A checklist of arthropods associated with rat carrion in a montane locality of northern Venezuela

Abstract This is the first report of arthropods associated with carrion in Venezuela, using laboratory bred rats ( Rattus norvegicus ). Rat carcasses were exposed to colonization by arthropods in neighboring montane savanna and cloud forest habitats in the state of Miranda. The taxonomic composition...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Forensic science international 2008-01, Vol.174 (1), p.68-70
Main Author: VELASQUEZ, Yelitza
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Arthropoda
Arthropods
Biological and medical sciences
Calliphora
Clouds
Coleoptera
Diptera
Entomology
Feeding Behavior
Forensic entomology
Forensic medicine
Forensic sciences
Formicidae
General aspects
Insects
Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects)
Medical sciences
Micropezidae
Pathology
Public health. Hygiene
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
Rats
Rattus norvegicus
Silphidae
Termitidae
Trees
Venezuela
Vespidae
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Summary:Abstract This is the first report of arthropods associated with carrion in Venezuela, using laboratory bred rats ( Rattus norvegicus ). Rat carcasses were exposed to colonization by arthropods in neighboring montane savanna and cloud forest habitats in the state of Miranda. The taxonomic composition of the arthropods varied between both ecosystems. Scarabaeidae, Silphidae, Micropezidae, Phoridae, Vespidae and one species of ant, were collected only in the cloud forest. Dermestes maculatus , Chrysomya albiceps , Termitidae and most species of ants, were found only in the savanna. Fourteen species were considered to be of primary forensic importance: D. maculatus , Oxelytrum discicolle , Calliphora sp., Cochliomyia macellaria , Compsomyiops sp., C. albiceps , Phaenicia cuprina , P. sericata , P. eximia , Fannia sp., Puliciphora sp., Megaselia scalaris , Ravina sp. and Sarcophaga sp.
ISSN:0379-0738
1872-6283
DOI:10.1016/j.forsciint.2007.02.020