IBN AL- HAITHAM J. FOR PURE & APPL. S CI. VOL.22 (4) 2009 Seasonal Abundance of Adult Fly Species on the Exposed Carcasses in Baghdad City M . S . Abdul – Rassoul , R. S . Augul , H. H. Al – Saffar Iraqi Natural History Museum, University of Baghdad. Abstract Adult of dipterous flies were collected monthly from exposed animals carcasses during the period from February 2006 to January 2007 in Baghdad city . The results obtained showed that flies could be collected all over the year with variation of their population density in different seasons. The majority of the collected species were abundant during Spring and late Autumn (at lowest numbers) . In this invest igation, nineteen species confined to four families were collected; these families are: Calliphoridae, Muscidae, Sarcophagidae and Fanniidae. The species Musca domestica Linn .was the most abundant followed by Chrysomya megacephala ( Fabricius ) , while Pollenia sp . and Fannia sp . were the least abundant species. Introduction The dipterous flies can be distinguished from most other insects by the possession of only one pair of functional wings; immediately behind the wings arises a pair of club – shaped organs called halters which are derived from the posterior pair of wings [ 1 ] .The most important feature of the wings , for purpose of identification and classification ,is the wing – venation . This is quite astonishingly constant within one sp ecies , and often genera , tribes and families can be recognized immediately by some apparently insignificant detail [ 2] . In suborder Cyclorrhapha , the antennae are composed of three segments an aristae or style carried dorsally on the last segment ; palpi with a single segment ; this group is large , consist ing mainly of the insects normally called ( flies ) , many are closely similar to one another and their classification [2] . The flies of the series schizophora are remarkable for the possession of an eversible sac or ptilinum, which protrudes from their heads and with which they push open the puparium and work their way through the soil beneath which they may have pup ated [ 3 ] , the families M uscidae , Fanniidae , Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae for exam lie of this series above . The families M uscidae , Fanniidae of older authors , may be defined as Calyptrate Dip tera which lack a row of st rong setae on the hypopleuron [ 1 ] . Adult of these families may be recognized by the 6 th (anal) vein (A1) , this vein is short , and does reach wing – margin in both families . Adult Fanniidae can be recognized by the extremely short 6 th (anal ) vein , which does not extend half the distance from its base to the wing – margin , and by the curvature of the 7 th vein , an imaginary extension of which would intersect an imaginary extension of the 6 th vein well before the wing – margin ; and by the presence of a true dorsal sub median seta on hind tibia , which the adult of M uscidae recognized it , hind tibia without a strong median true dorsal seta , vein (A1) is longer than (A1) in Fanniidae , if extended does not meet an imaginary extension of vein (A2) before wing – margin [ 4 ] . The Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae are the well – known blue bottles and green bottles flies , also known as blow flies , and the grey flesh flies [ 5 ] , although bearing a superficial resemblance to flies of other families ( e . g . Muscidae ) the Calliphoridae are dist inguished by having well – developed thoracic squamae and a row of bristles on the hyp opleuron . In IBN AL- HAITHAM J. FOR PURE & APPL. S CI. VOL.22 (4) 2009 Sarcophagidae (flesh flies), the adult large grayish – black chequered abdomen and black – st riped thorax, a few species are brownish – y ellow in colour but the thoracic stripes are always present [1, 2,3 ] . The adult flies are att racted to carrion and faces at which they normally breed, and occur throughout the world and mostly breed in decaying animal matter [6]. Flies succession on carrion decomposition are influenced by many factors, most important of them are temperature, humidity, rain fall [7]. M any studies had been all