Diplopods Succession Associated to Covered Sus Scrofa Domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758) Carrions Exposed in Various Habitats in the Equatorial Forest of Malombo (Center Region of Cameroon, Africa) : First Studies

Yebga Luc Blaise Cherubain, Mony Ruth, Makon Samuel Didier, Mbenoun Masse Paul Serge, Bilong Bilong Charles Felix

Abstract


Most forensic studies are focused on Diptera, Coleoptera and hymenoptera pattern colonization while neglecting other arthropods precisely Diplopods succession on carrions. Little information is available on the postmortem colonization by millipides and the decomposition process they initiate under tropical biogeoclimatic countries. These diplopods have never been mentioned as part of the colonization of arthropods of a dead body and yet they participate actively and their presence would never be a coincidence. Forensic science need increased databases detailing the distribution, ecology, and phenology of necrophagous arthropods, including diplopods. From Junuary to November 2018, diplopod successions of covered pig carrion were studied in various habitats in the equatorial forest of Malombo in Cameroon. Six stages of decomposition were recognized: fresh, bloating, advanced bloating, active decomposition, advanced decomposition, and skeletization. A total of 135 diplopods belonging three order (Spirostreptida, Polydesmida and Spirobolida) and 6 species (Aporodesmus gabonicus, Aporodesmus sp., Urodesmus cornutus, Trinciulus laevicolis, Haplothysanus chapellei and Spirostreptidae gen sp) were collected from covered pig carrions. Highest abundance of millipedes occured in the habitat 2 and the lowest in the habitat 4. Haplothysanus chapellei (Odontopygidae) has been the most abundant species with 91,11 % of the community of millipedes. The succession and duration of decay stages, habitat and stage specificity provide key information in field studies and their potential application in forensic science.


Keywords


Forensic science, Diplopods, forensic myriapodology, pig covered carrion, Equatorial forest, Malombo, Cameroon.

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.52155/ijpsat.v22.2.2148

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