Wing morphometrics for identification of forensically important blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Iberian Peninsula

Calliphoridae is a family of Diptera of great forensic interest because some of its species belong to the sarcosaprophagous diptera community, as their larvae are necrophagous or necrophilous. In the Iberian Peninsula there are six species that stand out, as they are the first insects to arrive at carrion: Calliphora vicina, Calliphora vomitoria, Lucilia sericata, Lucilia caesar, Chrysomya albiceps and Chrysomya megacephala. To differentiate among these blowflies, we compared the value of using traditional and geometric morphometrics by performing a morphometric analysis of the wings (shape and size). A total of 600 individuals were considered, segregated by species and sex equally. Seventeen landmarks per wing were recognized, and then centroid size and shape analyses were performed using geometric morphometrics, and size using traditional morphometrics, to identify species and sex. The results showed differences in shape among the species and it was found that landmarks 2 to 11 were the most variable, while the landmarks located at the base of the wings were relatively stable. However, according to both traditional and geometric morphometrics, no significant differences were found among species in wing size (Calliphora vicina, Chrysomya megacephala and Lucilia caesar were indistinguishable), but females were larger than males (except for the two Chrysomya species). Our results indicate that the use of geometric morphometrics to analyze wing configuration (shape) is an easy-to-use tool that helps to distinguish among common blowfly species of forensic importance.AMS was supported by projects of University of Alicante (No. GRE09-27) and Generalitat Valenciana (No. GV2011/039)

Contribución al conocimiento de los Calliphoridae y Sarcophagidae sarcosaprófagos presentes en un agrosistema del sureste de la Península Ibérica

Se presenta un listado de 11 especies de Calliphoridae y Sarcophagidae capturados en la estación Biológica Torretes situada en el término municipal de Ibi y colindante con el Parque Natural del Carrascal de la Font Roja, al norte de la provincia de Alicante. Los ejemplares fueron obtenidos tras un muestreo de 72 horas mediante el empleo de diversas trampas cebadas con hígado de cerdo y carcasas de pollo evisceradas, en una zona de pinar y en una zona soleada de cultivo. También se indica la distribución actualizada de las especies capturadas en España y una síntesis sobre los aspectos más importantes sobre su bionomía.A list of 11 species of Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae captured at Torretes Biological Station located in the town of Ibi and adjacent to the Natural Park of Font Roja in the north of the province of Alicante is presented. The specimens were obtained over a 72 hours sampling by baited traps with pork liver and eviscerated chicken carcasses in a pine forest area and in a crop sunny area. The current distribution of the species captured in Spain, and a summary of the most important aspects of their bionomics is also detailed.Este trabajo ha sido apoyado por el Progama Alßan, (Programa de Becas de Alto Nivel para América Latina, No. E06D101359VE) y parcialmente financiado por los proyectos GV/2011/039 (Generalitat Valenciana) y GRE09-27 (Universidad de Alicante)

Early Years Staff Experiences in a “Culture of Learning” Regarding Inclusion in a Nursery Class in a British School: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.

Less than 20% of the early childhood education and care (ECEC) staff members working in British early childhood centres agree that the inclusion of all children is an essential part of their working agenda, as they feel unqualified to take care of children with complex SEN or disabilities. This study makes a novel contribution by drawing on data compiled from a one-year ethnographic study which addressed the in-service learning experiences of seven teaching staff members that work inclusively. The participants included 2 classroom teachers, 1 SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator), and 4 teaching assistants from a preschool class that teaches 92 children between the ages of 3 and 4, located in a primary school in England. We explore what professional learning means for the participants’ role, which professional learning opportunities are meaningful to them, and under which circumstances had been offered. This study not only does consider their opportunities for professional development on the job but also outside of work. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews, artifact analysis, and ongoing participant observation over one academic year. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). The results demonstrate that this case study offers a unique perspective of a microsystem that could be at risk due to a lack of awareness by leaders and administration. The study is divided into four themes that directly impact inclusive professional service-development practices: (1) challenges posed to continuous professional development by differing professional roles, (2) motives for in-service training: combining career, school, and authorities’ interests, (3) promotion of meaningful professional development experiences by school, and (4) self-determined classroom motivated by respect and recognition.Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málag

Protophormia terraenovae (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830) (Diptera, Calliphoridae) A new forensic indicator to south-western Europe

