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Diptera: Calliphoridae) at Constant and Fluctuating Temperatures By The Development of Protophormia terraenovae (Robineau-Desvoidy) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) at Constant and Fluctuating Temperatures by Jodie-Ann Warren B.Sc., Simon Fraser University 1999 THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS In the School of Criminology O Jodie-Ann Warren 2006 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY All rights reserved. This work may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopy or other means, without permission of the author $?.? SIMON FRASER aQ3 UN~~ER~A~brary DECLARATION OF PARTIAL COPYRIGHT LICENCE The author, whose copyright is declared on the title page of this work, has granted to Simon Fraser University the right to lend this thesis, project or extended essay to users of the Simon Fraser University Library, and to make partial or single copies only for such users or in response to a request from the library of any other university, or other educational institution, on its own behalf or for one of its users. The author has further granted permission to Simon Fraser University to keep or make a digital copy for use in its circulating collection, and, without changing the content, to translate the thesislproject or extended essays, if technically possible, to any medium or format for the purpose of preservation of the digital work. The author has further agreed that permission for multiple copying of this work for scholarly purposes may be granted by either the author or the Dean of Graduate Studies. It is understood that copying or publication of this work for financial gain shall not be allowed without the author's written permission. Permission for public performance, or limited permission for private scholarly use, of any multimedia materials forming part of this work, may have been granted by the author. This information may be found on the separately catalogued multimedia material and in the signed Partial Copyright Licence. The original Partial Copyright Licence attesting to these terms, and signed by this author, may be found in the original bound copy of this work, retained in the Simon Fraser University Archive. Simon Fraser University Library Burnaby, BC, Canada Summer 2008 ABSTRACT Protophormia terraenovae (R-D) was observed over a range of constant temperatures, 9.8 to 32OC as well as at fluctuating temperatures of 4 to 28 and 9 to 23OC and the minimum developmental times and mode of development to reach each stage were recorded. A comparison of the actual minimum temperature threshold was made to findings from the linear method. The minimum temperature thresholds for the lSt,and presumably the 2ndand 3rd instars fall within 9.8 and 1I0C and those of the post feeding, pupal and adult stages fall within the range of 11 to 13OC. However, in all cases the actual minimum temperature thresholds were radically underestimated by the linear method. In addition, a comparison of the development of P. terraenovae at fluctuating temperatures of 4 to 28 and 9 to 23OC, to their common mean temperature (16OC) indicated that development was faster at fluctuating temperatures. Keywords Development; Forensic Entomology; Minimum Temperature Threshold; Protophormia terraenovae; Post-Mortem Interval For Edna Charlton A True Inspiration! I would like to thank my committee members for their advice. Dr Lisa Poirier was an exceptional help with piecing my thesis together and went to great lengths literally to help with the production of this thesis. Dr Paul Brantingham made a significant effort by stepping out of his niche into a habitat not frequented by many, other than entomologists. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Dr Gail Anderson because without her constant support and understanding, I would not have had the courage to strive to this level of academics. I would also like to thank Linnea Duke for coming to my aid at a moments notice when I needed assistance. I cannot thank Diane Strub and Melissa Austin enough for their contributions to the lab and to my experiments. I would like to thank Niki Huitson for her input and assistance with developing strategies to overcome obstacles in the lab. Without the financial contributions of the Canadian Police Research Centre, the Vancouver Foundation and the Terry Fox Gold Medal Award, this research would not have been possible. Finally, this endeavour would not have occurred without the loving support of my family and friends. TABLE OF CONTENTS Approval ................................................................................................................ ii ... Abstract ................................................................................................................. 111 Dedication ............................................................................................................ iv Acknowledgements ............................................................................................... v Table of Contents................................................................................................. vi ... List of Figures ..................................................................................................... VIII List of Tables ........................................................................................................ x Glossary ............................................................................................................... xii 1 Forensic Entomology .................................................................................... I 1. 1 Introduction.................................................................................................... I 2 Literature Review ........................................................................................... 8 2.1 Theory ........................................................................................................... 8 2.2 Rationale ..................................................................................................... 11 3 Protophormia terraenovae Development at Constant Temperatures ............................................................................................... 17 3.1 Introduction.................................................................................................. 17 3.1 . 1 Core Constant Temperature Experiments ........................................ 18 3.1.2 Objectives ......................................................................................... 18 3.2 Methods and Materials ................................................................................ 19 3.2.1 Collection of Experimental Insects .................................................... 19 3.2.2 Rearing of the Insects ....................................................................... 20 3.2.3 Experimental Methods for Constant Temperature Experiments ....... 22 3.2.4 Environmental Chambers ................................................................. 22 3.2.5 Insect Sampling ................................................................................ 24 3.3 Results (Constant Temperature Experiments) ............................................ 26 3.3.1 A Comparison with Previously Published Research .........................46 3.4 Discussion (Constant Temperature Experiments) ....................................... 49 4 Protophormia terraenovae Development at Fluctuating Temperatures ...............................................................................................58 4.1 Introduction.................................................................................................. 58 4.1 .1 Core Fluctuating Temperature Experiment ....................................... 59 4.1.2 Objectives .........................................................................................60 4.2 Methods and Materials ................................................................................ 60 4.2.1 Methods for Fluctuating Temperature Experiments .......................... 60 4.3 Results (Fluctuating Temperature Experiments) ......................................... 63 4.4 Discussion (Fluctuating Temperature Experiments) .................................... 72 5 Overall Discussion ...................................................................................... 76 5.1 Conclusion................................................................................................... 76 5.2 Forensic Entomology in Court ..................................................................... 80 Appendices ....................................................................................................... 85 Appendix A Datalogger Recordings for the 4 to 28OC Fluctuating Temperature Experiments........................................................................... 86 Appendix B Datalogger Recordings for the 9 to 23OC Fluctuating Temperature Experiments........................................................................... 87 Appendix C Datalogger Recordings for the Mean Constant 16•‹C Experiment................................................................................................. -88 Reference List ................................................................................................... 89 vii LIST OF FIGURES Figure 2-1 The relationship between development rate and temperature for blow flies where Tminis the minimum temperature threshold, Tmin(estIis the estimated minimum temperature threshold, Tmaxis the maximum temperature threshold and Optde, is the optimum temperature for fastest rate of development
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