the four seasons and attempted to describe the succession of insect on carrion exposed such as; [8 ,9 ,10] . Flies have been implicated in the direct and indirect mechanical transmission of a number of pathogens responsible for human disease, especially those causing diarrheal illness; the common factor in the ecology of several sp ecies of flies is their utilization of decomposing organic materials as food sources for the adults and as developmental media for their larvae. Considering that these materials are often carrion, feces and food wastes (all with associated pathogens) [11], furthermore there are many sp ecies of flies can lay their eggs in an open wound on man and animals causing M yiasis disease [ 5 ] . The aim of this study is to identify the fly species which are associated with exposed animal carcasses in Baghdad city . Materials and Methods The study was carried out in the garden of Iraqi Natural History M useum. A survey of adult flies was undertaken during the period from February 2006 to January 2007 on decomposed carcasses of rabbits and fishes decomposition. The Rabbit were killed by st rangulation using chloroform, and then placed with fishes in a metal cage according to the method of Denno and Cothran [12]. The cage was located in an open area and was exposed to direct sunlight and replicated monthly . Collection and sampling were performed randomly among the carcasses. Flies were captured by aerial net, and then killed by freezing and mounted on entomological pins. The sp ecimens were observed under dissecting microscop e and identified to family and species using numerous keys [2, 3, 4, 13, 14, 15, 16] Results Adult of dipterous flies collected from the garden of Iraqi Natural History M useum, Baghdad city; using exposed carcasses (fishes and rabbits) during the period (from February 2006 to January 2007) of investigation were located in four families. Their seasonal abundance and the relative annual abundance were given in Table (1 ,2 ) and Table (3) showed the temperature and relative humidity which were recorded in Baghdad city during this p eriod . (1) Family: Calliphoridae: Five species were collected. Calliphora vicina Rob – Desvoidy; it started with a high population during February . Its natural population then decreased during next months. In Jun, July, August, September, October and December, no flies were collected. During November the insect reappeared with a lowest numbers. Results showed that species appeared to one p eak during Spring. Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann): This species was abundant throughout the year, its population started with a lowest level in February , while it had a highest number in April. The abundance of this sp ecies was fluctuated in other months; no flies were collected during January . The population showed one p eak during Spring. Chrysomya megacephala ( Fabricius ) : This species was found all the year round , its highest population was reached during April and lowest during February and March , also ; September , IBN AL- HAITHAM J. FOR PURE & APPL. S CI. VOL.22 (4) 2009 October , December and January , while the flies reappear with a highest numbers in November . This species appeared to have two peaks; the first during Spring and the second during Autumn. Lucilia sericata (Meigen): The population of this species was fluctuated during this p eriod; it was highest during Spring, no flies were collected during July to January. Pollenia sp .: This sp ecies was scare during this investigation; this species was recorded during February only, but in lowest number. The results Table (2) showed that the relative annual abundance of these species; in family of Calliphoridae was 15.34, 33.93, 39.2, 11.45 and 0.08 % resp ectively. Accordingly, Ch. megacephala was the most abundant in this family, followed by Ch albiceps , C . vicina , L sericata and finally Pollenia sp . (II) Family: M uscidae: There were five collected species. Musca domestica Linn. : This sp ecies was the most abundant throughout the year except December. A high peak occurred during Spring reaching its maximum in April. The population