Examination of Nocturnal Oviposition by Chrysomya putoria (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Brazil.

This is the first study in Brazil that monitored the nocturnal oviposition behavior of Chrysomya putoria, a species of forensic importance, in order to verify if individuals of this species oviposit at night. Groups of 10 flies (5 male and 5 female) distributed in ten cages were kept in a fume hood and submitted to total darkness or exposed to artificial light for eleven consecutive hours through four experimental conditions in the laboratory. Two verifications were made to see if the females oviposited in the offered substrate of about 20 g of chicken gizzard per cage. Verification 1 occurred at 09:00 pm in the evening experiments and at 09:00 am in the daytime experiments. Verification 2 occurred at 05:00 am in the night experiments and at 05:00 pm in the daytime experiments. Each experiment lasted 5 d. C. putoria laid eggs at night (with or without light) and the quantity of eggs was significantly similar to those produced during the day under natural light or in total darkness. Only the amount of eggs produced during the day in the absence of light was considerably greater than in the typical daytime period. The females oviposited in greater quantity in the nights when the average temperature was between 23 and 24.8°C and relative humidity above 81%. Ovipositions only occurred at temperatures above 21°C and humidity above 56% during the day. Finally, it is necessary that more evaluations on the effect of variables on blowfly behavior are performed to better understand nocturnal oviposition.

Human health risk assessment associated with the consumption of mussels (Perna perna) and oysters (Crassostrea rhizophorae) contaminated with metals and arsenic in the estuarine channel of Vitória Bay (ES), Southeast Brazil.

The estuarine channel of Vitória Bay was evaluated regarding bioaccumulation of metals (Al, Ba, Mn, Fe, Zn, Cu, Cr, Pb, Ni, Cd, Hg) and As in mollusks. Mussels from an aquaculture farm and transplanted into the estuary, whereas oysters were collected in situ in the same area. Concentrations of Al, Mn, Fe, Cr and As were higher in P. perna, whereas C. rhizophorae bioaccumulated more Ba, Zn and Cu. Arsenic concentrations in P. perna exceeded the limit of the Brazilian legislation in the outer estuary. Salinity seemed to influence metal uptake differently for each bivalve, with P. perna absorbing more metal at higher salinities and C. rhizophorae in areas of lower salinity. Hazard index (HI) >1 revealed risk for both bivalves for high level consumers. Target Cancer Risk (TCR) for As revealed threat for human health associated with the consumption of mussels and oysters from the study area.

Evaluation of bioavailability of trace metals through bioindicators in a urbanized estuarine system in southeast Brazil.

The mussel Perna perna is one of the most used bioindicators of coastal areas and the most economically exploited species in Brazil through mariculture. In the present study, P. perna was used to investigate metal pollution in the estuarine area of Vitória Bay. Four sampling sites were located along an estuarine branch of Vitória Bay and stations were sampled during three campaigns. Trace metals in the tissues of P. perna were evaluated as well as dissolved trace metals and other ancillary variables in the water column. Dissolved Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni, and Fe concentrations surpassed the tolerance limits stablished by legislation in all the sampling campaigns. P. perna exhibited concentrations in disagreement with the Brazilian legislation for Cr and As. A general trend of higher concentrations in outer stations was observed for most metals, what suggested the occurrence of flocculation process in the lower estuary, reducing the concentrations of dissolved elements and increasing their bioavailability for the biota through the particulate form. Cd was highlighted with elevated concentrations in dissolved fraction but not detected in P. perna, probably due to chlor-complex formation under influence of more saline waters. Al, Ba, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, Pb, and As were considered bioavailable, once they were accumulated in the mussels' tissues. Hazard index (HI) and target cancer risk (TCR) showed that the consumption of mussels from the study area offers health risk issues, being iron and arsenic the main contributors for the high indexes.

The Nocturnal Ovipositon Behavior of Chrysomya megacephala (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Brazil and Its Forensic Implications.

