Importance of Sphaeroceridae family as accelerators of the putrefaction process, nutrient recycling and in its association with the cadaveric decomposition process (Insecta: Diptera)

Abstract

The family is recognized for participating in the decomposition process of all kinds of organic material, being able to be polysaprophagous or specialists. They found each other in some of their life phases feeding on resources such as: fungi feces of various animal’s carcasses of invertebrates and carcasses of vertebrates. Despite their diverse biology, their medical and economic importance is not relevant, being potential mechanical transmitters of pathogens. They are pests in cheese industries, reducing the sanitary standards of manufacturing. There are also reports of intestinal miiase and damage to the cultivation of mushrooms. Carrion-feeding species are useful post mortem interval indicators in Forensic Entomology. This mini review aims to verify the importance of Sphaeroceridae as accelerators of the putrefaction process, nutrient recycling and its association with the cadaveric decomposition process. To this end, a bibliographic survey of Sphaeroceridae was carried out in the years 1955 to 2021. Only complete articles published in scientific journals and expanded abstracts presented at national and international scientific events were considered. Data were also obtained from platforms such as: Academia.edu, Frontiers, Qeios, Pubmed, Biological Abstract, Publons, Dialnet, World, Wide Science, Springer, RefSee and Microsoft Academic.