Sarcophaga Meigen Research Articles

Two new species of the 'Big Yellows' (Diptera: Sarcophagidae: Sarcophaga).

The informal name 'Big Yellows' is proposed for a possibly non-monophyletic assemblage of large-bodied, yellow-coloured species of flesh flies found in the Melanesian archipelagoes of Bismarck, Solomon and Vanuatu. The group comprises several species of Sarcophaga Meigen subgenus Sarcorohdendorfia Baranov plus the only species of Sarcophaga subgenus Chrysosarcophaga Townsend. Two new species are described from Melanesia: Sarcophaga (Sarcorohdendorfia) confusio sp. nov. (Bismarck Archipelago: New Britain, Yalom) and S. (S.) narabondxii sp. nov. (Solomon Islands: Nggele Islands). A key to the species of this group is provided, and their distribution is summarised. The subgenus Sarcorohdendorfia is diagnosed, and the presence of a single row of downward-facing setae along the ventral margin of the mesopleural anatergite is suggested as an important diagnostic feature. Sarcorohdendorfia Baranov, 1938 is proposed as a senior synonym of Omarisca Kurahashi, Tan & Leh, 2021, syn. nov., and Chrysosarcophaga whitneyi Curran, 1936 is proposed as a senior synonym of Sarcorohdendorfia imitatrix Baranov, 1938, syn. nov. Sarcophaga aureolata Pape & Kurahashi, 2000, S. pattoni Senior-White, 1924 and S. saprianovae Pape & Bänziger, 2000 are transferred from the subgenus Lioproctia Enderlein, 1928 to the subgenus Sarcorohdendorfia Baranov, 1938.

A review of morphological characters for the identification of three common European species of Sarcophaga s. str. (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), with an emphasis on female terminalia

The subgenus Sarcophaga Meigen, 1824 (s.str.) currently comprises over 30species distributed in the West Palearctic Region, the identification of which is normally based on characters of the male terminalia. Females of the three closely-related species Sarcophaga (Sarcophaga) carnaria (Linnaeus, 1758), S.(S.)subvicina Rohdendorf, 1937 and S.(S.)variegata (Scopoli, 1763), which are especially widespread and abundant in NWEurope, are considered morphologically indistinguishable by most authors. However, afew authors have proposed keys to separate females of these three species based on external and internal characters of the terminalia. Following apreliminary molecular identification using DNA barcode sequences (COI, cytochromec oxidase subunitI), we herein revise the morphological characters used to differentiate female S.carnaria, S.subvicina and S.variegata in existing identification keys as well as search for additional diagnostic characters. Our results suggest that only one previously-proposed female character, namely the length to width ratio of abdominal sternite7, can be used to separate S.subvicina from the other two species (Mann-Whitney U test: p<0.0001), at least in amajority of cases. Other characters, such as the degree of sclerotisation and setation of tergite8, show ahigh degree of overlap that does not allow to reliably separate females of these three species. Nevertheless, we propose acombination of characters that should allow the separation of female S.carnaria from female S.variegata in most cases. An additional analysis of males of the same species showed that the distribution of pruinosity and setation on syntergosternite7+8, acharacter mentioned in apreviously-published key, is also not reliable for identification.

New records of Sarcophaga Meigen (Diptera: Sarcophagidae: Sarcophaginae) for the Northeast region of Brazil

With the aim of reducing the gap in the knowledge on the Sarcophagidae fauna that occurring in the Northeast region of Brazil, the present work reports the unheard occurrence of two species of the genus Sarcophaga Meigen, 1826 in Bahia. The specimens were sampled in the urban area of the Salvador municipality (Bahia State, Brazil), through two collecting methods: traps using human feces as baits [adapted from the model proposed by Ferreira (1978)], and active sweep with entomological net. The present study brings the first record of Sarcophaga (Bercaea) africa for the Brazilian Northeast region and the first record of Sarcophaga (Liopygia) ruficornis for Bahia State.