then decreased gradually reaching the lowest level in January. Musca sorbens Wied. : The population of this sp ecies was scare in this period, its seasonal abundance showed a high peak during Spring and late Summer. No flies were collected during M arch, M ay, Jun, July, September, October, December and January. Musca biseta Hough: This species was recorded during August only, but in lowest numbers. Musca sp .: Its population started with lowest numbers during February , it increased during Spring and reached its highest peak in April. One other peak occurred in November. No flies, however, were collected during June to October; also in December and January . Muscina stabulans (Fallen): Flies were abundant during late Winter and Spring . The highest peak was reached in April. No fly was recorded in Summer, early Autumn and early Winter. These results showed that sp ecies in lowest numbers during November and January. The relative annual abundance of the above mentioned sp ecies was 84.46, 2.73, 0.21, 6.4 and 6.2 % resp ectively. Accordingly, M . domestica comes first , followed by Musca sp . , Muscina stabulans, Musca sorbens, and finally Musca biseta . (III) Family: Fanniidae: There were two species collected in this investigation. Fannia canicularis (Linn.): The pop ulation of this sp ecies started with a high level in February forming its first peak. No flies could be collected for the next months from April to December. Fannia sp .: This species was scare during the investigating period; it's recorded in lowest number in March only. The relative annual abundance of these species was 97.3 and 2.7 %. Accordingly, F. canicularis was much more abundant than Fannia sp . (IV) Family Sarcophagidae : Seven species were collected during the invest igating period . Sarcophaga africa ( Wiedemann ) : This was the most abundant species in this family ; flies were abundant during Spring , Summer , late Autumn and early Winter . The highest level occurred during Summer, especially in July. Sarcophaga melanura Meig . : This was the least abundant of Sarcophagid species. Only two individuals were collected during March. Sarcophaga sp.1 : This species was collected during March and June only ; the highest number was in June. Sarcophaga sp.2: No flies could be collected during February , its population started with high numbers during Spring. The highest peak was reached in March. No flies collected from July till January. Sarcophaga carnaria (Linn.): This sp ecies has a similar abundance of S. melanura, but it was collected during April only. IBN AL- HAITHAM J. FOR PURE & APPL. S CI. VOL.22 (4) 2009 Sarcophaga argyrostoma (Rob – Desvoidy): Flies were collected during late Spring and late Autumn with highest number in reached April, There were no flies collected during other months. Ravinia pernix ( Harr . ) : Flies were abundant during Spring ; the highest peak was reached in April . No flies could be collected during other months. The relative annual abundance of these sp ecies was 60.23, 2.27, 5.68, 10.23, 2.27, 6.82 and 12.5 % respectively. Accordingly S. africa comes first; it was much more abundant than other sp ecies of this family; followed by R. pernix, Sarcophaga sp .2, Sarcophaga argyrostoma, Sarcophaga sp1 and lastly S. melanura , S . carnaria at similar appearance. Discussion A summary of the relative annual abundance of the collected sp ecies of adult dipterous flies from one locality in Baghdad city is given in Table (2), seasonal activity of flies species were fluctuating depending on season and environmental condition, temperature is most important factor affecting the growth and development of insects [17]. The adults of five families of diptera collected from the carcasses. Adults in the families Calliphoridae and Muscidae were the initial colonizers of the carcasses and then arriving adults in the family Sarcophagidae ; the species of Calliphoridae reported from carrion ; Ch . albiceps , Ch . megacephala and Lucilia sp . [18] ; the abundance of other group of flies in Diptera; it responds to the environmental conditions and that weather exerts a very powerful influence on their