Molecular identification and genetic variation of forensically important fly species (Order: Diptera) in Thailand using DNA barcoding
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Issued Date
2024-10-01
Resource Type
ISSN
0001706X
eISSN
18736254
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85201781958
Journal Title
Acta Tropica
Volume
258
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Acta Tropica Vol.258 (2024)
Suggested Citation
Thipphet K., Horpaopan S., Jaturas N., Thanchomnang T., Moophayak K., Chaiwong T., Hongsrichan N., Nakhonkam W., Phuwanatsarunya P., Dumidae A., Bunthong S., Kaewbungkord T., Sanit S., Ruankham W., Vitta A., Kurahashi H., Sukontason K.L., Bunchu N. Molecular identification and genetic variation of forensically important fly species (Order: Diptera) in Thailand using DNA barcoding. Acta Tropica Vol.258 (2024). doi:10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107366 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/100691
Title
Molecular identification and genetic variation of forensically important fly species (Order: Diptera) in Thailand using DNA barcoding
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Forensic entomology plays a crucial role in criminal investigations by providing vital insights into minimum postmortem interval (PMImin) and corpse relocation by identifying insect species that colonize in decomposing remains. This study aimed to identify and analyze the genetic variation of forensically significant fly species in Thailand, using DNA barcoding of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I COI gene. A total of 3,220 fly specimens were collected from 18 provinces across six regions of Thailand from October 2017 to September 2022. These specimens were classified by morphological identification into 21 species among three Dipteran families: Calliphoridae, Muscidae, and Sarcophagidae, with Chrysomya megacephala Diptera: Calliphoridae being the most abundant species. DNA barcoding confirmed the morphological identifications with 100 % accuracy, showing low intraspecific K2P distances0.0 to 1.1 %) and significant interspecific K2P distances 2.5 % to 17.2 %. A Neighbour-Joining (NJ) analysis was conducted to assess the molecular identification capabilities of the barcoding region. This analysis successfully recovered nearly all species as distinct monophyletic groups. The species groupings obtained were generally consistent with both morphological and molecular identifications. These findings underscore the effectiveness of DNA barcoding for precise species identification and contribute to a comprehensive database of forensically important flies in Thailand, thus facilitating improved forensic investigations and biodiversity studies.