Cuticular hydrocarbons for identifying Sarcophagidae (Diptera)

The composition and quantity of insect cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) can be species-specific as well as sexually dimorphic within species. CHC analysis has been previously used for identification and ageing purposes for several insect orders including true flies (Diptera). Here, we analysed the CHC chemical profiles of adult males and females of eleven species of flesh flies belonging to the genus Sarcophaga Meigen (Sarcophagidae), namely Sarcophaga africa (Wiedemann), S. agnata Rondani, S. argyrostoma Robineau-Desvoidy, S. carnaria (Linnaeus), S. crassipalpis Macquart, S. melanura Meigen, S. pumila Meigen, S. teretirostris Pandellé, S. subvicina Rohdendorf, S. vagans Meigen and S. variegata (Scopoli). Cuticular hydrocarbons extracted from pinned specimens from the collections of the Natural History Museum, London using a customised extraction technique were analysed using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry. Time of preservation prior to extraction ranged between a few weeks to over one hundred years. CHC profiles (1) allowed reliable identification of a large majority of specimens, (2) differed between males and females of the same species, (3) reliably associated males and females of the same species, provided sufficient replicates (up to 10) of each sex were analysed, and (4) identified specimens preserved for up to over one hundred years prior to extraction.

The hazards of Nomenclatural Archaeology? The Diptera names of Theodorus van Swinderen in his 1822 Index Rerum Naturalium quae conservantur in Museo Academico Groningano

The Diptera names listed by Theodorus van Swinderen in his list of animals and minerals in the Groningen Natural History Museum are itemized and annotated. Most of the names listed, including those newly proposed, are synonymous with previously published names. One (Sarcophaga Swinderen, 1822) is a senior synonym of the well-known Sarcophaga Meigen, 1824. It has been dealt with in a previous paper, and Sarcophaga Swinderen, 1822 is now declared a nomen oblitum. The following new synonymies are proposed herein: Acolasta Swinderen, 1822 = Sepedon Latreille, 1804, n. syn. [Sciomyzidae]; Cleona Swinderen, 1822 = Callomyia Meigen, 1804, n. syn. [Platypezidae]; Cleona acuminata Swinderen, 1822 = Callomyia elegans Meigen, 1804, n. syn. [Platypezidae]; Driope Swinderen, 1822 = Dorycera Meigen, 1830, n. syn. [Ulidiidae]; Macrostoma Swinderen, 1822 = Volucella Geoffroy, 1762, n. syn. [Syrphidae]; Marsupium Swinderen, 1822 = Sphegina Meigen, 1822, n. syn. [Syrphidae]; Nycteria Swinderen, 1822 = Pipiza Fallén, 1810, n. syn. [Syrphidae]; Pacystoma Swinderen, 1822 = Medetera Fischer von Waldheim, 1819, n. syn. [Dolichopodidae]; Penthesilia Swinderen, 1822 = Merodon Meigen, 1803, n. syn. [Syrphidae]; Tromera Swinderen, 1822 = Madiza Fallén, 1810, n. syn. [Milichiidae]. Titania Swinderen, 1822 (preoccupied by Titania Meigen, 1800) and its type species Titania albipennis Swinderen, 1822 are available names, but are considered here as nomina dubia and unplaced within Diptera. Thericas Swinderen, 1822 is considered unavailable as it is not accompanied by a description or a definition and is based on an unavailable name. Dorycera Meigen, 1830 is declared a nomen protectum and Driope Swinderen, 1822 is declared a nomen oblitum; Medetera muralis Meigen, 1824 is declared a nomen protectum and Pacystoma muralis Swinderen, 1822 a nomen oblitum.

Redefinition of Cornexcisia Fan amp; Kano, 2000 (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), with the first description of the female of Sarcophaga kurahashii (Shinonaga amp; Tumrasvin, 1979).