activities such as feeding and emerging [19]. Field observations supported by the data recorded in the present study , show that most, if not all, sp ecies of the collected Dipterous flies are more abundant during the moderate temperatures of Spring and Autumn seasons than during cold Winter and hot Summer seasons. Most flies were highly abundant and reached their highest activity during the period from February to M ay except three species; Ch. albiceps , Ch . megacephala and M . domestica which present all the year for the first and the second species and occurred in eleven months for the third species; but their populations fluctuated during the season of the year influenced by temperature and relative humidity . It was rapid invasion of carcasses by adults Diptera (especially Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae ) , in Calliphorids ; they were collected C . vicina , L . sericata and Ch . albiceps , also assured that L . sericata was able to breed successfully in carrion in rain fall , Winter and Spring ; in Summer , it was surprising to find adult of this species in abundance on carrion from first day after the dead of the animals [10]. The flies associated with pig carrion and human corpses, these species; Ch. albiceps, Ch. megacephala and Lucilia sp. [18] , Ch . albiceps which is usually associated with warm weather was found as well [20] , also find that Ch. albiceps is by far the most abundant sp ecies of Diptera found in Autumn, while in Winter its presence is extremely rare [21] , this result in an agreement with the present study .On the other hand, Ch. albiceps is common in Summer , although in lower numbers than in Autumn ; this sp ecies is considered to be the principal taxon present of the primary diptera ; which suggests colonization of the carcass at the end of Summer or beginning of in Autumn , since this when Ch . albiceps is the most abundant species [21]. Adult specimens of, Ch. megacephala, was p resent on a man corpse when the temperature was 27 C o max & 15 C o minimum [22],while the temperature of 25 C o and 70 % r.h. were best condition for adult flies survival and produced higher adult population , least adult production was at 37 C o and 70 % r.h. [23] . C. vicina occurs in winter in the subtropics and in Spring when rain fall occurs in the temperate zone [24]: on the other hand, C . vicina was well represented in carrion in Winter only [10]. IBN AL- HAITHAM J. FOR PURE & APPL. S CI. VOL.22 (4) 2009 The C. vicina was identified on meat exposed, and assured that oviposition of this species occurring in late April (28C o max, 13 C o min. and r.h. max. 91% & 31 % min.) [25], whereas that C . vicina occurred only on the unsheltered carcass in Winter ( the most common sp ecies at this time of the year ) [20] . On the other hand, C . v icina was found the most dominant species in the coldest months [26], also this result is in an agreement with the present investigation . The species of Pollenia sp . was rare in this study; this species was reported in Diyala Governorate [14]. In M uscidae ; the muscid adults found early arrival such as M . domestica , Musca sp . [18]. The flies of this family were found on Rabbit carrion exposed carcass; Muscina stabulans , M . domestica , M . sorbens ; and assured that Muscina stabulans was the dominant fly breeding in Winter [ 10 ] . On the other hand Fanniidae species were collected in small numbers in this study; it was represented by F . cancularis and Fannia sp . In the cold seasons; it was recorded in Winter and early Spring as assured by Tantawi et al [10]. S.argyrostoma bred successfully in carrion only in rain fall [10] ; while the other studies mentioned that the flesh flies are primary invaders of carrion in warmer temperate and tropical region [ 27 , 28 ] , whereas they are secondary species in cooler regions [ 29 ] . S . Africa was identified on meat exposed and assured that larvipositing of this species occurring in late May as a dominant species [25], and the primary role of Sarcophagidae in carrion co lonization [30], while the adult of S. argyrostoma was dominant fly in rain fall [10] . Sarcophaga