title: Surface ultrastructure of the third-instar larvae of Hydrotaea spinigera Stein (Diptera: Muscidae), a fly species of forensic importance.
abstract: The surface ultrastructure of third-instar larvae of Hydrotaea (= Ophyra) spinigera Stein was observed with scanning electron microscopy. The number of papillae in each anterior spiracle ranges from 5-7. Abdominal segments 4-12 possess ventral welts. Each posterior spiracular disc bears 3 nearly straight slits, with the lower and middle slits closer together than the middle and upper slits. Although the larvae of H. spinigera are generally similar to two other closely-related species in Thailand, Hydrotaea (= Ophyra) leucostoma (Wiedemann) and Hydrotaea (= Ophyra) chalcogaster (Wiedemann), some of the morphological features can help in differentiating these species, thus allowing more accurate identification of species of fly larvae in forensic investigation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sukontason
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Vogtsberger
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sukontason
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Olson
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lertthamnongtham
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Piangjai
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002102:Cadaver; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007814:Larva / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009117:Muscidae / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D011180:Postmortem Changes