Comparative Study of the Wing Venation in Housefly (Muscidae) and Flesh Fly (Sarcophagidae)
K. Ramya *
Department of Zoology, Scott Christan College, Nagercoil, Affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tamil Nadu, India.
Shirley Daniel
Department of Zoology, Scott Christan College, Nagercoil, Affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tamil Nadu, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Geometric morphometric analysis was employed to investigate wing shape and venation patterns in two forensically significant dipteran species, Musca domestica (Muscidae) and Sarcophaga SP. (Sarcophagidae). The study evaluated left-right asymmetry and minor size-shape variations in wing morphology to determine their effectiveness in distinguishing closely related taxa. Wing specimens were prepared on slides and digitized to capture landmark coordinates for morphometric analysis. Results indicate that wing venation patterns provide reliable diagnostic features for species identification and can aid in forensic entomology by improving PMI estimations. Overall the morphometric analysis showed clear interspecific differences in wing structure, supporting its application in taxonomic classification as well as medico-legal investigations.
Keywords: Morphometric analysis, flesh flies, houseflies, post-mortem interval (PMI), wing venation