Preliminary study of the sarcosaprophagous community in Córdoba (Argentina)

MARÍA ISABEL ARNALDOS, MOIRA BATTÁN AND MARÍA DOLORES GARCÍA

The Natural History Museum (London, UK)

Congreso; Second meeting of the European Association for Forensic Entomology; 2004

 It is well known that the arthropod community associated with a corpse varies between different regions. Due to the scardity of this kind of study in Argentina (Centeno, 2000; Oliva, 2001, Centeno et al., 2002), a preliminary study on sarcosaprophagous fauna was conducted in the central area of Argentina Republic, the results of which are presented. Study was carried out 5-km south from Córdoba, in an hemisynantropic Mediterranean area, belonging to the “espinal” environment, characterized by carob-trees (Prosopis alba and P. nigra). A modified Schoenly trap was used baited with plucked, beheaded chicken carcasses, with the skin, muscles and viscera in place. Samples were taken during November (austral spring), on alternate days, when collected specimens were taken away, and environment conditions, as well as that from inside the trap and the bait, were registered. 3427 adults and 456 preimaginal individuals were collected. They belong to 11 arthropod orders. Diptera appeared as the most abundant group, representing the 79% of total captures specimens. The most numerous Dipteran family was the Calliphoridae (Mainly Phaenicia sericata and Chrysomya albiceps), followed by Muscidea (mainly Musca domestica). Other abundant groups were Acarida, Hymenopteran Formicidae and Coleoptera (Cleridae, Staphylinidae and Dermestidae). The usual decomposition stages were observed: fresh, bloated, decay, advanced decay and skeletonization. Fresh and bloated stages were characterized by Diptera, both adult and larvae, and Formicidae. During decay stage, Dermestidae adult and larvae were present. During the advanced decay, the corpse was newly hydrated as a consequence of rains, and many primary Diptera could be seen in the corpse, together with Dermestidae. Skeletonization was characterized by a very high abundance of Dermestidae.