Fitness consequences of population bottlenecks in an invasive blowfly.

Invasive species often undergo demographic bottlenecks that cause a decrease in genetic diversity and associated reductions in population fitness. Despite this, they manage to thrive in novel environments. Investigating the effects of inbreeding and genetic bottlenecks on population fitness for invasive species is, therefore, key to understanding how they may survive in new environments. We used the blowfly Calliphora vicina (Sciences, Mathématiques et Physique, 1830, 2, 1), which is native to Europe and was introduced to Australia and New Zealand, to examine the effects of genetic diversity on population fitness. We first collected 59 samples from 15 populations across New Zealand and one in Australia, and used 20,501 biallelic SNPs to investigate population genomic diversity, structure and admixture. We then explored the impacts of repeated experimental bottlenecks on population fitness by creating inbred and outbred lines of C. vicina and measuring a variety of fitness traits. In wild-caught samples, we found low overall genetic diversity, signals of genetic admixture and limited (<3%) genetic differentiation between North and South Island populations, with genetic links between the South Island and Australia. Following experimental bottlenecks, we found significant reductions in fitness for inbred lines. However, fitness effects were not felt equally across all phenotypic traits. Moreover, they were not enough to cause population collapse in any experimental line, suggesting that C. vicina (when under relaxed selection, as in laboratory settings) may be able to compensate for population bottlenecks even when highly inbred. Our results demonstrate the value of a tractable experimental system for investigating processes that may facilitate or hamper biological invasion.

Establishment of a multiplex PCR-CE assay for the simultaneous and rapid analysis of age markers for Calliphora vicina pupae.

Insects, especially blow flies, are forensically relevant to determine the minimal postmortem interval (PMImin), based on the fact that they are usually the first colonisers of a body. By estimating the age of immature blow flies, interferences can be made about the time since death. Whilst morphological parameters are valuable for age estimation of blow fly larvae, gene expression profiling is more applicable for blow fly pupae. Here, the age-dependent changes in the gene expression levels during the development are analysed. 28 temperature-independent markers have already been described for the age estimation of pupae of the forensically important blow fly Calliphora vicina and are analysed by RT-qPCR. To allow simultaneous analysis of these age markers, a multiplex assay was developed in the present study. After reverse transcription, the markers are analysed simultaneously in an endpoint PCR and subsequently separated by capillary electrophoresis (CE). This method is highly attractive due to its quick and easy procedure and interpretation. The present age prediction tool was adapted and validated. The multiplex PCR assay reproduced the same expression profiles as the RT-qPCR assay based on the same markers. The statistical evaluation shows that the new assay has a lower precision but a better trueness for age determination compared to the RT-qPCR assay. Since the new assay is also qualified to estimate the age of C. vicina pupae and is practical, cost-effective and, even more importantly, time-saving, it is attractive for use in forensic casework.

Conditional knockdown of transformer in sheep blow fly suggests a role in repression of dosage compensation and potential for population suppression.

The transformer (tra) gene is essential for female development in many insect species, including the Australian sheep blow fly, Lucilia cuprina. Sex-specific tra RNA splicing is controlled by Sex lethal (Sxl) in Drosophila melanogaster but is auto-regulated in L. cuprina. Sxl also represses X chromosome dosage compensation in female D. melanogaster. We have developed conditional Lctra RNAi knockdown strains using the tet-off system. Four strains did not produce females on diet without tetracycline and could potentially be used for genetic control of L. cuprina. In one strain, which showed both maternal and zygotic tTA expression, most XX transformed males died at the pupal stage. RNAseq and qRT-PCR analyses of mid-stage pupae showed increased expression of X-linked genes in XX individuals. These results suggest that Lctra promotes somatic sexual differentiation and inhibits X chromosome dosage compensation in female L. cuprina. However, XX flies homozygous for a loss-of-function Lctra knockin mutation were fully transformed and showed high pupal eclosion. Two of five X-linked genes examined showed a significant increase in mRNA levels in XX males. The stronger phenotype in the RNAi knockdown strain could indicate that maternal Lctra expression may be essential for initiation of dosage compensation suppression in female embryos.