Sarcophaga Meigen, 1826 is proposed as a senior synonym of Cornexcisia Fan Kano, 2000, syn. nov. and Fanzideia Xue, Verves Du, 2011, syn. nov. Cornexcisia Fan Kano, 2000, stat. rev. is given status as a subgenus and is considered a senior synonym of Fanzideia Xue, Verves Du, 2011, syn. nov. at the subgeneric level. Cornexcisia is argued to contain S. (Cornexcisia) longicornuta (Fan Kano, 2000), comb. nov., S. (C.) cygnocerca (Xue, Verves Du, 2011), comb. nov., S. (C.) kurahashii (Shinonaga Tumrasvin, 1979), subgen. comb. nov. (from Phallosphaera Rohdendorf) and S. (C.) suthep Pape Bänziger, 2003, subgen. comb. nov. (from Rosellea Rohdendorf). Sarcophaga (C.) kurahashii is newly recorded from China (Yunnan), the male is redescribed and the female is described for the first time, supported by photographs, illustrations and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences. Species of Cornexcisia share an exceptionally long postpedicel in the female and the following apomorphic distiphallic appendages in the male: juxta ventro-proximally with an apically divided arm with cuticular pile, and lateral styli bifurcated from the base with each branch elongate, gently curved and slightly expanded apically. A key to the species of Cornexcisia is provided.

Molecular phylogeny of the hyperdiverse genus Sarcophaga (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), and comparison between algorithms for identification of rogue taxa.

The hyperdiverse genus Sarcophaga Meigen, with about 890 valid species arranged within 169 subgenera, accounts for almost half of the diversity of the subfamily Sarcophaginae. Current phylogenetic hypotheses for this genus are poorly supported or based on small taxon sets, or both. Here, we use molecular data from the genes COI and 28S to reconstruct the phylogeny of Sarcophaga based on the most comprehensive sampling for the group to date: 144 species from 47 subgenera, including representatives from all regional faunas for the first time. Of the total sequences of Sarcophaga used in the present study, 94.7% were newly generated. The secondary structure of the D1-D3 expansion segments of 28S is presented for the first time for the family Sarcophagidae, and is used in a multiple sequence alignment. Branch support and tree resolution increased remarkably through rogue taxa identification and exclusion. Rogue behaviour was explained mostly as a missing data problem. The RogueNaRok web service and the algorithms chkmoves, IterPCR and prunmajor implemented in the computer program TNT were equally good at identifying critical rogue species, but chkmoves and IterPCR also identified rogue clades. Pruning rogues increased the number of monophyletic subgenera in consensus trees from one to six out of 19 subgenera with more than one representative species. Bayesian inference, maximum-likelihood and parsimony analyses recovered more monophyletic subgenera after the removal of rogue taxa, with parsimony showing the largest improvements in branch support and resolution. Although with low support, Nearctic taxa were found to be the earliest diverging lineages, followed by a subsequent diversification of Old World faunas, which is in agreement with currently available evidence of a New World origin and early diversification of Sarcophaga.

Molecules and morphology unite Sarcophaga (Stackelbergeola) Rohdendorf and S. (Rohdendorfisca) Grunin within megadiverse Sarcophaga Meigen (sensu lato) (Diptera, Sarcophagidae)

The largest genus of the family Sarcophagidae (Insecta, Diptera), Sarcophaga Meigen (sensu lato), has ~160 subgenera; however, the validity and phylogenetic relationships of these are still unclear, impeding progress in evolutionary studies. This study presents a phylogenetic hypothesis for selected subgenera of Sarcophaga s.l. based on COI sequences (685 bp) for 87 species representing 27 valid subgenera. The subgenera Stackelbergeola Rohdendorf and Rohdendorfisca Grunin are reconsidered in the light of new molecular, morphological and biological data. The female is described for the first time for a representative of both subgenera, and Sarcophaga (Rohdendorfisca) flagellifera (Grunin) is shown to be a parasitoid of tettigoniid grasshoppers. As the male of Sarcophaga (Stackelbergeola) sushkini (Rohdendorf) is insufficiently documented in the literature, a redescription is provided based on material from Xinjiang, thereby providing the first record of this subgenus and species from China. Detailed documentation through photographs, scanning electron microscopy and illustrations of the adult morphology is also provided. The subgenera Stackelbergeola and Rohdendorfisca are shown to be monophyletic, together forming a monophylum supported by molecular and morphological data, and they are placed in a wider phylogenetic context of the megadiverse genus Sarcophaga s.l.