Protophormia terraenovae larvae are found frequently on corpses in central and northern Europe but are scarce in the Mediterranean area. We present the first case in the Iberian Peninsula where P. terraenovae was captured during autopsies in Madrid (Spain). In the corpse other necrophagous flies were found, Lucilia sericata, Chrysomya albiceps and Sarcophaga argyrostoma. To calculate the posmortem interval, the life cycle of P. terraenovae was studied at constant temperature, room laboratory and natural fluctuating conditions. The total developmental time was 16.61±0.09 days, 16.75±4.99 days in the two first cases. In natural conditions, developmental time varied between 31.22±0.07 days (average temperature: 15.6oC), 15.58±0.08 days (average temperature: 21.5oC) and 14.9±0.10 days (average temperature: 23.5oC). Forensic importance and the implications of other necrophagous Diptera presence is also discussed.Las larvas de Protophormia terraenovae se encuentran con frecuencia asociadas a cadáveres en el centro y norte de Europa pero son raras en el área Mediterránea. Presentamos el primer caso en la Península Ibérica donde se han recolectado larvas de P. terraenovae en autopsias efectuadas en Madrid (Spain). Otras especies necrófagas fueron recolectadas del cadáver, Lucilia sericata, Chrysomya albiceps y Sarcophaga argyrostoma. Para estimar el intervalo postmortem, se estudió el ciclo biológico de P. terraenovae a temperatura constante, en condiciones de laboratorio y bajo condiciones naturales variables. El tiempo total de desarrollo fue 16.61±0.09 días, 16.75±4.99 días para los dos primeros casos. En condiciones naturales, el tiempo total de desarrollo varió entre 31.22±0.07 días (temperatura media: 15.6oC), 15.58±0.08 días (temperatura media: 21.5oC) y 14.9±0.10 días (temperatura media: 23.5oC). Se discuten tanto la importancia forense como las implicaciones de otros dípteros necrófagos presentes en el estudio.Partial financial support was partially provided by the European Commission [LIFE05 ENV/E/000302], University of Alicante [GRE09-27] and the Regional Ministry of the Generalitat Valenciana [GV/2011/039]

Revision of the Afrotropical genus Fainia Zumpt, 1958, with notes on the morphology of Rhiniidae subfamilies (Diptera, Oestroidea)

The taxonomy and diversity of Fainia Zumpt, 1958, an exclusive Afrotropical genus, had not been reviewed recently. The genus included six nominal species, but the status of several of them was debated. Identification of most Fainia species depends on characters of the male terminalia; females are poorly known and, in several cases, are not adequately diagnosed. We conducted a taxonomic revision of the genus and generated identification tools. Based on the study of type material and specimens available in entomological collections in Africa and Europe, we recognise here three of the six species as valid (F. albitarsis (Macquart, 1846), F. elongata (Bezzi, 1908) and F. inexpectata Zumpt, 1973). We also provide an identification key to both sexes, redescriptions of the species, updated distribution records and high resolution photographs of males’ and females’ habitus and male terminalia. The description of Fainia kagerana Lehrer, 2007a nom. nud. is an invalid nomenclatural act in terms of ICZN Article 13.1.1. Based on examinations of their holotypes, F. sambura Lehrer, 2008 syn. nov. is proposed as a junior synonym of F. albitarsis; F. kirinyaga Lehrer, 2007b syn. nov. is proposed as a junior synonym of F. inexpectata; and Fainia giriama Lehrer, 2007b is moved from the genus Fainia to the genus Rhinia Robineau-Desvoidy, as Rhinia giriama (Lehrer, 2007b) comb. nov.. We propose two apomorphies that support the status of the subfamily Rhiniinae.This work was partially funded by the H2020 Research and Innovation Staff Exchange Programme of the European Commission (RISE), project 645636: ‘Insect-plant relationships: insights into biodiversity and new applications’ (FlyHigh); by the International PhD Title Grant of the University of Alicante; and the Bøje Benzons Foundation Grant from the Natural History Museum of Denmark

Phenotypic variation of the housefly, Musca domestica: amounts and patterns of wing shape asymmetry in wild populations and laboratory colonies

Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae) is a vector of a range variety of pathogens infecting humans and animals. During a year, housefly experiences serial population bottlenecks resulted in reduction of genetic diversity. Population structure has also been subjected to different selection regimes created by insect control programs and pest management. Both environmental and genetic disturbances can affect developmental stability, which is often reflected in morphological traits as asymmetry. Since developmental stability is of great adaptive importance, the aim of this study was to examine fluctuating asymmetry (FA), as a measure of developmental instability, in both wild populations and laboratory colonies of M. domestica. The amount and pattern of wing shape FA was compared among samples within each of two groups (laboratory and wild) and between groups. Firstly, the amount of FA does not differ significantly among samples within the group and neither does it differ between groups. Regarding the mean shape of FA, contrary to non-significant difference within the wild population group and among some colonies, the significant difference between groups was found. These results suggest that the laboratory colonies and wild samples differ in buffering mechanisms to perturbations during development. Hence, inbreeding and stochastic processes, mechanisms dominating in the laboratory-bred samples contributed to significant changes in FA of wing shape. Secondly, general patterns of left–right displacements of landmarks across both studied sample groups are consistent. Observed consistent direction of FA implies high degrees of wing integration. Thus, our findings shed light on developmental buffering processes important for population persistence in the environmental change and genetic stress influence on M. domestica.This work was supported in part by the Ministry of Science of Serbia (Dynamics of gene pool, genetic and phenotypic variability of populations, determined by the environmental changes, no. 173012), and the Provincial Secretariat for Science and Technological Development (Molecular and phenotypic diversity of taxa of economical and epidemiological importance, and endangered and endemic species in Europe). This study was partially funded by project LIFE-ECODIPTERA (LIFE05-ENV/E/000302)

