Successional pattern of necrophagous diptera on a dead Asiatic jackal’s (Canis aureus Linnaeus, 1758) body in Veerangana durgawati Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract

The field of forensic entomology emphasizes the close relationship between insects and cadavers, as well as the utilization of insects in medicolegal investigations, and helps understand the reasons for death. In forensic science, the presence of necrophagous dipteran flies on a dead body is particularly important as well as they play a significant role in the decomposition of the carcass. In recent times, necrophagous fly data has been used to investigate the causes of mortality. The evidence is useful in the estimation of post-mortem interval (PMI) which is important insolvingmedico-legal cases in human beings, and also helpful in wildlife forensics. The present paper reports day-wise observations of the dipteran visitors on the decaying corpse of the Asiatic Jackal in the Veerangana Durgawati Wildlife Sanctuary, Damoh district, Madhya Pradesh. Adult dipteran flies consisting of five species fewer than four families namely Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, Muscidae, and Sepsidae were collected from the site. Chrysomya megacephala was the first visitor of the carcass and both Chrysomya megacephala and Chrysomya rufifacies were the most common species during the various stages of decay of the cadaver. The other necrophagous flies which visited the cadaver were: Musca planiceps, Sarcophaga (Seniorwhitea) princeps, and Themira bifida. This study is the first of its kind conducted in Central India. The findings might be used to supplement the information in forensic investigations for criminal cases and wildlife hunting from India