Chrysomya megacephala (Fab. 1794) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is a very important species for forensic entomology, mainly contributing estimations of the postmortem interval (PMI) in judicial investigations. There are some doubts about the nocturnal oviposition of these flies, which could lead to errors in the PMI calculation. This study aimed to monitor the nocturnal oviposition behavior of this species through four experimental conditions carried out in laboratory. Ten cages, each containing five males and females (n = 100), were kept in a fume hood and subjected to total darkness or to artificial light for 11 consecutive hours. Two verifications were performed to determine whether the females deposited eggs on the substrate of ~20 g of chicken gizzards per cage. The first verification occurred at 9:00 pm in nocturnal experiments and at 09:00 am in diurnal experiments. The second verification occurred at 05:00 am in nocturnal experiments and at 05:00 pm in diurnal experiments. Each experiment lasted 5 d. Chrysomya megacephala deposited eggs at night under artificial light and in total darkness, but the amount of eggs was significantly lower when compared with the daytime experiments in dark conditions and under natural light. Oviposition occurred when the average temperature was around 25°C (± 2°C) and relative humidity around 73% (± 6%). Night oviposition is a possibility which should not be ruled out. Thus, future experiments are recommended.

Diversity of Calliphoridae and Mesembrinellidae (Diptera: Oestroidea) in a Mangrove, Restinga, and Forest Landscapes From a Lagoon Complex on an Atlantic Forest Coastline (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil).

Diptera Mesembrinellidae present great ecological importance as potential bioindicators and Calliphoridae stand out for their medical-sanitary importance as potential vectors of pathogens and causes of human and animal diseases such as myiasis. They beneficially aid in elucidating crimes in forensic entomology, contributing to determine the postmortem interval (PMI) and assisting in the healing process of necrotic wounds in larval therapy. This study aimed to inventory the Calliphoridae and Mesembrinellidae fauna in order to evaluate structural parameters and to apply faunal indexes in catching species in the Itaipu-Piratininga lagoon complex, in Niterói (Rio de Janeiro), Brazil. The collections were carried out monthly from September 2015 to August 2016 with fish bait (sardines) exposed for 48 h, totaling six traps installed in three physiognomies (mangrove, ombrophilous forest, and restinga). In total, 9,773 individuals were captured, divided into two families, five genera, and 11 species. Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794) was the predominant species, while Mesembrinella bellardiana (Aldrich, 1922) was the least representative species, indicating the preservation level of this ecosystem. Ombrophilous forest was the physiognomy with greater diversity and restinga was the physiognomy with greater species dominance. The similarity index indicated greater similarity among the mangrove and restinga populations.

Dipterofauna Associated With Rat Carcasses in the Atlantic Forest, Southeastern Brazil.

Each biome has its own fauna and intrinsic local conditions that determine the succession patterns of insects on carcasses. For this reason, regional studies are very important to forensics. This study deals with the flies that visit carcasses of Rattus rattus (L., 1758) in the Atlantic Forest remnant of Floresta da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We compare the diversity and relative abundance of fly families and species throughout the four seasons of the year and test for correlations between certain environmental variables and fly richness. In each of the four seasons, we exposed the carcasses of three rats. The carcasses were put in traps that were installed on the ground, separated by 100 m. The flies were collected from the carcasses on a daily basis, and were taken to the laboratory and kept in a climate chamber (28 °C day and 26 °C night). A total of 5,537 flies were captured, identified into 12 families: Calliphoridae (4,884 specimens), followed by Sarcophagidae, Micropezidae, Fannidae, Muscidae, Phoridae, and Neridae. Canonical correspondence and redundancy analyses of the environmental variables indicated no relationship between the seasons and fly abundance. Carcass decomposition lasted longer in the winter (12 d) than in the summer (8 d). The Margalef richness index indicated higher richness in the spring and winter, and lower richness in the summer. The Shannon-Wiener index and Simpson dominance indicated greater diversity in the spring. Diptera colonized all stages of decomposition. The families Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae were more prevalent during the Fermentation stage. Our data have important implications for forensic entomology.

Edge effects on the blowfly fauna (Diptera, Calliphoridae) of the Tijuca National Park, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

In this contribution we examine the diversity, abundance and species richness of Calliphoridae in the Tijuca National Park, Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Specimens were collected monthly between September 2009 and August 2010, using sardines as bait, in three points: A, on the forest edge (22°56'846"S 43°17'496"W), B, 700 m from it (22°57'073"S 43°17'832"W) and C, 1,200 m into the forest (22°57'321"S 43°18'031"W), evaluating the indicator species at each point and the anthropogenic influences and abiotic factors that determine species distribution. A total of 16,364 Calliphoridae were collected and 17 species were identified. Species abundance was strongly positively correlated with temperature. The greatest number of flies was collected at A, but in this point, diversity was lower and most individuals collected belonged to the dominant species. Point C, conversely, had the lower abundance and the highest diversity. Chrysomya megacephala, an urban and synanthropic species, was dominant at point A, whereas Laneela nigripes and Mesembrinella peregrina, typically forest species, were considered indicators at points B and C, respectively, showing that the anthropogenic influence is more intense at the forest edge.

