BIU Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences 1(1): 63 – 73, 2015. ©Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, Nigeria

ARTHROPOD PROFILE ON POISONED AND PRESERVED CARRIONS

*EKRAKENE, T.1 AND ILOBA, B.N. 2 1Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, Benson Idahosa University, P.M.B. 1100 Benin City, Nigeria. 2Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria *Corresponding Author: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Arthropod invasion on poisoned and embalmed carrions of the African giant rat (Crycetomys gambianus) killed from phostoxin was monitored for a period of 30 days (November 13 th -December 23 rd 2009) with a view to establishing arthropod profile. A total of 18 species (distributed in 13 families, 6 orders and 2 classes of the phylum Arthropoda) were collected and identified. Occurrence of these species was independent of the killing and embalming agent. Species from the order Diptera were most predominant, followed by the Coleoptera and the Hymenoptera. Members of the , Sarcophagidae, , Cleridae, Stapyhinidae, Scarabaeidae, Bostricidae and the Formicidae families were involved in the degradation process of the carrions, making them forensically important. Despite similar insect fauna, the processes was affected by both the killing and embalming agents with carrions poisoned and embalmed recording longest time in all stages of decomposition compared to that from the controlled sets. The details of general procedure used and the results obtained are reported.

KEY WORDS: Arthropod, Carrion, Crycetomys gambianus, Decomposition, Embalm, , Poison

INTRODUCTION entomology is the field of knowledge that Insects are cosmopolitan and their deals with the association of insects and presence in varying habitat cannot be other arthropods in relation to a given overemphasized. Their presence on dead stage of decay to answer questions of bodies can be used to determine the cause legal interests. Lord and Stevenson of death, circumstances behind the death, (1986) categorized forensic entomology time of death, locate the death scene, into urban, stored product and medico- detect the time of infliction of wounds legal forensic entomology. Urban and also cases of neglect in children and forensic entomology includes civic law adults (Benecke, 2001). Forensic actions and litigation involving 63

Ekrakene, T. & Iloba, B.N. Arthrpod Profile on Poisoned and Preserved Carrions

arthropods in houses that may results to in forensic entomology. Iloba and cases between parties and service Fawole (2006) while studying the provider such as land lord (Anderson, comparative arthropod fauna in exposed 2000). Stored product forensic carrions across the vertebrate classes entomology includes arthropod reported a total of 23 arthropod species infestation of edible commodities such as from Diptera, Coleoptera and cereals and other kitchen quarantine. Hymenoptera orders playing significant Medico-legal forensic entomology deals role in decomposition of the carrions. with the evidence that may be gathered Other literatures as Ekrakene and Iloba through studies at events such as murder, (2011) and Ekrakene (2012) are among suicide, rape, physical abuse, contraband recent efforts to broaden the literature trafficking and in entomotoxicology base of forensic entomology in Nigeria. (using entomological specimen found at a Arising from these literatures forensic scene of death to test for drugs that might entomological information is gradually have play a role in the victims death). being accumulated in Nigeria. There is Medico-legal forensic entomology the need to expand the research scope to deals with the post mortem interval micro-conditions such as the effect of (PMI), time of death, site of death, cases and embalming agents on the involving possible sudden death, traffic profile of arthropod fauna that visit such accidents (Anderson, 2000) and is linked carrions as in this present work. with fields such as forensic pathology and forensic . Many factors such as temperature, season, time of day, MATERIALS AND METHODS accessibility and physical position of a Study Area carcass, size, type of carcass, vertebrate This study was carried out at a scavengers insect abundance, biology location behind the Botanical garden and geographical distribution of the close to Dentistry quarters, University of necrophagous insect can influence insect Benin, Ugbowo campus, Edo state Benin succession and decomposition on carrion City which lies between latitude 6°35 and (Anderson 2000; Hall and Doisy 1993; 6°26 longitude 5°35 and 5°41. A Payne 1965). These factors make the rainforest region of Nigeria, it is study of insect succession on carrion characterized by an annual rainfall of different under different condition, thus 1850-2455mm and a temperature range of making the post mortem interval possible. 30-36.5°C. However, this leaves the possibility of The experimental area measured erroneous conclusion that may be approximately 7m by 8m. The mean detrimental to legal cases. temperature for the duration of the Full blown forensic entomology did experiment was 32.7°C. not start in Nigeria till 1988 (Ekanem and Killing Exercise of Animal Specimens Usua, 1997). Ekanem and Usua (2000) and Experimental Layout studied the biology of Chrysomya A study of exposed poisoned and Chloropyga and Hemipyrellia fernandica embalmed carrions on the African giant and opened up possibilities and roles for rat ( Crycetomys gambianus ) a 64