Phylogenomics resolves long-standing questions about the affinities of an endangered Corsican endemic fly.

Recent studies on oestroidean Diptera (Brachycera) are providing a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the evolutionary history of this remarkably diverse clade of holometabolous insects. The Oestroidea, which includes formidable pests such as various blowflies, botflies, and flesh flies that infest livestock, pets and humans, are mostly composed of beneficial species that act as scavengers or parasitoids on various pest insects. In our research, we used genomic methods to elucidate the phylogenetic position of Nesodexia corsicana Villeneuve, 1911 (Diptera: Calliphoridae), a mysterious oestroid species endemic to Corsica and characterized by distinctive morphological features that have puzzled taxonomists for years. Contrary to initial hypotheses, our results place Nesodexia Villeneuve, 1911 within the Calliphoridae subfamily Rhinophorinae, a small lineage of terrestrial isopod parasitoids. Through detailed morphological analysis of adults of both sexes and eggs, we uncovered significant insights consistent with our phylogenomic reconstruction. The unique morphological features of the species, coupled with its restricted and fragmented habitat, highlight its potential conservation importance. We delineated the area of occupancy for N. corsicana and assessed its "threatened" category using specific IUCN Red List criteria. In addition, we mapped the available habitat within its range and determined potential key biodiversity areas (KBA) triggered by N. corsicana. New potential KBAs are only partially covered by the Corsican Regional Park. Finally, we mapped the distribution of habitats on the island to assess the potential distribution of the species beyond its currently known geographic range.

Ophthalmomyiasis Case Caused by Two Blow Fly (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Species in North America.

Ophthalmomyiasis is the result of fly larvae feeding on the tissues of the eye. Commonly associated with poor hygiene and open wounds, this condition is rare and often stigmatized. Treatment can be straightforward, and full recovery is common. Identifying the species responsible for ophthalmomyiasis is important for the medical, forensic, and entomological communities. Here, we present a case of ophthalmomyiasis where 30-40 blow fly (Diptera: Calliphoridae) larvae were removed from the eye of a human male. A representative subsample of five larvae was used for taxonomic identification via two approaches (a) DNA analysis, via sequencing of the complete mitochondrial genome (mtGenome) and comparison of the mtGenome and mitochondrial COI barcode region to GenBank, and (b) morphology, examination of the posterior spiracles using microscopy, and comparison to published larval descriptions of blow flies. Two species of blow flies were identified from the DNA analysis: Lucilia coeruleiviridis and Phormia regina. Morphological examination could only confirm L. coeruleiviridis as being present. To our knowledge, finding two blow fly species causing ophthalmomyiasis in a single individual has not been previously reported in the scientific literature. Neither P. regina nor L. coeruleiviridis prefers living tissue for larva development, but since they fill similar ecological niches, perhaps this was a show of competition rather than a normal feeding habit. Knowing these blow fly species can resort to this behavior, and that it can affect human populations, is valuable to the education of patients and providers.

Identification and functional analysis of Cochliomyia hominivorax U6 gene promoters.

The New World screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax, is an obligate parasite, which is a major pest of livestock. While the sterile insect technique was used very successfully to eradicate C. hominivorax from North and Central America, more cost-effective genetic methods will likely be needed in South America. The recent development of CRISPR/Cas9-based genetic approaches, such as homing gene drive, could provide a very efficient means for the suppression of C. hominivorax populations. One component of a drive system is the guide RNA(s) driven by a U6 gene promoter. Here, we have developed an in vivo assay to evaluate the activity of the promoters from seven C. hominivorax U6 genes. Embryos from the related blowfly Lucilia cuprina were injected with plasmid DNA containing a U6-promoter-guide RNA construct and a source of Cas9, either protein or plasmid DNA. Activity was assessed by the number of site-specific mutations in the targeted gene in hatched larvae. One promoter, Chom U6_b, showed the highest activity. These U6 gene promoters could be used to build CRISPR/Cas9-based genetic systems for the control of C. hominivorax.