Mesembrinellinae (Diptera: Calliphoridae) to edge effects in the Tinguá Biological Reserve, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

In this study we describe the diversity of Mesembrinelinae in a biological reserve in the city of Nova Iguaçu, State of Rio de Janeiro. Traps containing sardines were distributed seasonally, at four sites: Site A (22° 58.788' S, 43° 43.459' W), in a forest edge, and sites B (22° 58.523' S, 43° 44.540' W), C (22° 58.350' S, 43° 44.678' W), and D (22° 34.865' S, 43° 27.063' W), located 1,000 m, 500 m, and 2,000 m respectively, inwards from the edge. A total of 2,150 individuals of Mesembrinellinae were collected, representing ten species. Laneela nigripes Guimarães, 1977 was the most abundant species, followed by Mesembrinella bellardiana Aldrich, 1922, Eumesembrinella cyaneicincta (Surcouf, 1919) and Mesembrinella semihyalina Mello, 1967. These species were common and constant during the study period. Mesembrinella batesi Aldrich, 1922, Eumesembrinella quadrilineata (Fabricius, 1805) and Huascaromusca aeneiventris (Wiedmann, 1830) were the less abundant flies, being considered rare and accidental. Eumesembrinella besnoiti (Seguy, 1925) was rare and accessory. Eumesembrinella cyaneicincta, M. bellardiana, M. semihyalina and M. bicolor were mostly collected in site B, while L. nigripes was mostly collected in site C. The edge effect was not evident since the four sites showed similar populations. Site B showed a strong positive relationship between abundance and richness, in site C the correlation was positive and weak, and there was no correlation in A and D. The highest abundance of specimens was recorded during autumn and winter. These flies occurred from the edge up to 2,000 m inside the forest.

Edge effects on the blowfly fauna (Diptera, Calliphoridae) of the Tijuca National Park, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil / Efeitos de borda sobre a fauna de califorídeos (Diptera, Calliphoridae) no Parque Nacional da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Abstract In this contribution we examine the diversity, abundance and species richness of Calliphoridae in the Tijuca National Park, Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Specimens were collected monthly between September 2009 and August 2010, using sardines as bait, in three points: A, on the forest edge (22°56’846"S 43°17’496"W), B, 700m from it (22°57’073"S 43°17’832"W) and C, 1,200m into the forest (22°57’321"S 43°18’031"W), evaluating the indicator species at each point and the anthropogenic influences and abiotic factors that determine species distribution. A total of 16,364 Calliphoridae were collected and 17 species were identified. Species abundance was strongly positively correlated with temperature. The greatest number of flies was collected at A, but in this point, diversity was lower and most individuals collected belonged to the dominant species. Point C, conversely, had the lower abundance and the highest diversity. Chrysomya megacephala, an urban and synanthropic species, was dominant at point A, whereas Laneela nigripes and Mesembrinella peregrina, typically forest species, were considered indicators at points B and C, respectively, showing that the anthropogenic influence is more intense at the forest edge.

Resumo O presente estudo visou analisar a diversidade, abundância e riqueza de espécies de Calliphoridae no Parque Nacional da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Foram realizadas coletas mensais de setembro de 2009 a agosto de 2010, utilizando sardinha como isca, em três pontos: A, na borda (22°56’846"S 43°17’496"W); B, a 700m (22°57’073"S 43°17’832"W) e C, a 1.200m para o interior da mata (22°57’321"S 43°18’031"W), avaliando as espécies indicadoras em cada ponto, além da influência antrópica e os fatores abióticos que determinam a distribuição das espécies. Foram coletados 16.364 califorídeos, de 17 espécies. A abundância teve correlação extremamente forte e positiva com a temperatura. O ponto A foi o mais abundante, porém o menos diverso e com maior dominância. O ponto C, no entanto, foi o menos abundante e o mais diverso. Chrysomya megacephala, espécie sinantrópica e urbana, foi a espécie mais abundante no ponto A, enquanto Laneela nigripes e Mesembrinella peregrina, espécies caracteristicamente florestais, foram consideradas indicadoras para os pontos B e C, respectivamente, demonstrando que a influência antrópica atua de forma mais intensa no ponto da borda.