Muscle attachment site (MAS) patterns for species determination in five species of Sarcophaga (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)

To further establish species determination using the muscle attachment site (MAS) pattern method, third instar larvae of five forensically important species of Sarcophaga Meigen were investigated: Sarcophaga argyrostoma (Robineau-Desvoidy), Sarcophaga caerulescens Zetterstedt, Sarcophaga melanura Meigen, Sarcophaga albiceps Meigen and Sarcophaga similis Meade. As in the previously investigated Calliphoridae, patterns were found to be species specific. The main feature of the Sarcophaga patterns is the divided central horizontal row of segment four. A genus pattern was established to be used as base for comparison in further species determination.

Sarcophaga (Liosarcophaga) tibialis Macquart 1851 (Diptera: Sarcophagidae): micromorphology of preimaginal stages of a fly of medical and veterinary interest

Sarcophagids are a large family of Diptera, with a worldwide distribution. They are related to decomposing organic matter and are very interesting for health science and in forensic cases since many species produce myiasis and occur in human corpses. This family is considered difficult to study, particularly with regard to their immature stages, to which little attention has been paid. Genus Sarcophaga Meigen, 1826 is composed of species of very similar morphology, making very difficult to distinguish. Knowledge of the immature stages of this genus is important because such stages occupy the greater part of the life cycle, so that establishing a basis for their identification will increase their usefulness in systematic and applied sciences. This contribution presents a detailed study of the morphological features, both external and internal, of the preimaginal stages of Sarcophaga (Liosarcophaga) tibialis Macquart, 1851, providing a taxonomical context for the correct identification of Liosarcophaga species of forensic interest in the Iberian Peninsula. Both light and scanning electron microscopy were applied. Complete descriptions of every stage are provided and illustrated, and their usefulness for species comparison, taking into account our uneven knowledge of morphologically immature stages of this subgenus, is indicated. Features of the cephalopharyngeal skeleton, such as the shape of the mouth hook and the intermediate and basal sclerites, and external morphology, such as the pattern of spinose band and anterior and posterior spiracles, proved useful for separating species. Finally, tentative identification keys based on light microscopy observation to distinguish S. (L.) tibialis from other species of forensic interest belonging to Liosarcophaga subgenus are proposed for every immature stage.

Phylogeny ofHeteronychia: the largest lineage ofSarcophaga(Diptera: Sarcophagidae)

Sarcophaga Meigen is one of the megadiverse genera of true flies, with approximately 850 valid species worldwide. The genus is divided into about 160 subgenera, the validity of a vast majority of which has never been verified using cladistic methods. This paper deals with the mainly Palaearctic subgenus Heteronychia Brauer & Bergenstamm, which comprises 89 species and is thus the largest subunit of Sarcophaga. We performed a cladistic analysis of the group based exclusively on male morphological characters. Parsimony analyses were run on a matrix of 84 characters for 88 species. Species of the subgenera Discachaeta Enderlein and Notoecus Stein were also included in the matrix. A further analysis was carried out using a subset of characters from the terminalia alone (70 characters). The results show that the clade formed by Heteronychia, Discachaeta, and Notoecus is monophyletic, with Discachaeta emerging as polyphyletic whereas Sarcophaga (Notoecus) longestylata Strobl is nested within the Sarcophaga filia-group. Character states supporting Heteronychia and the few well-supported species-groups are discussed in detail. The following synonymies are proposed: Discachaeta = Heteronychia (syn. nov.) and Notoecus = Heteronychia (syn. nov.). The paper also includes a historical background of the taxon in relation to the classification of the genus Sarcophaga over the past two centuries, as well as a terminological review of the male terminalia, particularly of the distiphallus.

&lt;i&gt;Sarcophaga&lt;/i&gt; (&lt;i&gt;Hoa&lt;/i&gt;) &lt;i&gt;flexuosa&lt;/i&gt; Ho (Diptera: Sarcophagidae): association of sexes using morphological and molecular approaches, and a redefinition of &lt;i&gt;Hoa&lt;/i&gt; Rohdendorf

Sarcophaga flexuosa Ho, 1934 is the type species of the currently monotypic genus-group taxon Hoa Rohdendorf, 1937, which here is considered a subgenus of Sarcophaga Meigen, 1826. Using DNA sequences of mitochondrial genes (cytochrome oxidase I and cytochrome b), we positively identify, for the first time, the female of S. (H.)flexuosa. The female is described, the male is redescribed, and both sexes are illustrated using a combination of line drawings, photographs and scanning electron microscopy images. It is argued from the morphology of the male terminalia that Sarcophagaflexuosa is the sister taxon of Sarcophaga basiseta Baranov, 1931, and the subgenus Hoa is redefined to include both of these species.