South African nose flies (Diptera, Calliphoridae, Rhiniinae): taxonomy, diversity, distribution and biology

Rhiniinae (Diptera, Calliphoridae) is a taxon of nearly 400 known species, many of them termitophilous. Approximatelly 160 valid species in 16 genera are Afrotropical, with over 60 of them occurring in South Africa. The taxonomy of this group is outdated, as most studies of the South African taxa were conducted 40 to 70 years ago (mostly by Salvador Peris and Fritz Zumpt). Published information on their biology and ecology is also scarce.An annotated checklist of 73 species of Rhiniinae for South Africa was developed, based on the holdings of sixteen entomological collections in Africa, Europe and North America. Over 3,700 specimens were examined, revealing nine new species records for South Africa (Cosmina undulata Malloch, 1926, Isomyia cuthbertsoni (Curran, 1938), Rhyncomya botswana Zumpt, 1974, R. tristis Séguy, 1933, Stomorhina apta Curran, 1931, S. malobana (Lehrer, 2007), Thoracites kirkspriggsi Kurahashi, 2001, Th. sarcophagoides Kurahashi, 2001 and Trichoberia lanata (Villeneuve, 1920)). We propose one new combination Eurhyncomyia metzi (Zumpt, 1981) comb. nov. (= Rhyncomya metzi Zumpt, 1981)). Additionally, evidence is presented to remove Rhyncomya viduella Villeneuve, 1927 stat. rev. from synonymy with Rhyncomya cassotis (Walker, 1849). Relevant novel biological and seasonality information, historical occurrence maps and high-definition photographs for each species are compiled

First records of blowflies from Andorra (Diptera, Calliphoridae)

En este trabajo se aborda el estudio faunístico y fenológico de las especies de Calliphoridae capturadas con trampa Malaise durante el año 1993 en Andorra. En cuanto a los resultados faunísticos concluir que 18 de las 19 especies estudiadas son nuevas citas para Andorra y la novedad de Pollenia atramentaria para la Península Ibérica. Destacar la ausencia de Chrysomya albiceps en Andorra, especie abundante y ampliamente distribuida en la Península Ibérica. La actividad imaginal en la zona de estudio se centra principalmente en los meses de primavera y verano cuando la temperatura media supera los 15° C. Las especies más frecuentes fueron Onesia floralis y Pollenia labialis, presentando la primera una actividad de vuelo bimodal con máximos en junio y septiembre y P. labialis sólo uno a finales de marzo.In this paper, the fauna and annual activity of Calliphoridae species, which were caught in Malaise trap during 1993 from Andorra, were studied. Regarding to faunistic results, 18 of 19 studied species are new records from Andorra and Pollenia atramentaria being new record from Iberian Peninsula. Stand out the absence of Chrysomya albiceps, common and widely distributed species in the Iberian Peninsula. In the studied area, the annual activity of blowflies is mainly in spring and summer months, when the average temperature exceeds 15° C. Onesia floralis and Pollenia labialis are the commoner species, the former showing a bimodal activity with peaks in June and September and the latter peaking only at the end of March.Este trabajo ha sido parcialmente subvencionado por el proyecto del Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología BOS2000-0148

Dendrimers as Soft Nanomaterials for Electrochemical Immunosensors

Electrochemical immunosensors are antibody-based affinity biosensors with a high impact on clinical, environmental, food, and pharmaceutical analysis. In general, the analytical performance of these devices is critically determined by the materials and reagents used for their construction, signal production and amplification. Dendrimers are monodisperse and highly branched polymers with three-dimensional structures widely employed as “soft” nanomaterials in electrochemical immunosensor technology. This review provides an overview on the state-of-the-art in dendrimer-based electrochemical immunosensors, focusing on those using polyamidoamine and poly (propylene imine) dendrimers. Special emphasis is given to the most original methods recently reported for the construction of immunosensor architectures incorporating dendrimers, as well as to novel sensing approaches based on dendrimer-assisted signal enhancement strategies