title: Structural and Genetic Investigation of the Egg and First-Instar Larva of an Egg-Laying Population of Blaesoxipha plinthopyga (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), a Species of Forensic Importance.
abstract: Flies in the family Sarcophagidae incubate their eggs and are known to be ovoviviparous (i.e., ovolarviparous), but a laboratory-maintained colony of Blaesoxipha plinthopyga (Wiedemann) deposited clutches of viable eggs over 10 generations. A description of the egg and first-instar larva of this species is provided along with genetic data (genome size and cytochrome oxidase I sequences). The egg is similar to previously described eggs of other Sarcophagidae but differs in the configuration of the micropyle. In the first-instar larva, the oral ridges are much more developed than has been described for other species. B. plinthopyga has forensic importance, and the present descriptive information is critical for proper case management.
authors: Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. mlpimsler@gmail.com.
authors: Meaghan L
authors: ML
authors: Pimsler
authors: Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Pape
authors: Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
authors: J Spencer
authors: JS
authors: Johnston
authors: Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
authors: Robert A
authors: RA
authors: Wharton
authors: Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
authors: Jonathan J
authors: JJ
authors: Parrott
authors: Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
authors: Danielle
authors: D
authors: Restuccia
authors: Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, Houston, TX.
authors: Michelle R
authors: MR
authors: Sanford
authors: Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
authors: Jeffery K
authors: JK
authors: Tomberlin
authors: Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
authors: Aaron M
authors: AM
authors: Tarone
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D005260:Female; D044707:Forensic Sciences; D049750:Genome, Insect; D007814:Larva / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D010063:Ovum / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure; D058493:Sarcophagidae / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure*
keywords: flesh fly; genome size; morphology; ovoviviparity