Journal of Forensic Research

Molecular Characterization of Peckia (Pattonella) intermutans (Walker, 1861) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) based on the Partial Sequences of the Mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I Gene

Abstract

Jandui A Amorim, Carina M Souza and Patricia J Thyssen

We analyzed nucleotide sequences that constitute a part of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene from individuals of Peckia (Pattonella) intermutans (Walker, 1861) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) of different populations from the States of São Paulo and Bahia, Brazil. Indices of genetic variability were calculated and phylogenetic tests (Maximum Parsimony) were applied. The presence of at least five haplotypes among sampled individuals was observed. Pairwise sequence differences within P. (P.) intermutans haplotypes were lower than the pairwise sequence differences between the haplotypes and outgroup species. This finding, in addition to the phylogenetic analyzis performed in this study, validates the use of molecular tools for distinguishing species of P. (P.) intermutans from other sarcophagids already molecularly characterized in Brazil so far. The greatest number of haplotypes (n = 3), genetic diversity (π = 0.01), and nucleotidic differences (k = 2.38) were found from specimens in Ubatuba, reflecting the low rate of genetic flow in this population compared to those from other locations; this was probably influenced by the local ecotope, i.e., the tropical rainforest called “Mata Atlântica”. At collection areas within the rainforest, the vegetal cover is well preserved and this could significantly influence evolutive factors such as population size and selection towards genetic drift, supporting variability maintenance. Further investigations should be conducted for a better understanding of this finding and for expanding knowledge about the close relationships among P. (P.) intermutans and other sarcophagids of forensic importance.