Mesembrinellinae (Diptera: Calliphoridae) to edge effects in the Tinguá Biological Reserve, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil / Mesembrinellinae (Diptera: Calliphoridae) na Reserva Biológica do Tinguá, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Abstract In this study we describe the diversity of Mesembrinelinae in a biological reserve in the city of Nova Iguaçu, State of Rio de Janeiro. Traps containing sardines were distributed seasonally, at four sites: Site A (22° 58.788’ S, 43° 43.459’ W), in a forest edge, and sites B (22° 58.523’ S, 43° 44.540’ W), C (22° 58.350’ S, 43° 44.678’ W), and D (22° 34.865’ S, 43° 27.063’ W), located 1,000m, 500m, and 2,000m respectively, inwards from the edge. A total of 2,150 individuals of Mesembrinellinae were collected, representing ten species. Laneela nigripes Guimarães, 1977 was the most abundant species, followed by Mesembrinella bellardiana Aldrich, 1922, Eumesembrinella cyaneicincta (Surcouf, 1919) and Mesembrinella semihyalina Mello, 1967. These species were common and constant during the study period. Mesembrinella batesi Aldrich, 1922, Eumesembrinella quadrilineata (Fabricius, 1805) and Huascaromusca aeneiventris (Wiedmann, 1830) were the less abundant flies, being considered rare and accidental. Eumesembrinella besnoiti (Seguy, 1925) was rare and accessory. Eumesembrinella cyaneicincta, M. bellardiana, M. semihyalina and M. bicolor were mostly collected in site B, while L. nigripes was mostly collected in site C. The edge effect was not evident since the four sites showed similar populations. Site B showed a strong positive relationship between abundance and richness, in site C the correlation was positive and weak, and there was no correlation in A and D. The highest abundance of specimens was recorded during autumn and winter. These flies occurred from the edge up to 2,000m inside the forest.

Resumo Nesse estudo, descrevemos a diversidade de Mesembrinelinae, em uma reserva biológica na cidade de Nova Iguaçu, Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Armadilhas contendo sardinha foram distribuídas sazonalmente em quatro pontos: Ponto A (22° 58.788’ S, 43° 43.459’ W), na borda da mata B (22° 58.523’ S, 43° 44.540’ W), C (22° 58.350’ S, 43° 44.678’ W), e D (22° 34.865’ S, 43º 27.063’ W), localizados a 1.000m, 500m e 2.000m para o interior da borda respectivamente. Foram coletados 2.159 exemplares de Mesembrinellinae, com um total de dez espécies. Laneela nigripes Guimarães, 1977 foi a espécie mais abundante, seguida por Mesembrinella bellardiana Aldrich, 1922, Eumesembrinella cyaneicincta (Surcouf, 1919) e Mesembrinella semihyalina Mello, 1967. Essas espécies foram consideradas comuns e contantes durante o período de estudo. Mesembrinella batesi Aldrich, 1922, Eumesembrinella quadrilineata Fabricius, 1805 e Huascaromusca aeneiventris (Wiedmann, 1830) foram as moscas com as menores abundâncias, sendo consideradas raras e acidentais, Eumesembrinella besnoiti (Seguy, 1925) foi rara e acessória. Eumesembrinella cyaneicincta, M. bellardiana, M. semihyalina e M. bicolor foram as mais coletadas no ponto B, enquanto L. nigripes foi a mais coletada no ponto C. Os efeitos de borda não foram evidentes porque os quatro pontos apresentaram populações similares. O ponto B apresentou uma relação forte e positiva entre a abundância e a riqueza, no ponto C a correlação foi positiva e fraca e não houve correlação nos pontos A e D. A maior abundância de indivíduos foi registrada nas estações do outono e inverno. Espécimes da subfamília Mesembrinellinae ocorreram da borda até 2.000 metros para o interior da mata.