species cannot survive in a cold temperature climate [31], as referenced to Ward ' s M anual [32] ; the development rates of Sarcophaga species were temperature and light dependent , cooler temperatures and less light exposure will slow down the growth of development ; and the optimal temperature of development arrest is at 4 C o . In addition, the optimal culturing conditions were 25 C o and 24һ. light exposure. Generally from this investigation we can conclude that the numbers of species which were collected on exposed carcasses in lowest number during Summer as compared with other season; M ay cause that stages of decomposition were very quick in Summer or hot months [ 20 ]. Finally, the Calliphoridae sp ecies were the most abundant, followed by Muscidae , Sarcophagidae and finally Fanniidae species . References 1.Oldroyd , H . (1970) Diptera : Introduction an key to families , Handbooks for the identification of British insects . Royal Entomol . Soc. of London, Vol . IX. Part 1 . 104 pp . 2.Smith , K . G . V . (1973)Insects and other arthropods of medical importance. British M useum ( Natural History ) , London . 561 pp . 3.Zumpt , F . (1965) Myiasis in Man and animals in the world, London: Butterworth’s, 267pp. 4.Pont , A . C .( 1991) Fauna of Saudi Arabia , 12 : 312 – 365 . 5.Spradbery , J . P . (199 ) A M anual for the Diagnosis of Screw – Worm fly . Commonwealth of CSIRO Division of Entomology , Aust ralia , Canberra : 62 pp . 6.Greenburg , B .(1973)Flies and Disease . Vol . 11 , Biology and Disease Transmission , Princeton University p ress , Princeton , NJ . 447 pp . 7.Galloway , A . , W . H . Brikby , A . M . Jones , T . E . Henry , and B . O . Parks (1989) J . Forensic . Sci . 34: 607 – 616 . 8.Reed , H . B . J . r .(1958) Am . Midl . Nat . 59 : 213 – 245 ( cited in Tantawi et al 1996 ) . 9.Johnson , M .D . (1975) J . Amer . M idland Naturalist . 93 : 79 – 90 . IBN AL- HAITHAM J. FOR PURE & APPL. S CI. VOL.22 (4) 2009 10.Tantawi , T . I . , El - Kady , E . M . ; Greenberg , B . and El – Ghaffar , H . A .(1996) . J . M ed . Entomol . 33 (4 ) : 566 – 580 . 11.White , G . B .(2006) Filth flies : significance , Surveillence and control in contingency operations , Technical Guide No . 30 . published and Dist ributed by Armed forces pest M anagement Board , Washington , 54 pp . 12.Denno , R . F. and Cothran , W . R .(1976 ) Ann . Entomol . Soc . Am .69 (1) : 109 – 113 . 13.Roback , S . S .(1951) Ann. Entomol . Soc . Am . 44 : 327 – 361 . 14.Mawlood , N . A .(2001) Taxonomic study of the blowflies ( Diptera : Calliphoridae ) in middle of Iraq. A thesis of Ph.D., college of agriculture, university of Baghdad . 15.Al – Saffar , H . H.(2003)The Taxonomic study of the family M uscidae ( Insecta : Diptera ) in the Middle of Iraq . A thesis of M . Sc. in Biology, College of Science, University of Baghdad. 194 pp. 16.Al – Hadidi , S . N.(2005) Taxomic study on the family flies (Diptera : Sarcophagidae ) in Diyala Governorate . A thesis of M . Sc. in Biology, College of Education, Diyala University . 116 pp. 17.Catts , E . P . and Goff , L .(1992) Ann . Rev . Entomol . 37 : 253 – 272 . 18.Carvalho et al .L . M . L . ;Thyssen , P . J . ; Goff , M . L . and Linhares , A . X .(2004) Anil Aggrawal◌ُ s Internet Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology , 5 (1): 33 – 39 . 19.Kamal , M .(1939) Egypt , M in Agr . Tech . and Sci . Bull . 207 , 110 pp . 20.Centeno , N. ; Maldonado , M . and Oliva , A .(2000) Forensic Science International , 126 : 63 – 70 . 21.Arnaldos , M . I ; Romera , E. ; Garcia , M. D . and Luna , A .( 2001) International. J . of Legal Medicine , 114 : 156 – 162 . 22.Oliveira – Costa , J . and M ello –Patiu , C . A . (2004 ) Anil Aggrawal ◌ُs Internet J . of forensic M edicine and Toxicology , 5(1) : 40 – 44 . 23.Al – Zubydi, R. SH. A.(2000) Comparative study of some biological and ecological aspects between old world screw worm fly Chrysomya bezziana Vill. and big headed secondary myiasis fly Ch . megacephala ( Fab . ) ( Diptera : Calliphoridae ) in Baghdad . A thesis of M .Sc. in Biology , Baghdad University . 24.Greenberg , B and Povolny , D .