BIU Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences Vol. 1 no. 1 (2015) representative species of the vertebrate Oviposition on carrions was group was conducted from November monitored from the first day of deposition 13 th - December 23 rd , 2009. In the till when laid eggs started to hatch on the experiment, three replicates in four sets of carrions. Eggs and larvae were sampled the vertebrate group with mean weights from natural orifices of carrions such as of 1.80±0.20kg (Mean±S.E) purchased ear, nostrils, eyes, anus and mouth at from the Oba, New Benin and Uselu different stages of decomposition. This markets all in the Benin City metropolis was achieved by the careful examination were used. The following methods of kill of carrions, using forceps and a and set arrangements were adopted: constructed brush to pick up the eggs Set A : (Poisoned and embalmed): Three while a 5 ml plastic spoon was used to C. gambianus were killed by stomach collect larvae into separately labeled poisoning with phostoxin. This set of rearing kits designed for the purpose. The carrions was immediately injected with colour of eggs was recorded by visual 5.0 ml of 50% formalin (an embalming observation. Sizes of eggs from different agent) using syringe. (Set A: poisoned egg masses were assessed using a-30cm and embalmed). length rule to enhance identification. Set B : (Set B: embalmed only): Three Larval samples from each of the rats killed by cervical dislocation and masses were obtained according immediately injected with 5.0 ml to Fisher (1980). A 5ml plastic spoon was formalin. used to collect larvae during sampling Set C : (Set C: poisoned only): Three rats days within the active larval period killed by stomach poisoning after feeding against individual carrion. Half of the from admixture of bread debris with larvae collected were killed in boiled phostoxin. water before being placed in preservative Set D : (Set D: control): Three rats killed solution to avoid shrinkage (Tantawi and by cervical dislocation. Greenberg, 1993). Thereafter, they were This set of twelve rats were packed in placed in vials containing 70% ethyl separate polyethylene thrash bags alcohol for preservation. Third instar corresponding to respective sets, labeled larvae were used for identification to and transported to the study area. These species level, by noting sizes of larvae, were all covered with a wire mesh to presence of setae, among others features. avoid attack by scavengers. The remaining half of the sampled larvae Observations and Daily Data Collections from each sampling were placed in Insect data collections were made at rearing kits designed for the purpose and least once daily between the hours of 2.00 reared to adult stages in a laboratory. – 6pm when most flies are active (Slone, Laboratory Rearing of Insects et al ., 2005). From the first day of Maggot rearing was carried out at the deposition up to the last day, adult flies Animal and Environmental Biology on carrions were collected using a 12- Laboratory of the University of Benin, inch sweep net. Flies collected were Benin City, according to Easton and placed in vials containing 70% ethyl Smith (1970), Nuorteva (1970) and alcohol; later pinned and identified. Fisher (1980). 65