Evolution of coding sequence and gene expression of blowflies and botflies with contrasting feeding habits.

The Oestroidea superfamily is characterized by the diversity of feeding preferences among closely-related species; these flies are saprophagous, obligate parasites, or facultative parasites. We used gene expression and coding sequence data from five species (Cochliomyia hominivorax, Chrysomya megacephala, Lucilia cuprina, Dermatobia hominis, and Oestrus ovis) to identify underlying genetic differences involved in the diverse lifestyles. We tested whether 1287 orthologs have different expression and evolutionary constraints under different scenarios. We found two up-regulated genes; one in species causing cutaneous myiasis that is involved in iron transportation/metabolization (ferritin), and another in species causing traumatic myiasis that responds to reduced oxygen levels (anoxia up-regulated-like). Our evolutionary analysis showed a similar result. In the Co. hominivorax branch, we found one gene with the same function as ferritin that may be evolving under positive selection, spook. This is the first step towards understanding origins and evolution of parasitic strategy diversity in Oestroidea.

Age-dependent gene expression of Calliphora vicina pupae (Diptera: Calliphoridae) at constant and fluctuating temperatures.

Estimating the age of the developmental stages of the blow fly Calliphora vicina (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is of forensic relevance for the determination of the minimum post-mortem interval (PMImin). Fly eggs and larvae can be aged using anatomical and morphological characters and their modification during development. However, such methods can only hardly be applied for aging fly pupae. Previous study described age estimation of C. vicina pupae using gene expression, but just when reared at constant temperatures, but fluctuating temperatures represent a more realistic scenario at a crime scene. Therefore, age-dependent gene expression of C. vicina pupae were compared at 3 fluctuating and 3 constant temperatures, the latter representing the mean values of the fluctuating profiles. The chosen marker genes showed uniform expression patterns during metamorphosis of C. vicina pupae bred at different temperature conditions (constant or fluctuating) but the same mean temperature (e.g. constant 10 °C vs. fluctuating 5-15 °C). We present an R-based statistical tool, which enables estimation of the age of the examined pupa based on the analysed gene expression data.

Development of the new microsatellite markers of Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) from Korea.

BACKGROUND: Lucilia sericata is a medical and veterinary important insect species because its larvae feed on tissues of vertebrates including humans. Very few microsatellite makers have been reported from the species to illuminate its genetic variability and population genetic structure. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, L. sericata samples were collected from four different localities in Korea to develop the microsatellite markers to provide basic information on the genetic variability and population genetic structure in Korea of this species. In total, ten new microsatellite markers were sequenced and analyzed. Genetic diversity was performed using these microsatellite markers. The observed heterozygosity varied from 0.205 to 0.824, with an average of 0.546. The expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.579 to 0.886, with an average of 0.804. PIC value varied from 0.553 to 0.876. CONCLUSIONS: The markers developed in the present study are expected as informative for estimating genetic diversity of L. sericata.

The evolution of sexually dimorphic cuticular hydrocarbons in blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae).

Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are organic compounds found on the cuticles of all insects which can act as close-contact pheromones, while also providing a hydrophobic barrier to water loss. Given their widespread importance in sexual behaviour and survival, CHCs have likely contributed heavily to the adaptation and speciation of insects. Despite this, the patterns and mechanisms of their diversification have been studied in very few taxa. Here, we perform the first study of CHC diversification in blowflies, focussing on wild populations of the ecologically diverse genus Chrysomya. We convert CHC profiles into qualitative and quantitative traits and assess their inter- and intra-specific variation across 10 species. We also construct a global phylogeny of Chrysomya, onto which CHCs were mapped to explore the patterns of their diversification. For the first time, we demonstrate that blowflies express an exceptional diversity of CHCs, which have diversified in a nonphylogenetic and punctuated manner, are species-specific and sexually dimorphic. It is likely that both ecological and sexual selection have shaped these patterns of CHC diversification, and our study now provides a comprehensive framework for testing such hypotheses.

