Advances in entomotoxicology: Weaknesses and strengths
- Campobasso, Carlo P, Bugelli, Valentina, Carfora, Anna, Borriello, Renata, Villet, Martin H
- Authors: Campobasso, Carlo P , Bugelli, Valentina , Carfora, Anna , Borriello, Renata , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/442717 , vital:74027 , ISBN 9781351163767 , https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781351163767-13/advances-entomotoxicology-carlo-campobasso-valentina-bugelli-anna-carfora-renata-borriello-martin-villet
- Description: Forensic entomotoxicology deals mainly with the analysis of the tissues of insects to identify toxicants present in their food sources. Insects feeding on human tissues can ingest all of the xenobiotic substances taken by living individuals, such as common prescription and illicit drugs. Ecotoxicology is a well-established scientific discipline from which environmental forensic entomotoxicology is derived as a relatively new branch. Entomotoxicology also addresses the effects of drugs and toxins on arthropod development, survival, morphology, and their implications for estimating postmortem intervals. The primary focus of a forensic toxicologist is the detection of toxicants from human tissue samples to help in determining the cause of death. Like nutrients, toxicants encountered by an insect may be assimilated, digested, absorbed, and either sequestered, metabolized, or excreted. Entomological samples are currently of limited quantitative value in forensic toxicology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Campobasso, Carlo P , Bugelli, Valentina , Carfora, Anna , Borriello, Renata , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/442717 , vital:74027 , ISBN 9781351163767 , https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781351163767-13/advances-entomotoxicology-carlo-campobasso-valentina-bugelli-anna-carfora-renata-borriello-martin-villet
- Description: Forensic entomotoxicology deals mainly with the analysis of the tissues of insects to identify toxicants present in their food sources. Insects feeding on human tissues can ingest all of the xenobiotic substances taken by living individuals, such as common prescription and illicit drugs. Ecotoxicology is a well-established scientific discipline from which environmental forensic entomotoxicology is derived as a relatively new branch. Entomotoxicology also addresses the effects of drugs and toxins on arthropod development, survival, morphology, and their implications for estimating postmortem intervals. The primary focus of a forensic toxicologist is the detection of toxicants from human tissue samples to help in determining the cause of death. Like nutrients, toxicants encountered by an insect may be assimilated, digested, absorbed, and either sequestered, metabolized, or excreted. Entomological samples are currently of limited quantitative value in forensic toxicology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Allopatric speciation in the flightless Phoberus capensis (Coleoptera: Trogidae) group, with description of two new species
- Strümpher, Werner P, Sole, Catherine L, Villet, Martin H, Scholtz, Clarke H
- Authors: Strümpher, Werner P , Sole, Catherine L , Villet, Martin H , Scholtz, Clarke H
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/442730 , vital:74028 , ISBN , https://brill.com/view/journals/ise/47/2/article-p149_4.xml
- Description: The name Phoberus capensis (Scholtz) is applied to a small flightless, keratinophagous beetle endemic to the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. Its gross distribution stretches from roughly 1000 km from the Cederberg (32°24’22” S, 19°04’50” E) to Grahamstown (33°20’07” S, 26°32’50” E). The populations are spatially discrete, restricted to relict forests of the southern Cape and disjunct high montane refugia of the Cape Fold Mountains. We test the hypothesis that there is more than one distinct species nested within the name P . capensis . Phylogenetic relationships among populations were inferred using molecular sequence data. The results support three distinct evolutionary lineages, which were also supported by morphological characters. Divergence time estimates suggest Pliocene-Pleistocene diversification. Based on these results, it is suggested that the P. capensis lineage experienced climatically-driven allopatric speciation with sheltered Afrotemperate forests and high mountain peaks serving as important refugia in response to climatic ameliorations. The P. capensis complex thus represents a speciation process in which flight-restricted populations evolved in close allopatry, possibly as recently as the Pleistocene. Two divergent and geographically distinct lineages are described as novel species: The new species, P . disjunctus sp. n. and P . herminae sp. n., are illustrated by photographs of habitus and male aedeagi.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Strümpher, Werner P , Sole, Catherine L , Villet, Martin H , Scholtz, Clarke H
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/442730 , vital:74028 , ISBN , https://brill.com/view/journals/ise/47/2/article-p149_4.xml
- Description: The name Phoberus capensis (Scholtz) is applied to a small flightless, keratinophagous beetle endemic to the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. Its gross distribution stretches from roughly 1000 km from the Cederberg (32°24’22” S, 19°04’50” E) to Grahamstown (33°20’07” S, 26°32’50” E). The populations are spatially discrete, restricted to relict forests of the southern Cape and disjunct high montane refugia of the Cape Fold Mountains. We test the hypothesis that there is more than one distinct species nested within the name P . capensis . Phylogenetic relationships among populations were inferred using molecular sequence data. The results support three distinct evolutionary lineages, which were also supported by morphological characters. Divergence time estimates suggest Pliocene-Pleistocene diversification. Based on these results, it is suggested that the P. capensis lineage experienced climatically-driven allopatric speciation with sheltered Afrotemperate forests and high mountain peaks serving as important refugia in response to climatic ameliorations. The P. capensis complex thus represents a speciation process in which flight-restricted populations evolved in close allopatry, possibly as recently as the Pleistocene. Two divergent and geographically distinct lineages are described as novel species: The new species, P . disjunctus sp. n. and P . herminae sp. n., are illustrated by photographs of habitus and male aedeagi.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Overview and revision of the extant genera and subgenera of Trogidae (Coleoptera Scarabaeoidea).