New records and distributional data on Sarcophaga (Heteronychia) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) from Turkey

Sixteen species belonging to subgenus Heteronychia Brauer & Bergenstamm, 1889 of Sarcophaga Meigen, 1826 were recorded from the Bayburt, Erzincan, and Erzurum provinces of Turkey during 2008-2010. Five of these species, Sarcophaga (Heteronychia) armeniaca (Rohdendorf, 1937), S. (H.) bulgarica (Enderlein, 1936), S. (H.) clarahenae (Lehrer, 1999), S. (H.) monspellensia Bottcher, 1913, and S. (H.) recta (Rohdendorf, 1937) represent new records for the Turkish fauna. With these new records, the number of species belonging to subgenus Heteronychia known from Turkey has been increased from 19 to 24.

Phylogenetic relationships of flesh flies in the subfamily Sarcophaginae based on three mtDNA fragments (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)

In an effort to improve our knowledge of the phylogenetic relationships among species and genera of the subfamily Sarcophaginae, we analysed data from three mitochondrial gene fragments. Sequence data for portions of the genes cytochrome oxidase I (COI), cytochrome oxidase II (COII) and dehydrogenase subunit 4 (ND4) were obtained from 43 species of Sarcophagidae representing 15 genera. We used a Bayesian approach to simultaneously choose how best to partition the data and which substitution model to apply to each partition. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred using Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood methods. Our results are consistent with monophyly of the subfamily Sarcophaginae (posterior probability 1; bootstrap support 93%), as well as with monophyly of several genera within the Sarcophaginae (including Sarcophaga s.l.; posterior probability 1; bootstrap support 97%). We found support for a sister‐group relationship between Ravinia Robineau‐Desvoidy and Oxysarcodexia Townsend, which has been hypothesised by past authors on the basis of morphological similarities, although this was supported only in the Bayesian analyses (posterior probability 0. 81–0. 98), and for some novel supra‐generic clades. Contrary to a recent morphological hypothesis, we do not find Helicobia Coquillett to be nested within Sarcophaga Meigen; our data suggest, but do not strongly support, a hypothesis that Peckia Robineau‐Desvoidy is the sister group to Sarcophaga.

Towards a phylogeny of the flesh flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae): morphology and phylogenetic implications of the acrophallus in the subfamily Sarcophaginae

The morphology of the acrophallus, the distal portion of the male phallus carrying the phallotreme, was studied in 72 exemplar species representing 56 genera and subgenera of the flesh fly subfamily Sarcophaginae. For 42 of those species, scanning electron microscopy was used to clarify the phallic morphology. Terms used to describe the male genitalia were updated based on new interpretations of homology. Male genitalic characters, combined with other morphological characters of adult males and females and of larvae, were used to construct a phylogeny. The monophyly of the subfamily was supported, and some generic-level sister-group relationships proposed in the literature, but without previous cladistic analyses, were also supported. The genus Blaesoxipha Loew, as currently recognized, was not monophyletic in our analysis. The genus Helicobia Coquillett is synonymized with Sarcophaga Meigen syn. nov. and treated as a subgenus of the latter. The Sarcophaga subgenera Neobellieria Blanchard and Mehria Enderlein were not monophyletic. Many of the clades in the analysis were supported primarily or exclusively by male genitalic character states, highlighting the importance of the male genitalia as a source of morphological characters for sarcophagine phylogeny.