Building a transgenic sexing strain for genetic control of the Australian sheep blow fly Lucilia cuprina using two lethal effectors.

BACKGROUND: The sterile insect technique (SIT) has been successfully used in many pest management programs worldwide. Some SIT programs release both sexes due to the lack of genetic sexing strains or efficient sex separation methods but sterile females are ineffective control agents. Transgenic sexing strains (TSS) using the tetracycline-off control system have been developed in a variety of insect pests, from which females die by either of two commonly used lethal effectors: overexpression of the transcription factor tetracycline transactivator (tTA) or ectopic expression of a proapoptotic gene, such as head involution defective (hid). The lethality from tTA overexpression is thought to be due to "transcriptional squelching", while hid causes lethality by induction of apoptosis. This study aims to create and characterize a TSS of Lucilia cuprina, which is a major pest of sheep, by combining both lethal effectors in a single transgenic strain. RESULTS: Here a stable TSS of L. cuprina (DH6) that carries two lethal effectors was successfully generated, by crossing FL3#2 which carries a female-specific tTA overexpression cassette, with EF1#12 which carries a tTA-regulated LshidAla2 cassette. Females with one copy of the FL3#2 transgene are viable but up to 99.8% of homozygous females die at the pupal stage when raised on diet that lacks tetracycline. Additionally, the female lethality of FL3#2 was partially repressed by supplying tetracycline to the parental generation. With an additional LshidAla2 effector, the female lethality of DH6 is 100% dominant and cannot be repressed by maternal tetracycline. DH6 females die at the late-larval stage. Several fitness parameters important for mass rearing such as hatching rate, adult emergence and sex ratio were comparable to those of the wild type strain. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the parental FL3#2 strain, the DH6 strain shows stronger female lethality and lethality occurs at an earlier stage of development. The combination of two tTA-dependent lethal effectors could improve strain stability under mass rearing and could reduce the risk of resistance in the field if fertile males are released. Our approach could be easily adapted for other pest species for an efficient, safe and sustainable genetic control program.

Evaluating the impact of hot water killing larvae on gene expression using the transformer gene in Cochliomyia macellaria (Diptera: Calliphoridae).

In forensic entomology, determining the age of a larva from a body to estimate time since death is commonly performed through the measurement of a physical trait. Gene expression has been studied as an alternative age estimation approach, but the storage conditions required for these studies are different than those used in forensic entomological casework. Studies analyzing gene expression prioritize the preservation of RNA, which requires fresh tissue and ultra-cold storage. Casework, in contrast, utilizes hot water killing specimens that may not be analyzed for a long period after collection. In the current study, the impact of hot water killing on gene expression was assessed for larval samples of the forensically important blow fly, Cochliomyia macellaria. Successful amplification of the sex-determining gene, transformer, was tested across larvae ranging in size from 3.22 to 16.85 mm in length after storage times of 1-2 weeks, 4-5 weeks, and 8-9 weeks at 4°C in RNAlater. Larvae hot water killed were processed in tandem with larvae stored live to allow for a direct assessment of the impact of boiling on gene expression. As expected, the transformer gene was successfully amplified in all larvae stored live. For the hot water-killed larvae, the success rate was only slightly lower, with 3 out of 75 larvae not generating a sex-specific band pattern. The results show gene expression can be used for hot water-killed samples, though future work across different genes, species, and extending to quantitative gene expression methods is needed.

DNA Extraction and Comparison between Old and Fresh Necrophilic Fly Samples.

