Sarcophagidae (Diptera) with forensic potential in Amazonas: a pictorial key

Abstract

First and foremost, forensic entomology requires the correct identification of the specimens found on a corpse. Among the fly families of greatest forensic importance, the Sarcophagidae (flesh flies) has fewer published keys for the identification of species. Also, identification of flesh flies is not a trivial task due to the complexity of the diagnostic characters found in the male genitalia. To fill this lacuna, here we provide a pictorial key to the species of Sarcophagidae of potential forensic importance found in the central Amazon region of Brazil. This key includes pictures of the main diagnostic characters for 23 species in four genera of Sarcophaginae. As a consequence of preparing this key, we discovered and present new species records for central Amazon.