Thomas Pape

DNA-based identification and molecular systematics of forensically important Sarcophagidae (Diptera).

Sarcophagid flies have many characteristics that make them ideal forensic indicators. However, their utility is severely limited because it is difficult or impossible to determine the species of a sarcophagid larva, and in many instances an adult specimen, based on anatomy. We developed a database of mitochondrial DNA sequence data that makes it possible to identify all sarcophagid species likely to be found feeding on a human corpse at an urban location in Canada or the USA. Analyses were based on a 783 base pair region of the gene for cytochrome oxidase subunit one (COI). The species analyzed, including some of no forensic importance that were included for purposes of phylogenetic comparisons, were members of the genera Sarcophaga, Peckia, Blaesoxipha, Rovinia, Wohlfahrtia, Brachicoma (all Sarcophagidae), and Musca (Muscidae).

The Palaeoptera Problem: Basal Pterygote Phylogeny Inferred from 18S and 28S rDNA Sequences

Monophyly of the pterygote insects is generally accepted, but the relationships among the three basal branches (Odonata, Ephemeroptera and Neoptera) remain controversial. The traditional view, to separate the pterygote insects in Palaeoptera (Odonata + Ephemeroptera) and Neoptera, based on the ability or inability to fold the wings over the abdomen, has been questioned. Various authors have used different sets of morphological characters in support of all three possible arrangements of the basal pterygote branches. We sequenced 18S and 28S rDNA from 18 species of Odonata, 8 species of Ephemeroptera, 2 species of Neoptera, and 1 species of Archaeognatha in our study. The new sequences, in combination with sequences from GenBank, have been used in a parsimony jackknife analysis resulting in strong support for a monophyletic Palaeoptera. Morphological evidence and the phylogenetic implications for understanding the origin of insect flight are discussed.

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.

Phylogeny of Oestridae (Insecta: Diptera)

The phylogeny of Oestridae was analysed at the generic level using 118 characters from all developmental stages and including morphology, ontogeny, physiology and behaviour. Four major clades were given subfamilial rank with the phylogenetic relationship (Cuterebrinae (Gasterophilinae (Hypodermatinae + Oestrinae))). The subdermal parasites of the African elephant, Neocuterebra squamosa Grünberg and Ruttenia loxodontis Rodhain, had their most probable affiliation subordinate to the clade of stomach parasites, although their exact position needs further investigation. Genus Ochotonia Grunin, which is known from a single third‐instar larva only, was the probable sister group of all other Hypodermatinae. Twenty‐five oestrid genera were recognised as valid and those containing more than one species were defined through lists of autapomorphies. Cuterebra Clark was proposed as a senior synonym of Alouattamyia Townsend, Andinocuterebra Guimarães, Pseudogametes Bischof and Rogenhofera Brauer. The clade of hypodermatine ungulate parasites (Hypoderma Latreille +Pallasiomyia Rubtzov +Pavlovskiata Grunin +Przhevalskiana Grunin +Strobiloestrus Brauer) remained largely unresolved, and genus Przhevalskiana emerged without defining characters.

Flies that are parasitoids of a marine snail: the larviposition behaviour and life cycles of Sarcophaga megafilosia and Sarcophaga meiofilosia

We report on the larviposition behaviours and life cycles of what appear to be the first known insect parasitoids of a marine mollusc. In the field, Sarcophaga megafilosia Pape, McKillup & McKillup and Sarcophaga meiofilosia Pape, McKillup & McKillup were seen depositing larvae close to live individuals of the intertidal snail, Littoraria filosa (Sowerby), which lives on the upper leaves and branches of mangroves. Once a larva had entered the shell, by wriggling between the operculum and the spire, it began burrowing into the foot of the snail. This caused the snail to retract violently and produce large amounts of mucus that entrapped and prevented other larvae present outside from entering the shell. Each snail died within an hour of larval penetration and its shell, within which the larva and pupa developed, became glued to a leaf or branch with dried mucus. S. megafilosia only larviposited on snails with shells 10 mm or longer, while S. meiofilosia only larviposited on those with shells from 4 to <10 mm long. Both flies were reared in the laboratory and had similar life cycles with a minimum generation time of about 50 days. Adults lived for up to 7 months and overwintered as adults; there was no evidence of a larval or pupal diapause.The larviposition behaviours of these flies are contrasted with a sarcophagid parasitoid of terrestrial snails. We suggest that other sarcophagid parasitoids of littorinid snails may have been overlooked, and that visual selection of hosts by S. megafilosia and S. meiofilosia may be at least partly responsible for maintaining the shell colour polymorphism shown by L. filosa.

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

Three 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.

A new genus of Paramacronychiinae (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), argued from a genus-level cladistic analysis

Primorya gen.n. is described as a new genus of the flesh fly subfamily Paramacronychiinae, including the type species and sole member Primorya ussuriensis sp.n. from the Russian Far East. Arguments for erecting a new genus are obtained from a phylogenetic analysis of all paramacronychiine genera. Goniophyto suenagai (Kurahashi), comb.n. is transferred from Wohlfahrtiodes Villeneuve and included in a broadened concept of Goniophyto Townsend, and Agria cicadina (Kato) , comb.n. is transferred from Angiometopa Brauer & Bergenstamm. A key to all paramacronychiine genera is provided.

A new species of Sarcofahrtiopsis Hall (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) living in roosts of Spix's disk-winged bat Thyroptera tricolor Spix (Chiroptera) in Costa Rica

Sarcofahrtiopsis thyropteronthos sp. n. is described from Costa Rica. All specimens were bred from faeces taken from young, tubular leaves of musoid plants (genera Heliconia and Calathea) used as roosts by Spixs disk-winged bat Thyroptera tricolor Spix. Larvae were observed in practically all roosts suggesting a highly specialized association.