104(4):555-7. doi: 10.1590/s0074-02762009000400003.

Abstract

Knowledge of the carrion-breeding insects present at a local level is important and necessary for defining the post-mortem interval. Climate changes and globalisation are affecting species ranges and population dynamics. In this note, we report the incidence of Chrysomya albiceps (Diptera: Calliphoridae) on dead human bodies and carrion in Northern Italy. These data confirm the spread of this species in the Northern regions. The partial sequencing of a 583-bp region of the cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 gene of an Adriatic population did not reveal any difference compared to the same genomic region in the African and South American populations of this species.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Cadaver
  • Diptera / enzymology
  • Diptera / growth & development*
  • Electron Transport Complex IV / genetics*
  • Female
  • Forensic Medicine*
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Larva / enzymology
  • Larva / growth & development
  • Middle Aged
  • Population Dynamics
  • Swine

Substances

  • Electron Transport Complex IV