Wing shape variations of Malaysian forensic scuttle flies (Diptera: Phoridae) include sexual dimorphisms

Disney Henry, . and Anthony Juliana Kristine, . and Raja Muhammad Zuha, . Wing shape variations of Malaysian forensic scuttle flies (Diptera: Phoridae) include sexual dimorphisms. pp. 222-230. ISSN 2672-7226

Geometric morphometric analysis recently has expanded to insects of forensic importance mainly adult flies as correct and valid species identification is important in forensic entomology. The objective of this research was to investigate morphological variations between two forensically important scuttle flies (Diptera: Phoridae) in Malaysia i.e. Megaselia scalaris (Loew 1866) and Megaselia spiracularis Schmitz 1938 based on wing shape analysis. A total of 16 geometrical landmarks was defined and analysed with geometric morphometric procedures using MorphoJ software. Wing centroid size which represented wing shape was statistically different between species and sexes. By using residuals from the allometric effect canonical variate analysis separated all defined groups in different distinct clusters and further cross validated by both species and sexes. Between species male M. scalaris had broader wing shape than male M. spiracularis whilst in the female M. scalaris had a narrower shape at the tip of the wing. Within M. scalaris group females had broader wing shape at the base than males whereas in M. spiracularis the females had narrower shape at the base of the wing than the males. The geometric morphometric analysis in distinguishing forensically important species could be expanded for further investigation especially in Phoridae family.

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Abstract

Geometric morphometric analysis recently has expanded to insects of forensic importance mainly adult flies as correct and valid species identification is important in forensic entomology. The objective of this research was to investigate morphological variations between two forensically important scuttle flies (Diptera: Phoridae) in Malaysia i.e. Megaselia scalaris (Loew 1866) and Megaselia spiracularis Schmitz 1938 based on wing shape analysis. A total of 16 geometrical landmarks was defined and analysed with geometric morphometric procedures using MorphoJ software. Wing centroid size which represented wing shape was statistically different between species and sexes. By using residuals from the allometric effect canonical variate analysis separated all defined groups in different distinct clusters and further cross validated by both species and sexes. Between species male M. scalaris had broader wing shape than male M. spiracularis whilst in the female M. scalaris had a narrower shape at the tip of the wing. Within M. scalaris group females had broader wing shape at the base than males whereas in M. spiracularis the females had narrower shape at the base of the wing than the males. The geometric morphometric analysis in distinguishing forensically important species could be expanded for further investigation especially in Phoridae family.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Diptera
AGROVOC Term:	Phoridae
AGROVOC Term:	Megaselia
AGROVOC Term:	Insects
AGROVOC Term:	Animal morphology
AGROVOC Term:	Wings
AGROVOC Term:	Sexual dimorphism
AGROVOC Term:	Allometry
Depositing User:	Mr. AFANDI ABDUL MALEK
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 00:55
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/9515

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