Flesh Flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) Attracted to a Snake Carcass (Boa constrictor) in Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Abstract

Abstract A study was carried out to determine Sarcophagidae diversity attracted to the different stages of decomposition of a Boa constrictor cadaver during late winter in the Yucatan Peninsula. As a result of this study, seven species of Sarcophagidae were documented, Oxysarcodexia conclausa (Walker, 1861) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), Peckia (Euboettcheria) volucris (Wulp, 1895) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), Blaesoxipha (Gigantotheca) plinthopyga (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), Oxysarcodexia amorosa (Schiner, 1868) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), Ravinia derelicta (Walker, 1853) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), Ravinia effrenata (Walker, 1861) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), and Titanogrypa (Cucullomyia) placida (Aldrich, 1925) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), The last five species listed are the first documentation of their presence in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Sarcophagids were present throughout the decomposition process; however, the greatest abundance and diversity of this family were present during the advanced decay stage. This is the first work on flesh flies in the region and the first in the country that has focused on wildlife.