A review of the Sarcophaga (Heteronychia) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) of Sardinia

An account is given of the species of Sarcophaga Meigen, 1826 subgenus Heteronychia Brauer &amp; Bergenstamm, 1889 known from the island of Sardinia (Italy). Most of the nearly 1,400 specimens examined were collected in the SW part of the island during 2003–2006 as part of a project investigating the arthropod diversity of the Monti Marganai and Montimannu areas (respectively Carbonia-Iglesias and Medio Campidano provinces). The study resulted in the finding of eight species of Heteronychia, six of which are recorded from Sardinia for the first time. Sarcophaga (Heteronychia) penicillata Villeneuve, 1907, previously mentioned in the literature, is excluded from the fauna of the island. Sarcophaga (Heteronychia) thirionae (Lehrer, 1976) is recorded for the first time from Europe and North Africa (Algeria). One species, Sarcophaga (Heteronychia) gabrielei sp. nov., from various sites in the limestone massif of Marganai, is described as new. Previously unpublished records from other Italian regions and from other countries (Algeria, Canary Islands, Greece) are also given for several species. Sarcophaga (Heteronychia) schnabli Villeneuve, 1911 is recognized as a junior synonym of S. (H.) consanguinea Rondani, 1860 syn. nov. The possible synanthropy of Sarcophaga (Heteronychia) pandellei (Rohdendorf, 1937) is briefly discussed. A key to males and females of all known Sardinian and Corsican species of Sarcophaga (Heteronychia) is provided.

Comparative morphology of early stages of two Mediterranean Sarcophaga Meigen, 1826 (Diptera; Sarcophagidae) and a review of the feeding habits of Palaearctic species

The third instar larva of Sarcophaga hirticrus Pandellé, 1896 and Sarcophaga javita (Peris, González-Mora and Mingo, 1998) are described and figured for the first. The use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has been demonstrated as an effective tool for determining differences at the specific level, and is here applied. The two species are distinguished from other Sarcophaga spp. and the principal diagnostic character states are illustrated and discussed. Comparative information on immature stages morphology of the described Palaearctic Sarcophaga species and its feeding habits are compiled and provided in a tabulated form.

Flowers, faeces and cadavers: natural feeding and laying habits of flesh flies in Thailand (Diptera: Sarcophagidae, Sarcophaga spp.)

Baiting and flower watching mainly in forest habitats throughout Thailand (1997–2002) yielded 46 species of Sarcophaga Meigen. About 50% of the species are new to Thailand and several new to science. All 67 species of Sarcophaga so far reported from Thailand are listed and their taxonomic status and nomenclature updated. Emphasis on rearing (523 broods) ensured species identification through the male progeny of the otherwise mostly unidentifiable females, and allowed several new correct male–female associations, besides offering new insights into the flies' breeding strategies. Three natural larviposition habits were observed in the wild: (1) on faeces of carnivorous and omnivorous, but not herbivorous, mammals (coprobiodotic), e.g. S. africa (Wiedemann), S. albiceps Meigen, S. misera Walker; (2) on cadaver (necrobiodotic), e.g. S. krathonmai Pape and Bänziger, S. nathani (Lopes), S. saprianovae Pape and Bänziger; and (3) on both of them (amphibiodotic), e.g. S. dux Thompson, S. ruficornis (Fabricius). However, larvae of copro- and necrobiodotic species experimentally transferred to cadaver and faeces, respectively, also developed to normal adults. The unexpected laying choosiness between excrement or carrion in the wild is discussed, together with the role played by laying habits in deceptive pollination systems and myiases.

Three new species of Sarcophaga Meigen found during ecological studies on flesh flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) in Thailand

AbstractThree new species of Sarcophaga Meigen, 1826 are described from Thailand: Sarcophaga (Sarcosolomonia) circa sp. nov., S. (Mehria) lanna sp. nov. and S. (Rosellea) suthep sp. nov.

Nomenclature of Musca carnaria Linnaeus, 1758 : Diptera : Sarcophagidae

The nomenclature of Musca carnaria Linnaeus, 1758, currently in the genus Sarcophaga Meigen, 1826, is succinctly reviewed. The original type material is discussed and argued to consist of at least one North American as well as several European specimens, with most of the latter no longer in existence. The lectotype designation and the resulting nomenclatural changes are discussed in light of recent critique. The lectotype designation is in agreement with the relevant articles of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, but by abandoning the (at that time) current usage it may arguably be considered too rigid an application of the Principle of Priority. As such, the lectotype designation may not have been optimal when proposed, yet the general acceptance in the scientific literature emerging during the last fifteen years provides hope for nomenclatural stability, and no contrary action is recommended.