A total of five samples of Chrysomya megacephala samples - three fresh samples, one sample stored in alcohol for 2 years, and one sample stored in dry sealed storage for 2 years protected from light only - were selected to investigate whether a blood DNA extraction kit could extract DNA from necrophilous flies and to determine whether alcohol could prolong the preservation of necrophilous flies' DNA. First, the blood DNA extraction kit was used to extract DNA from their thorax tissues. Then, the DNA purity and concentration were examined using a microplate reader and a fluorometer. Finally, PCR amplification and electrophoresis of the extracted DNA were done with necrophilic fly-specific primers located in the mitochondrial CO I gene sequence. The results showed that the DNA purity of all samples was greater than 2.0. The DNA concentration was observed to be of the following order: fresh samples > alcohol-preserved old samples > untreated, old samples. All samples had specific electrophoretic bands after PCR amplification. In conclusion, a blood DNA extraction kit can be used to extract DNA from necrophilic flies successfully, and the DNA concentration of fresh fly samples is greater than that of old fly samples. The flies can be stored in alcohol for a long time.

The use of cell and larval assays to identify target genes for RNA interference-meditated control of the Australian sheep blowfly (Lucilia cuprina).

BACKGROUND: Flystrike, primarily caused by Lucilia cuprina, is a major health and welfare issue for sheep wool industries. Current chemical-based controls can have limited effectiveness due to the emergence of resistance in the parasite. RNA interference (RNAi), which uses double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) as a trigger molecule, has been successfully investigated for the development of innovative pest control strategies. Although RNAi offers great potential, the efficient identification, selection of target genes and delivery of dsRNA represent challenges to be overcome for the successful application of RNAi for control of L. cuprina. RESULTS: A primary L. cuprina (blowfly) embryo cell line (BFEC) was established and confirmed as being derived from L. cuprina eggs by PCR and amplicon sequencing. The BFECs were successfully transfected with plasmids and messenger RNA (mRNA) expressing fluorescent reporter proteins and dsRNA using lipid-based transfection reagents. The transfection of dsRNA into BEFC in this study suggested decreased mRNA levels of target gene expression, which suggested RNAi-mediated knockdown. Three of the dsRNAs identified in this study resulted in reductions of in target gene mRNA levels in BFEC and loss of biological fitness by L. cuprina larvae in a feeding bioassay. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that the novel BFEC cell line can be used to improve the efficacy of dsRNA-mediated screening to accelerate the identification of potential target genes in the development of RNAi mediated control approaches for L. cuprina. The research models established in this study are encouraging with respect to the use of RNAi as a blowfly control method, however further improvement and validation are required for field applicationsnot prefect, and could be ongoing developing. © 2024 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Complete Mitochondrial Genome for Lucilia cuprina dorsalis (Diptera: Calliphoridae) from the Northern Territory, Australia.

The Australian sheep blowfly, Lucilia cuprina dorsalis, is a major sheep ectoparasite causing subcutaneous myiasis (flystrike), which can lead to reduced livestock productivity and, in severe instances, death of the affected animals. It is also a primary colonizer of carrion, an efficient pollinator, and used in maggot debridement therapy and forensic investigations. In this study, we report the complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of L. c. dorsalis from the Northern Territory (NT), Australia, where sheep are prohibited animals, unlike the rest of Australia. The mt genome is 15,943 bp in length, comprising 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), and a non-coding control region. The gene order of the current mt genome is consistent with the previously published L. cuprina mt genomes. Nucleotide composition revealed an AT bias, accounting for 77.5% of total mt genome nucleotides. Phylogenetic analyses of 56 species/taxa of dipterans indicated that L. c. dorsalis and L. sericata are the closest among all sibling species of the genus Lucilia, which helps to explain species evolution within the family Luciliinae. This study provides the first complete mt genome sequence for L. c. dorsalis derived from the NT, Australia to facilitate species identification and the examination of the evolutionary history of these blowflies.

Antennal transcriptome analysis reveals sensory receptors potentially associated with host detection in the livestock pest Lucilia cuprina.