(1971)Bionomics of flies , pp . 57 – 83 . In B . Greenberg , flies and disease vol. 1 . Princeton University prees , Princeton. N.J. 25.Leccese , A .(2004).Anil Aggrawa◌ُls Internet J . of forensic Medicine and Toxicology , 5 (1) : 26 – 32 . 26.Schroeder , H . ; Klotzbach , H . and Puschel , K .( 2003). Legal Medicine, 5 : 372 – 374 . 27.Early , M . and Goff , M . L .( 1986 ) J . M ed . Entomol . 23 : 520 – 531 . (28)Payne , J . A .(1965) Ecology , 46 : 592 – 602 . 29.Rodriguez, W . C . and Bass W . M .(1983). J . Forensic Sci : 28 : 423 – 432 . 30.Hall , R . D . and Doisy , K . E .(1993) Ann . Entomol . Soc . Am . 86 (5): 589 – 593 . 31.Sam ,S. (2006) Biology J . 1 : 233 – 243 . 32.Ward ◌ُs M annal .( 2001) Working with Nasonia . PP . 1 – 2 . Ward ◌ُs Natural Science Establishments, inc . , Rochester, Ny . (Cited in Sam 2006 ) . IBN AL- HAITHAM J. FOR PURE & APPL. S CI. VOL.22 (4) 2009 Table (1):Seasonal abundance of fly adults in Baghdad governorate during the period from February 2006 to January 2007 __________________________________________________________________ Number of flies in monthly collection Dipterous flies Feb.2006ar. Apr. May Jul. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. 007 5 - 1 - - 1 - - 1 1 - - - - - - - - - 1 1 - - - - - - - - 1 - - - - - - 2 34 112 - - 35 2 - 8 1 - - 4 - - - - 2 - - 14 4 - - 82 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4 4 - - 36 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 20 21 - - 39 7 2 - - - - 5 - - - - - - - 5 10 - - 40 - - - - - - 15 - - - - - - - 20 15 1 - 44 - - - - - - 10 - 3 1 - - - 1 23 19 5 - 75 - - 4 2 - - 4 - - 2 - 1 1 18 264 391 39 - 386 16 - 35 27 - - - 8 - - 2 2 3 9 76 31 3 92 - 64 - - 12 22 17 1 - 6 2 2 4 - - 1 87 2 2 4 1 2 1 - 2 6 18 - - - - - - - - - Fam.:Calliphoridae Calliphora vicina Chrysomya albicps Ch. megacephala Lucilia sericta Pollenia sp. Fam.:Muscidae Musca domestica M.sorben s M.biseta Musca sp. Muscina stabulans Fam.:Fanniidae Fannia canicularis Fannia sp. Fam.sarcophagidae Sarcophaga africa S. melanura Sarcophaga.sp.1 Sarcophaga.sp.2 S. carnaria S.argyrostoma Ravivia pernix IBN AL- HAITHAM J. FOR PURE & APPL. S CI. VOL.22 (4) 2009 Table (2):The relative annual abundance of the collected species of the fly adults on exposed carcass in Baghdad city during the period of investigation Annual abundance% Dipterous flies 15. 34 33. 93 39. 20 11.45 0. 08 84.46 2.73 0.21 6.4 6. 20 97.30 2.70 60.23 2.27 5.68 10.23 2.27 6.82 12.5 Family : calliphoridae Calliphora vicina Chrysomya albiceps Ch. megacephala Lucilia serieata Pollenia Sp. Family: Muscidae Musca domestica M. sorbens M. biseta Musca sp. Muscina stabulans Family : Fanniidae Fannia canicularis Fannia sp. Family: S arcophagidae Sarcophaga africa S. melanura Sarcophaga.sp.1 Sarcophaga.sp.2 S.Carnaria S. argyrostoma Ravinia pernix IBN AL- HAITHAM J. FOR PURE & APPL. S CI. VOL.22 (4) 2009 Table(3):The tempe ratuec and relative humidity through the study months (According to Iraqi meteorological office) Months Feb- 2006 March 2006 Apr- 2006 May 2006 Jun 2006 Jul- 2006 Aug- 2006 Sep- 2006 Oct- 2006 Nov- 2006 Dec- 2006 Jan- 2007 8.7 11.5 17.0 22.5 25.5 27.0 26.5 20.9 18.5 8.1 3.1 3.0 Min ċ Max ċ 19.6 26.6 30.3 38.2 44.2 45.3 42.7 40.0 34.0 22.7 15.7 14.0 R.H% 63 43 49 33 20 22 23 28 43 49 62 67 الصرفة والتطبیقیة المجلد 2009) 4 (22مجلة ابن الھیثم للعلوم على الجثث المكشوفة في مدینة ) الدور الكامل ( التواجد الموسمي النواع الذباب بغداد ني عبد الحسینھناء ھا، رزاق شعالن عكل ،محمد صالح عبد الرسول جامعة بغداد ،متحف التأریخ الطبیعي الخالصة 200شباط ( مدةجمعت كامالت ذباب ثنائیة األجنحة لل أوضحت النتائج إنه باإلمكان ،في مدینة بغداد ) 2007 كانون الثاني – 6 ة متفاوتـة لكـل نـوع جمع كامالت ة أعـداد كبیـرة مـن الـذباب خـالل فـصل. الذباب علـى مـدار الـسنة لكـن بكثافـ یـع ونهایـة سـجلت الدراسـ الرب .الخریف ا تعـود إلـى أربعـة عوائـل ر نوعـ . Fannidae و Calliphoridae ،Muscidae ،Sarcophagidae: هـي ًسجلت الدراسة تـسعة عـش .Chrysomya megacephala ( Fab ( كان األكثر وفرة تاله النوع . Musca domestica Linn النوع ل ع ـمدةًاعتمـادا علـى أعـداد وظهـور تلـك األنـواع خـال نـت األنـوا ، بینمـا كا Pollenia sp الدراسـة أعـاله Fannia sp و . هـي أقـل . من بین األنواع التي سجلت . وفرة