Comparative study of dipteran diversity and their succession on rabbit carrion in two different residential areas

Abstract

Field studies on exposed rabbit carcasses were carried out over 14 days in two different residential areas in East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia (Tok Jembal, Kuala Terengganu and Lundang, Kota Bharu) to determine the diversity of Diptera, to estimate post mortem interval based on the succession pattern and body length development and also the climatological factors that affects them over different stages of decomposition. Five stages of decomposition were recognized in the study consisting of fresh, bloated, decay, post decay and skeletal. Present dipteran inventory revealed six families of Diptera, which consisted of Calliphoridae, Sarchophagidae, Muscidae, Stratiomyidae, Phoridae and Sepsidae. A total of 12 genus and species with all of them have forensic importance were successfully recorded. One unidentified species was present singly at a very restricted time during post decay stage. Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae and Muscidae were among the early arrival found on carcass. The number of species present in the succession series increased from the fresh stage reached a maximum in the decay stage and gradually declined towards post decay stage.