BACKGROUND: Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is the main causative agent of flystrike of sheep in Australia and New Zealand. Female flies lay eggs in an open wound or natural orifice, and the developing larvae eat the host's tissues, a condition called myiasis. To improve our understanding of host-seeking behavior, we quantified gene expression in male and female antennae based on their behavior. METHODS: A spatial olfactometer was used to evaluate the olfactory response of L. cuprina mated males and gravid females to fresh or rotting beef. Antennal RNA-Seq analysis was used to identify sensory receptors differentially expressed between groups. RESULTS: Lucilia cuprina females were more attracted to rotten compared to fresh beef (> fivefold increase). However, males and some females did not respond to either type of beef. RNA-Seq analysis was performed on antennae dissected from attracted females, non-attracted females and males. Transcripts encoding sensory receptors from 11 gene families were identified above a threshold (≥ 5 transcript per million) including 49 ATP-binding cassette transporters (ABCs), two ammonium transporters (AMTs), 37 odorant receptors (ORs), 16 ionotropic receptors (IRs), 5 gustatory receptors (GRs), 22 odorant-binding proteins (OBPs), 9 CD36-sensory neuron membrane proteins (CD36/SNMPs), 4 chemosensory proteins (CSPs), 4 myeloid lipid-recognition (ML) and Niemann-Pick C2 disease proteins (ML/NPC2), 2 pickpocket receptors (PPKs) and 3 transient receptor potential channels (TRPs). Differential expression analyses identified sex-biased sensory receptors. CONCLUSIONS: We identified sensory receptors that were differentially expressed between the antennae of both sexes and hence may be associated with host detection by female flies. The most promising for future investigations were as follows: an odorant receptor (LcupOR46) which is female-biased in L. cuprina and Cochliomyia hominivorax Coquerel, 1858; an ABC transporter (ABC G23.1) that was the sole sensory receptor upregulated in the antennae of females attracted to rotting beef compared to non-attracted females; a female-biased ammonia transporter (AMT_Rh50), which was previously associated with ammonium detection in Drosophila melanogaster Meigen, 1830. This is the first report suggesting a possible role for ABC transporters in L. cuprina olfaction and potentially in other insects.

Molecular identification and genetic variation of forensically important fly species (Order: Diptera) in Thailand using DNA barcoding.

Forensic entomology plays a crucial role in criminal investigations by providing vital insights into minimum postmortem interval (PMImin) and corpse relocation by identifying insect species that colonize in decomposing remains. This study aimed to identify and analyze the genetic variation of forensically significant fly species in Thailand, using DNA barcoding of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I COI gene. A total of 3,220 fly specimens were collected from 18 provinces across six regions of Thailand from October 2017 to September 2022. These specimens were classified by morphological identification into 21 species among three Dipteran families: Calliphoridae, Muscidae, and Sarcophagidae, with Chrysomya megacephala Diptera: Calliphoridae being the most abundant species. DNA barcoding confirmed the morphological identifications with 100 % accuracy, showing low intraspecific K2P distances0.0 to 1.1 %) and significant interspecific K2P distances 2.5 % to 17.2 %. A Neighbour-Joining (NJ) analysis was conducted to assess the molecular identification capabilities of the barcoding region. This analysis successfully recovered nearly all species as distinct monophyletic groups. The species groupings obtained were generally consistent with both morphological and molecular identifications. These findings underscore the effectiveness of DNA barcoding for precise species identification and contribute to a comprehensive database of forensically important flies in Thailand, thus facilitating improved forensic investigations and biodiversity studies.

Molecular epidemiology of the Old World screwworm fly (OWSF) in Iraq, and the genetic structure of various OWSF populations worldwide.

