~ 473 ~ Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 2015; 3(5): 473-482 E-ISSN: 2320-7078 P-ISSN: 2349-6800 JEZS 2015; 3(5): 473-482 © 2015 JEZS Received: 20-07-205 Accepted: 21-08-2015 Mohammed GM Zeariya Department of Zoology and Entomology, Faculty of Science (Boys), AL- Azhar University, Nasr City, 11884, Cairo, Egypt. Kotb M Hammad Department of Zoology and Entomology, Faculty of Science (Boys), AL- Azhar University, Nasr City, 11884, Cairo, Egypt. Mohammed A Fouda Department of Zoology and Entomology, Faculty of Science (Boys), AL- Azhar University, Nasr City, 11884, Cairo, Egypt. Alaa G Al-Dali Department of Zoology and Entomology, Faculty of Science (Boys), AL- Azhar University, Nasr City, 11884, Cairo, Egypt. Mohamad M Kabadaia Department of Zoology and Entomology, Faculty of Science (Boys), AL- Azhar University, Nasr City, 11884, Cairo, Egypt. Correspondence: Mohammed GM Zeariya Department of Zoology and Entomology, Faculty of Science (Boys), AL- Azhar University, Nasr City, 11884, Cairo, Egypt. Forensic - insect succession and decomposition patterns of dog and rabbit carcasses in different habitats Mohammed GM Zeariya, Kotb M Hammad, Mohammed A Fouda, Alaa G Al-Dali, Mohamad M Kabadaia Abstract The entomofauna associated with two animal carcasses namely; dog (Canis lupus familiaris) and rabbit (Lepus cuniculus); and their succession patterns were investigated. This study was carried out at the Department of Zoology and Entomology, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Nasr city, Cairo, Egypt. The fresh stage of carcass decomposition began with death and ended when bloated stage was initiated. It lasted 12 h for dog and rabbit carcasses placed outdoor (Mean temperature 29 C and RH 54%), while it lasted one day and 12 h for dog and rabbit carcasses placed indoor, respectively. The bloated stage was on day one postmortem for dog and rabbit carcasses placed outdoor, while it was on day 2 and on day one postmortem for dog and rabbit carcasses placed indoor, respectively. The active decay stage was on day 4 and on day 3 postmortem for dog and rabbit carcasses placed outdoor, respectively. While it was on day 3 postmortem for each dog and rabbit indoor. The advanced decay stage arrived on day 7 and on day 5 postmortem for dog and rabbit carcasses placed outdoor, respectively. Meanwhile, it was on day 6 and on day 5 postmortem for dog and rabbit carcasses placed indoor, respectively. The final stage of decomposition (dry stage) was arrived on day 22 and on day 19 postmortem for dog and rabbit carcasses placed outdoor, respectively. While it was arrived on day 31 and on day 16 postmortem for dog and rabbit carcasses placed in door, respectively. A total of 687 adult insect specimens representing 9 families were collected from dog carcasses placed outdoor, while 342 adult insect specimens representing 8 families were collected from dog carcass placed indoor. Diptera, Coleoptera and Hymenoptera comprised 57%, 36% and 7% of insects collected from dog carcasses placed outdoor and 59%, 37% and 4% of insects placed indoor. The insect succession on dog and rabbit throughout the decompositional stages showed that the Calliphorid fly, Chrysomya albiceps was the first fly attracted to the early stages of decomposition. In general, it was appeared that the diversity and numbers of forensic insect species which colonize dog or rabbit carcasses were increased outdoor and decreased indoor. Moreover, they were higher in numbers on dog carcasses than on rabbit carcasses. Keywords: Entomofauna; Carcass; Outdoor; Indoor; Postmortem; Dog; Rabbit 1. Introduction Forensic entomology deals primarily with insects and other arthropods which infest human remains. Insects lay eggs on or in human remains, as well as utilize the corpse for food or habitat. Insect development and successional patterns can be an indication of the postmortem interval (PMI) when time of death is unknown. Decomposition of terrestrial animals, including humans, involves not only the actions of organisms such as bacteria and fungi, but also those of a large number of arthropod species, particularly the saprophagous insects [1] . The rate at which decomposition progress is further influenced by a variety of environmental factors, including temperature, humidity, precipitation, and the degree of isolation, and also by the composition of the carrion- associated fauna and the circumstances of death [2] . However, the most valuable use of forensic insects associated with the corpse is the estimation of the postmortem interval or the time that elapsed since death [3] . Pathologists can estimate the time of death based on several biological parameters: lividity, rigor mortis, postmortem cooling, changes in the chemical constituents of body, autolysis of tissue, and decomposition due to bacterial activity in the body. However, these parameters are not reliable beyond about 72 hours after death [4] . The entomological method of determining PMI was found to be statistically more reliable and superior when compared to other pathological methods, particularly during later stages of decay [5] .