Ekrakene, T. & Iloba, B.N. Arthrpod Profile on Poisoned and Preserved Carrions

Maggot rearing was achieved with decomposition time spent at the various plastic containers measuring 20cm in stages of decomposition is similar among diameter covered with muslin cloth the carrions poison only and embalm tightly fitted with rubber band which only. were half-filled with substrate (adopted The insect fauna obtained from this from Slone et al . 2005). The substrate investigation are presented in Table 1. was formulated from a mixture of dried The summaries indicate that insect fauna leaves, grasses and sandy soil. The plant were sampled from four main insect mixture was ground thoroughly using an orders (Diptera, Coleoptera, electric blender. Hymenoptera and Dictyoptera) and 11 A few maggot samples from different families. Dipterans were represented with orifices (ear, nostril, eye, cut region, Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae and mouth and anus) were placed on different Muscidae families, accounting for 44% rearing media, which were pieces of (431) of the total sampled fauna. The liver/tissue of pig/cow purchased from Coleopterans on the other hand were the market, (adopted from Aggarwal, represented by Dermestidae, 2005). The containers were labeled Staphyliidae, Scarabaeidae, Silphidae, according to pig sets and orifice from Cleridae and Bostrichidae collectively where the were sampled and accounting for 27% (253) of sampled observations made several times to note fauna, whereas Hymenopterans which changes in larval, pupation and were represented by Formicidae family emergence of adult insects. The accounted for 25% (233). The others containers of live maggots were which covered Arachnida order weighted monitored in the laboratory daily with 4% (34) of all collected fauna (Fig. 2). prevailing daily temperature 28±2 0C and Apart from Dermestis maculatus and 70% relative humidity. Rhizoperta dominica which were sampled in the control and poison only sets, all RESULTS carrions had similar insect species The results of mean time spent on through their stages of decomposition. each stages of decomposition arising The main difference occurred in the from the various carrions killed and number of insects sampled from sets of embalmed are presented in Fig. 1. It the carrions. Also, the mean number of revealed that irrespective of killing species of Dipterans sampled is presented methods and preservation, four stages of in Fig. 4. In all species, number of decomposition are easily identifiable viz. Dipterans sampled was highest in the fresh, bloated, wet and dry decay stages. control set compared to all the others. While mean period of each The mean number of fauna sampled decomposition stages are highest for from the various carrions resulting from carrions killed by poisoning with the killing methods and embalmment is phostoxin and embalmed with formalin, presented in Fig. 3. The result shows that the controlled set (neither poisoned nor carrions poisoned and embalmed embalmed) recorded least values in all recorded the least number of insect fauna, decomposition stages. The mean accounting for 8.6% of the total sampled 66

BIU Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences Vol. 1 no. 1 (2015) fauna compared to the highest value of B) and embalmed only (Set C) accounted 42.6% sampled from the control set (Set for 39.2 and 9.6%, respectively. D). However, poisoned carrions only (Set

Table 1: Insect fauna sampled from the carrions

Insects Poison and Embalm Poison Control Embalm Only Only Chrysoma bezziana - - + + Lucilia serricata + + + + Calliphora sp + + + + Sarcophaga Carnaria + + + + Musca domestica + + + + Dermestes maculatus + + + + Quedius fuliginousus + + + + Trox scaber + + + + Necrophorus sp + + + + Necrobia rufipes + + + + Rhizopertha dominica - - + + + = present; - = absent

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Ekrakene, T. & Iloba, B.N. Arthrpod Profile on Poisoned and Preserved Carrions

Fig. 1: Mean duration in days at the various stages of decomposition of the carrions

Fresh Decay Bloated Wet Decay Dry Decay

16

14

12

10

8

6

4 Mean duration of decomposition in days in decomposition of duration Mean

2

0 Poison and Embalm Embalm only Poison only Control Killing and preservation methods

Fig. 2: Percentage abundance of insect orders sampled from the carrions Diptera Coleoptera Hymentoptera Others

4% 25% 44%

27%

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Fig. 3: Mean number of fauna sampled from the various carrions