Despite being endemic in Iraq, no reports have been published in the past 10 years to update the molecular epidemiology of the Old World screwworm fly (OWSF), Chrysomya bezziana, in this country. In the present study, 130 sheep from 10 Iraqi governorates were found infected with C. bezziana larvae, whose identities were PCR-confirmed based on the cytochrome b (Cytb) gene, and 23 isolates from various tested governorates were successfully sequenced. Although most isolates (n = 20) belonged to the common haplotype circulating in Iraq, two new haplotypes were detected. Significant changes in OWSF epidemiology in Iraq were also suggested, since infestations were detected, for the first time, in Nineveh governorate. Isolates of the present study were combined to those previously published from Iraq and worldwide, collected after searching the GenBank, and various genetic and population structure analyses were conducted. These isolates displayed a great statistically significant value when tested for the purifying (negative) selection, suggesting the limited occurrence of genetic variations, which was evidenced by the high sequence conservation (C = 0.937) value detected. A few isolates from Africa were revealed during our search, and clustered in a separate lineage other than that of the Asian isolates. The latter displayed different genetic variation patterns when compared. For example, isolates from geographically separate regions, e.g., the Gulf Arab countries and South-Eastern Asia had marked genetic differences. On the other hand, isolates from regions with close geographic proximity (the Gulf Arab countries and Iran) had limited genetic subdivision. This is not the case when comparing isolates from 10 islands in the Indonesian Archipelago. Populations from Sumatra and Sumba were isolated and displayed high genetic variations toward the other populations. On the contrary, populations from Sulawesi, Lombok and Sumbawa displayed limited genetic variations. This is particularly important, since it can help detecting the dynamics of establishing the sterile insect technique over various regions as an effective control strategy against the OWSFs.

A short fragment of mitochondrial DNA for the taxonomic identification of blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in northwestern South America.

Blow flies are of medical, sanitary, veterinary, and forensic importance. Their accurate taxonomic identification is essential for their use in applied research. However, neotropical fauna has not been completely studied or described, and taxa identification without the required training is a difficult task. Additionally, the current morphological keys are not fitting to all extant taxa. Molecular-based approaches are widely used to overcome these issues, including the standard 5' COI barcode fragment (~650 base pairs [bp]) for identification at the species level. Here, a shorter sequence of 5' COI fragment (~342 bp) was assessed for the identification of 28 blow fly species inhabiting the northwest of South America. One tree-based (the generalized mixed Yule-coalescent-GMYC) and 3 distance-based approaches (automatic barcode gap discover - ABGD, the best close match - BCM, and the nearest neighbor - NN) analyses were performed. Noticeably, the amplification and sequencing of samples that had been preserved for up to 57 years were successful. The tree topology assigned 113 sequences to a specific taxon (70% effectiveness), while the distance approach assigned to 95 (59% effectiveness). The short fragment allowed the molecular identification of 19 species (60% of neotropical species except for the Lucilia species and Hemilucilia semidiaphana). According to these findings, the taxonomic and faunistic considerations of the blow fly fauna were provided. Overall, the short fragment approach constitutes an optimal species confirmation tool for the most common blow flies in northwestern South America.

Evidence of two mitochondrial lineages and genetic variability in forensically important Lucilia eximia (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Colombia.

Lucilia eximia (Wiedemann, 1819) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is a blowfly with medical and forensic importance that shows genetic and color variation, however, these variations have not justified the description of new species. But in forensic entomology an accurate identification of species and subpopulations is crucial. We explored the genetic variation of L. eximia from eight localities, in five natural regions in Colombia using two mitochondrial fragments, including the standard locus for insect identification COI and the Cytb-tRNA-Ser-ND1 region. We found significant differentiation at COI and Cytb-tRNA-Ser-ND1 level, characterizing two lineages and revealing a deep and significant genetic split. High values of FST and genetic distances supported the two lineages. The origin of the divergence of L. eximia remains to discover. Examining whether the lineages have diverse ecological and biological behaviors could be a significant impact on the use of L. eximia in forensic and medical science. Our results could have relevant implications for the use of post-mortem interval estimation based on insect evidence, as well as our sequences improve the database used in DNA-based methods for identifying forensically important flies.