- Strümpher, Werner P, Villet, Martin H, Sole, Catherine L, Scholtz, Clarke H
- Authors: Strümpher, Werner P , Villet, Martin H , Sole, Catherine L , Scholtz, Clarke H
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/442743 , vital:74029 , ISBN , https://brill.com/view/journals/ise/47/1/article-p53_4.xml
- Description: Extant genera and subgenera of the Trogidae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) are reviewed. Contemporary classifications of this family have been based exclusively on morphological characters. The first molecular phylogeny for the family recently provided strong support for the relationships between morphologically defined genera and subgenera. On the basis of morphological, molecular and biogeographical evidence, certain taxonomic changes to the genus-level classification of the family are now proposed. The family is confirmed as consisting of two subfamilies, Omorginae Nikolajev and Troginae MacLeay, the former with two genera, Omorgus Erichson and Polynoncus Burmeister, and the latter with two genera, Trox Fabricius and Phoberus MacLeay stat. rev. Phoberus is restored to generic rank to include all Afrotropical (including Madagascan endemic) species; Afromorgus is confirmed at subgeneric rank within the genus Omorgus ; and the monotypic Madagascan genus Madagatrox syn. n. is synonymised with Phoberus. The current synonymies of Pseudotrox Robinson (with Trox ), Chesas Burmeister, Lagopelus Burmeister and Megalotrox Preudhomme de Borre (all with Omorgus ) are all accepted to avoid creating speculative synonyms before definitive phylogenetic evidence is available.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Strümpher, Werner P , Villet, Martin H , Sole, Catherine L , Scholtz, Clarke H
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/442743 , vital:74029 , ISBN , https://brill.com/view/journals/ise/47/1/article-p53_4.xml
- Description: Extant genera and subgenera of the Trogidae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) are reviewed. Contemporary classifications of this family have been based exclusively on morphological characters. The first molecular phylogeny for the family recently provided strong support for the relationships between morphologically defined genera and subgenera. On the basis of morphological, molecular and biogeographical evidence, certain taxonomic changes to the genus-level classification of the family are now proposed. The family is confirmed as consisting of two subfamilies, Omorginae Nikolajev and Troginae MacLeay, the former with two genera, Omorgus Erichson and Polynoncus Burmeister, and the latter with two genera, Trox Fabricius and Phoberus MacLeay stat. rev. Phoberus is restored to generic rank to include all Afrotropical (including Madagascan endemic) species; Afromorgus is confirmed at subgeneric rank within the genus Omorgus ; and the monotypic Madagascan genus Madagatrox syn. n. is synonymised with Phoberus. The current synonymies of Pseudotrox Robinson (with Trox ), Chesas Burmeister, Lagopelus Burmeister and Megalotrox Preudhomme de Borre (all with Omorgus ) are all accepted to avoid creating speculative synonyms before definitive phylogenetic evidence is available.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Standard Practices
- Amendt, Jens, Anderson, G, Campobasso, Carlo P, Dadour, I R, Gaudry, E, Hall, Martin J R, Moretti, T C, Sukontason, K L, Villet, Martin H
- Authors: Amendt, Jens , Anderson, G , Campobasso, Carlo P , Dadour, I R , Gaudry, E , Hall, Martin J R , Moretti, T C , Sukontason, K L , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/442821 , vital:74036 , ISBN , https://www.routledge.com/Forensic-Entomology-International-Dimensions-and-Frontiers/Tomberlin-Benbow/p/book/9780367575885
- Description: The use of forensic entomology has become established as a global science. Recent efforts in the field bridge multiple disciplines including, but not limited to, microbiology, chemistry, genetics, and systematics as well as ecology and evolution. The first book of its kind, Forensic Entomology: International Dimensions and Frontiers provides an inclusive summary of worldwide research on this body of knowledge that integrates aspects of a wide range of scientific realms. The book first reviews the history of forensic entomology, its accomplishments, and future challenges in nations around the world. It then provides perspectives of other scientific disciplines that are shaping the questions being addressed in the field.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Amendt, Jens , Anderson, G , Campobasso, Carlo P , Dadour, I R , Gaudry, E , Hall, Martin J R , Moretti, T C , Sukontason, K L , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/442821 , vital:74036 , ISBN , https://www.routledge.com/Forensic-Entomology-International-Dimensions-and-Frontiers/Tomberlin-Benbow/p/book/9780367575885
