Abstract
Despite its veterinary, medical and forensic importance, the biodiversity of sarcophagid flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) has remained poorly investigated in India. We have performed a survey of Sarcophagidae species in connection with a study conducted on Diptera, which exposed the flesh fly diversity in and around the campus of the University of Calicut, Kerala, India. The survey was conducted using traps baited with decomposing fish and chicken liver and by the sweeping method. Eleven species were collected, including four species recorded from this state for the first time, one of which is new to the Indian mainland and the second record after Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve. Male terminalia of Sinonipponia bengalensis, Parasarcophaga choudhuryi, Boettcherisca karnyi, and Boettcherisca nathani are illustrated. This result expands the knowledge on the geographical distribution and habitat occupancy of sarcophagid species as well as their forensic relevance and provides a background for future systematic investigations.
Highlights
Sarcophagid flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), commonly known as flesh flies, are abundant in all zoogeographic regions of the world with approximately 171 genera and 3,094 species (Pape et al 2011)
Four of the 11 species were newly recorded from the state of Kerala, i.e., Sinonipponia bengalensis Nandi, Parasarcophaga (Liosarcophaga) choudhuryi Sinha & Nandi, Boettcherisca karnyi (Hardy), and Boettcherisca nathani Lopes
The present study on flesh fly species in the University of Calicut campus revealed a relatively high level of diversity of flesh flies showing the presence of nearly 50% of previously reported species of Kerala, in the University Campus
Summary
Sarcophagid flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), commonly known as flesh flies, are abundant in all zoogeographic regions of the world with approximately 171 genera and 3,094 species (Pape et al 2011). Flesh flies show a large range of feeding habits, with adult flies feeding on nectar, fruit juice, and decomposing animal matters; they carry different types of germs on their body surface, which may cause diseases in humans and other animals, and larvae of some species are parasitic on various invertebrates, breed in vertebrate and invertebrate carrion, faeces or decaying organic matter (Pape 1987, 1996; Amoudi et al 1992; AlMisned 2000; Al-Misned et al 2001; Graczyk et al 2005; Pape et al 2010; Al-Khalifa et al 2020). This variety of feeding methods can have a direct impact on their capacity as pathogenic vectors and the larvae of some species cause myiasis in humans as well as in different animals
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