Dipterofauna Associated With Rat Carcasses in the Atlantic Forest, Southeastern Brazil

A study on the Atlantic Forest remnant of Floresta da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, revealed that fly diversity and abundance associated with rat carcasses varied significantly across seasons. The research identified 12 families of flies, with Calliphoridae being the most prevalent (4,884 specimens), followed by Sarcophagidae, Micropezidae, Fannidae, Muscidae, Phoridae, and Neridae. While no direct correlation was found between fly abundance and seasons, carcass decomposition lasted longer in winter (12 days) compared to summer (8 days). The Margalef richness index indicated higher species richness in spring and winter, while the Shannon-Wiener index showed greater diversity in spring. Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae were particularly dominant during the fermentation stage of decomposition. These findings underscore the importance of regional studies in forensic entomology, as local environmental conditions influence insect succession patterns on carcasses.

Carvalho, R. P., Azevedo, W. T. A., Figueiredo, A. L., Lessa, C. S. S., & Aguiar, V. M. (2017). Dipterofauna Associated With Rat Carcasses in the Atlantic Forest, Southeastern Brazil. Journal of Medical Entomology, 54(6), 1498–1509. https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjx118