Identification of Forensically Important Beetles on Exposed Human Left Over Parts in Assiut

Assiut Med. J. Vol. (34), No. (1), January 2010

IDENTIFICATION OF FORENSICALLY IMPORTANT BEETLES ON EXPOSED HUMAN LEFT OVER PARTS IN ASSIUT, EGYPT DURING SPRING / SUMMER SEASON.

Doaa A. Yones *@, Rasha A.H. Attia *, Lamia A.Galal *, Saly Y. Abdel Hameed ** Departments of Medical Parasitology* and Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology**, Faculty of Medicine Assiut University, Egypt.

ABSTRACT

Beetles (Coleoptera) have been recognized as significant entomological evidence in the medico-legal field in estimating the postmortem interval (PMI), particularly with reference to dry human skeletal remains in the later stages of decomposition. Beetles are found as adults, larvae, pupae and also as cast skins and all are of equal importance. Histeridae (histerid beetles) occur wherever there is decay and putrefaction. They feed primarily on the blowfly maggots and pupae. Dermestidae (dermestid beetles) are well known to feed on dried skin and bones. They are considered true carrion feeders, playing an important role in carcass degradation. There are few published works about the beetle fauna of forensic importance in Egypt; therefore their identification in given area should be established. The study herein aimed to describe adults Coleoptera species involved in carrion succession and document their fauna in relation to decomposition stages of exposed human tissues in Assiut (Upper Egypt), which is known for its arid weather. Human left over parts from orthopaedic theatre were used. Collected beetles were identified according to their taxonomic parts and characters: Two Families were recognized; Family Histeridae including Saprinus blanchei and Saprinus gilvicornis and family Dermestidae represented by Dermestes frischii. The presented findings should provide data for use in legal investigations and medical purposes in our region. Key words: Beetles (Coleoptera), Dermestid, Histerid, forensic entomology, human remains, Assiut, Egypt. This work was accepted as oral presentation in the 10th European Multicolloquium of Parasitology. Paris- France, August 24th-28th, 2008.

(Crowson, 1981 and Nuorteva, 1977).This INTRODUCTION predaceous behavior leads to false estimation of the PMI (Caterino, 2002). In modern forensic entomology, the predictable roles of beetles in the faunal Dermestid beetles are necrophilous beetles succession on decomposing remains aid and feed on everything dry such as hair, investigators in estimating the postmortem feathers, skin, dried beef and dry human corpse interval (PMI) (Berenbaum, 1999). Predatory (Haskell et al., 1997, Kulshrestha and Stapathy beetles can also be useful in toxicological 2001). Under optimal environmental conditions analysis as toxins are transferred to the beetles (dryness and warmness), they accelerate the via their consumption of larvae that have process of skeletonization (Schroeder et al., previously metabolized the drug substance from 2002). They have also impact on human health human tissue (Aggarwal, 2005). as the hairy dermestid larvae have a noxious urticating and allergic properties as reported by The order Coleoptera contains a number of many authors (Ramachandran et al., 1997; Brito forensically significant families, namely et al., 2002; Lahti and Basketter 2006). Staphylinidae, Scarabaeidae, Carabidae, Silphidae, Dermestidae, and Histeridae (Goff Beetles identification requires knowledge of and Catts 1990). Histerid beetles are categorized antennal shapes, tarsi, mouthparts, ventral as predators and parasites of necrophagous characters, and other morphological features. species, as their larvae and adults are voracious Size and color of specimens do not usually help predators of dipteran larvae and pupae 123 Yones et al.,

Arnett et al., 1980. Adults were also sent off to in identification of beetle families (Choate, taxonomic specialist for verification (see 1999). acknowledgment) .The identified specimens are kept in the Entomological Collection, The present study aimed to describe adults Department of Parasitology, Assiut University. of those Coleoptera species implicated in carrion succession, and to carry out a faunistic study of major species of potential forensic and RESULTS medical importance in upper Egypt specially Assiut which is known for its arid weather . Beetles identification was based on many taxonomic features including antennae (shape, size and position on the head), details of the MATERIAL AND METHODS external anatomy of the thorax, abdomen, (including the organ of copulation), wing veins The study was carried out in Assiut city and folding patterns, the shape of the legs and (Capital of Assiut Governorate, located 375 km the number of tarsal segments on each. Two South to Cairo). Assiut Governorate is known to families were detected to colonize exposed occur in the Great Desert region (Moatamed, human tissues: Family Histeridae including 2005). The average maximum temperature for Saprinus blanchei and Saprinus gilvicornis and spring and summer were respectively 31.3 ºC Family Dermestidae represented by Dermestes and 37 ºC. frischii. A brief description of these families was given here. Three Human left over parts (about 2- 2.5kg in weight); from orthopedic surgical theatre Family Histeridae: Subfamily Saprinae: were used. Each specimen including skin, (Saprinus blanchei and Saprinus gilvicornis): muscles and bone was exposed on soil-floored They are shiny metallic black or brownish-black boxes protected by vertebrate scavenger – colored beetles, with very hard and smooth exclusion cage made of steel (100x80 and 15cm exoskeleton. The head is usually deflexed or height). tightly retracted (Figure 1). They are small to th medium sized beetles, their size varied from 3- The experiment was initiated on 13 May 8mm in length and 2-3mm in width. The body is 2007 and lasted until the end of July 2007 when flattened ovoid in shape; with fused segments complete decomposition of the human remains and reduced sutures (Figure 2). They are occurred. characterized by geniculate (elbowed) antennae composed of eleven segments with a club- Observations on the insect's fauna were shaped distal three segments (Figure 3).They done daily in the early decomposition stages have short elytra which leave two abdominal then every two days in later stages. The tergites exposed ( (Figure 1). Elytra has squared specimens were gently lifted to sample the ends (called truncate elytra, or appearing to be beetles' fauna underneath. Beetle adults and cut straight across at the apex) (Figure 1).The larvae were collected by forceps. Collected abdomen is formed of eight abdominal segments adult beetles were killed by ethyl acetate and and accessory genital organs invaginated inside placed in numbered and dated vials containing the abdomen (Figure 1). 70% alcohol until further identification (Caterino, 2002). Collected beetles larvae were The difference between Saprinus divided into two groups: The first group was gilvicornis and Saprinus blanchei appeared as killed in hot water then placed in numbered and following: In S. gilvicornis each elytron had 5 dated vials containing 70% alcohol for further striae (longitudinal impressed lines), the first identification (Lee et al., 2004). The second and second striae are shorter than the remaining group was kept alive and reared in the ones which reach the lateral margin of the elytra laboratory by transferring them into dry glass (Figure 4) compared to S. blanchei which had container with small pieces of dried cow meat only 4 equal striae which do not reach the lateral on a layer of saw dust closed with gauze (Byrd margin of elytra (Figure 5). In addition, S. and Castner 2001). Adult beetles were identified to genus or species according to 124 Assiut Med. J. Vol. (34), No. (1), January 2010

found in great abundance among the muscular blanchei is shinier and had a denser punctuated mass and bones and increased in numbers pronotum than S. gilvicornis. vigorously. Rearing of these larvae yielded only D. frischii adult after 15-18 days. Numerous Family Dermestidae (represented by adults D. frischii were detected under the Dermestes frischii): They are black colored with specimen and around in the soil. pale grey markings formed of minute scales covering all the body. The exoskeleton is very In dry stage of decomposition (47 days hard. Their bodies are oval or cylindrical in duration): It is the final stage; the specimen shape (Figure 6). D. frischii are large sized consisted of only dry skin, cartilage and bone. (their size ranged from 6-12 mm in length and Early in this stage, only larvae of beetles and 4-5mm in width) with clear segmentation of the their larval exuviae (skin) were detected (Figure body segments (Figure 7). The antennae are 12). Rearing of these larvae yielded D. frischii characterized by being capitate (ending in a adults. By the end of the experiment when the large 3 segmented club) (Figure 8).The elytra skeletonization was completed, only beetle's completely covers the entire length of the larval exuviae were detected. abdomen (Figure 6), and its apical margin has small teeth while the apex is produced into a large tooth (Figure 9). The abdomen is formed FIGURE LEGENDS of 9 segments; only 7 segments are visible from below. The remaining segments are telescoped Figure (1): Saprinus sp. side view showing and modified as egg- laying organs (ovipositors) short elytra (arrow). in females or copulatory organs (pygidium) in males. These accessory genital organs appear Figure (2): Saprinus sp. ventral view showing from the last abdominal segment (Figure 10). nearly fused segments and reduced sutures (arrow). Beetle larvae are cylindrical in shape with broad anterior end, pointed posterior end, Figure (3): Saprinus sp. head showing heavily covered with setae, giving a fuzzy geniculate (elbowed) (arrow) antennae appearance (Figure 11). Their size ranged from composed of eleven segments with a 5-15mm in length (Figure 11). They were club-shaped distal three segments generally dark brown to black and possessed (arrowhead). three pairs of legs and a pair of large curved, conspicuous horns "urogomphi" on the terminal Figure (4): Saprinus gilvicornis showing each segment of the abdomen. Their direction is used elytron with 5 striae (longitudinal in identification which is not the scope of the impressed lines), the first and second present work. striae are shorter than the remaining one which reaches the lateral margin of the In relation to the stages of decomposition: elytra (arrows). In fresh stage of decomposition (one day duration): No beetles could be detected on Figure (5): Saprinus blanchei showing each human remains. elytron with only 4 equal striae which do not reach the lateral margin of elytra In bloated stage of decomposition (8 days (arrows). It is also shinier and had a duration): At day 3: S. blanchei and S. denser punctuated pronotum than S. gilvicornis adults started to appear and gilvicornis. frequently increased in number progressively. At day 6: Adult beetles of the family Figure (6): Dermestes frischii side view Dermestidae (D. frischii) were observed and showing elytra completely covers the progressively increased in numbers. entire length of the abdomen. In decay stage of decomposition (20 days Figure (7): Dermestes frischii ventral view with duration): After nine days of adult beetles clear segmentation of the body appearance (of both families), beetle larvae segments (arrow). started to colonize the human tissues. They were 125 Yones et al.,

(arrow head) and female (f) with egg- Figure (8): Dermestes frischii head showing laying organ (ovipositor) (arrow). antennae characterized by being capitate (ending in a large 3 segmented Figure (11): Beetles larvae heavily covered club) (double arrows). with setae dorsally (d), with three pairs of legs ventrally (v) (arrowhead) and a Figure (9): Dermestes frischii elytra apical pair of large, curved, conspicuous horns margin has small teeth (arrows) while "urogomphi"(arrow) the apex is produced into a large tooth (arrow head). Figure (12): Beetles larval exuviae (skin). Figure (10): Dermestes frischii male (m) showing copulatory organs (pygidium)

126 Assiut Med. J. Vol. (34), No. (1), January 2010

DISCUSSION

Many families of Coleoptera have significance in forensic studies, the main families among them being Histeridae, Dermestidae, Staphylinidae, Carabidae and Silphidae as reported by Goff and Catts (1990) and Kulshrestha and Stapathy (2001).

In the present work the detected beetle species belonged to only two families; family Histeridae including S. blanchei and S. gilvicornis and family Dermestidae represented by D. frischii.

Identification of beetle's species was done according to the key given by Arnett et al. (1980). Choate (1999) stated that beetle identification requires familiarity with antennal shapes, tarsi (formulas, shapes of segments),

127 Yones et al.,

Egyptian mummies by several authors (Lesne, mouth parts (labial and maxillary palpi), ventral 1930, Hinton, 1945, Alfieri, 1976 and Strong, characters (sterna, pleura, coxae) and other 1981) and recently in Tel-Amarna (El Minia morphological characters. Size and color of Governorate) by Panagiotakopulu (2001).It was beetles are not of help in their family also found on non human baits in Alexandria identification due to the presence of much during summer season by Hegazi et al. (1991) variation. and Tantawi et al. (1996). Hot and dry summer and relatively humid winter are to be the Family Histeridae has its own characters preferable climatic trait for D. frischii (Zhantiev, which set it apart from other families Genus 2009). Saprinus is one of Histeridae whose external morphology is very similar which causes Besides D. frischii, Alexandrian authors difficulty in the delimitation of natural groups collected others Dermestes spp. than the present (Degallier and Gomy, 1996). As described in work. This could be explained by the climatic the present study; S. blanchei and S. gilvicornis difference between Alexandria and Assiut. were found under the human left over parts Assiut is known for its desert arid weather and helped by their flattened bodies. Crowson being the lowest humid area during summer (1981) stated that their very hard and smooth season in Egypt (Moatamed, 2005). And the use exoskeletons make them unlikely to be prey for of different animal baits, as Dermestes spp. had other beetles, while fused segments and reduced preferential feeding habit (Zhantiev, 2009). sutures make them difficult to parasitize.

S. gilvicornis and blanchei were also D. frischii is the second most predominant detected by Hegazi et al. (1991) and Tantawi et dermestid beetle of the world after Dermestes al. (1996) besides several other different species maculatus. Dermestes maculatus is smaller in of Saprinus. size and have tergites with broad median longitudinal line; abdominal tergites 4-9 with Saprinus spp. are the hister beetles which a row of retrorse tubercles, each tubercle with occur wherever there is decay and putrefaction. a terminal wart-like process and a terminal They arrive early in the decomposition process seta (Kulshrestha and Stapathy, 2001). feeding primarily on the maggots (Payne and Crossley, 1966). In the present study S. D. frischii elytra apical margin have small blanchei and S. gilvicornis adults were detected teeth and large toothed apex at suture line which in the bloated stage of decomposition beginning is absent in D. maculatus (Hava, 2004). of the 3rd day and no more. Also, De souza and Linhares (1997) only found adults Saprinus spp. Several species of beetles associated with throughout their experiments. Ozdemir and Sert corpses have been found in many parts of the (2009) observed that histerids were not seen in world. Comparing the collected beetle's species the second half of summer when the ambient of the present study with that of Turchetto et al. temperature was at the maximum level, and it 2001, Schroeder et al. 2002 and Ozdemir and was concluded that they were found mainly Sert 2009, the difference is wide as the collected during active and advanced decomposition species were few. This is not surprising and can stages. be attributed to the geographical, climatic and zoogeographical differences between the Early and Goff (1986) have found few adult previous author's areas and Egypt. Tantawi et dermestid beetles on bodies as early as 3-10 al. 1996 recognized that Egypt shares days after death but larvae were not reported. characteristics of both the Palaearctic and The present authors similarly found D. frischii Afrotropical regions which are not the case of adults as early as the bloated stage (6th day of the previous author's areas. decomposition) and they were more abundant in the dry stage of decomposition, with their larvae It is probable that natural area of feeding on the human remains. Similar distribution of Dermestes spp. lies across the observation was seen by Arnaldos et al. (2005) warm temperate part of the Palaearctic in which and Ozdemir and Sert (2009) who found Egypt lies (Panagiotakopulu, 2001). D. frischii Dermestidae to be abundant during the earliest was detected earlier in Egypt in tomb of 128 Assiut Med. J. Vol. (34), No. (1), January 2010

MD in Forensic Medicine to the Baba Farid stages of decomposition in spring and summer University of Health Sciences, Faridkot. and their numbers increased as the remains -Alfieri, A. (1976): "The Coleoptera of Egypt". began to dry. Mém. Soc. Entomol. Egypte. Cairo: Atlas Press 5: 1–361. Dermestid species, contrary to Staphylinids -Arnaldos, M.I.; Garcia, M.D.; Romera, E.; and Histerids, feed directly on the carcass itself. Presa, J. J. and Luna A. (2005): "Estimation Because of this habit, the period of their of postmortem interval in real cases based on availability and the decomposition stages during experimentally obtained entomological which they could be found were wide (Ozdemir evidence". Foren. Sci. Internat., 149: 57-65. and Sert, 2009). -Arnett, R. H.; Downie, N. M. and Jagues, H .E. rd Dermestids are common beetles in the later (1980): "How to know the beetles".3 Ed. stages of decomposition. Larvae of dermestids Brown Company Publishers: 1- 416. do not occur before the body is dry. The larvae -Berenbaum, M. (1999): "Maggots and and adults feed on dry skin and hairs and other Murderers. In: Hoyt, Insect Lives: Stories of dry dead organic animal matter (Arnaldos et al., Mystery and Romance from a Hidden World". 2005). In the present study Dermestes frischii John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, viii: 360. larvae first appearance was in decay of -Brito, F.; Mur, P.; Lombardero, M. and decomposition (at 9th day). Galindo, P. (2002): "Occupational rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma in a wool On the other side, previous workers worker caused by Dermestidae spp.". Allergy, detected that Dermestes spp. to be confined to 57: 1191–1194. later stages of decomposition and especially the -Byrd, J.H. and Castner, J.L. (2001): "Forensic dry stage on human and pig cadavers Entomology. The utility of arthropods in legal (Rodriguez and Bass, 1983 and De souza and investigations". CRC Press, Boca Raton pp: Linhares, 1997). Grassberger and Frank (2004), 418-430. detected adult Dermestes maculates at day 19 of decomposition and the larvae appeared at day -Caterino, M. (2002): "Santa Barbara Museum 55 of decomposition on pig carrion. of Natural History: Entomology Research: Systematics of Histeridae (Coleoptera)". In conclusion, we have observed only two http://www.sbnature.org/collections/invert/ent families Dermestidae and Histeridae to inhabit om/histeridae.htm. the human remains during summer season in -Choate, P.M. (1999): "Introduction to the Assiut City. The available literature revealed Identification of Beetles (Coleoptera)". In that studies dealing with beetle's fauna of either Dichotomous Keys to Some Families of forensic or medical importance in Egypt are Florida Coleoptera: 23-33. very few. Therefore, the present study may -Crowson, R. A. (1981): "The Biology of the contribute in enriching the knowledge about the Coleoptera". Academic Press, London, xii pp: beetle's fauna in our specific locality in Upper 802-820. Egypt for both forensic and medical purposes. -Degallier N. and Gomy Y. (1996): "Notes Taxonomiques sur quelques Saprinus Acknowledgments D'afrique du Nord et Description de S. We would thank Professor Dr. Mohammed Gilviquetin.sp. (Coleoptera ,Histeridae Kamal El-Akkad (Plant Protection Research ,Saprininae )" . Revue fr. Ent. (N.S.) 18(2): 71- Institute; classification section, Ministry of 80 Agriculture, Cairo, Egypt.) for his collaboration -De souza A. M. and Linhares A .X (1997): in identification of the collected beetle's species "Diptera and Coleoptera of potential forensic herein. importance in southeastern Brazil: relative abundance and seasonality". Med. Vet. Entomol., 11: 8-12. REFERENCES -Early, M. and Goff, M.L. (1986): "Arthropod -Aggarwal, A.D. (2005): "Estimating the succession patterns in exposed carrion on the postmortem interval with the help of entomological evidence''. Thesis submitted for 129 Yones et al.,