Diptera Coleoptra Hymenoptera Others

180

160

140

120

100

80

60

40 Mean number Mean of fauna sampled

20

0 Poison and Embalm only Poison only Control Embalm Killing and preservation methods

DISCUSSION activity synchronizing with the insect This investigation revealed present. These observations agreed in descriptive decomposition stages. Though many respect to the findings of earlier Schoenly and Reid (1987) defined researchers, notably, Reed (1958), decomposition as a continuous process Rodriguez and Bass (1983), Morris without discrete stages, the four stages of (1988) and Tantawi et al . (1996) as well decomposition identified in this study as Parikh (1999), Vij (2001) and Pillay agrees with earlier researchers who (2004). divided the process into four to six stages Array of insects from different orders (Payne 1965; Lord and Burger 1984; have been associated with the Morris 1988; Tantawi et al. 1996). These decomposition processes of carrions. successive and distinct stages were fresh, Smith (1986) categorized insects bloated, wet decay as well as dry decay. associated with carrion on the basis of These stages were distinctly marked by their food preferences and their characteristic odour, presence or absence ecological role. Gill (2005) emphasized of insect, the stage and type of insect that, these insects species typically occur species present as well as the insect in succession and respond to

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Ekrakene, T. & Iloba, B.N. Arthrpod Profile on Poisoned and Preserved Carrions decompositional changes of the carcass. been used as forensic indicators to solve This present study recorded insects’ various problems relating to medico-legal species from three main insect orders; issues (Singh and Bharti 2000, Aggarwal, Diptera, Coleoptera and Hymenoptera 2005 and Carvalho et al ., 2004). with a few others from the class Also, many genera in Coleoptera Arachnida irrespective of whether including Dermestis and Necrobia have carrions were poisoned, embalmed or been used by various forensic both. The findings in this present work investigators. These beetles are well that most fauna obtained are insects and known to feed on dry skin and bones were from Diptera, Coleoptera and (Payne and King, 1970). Putman (1977) Hymenoptera concurred with earlier considered them as true carrion feeders investigators including Payne (1965), playing important role in carcass Smith (1986), Keh (1985), Lord (1990) degradation. Catts and Goff (1992) and Catts and Goff (1992), Anderson (2000), Goff (1992) have stated that Dermestis Aggarwal (2005) and others. maculatus , (hide beetles) have the The families of the Diptera order potential to offer investigators an represented in this study include; estimation of the time since death in Calliphoridae, Muscidae and homicide or questionable cases. Payne Sarcophagidae, while the Coleoptera and King (1970) have noted that larvae order was represented by the Cleridae, and adults of these beetles associated Staphyliidae, Scarabaeidae, Silphidae, with carrions feed on dried skin, sinews Bostrichidae and Dermestidae families. and bones. The order Hymenoptera was represented Members of the formicidae (ants) by the ants (formicidae). These families family were observed throughout this were seen to be consistent in their present study. Their occurrence was occurrence and have a regular sequence observed to be irrespective of killing of occurrence. The families of insects method and stage of decomposition. Field found in this work have been highlighted observation revealed that their presence by other researchers to be involved in increased with increase in decomposition decomposition processes of carrions and stages and insects development. They most species from these families have used carcass as food and acted as predator been used as forensic indicators. to maggots, pupae and puparia cases. Members of Diptera are forensically This may place them as adventives or important as they contribute significantly incidental species. This suggests that their to the degradation of carrions when they presence is opportunistic and therefore form maggot mass on carrions. They are unimportant in the decomposition of among the earliest insects that visit carrion. However, their predatory actions carrions where they lay eggs which on insects, especially the eggs and the develop through stages that have maggots have the potential of retarding systematically synchronize with stages of the rate of decomposition. Similar decomposition. Many genera of this order observations have been made by Fuller including Lucillia, Chrysoma, (1934), Early and Goff (1986), Singh and Calliphora, Musca, and Sacophaga have Bhanti (2000) and Aggarwal (2005). 70

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