Mesembrinellinae (Diptera: Calliphoridae) to edge effects in the Tinguá Biological Reserve, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract In this study we describe the diversity of Mesembrinelinae in a biological reserve in the city of Nova Iguaçu, State of Rio de Janeiro. Traps containing sardines were distributed seasonally, at four sites: Site A (22° 58.788 S, 43° 43.459 W), in a forest edge, and sites B (22° 58.523 S, 43° 44.540 W), C (22° 58.350 S, 43° 44.678 W), and D (22° 34.865 S, 43° 27.063 W), located 1,000m, 500m, and 2,000m respectively, inwards from the edge. A total of 2,150 individuals of Mesembrinellinae were collected, representing ten species. Laneela nigripes Guimarães, 1977 was the most abundant species, followed by Mesembrinella bellardiana Aldrich, 1922, Eumesembrinella cyaneicincta (Surcouf, 1919) and Mesembrinella semihyalina Mello, 1967. These species were common and constant during the study period. Mesembrinella batesi Aldrich, 1922, Eumesembrinella quadrilineata (Fabricius, 1805) and Huascaromusca aeneiventris (Wiedmann, 1830) were the less abundant flies, being considered rare and accidental. Eumesembrinella besnoiti (Seguy, 1925) was rare and accessory. Eumesembrinella cyaneicincta, M. bellardiana, M. semihyalina and M. bicolor were mostly collected in site B, while L. nigripes was mostly collected in site C. The edge effect was not evident since the four sites showed similar populations. Site B showed a strong positive relationship between abundance and richness, in site C the correlation was positive and weak, and there was no correlation in A and D. The highest abundance of specimens was recorded during autumn and winter. These flies occurred from the edge up to 2,000m inside the forest.

Resumo Nesse estudo, descrevemos a diversidade de Mesembrinelinae, em uma reserva biológica na cidade de Nova Iguaçu, Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Armadilhas contendo sardinha foram distribuídas sazonalmente em quatro pontos: Ponto A (22° 58.788 S, 43° 43.459 W), na borda da mata B (22° 58.523 S, 43° 44.540 W), C (22° 58.350 S, 43° 44.678 W), e D (22° 34.865 S, 43º 27.063 W), localizados a 1.000m, 500m e 2.000m para o interior da borda respectivamente. Foram coletados 2.159 exemplares de Mesembrinellinae, com um total de dez espécies. Laneela nigripes Guimarães, 1977 foi a espécie mais abundante, seguida por Mesembrinella bellardiana Aldrich, 1922, Eumesembrinella cyaneicincta (Surcouf, 1919) e Mesembrinella semihyalina Mello, 1967. Essas espécies foram consideradas comuns e contantes durante o período de estudo. Mesembrinella batesi Aldrich, 1922, Eumesembrinella quadrilineata Fabricius, 1805 e Huascaromusca aeneiventris (Wiedmann, 1830) foram as moscas com as menores abundâncias, sendo consideradas raras e acidentais, Eumesembrinella besnoiti (Seguy, 1925) foi rara e acessória. Eumesembrinella cyaneicincta, M. bellardiana, M. semihyalina e M. bicolor foram as mais coletadas no ponto B, enquanto L. nigripes foi a mais coletada no ponto C. Os efeitos de borda não foram evidentes porque os quatro pontos apresentaram populações similares. O ponto B apresentou uma relação forte e positiva entre a abundância e a riqueza, no ponto C a correlação foi positiva e fraca e não houve correlação nos pontos A e D. A maior abundância de indivíduos foi registrada nas estações do outono e inverno. Espécimes da subfamília Mesembrinellinae ocorreram da borda até 2.000 metros para o interior da mata.

Assessment of bioavailability and potential toxicity of Cu, Zn and Pb, a case study in Jurujuba Sound, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Potential toxicity of sedimentary Cu, Zn and Pb were evaluated based on their fractionation at the inner part of Jurujuba, a small sound at the eastern margin of Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro. Biogeochemical composition revealed an environment extremely enriched with anthropic organic matter and characterized as a detrital heterotrophic system. The fractionation analysis showed that Pb exhibited more affinity with the residual fraction followed by the amorphous Fe/Mn fraction. Cu and Zn were more expressive in the amorphous Fe/Mn fraction followed by the organic one and crystalline Fe/Mn fraction, respectively. According to Igeo index, sediments proved to be highly polluted by Zn and Cu and moderated polluted by Pb. Despite the actual contamination of Jurujuba sediments, the mobility of these elements seems to be limited since the most excessive concentrations were found in the less available fractions, depending on extreme physico-chemical variations to be released.