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التعرف على الخنافس ذات الهمية في الطب الشرعي على أجزاء آدمية مستأصلة خلل فصلي الربيع والصيف في مدينة أسيوط- مصر

دعاء عبد الحفيظ يونس – رشا عبد المنعم حسن عطية- لمياء احمد عبد العزيز جلل –* سالى يحيى عبد الحميد

قسمي الطفيليات الطبية و **الطب الشرعي و السموم ، كلية الطب - جامعة أسيوط ، مصر

تعتبر رتبة غامدية الجنحة ( الخنافس) من الدلة الحشرية الهامة فى مجال الطب الشرعي خاصة في تقديرالمدة الفاصلة بعد الوفاة مع الشارة بوجه خاص عند تواجدها علي الهيكل العظمي الجاف للنسان في المراحل المتأخرة للتحلل . وتتواجد الخنافس بأطوارها المختلفة و منها الطور البالغ، اليرقات، الشرانق وجلدها المنسلخ وكلها متساوية في الهمية. تتواجد الهستريدى ((Histeridae كلما كان هناك تحلل وتعفن حيث إنها تتغذى على عذراوات ويرقات ذباب اللحم . وتتغذى الدرماستيدى( Dermastidea) على الجلد الجاف والعظام فهي تعتبر من آكلت الجيف الحقيقية حيث تلعب دورا هاما فى تلشيها. نظرا لوجود عدد قليل من المؤلفات المنشورة عن الخنافس ذات الهمية الطب الشرعية في مصر وبالتالي تحديد هويتها في هذه المنطقة ذو أهمية قصوى . تهدف هذه الدراسة الى وصف الخنافس البالغة المتواجدة بالتتابع على الجثث واثبات علقتها بمختلف مراحل تحلل النسجة الدمية المكشوفة في أسيوط (صعيد مصر ) ، والتي تشتهر بالطقس الجاف. استخدمت في هذه الدراسة أجزاء آدمية مستأصلة في عمليات العظام. تم التعرف على الخنافس الذي تم جمعها وفقا لجزائها التصنيفية. لقد تم التعرف على عائلتين: عائلة الهستريدى (Histeridae) وتشمل: سابرينيس بلنشى Saprinus blanchei)) وسابرينس جلفيكورنيس gilvicornis) (Saprinus و عائلة الدرماستيدى (Dermastidea) ممثلة فى: درمستس فريتشى يمثله(Dermestes . (frischii النتائج المعروضة تمدنا بالبيانات لستخدامها في الفحص الشرعى و كما في الغراض الطبية في منطقتنا .