- Description: The use of forensic entomology has become established as a global science. Recent efforts in the field bridge multiple disciplines including, but not limited to, microbiology, chemistry, genetics, and systematics as well as ecology and evolution. The first book of its kind, Forensic Entomology: International Dimensions and Frontiers provides an inclusive summary of worldwide research on this body of knowledge that integrates aspects of a wide range of scientific realms. The book first reviews the history of forensic entomology, its accomplishments, and future challenges in nations around the world. It then provides perspectives of other scientific disciplines that are shaping the questions being addressed in the field.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Contemporary precision, bias and accuracy of minimum post-mortem intervals estimated using development of carrion-feeding insects
- Villet, Martin H, Richards, Cameron S, Midgley, John M
- Authors: Villet, Martin H , Richards, Cameron S , Midgley, John M
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/442769 , vital:74032 , ISBN 978-1-4020-9684-6 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-9684-6_7
- Description: Medicocriminal forensic entomology focuses primarily on providing evidence of the amount of time that a corpse or carcass has been exposed to colonization by insects, which helps to estimate the post mortem interval (PMI). Specifically, the estimate is of a minimum post mortem interval (PMImin), because death may occur a variable amount of time before colonization (Fig. 7.1); the maximum post mortem interval (PMImax) is estimated using the time that the person was last seen alive. Forensic entomology derives the bulk of its evidence from two sources: the ecological succession of carrion insect communities and the development of immature insects (Byrd and Castner 2001; Catts and Haskel 1990; Smith 1986). This chapter is concerned with assessing the confidence that can be placed in the accuracy of estimates derived from insect development. (Schoenly et al. 1996) dealt with this theme in succession-based estimates of PMImin.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Villet, Martin H , Richards, Cameron S , Midgley, John M
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/442769 , vital:74032 , ISBN 978-1-4020-9684-6 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-9684-6_7
- Description: Medicocriminal forensic entomology focuses primarily on providing evidence of the amount of time that a corpse or carcass has been exposed to colonization by insects, which helps to estimate the post mortem interval (PMI). Specifically, the estimate is of a minimum post mortem interval (PMImin), because death may occur a variable amount of time before colonization (Fig. 7.1); the maximum post mortem interval (PMImax) is estimated using the time that the person was last seen alive. Forensic entomology derives the bulk of its evidence from two sources: the ecological succession of carrion insect communities and the development of immature insects (Byrd and Castner 2001; Catts and Haskel 1990; Smith 1986). This chapter is concerned with assessing the confidence that can be placed in the accuracy of estimates derived from insect development. (Schoenly et al. 1996) dealt with this theme in succession-based estimates of PMImin.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The utility of Coleoptera in forensic investigations
- Midgley, John M, Richards, Cameron S, Villet, Martin H
- Authors: Midgley, John M , Richards, Cameron S , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/442783 , vital:74033 , ISBN 978-1-4020-9684-6 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-9684-6_4
- Description: Forensic entomology is a developing field of forensic science, so there are many avenues to investigate. These avenues include novel directions that have never been addressed, as well as more critical and rigorous research into areas which have already been explored. Most research in forensic entomology has focused on flies, and beetles (Coleoptera) have been at best under-emphasized. A good example of this is the review by Smith (1986), where 70 pages are dedicated to Diptera and only 12 to Coleoptera; this situation has changed little in the subsequent 20 years. To contextualize the neglect, throughout the world there are at least as many species of Coleoptera that may visit a particular carcass as Diptera (Braack 1986; Louw and van der Linde 1993; Bourel et al. 1999; Lopes de Carvalho et al. 2000; Pérez et al. 2005; Shea 2005; Watson and Carlton 2005a; Salazar 2006; Martinez et al. 2007). A common assumption underlying the neglect of Coleoptera is that Diptera locate corpses faster, and thus give a more accurate estimate of minimum Post Mortem Interval (PMImin). Recent observations (Midgley and Villet 2009b) have shown that Thanatophilus micans (Silphidae) can locate corpses and start breeding within 24 h of death, and thus the potential utility of estimates based on this species is equal to that of those based on flies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Midgley, John M , Richards, Cameron S , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/442783 , vital:74033 , ISBN 978-1-4020-9684-6 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-9684-6_4
- Description: Forensic entomology is a developing field of forensic science, so there are many avenues to investigate. These avenues include novel directions that have never been addressed, as well as more critical and rigorous research into areas which have already been explored. Most research in forensic entomology has focused on flies, and beetles (Coleoptera) have been at best under-emphasized. A good example of this is the review by Smith (1986), where 70 pages are dedicated to Diptera and only 12 to Coleoptera; this situation has changed little in the subsequent 20 years. To contextualize the neglect, throughout the world there are at least as many species of Coleoptera that may visit a particular carcass as Diptera (Braack 1986; Louw and van der Linde 1993; Bourel et al. 1999; Lopes de Carvalho et al. 2000; Pérez et al. 2005; Shea 2005; Watson and Carlton 2005a; Salazar 2006; Martinez et al. 2007). A common assumption underlying the neglect of Coleoptera is that Diptera locate corpses faster, and thus give a more accurate estimate of minimum Post Mortem Interval (PMImin). Recent observations (Midgley and Villet 2009b) have shown that Thanatophilus micans (Silphidae) can locate corpses and start breeding within 24 h of death, and thus the potential utility of estimates based on this species is equal to that of those based on flies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Seasonal rates of parasitism of diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) in subsistence cabbage crops in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Mkize, Nolwazi, Villet, Martin H
- Authors: Mkize, Nolwazi , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/442807 , vital:74035 , ISBN , https://www.torrossa.com/en/resources/an/5063829#page=221
- Description: Smith's (personal communication) work in a continuous, commercial cabbage-growing area near Grahamstown showed that parasitism of diamondback moth averaged over 60% and could reach 100%. In many parts of the world cabbage crops are not under continuous cultivation, and periodic cropping Systems may demonstrate différent patterns of parasitism, especially in disrupted, patchy subsistence crops. Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) is the most commonly grown cruciferous crop in subsistence gardens in the suburbs of Grahamstown East. The subsistence farmers' crops are considered patchy because the cabbages are grown in small and relatively widely separated plots. Thèse gardens provided an opportunity to follow Talekar and Shelton's (1993) suggestion to investigate the population dynamics of P. xylostella (a useful model pest) and its rate of parasitism on cabbages of subsistence farmers where commercial pesticides are used less.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
- Authors: Mkize, Nolwazi , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/442807 , vital:74035 , ISBN , https://www.torrossa.com/en/resources/an/5063829#page=221
- Description: Smith's (personal communication) work in a continuous, commercial cabbage-growing area near Grahamstown showed that parasitism of diamondback moth averaged over 60% and could reach 100%. In many parts of the world cabbage crops are not under continuous cultivation, and periodic cropping Systems may demonstrate différent patterns of parasitism, especially in disrupted, patchy subsistence crops. Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) is the most commonly grown cruciferous crop in subsistence gardens in the suburbs of Grahamstown East. The subsistence farmers' crops are considered patchy because the cabbages are grown in small and relatively widely separated plots. Thèse gardens provided an opportunity to follow Talekar and Shelton's (1993) suggestion to investigate the population dynamics of P. xylostella (a useful model pest) and its rate of parasitism on cabbages of subsistence farmers where commercial pesticides are used less.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
Cicadas (Hemiptera, Homoptera: Cicadoidea) of Mkomazi
- Villet, Martin H, van Noort, Simon, Packer, M
- Authors: Villet, Martin H , van Noort, Simon , Packer, M
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/442756 , vital:74030 , ISBN , https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1472-4642.2001.00094.x
- Description: The cicadas are a group of insects belonging to the order Hemiptera which comprises a diverse range of insects including the bugs, leafhoppers, aphids, scale insects etc. The Hemiptera are characterised by specialised mouth parts that are adapted for piercing and sucking up sap from host plants or animal juices from their prey. All cicadas are plant feeders and can be extremely camouflaged when sitting and feeding on a branch, although the males give themselves away by their persistent, often high pitched calls.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
- Authors: Villet, Martin H , van Noort, Simon , Packer, M
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/442756 , vital:74030 , ISBN , https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1472-4642.2001.00094.x
- Description: The cicadas are a group of insects belonging to the order Hemiptera which comprises a diverse range of insects including the bugs, leafhoppers, aphids, scale insects etc. The Hemiptera are characterised by specialised mouth parts that are adapted for piercing and sucking up sap from host plants or animal juices from their prey. All cicadas are plant feeders and can be extremely camouflaged when sitting and feeding on a branch, although the males give themselves away by their persistent, often high pitched calls.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
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