Effect of lead acetate on the development of chrysomya megacephala (diptera: calliphoridae) and implications for estimating postmortem interval

Author: 
Heer, B. K and Singh, D

The present study was conducted to investigate the lead acetate impact on the larval development of Chrysomya megacephala. Larvae of Chrysomya megacephala reared on rat carcass treated with different concentrations of lead acetate; Half lethal, Lethal and Twice Lethal by intraperitoneal injection. It was also observed that the concentrations of lead acetate in the immature stages of C. megacephala were lower than their concentrations in the visceral organs and blood of lead acetate dosed rats. The development rate of larvae between treated group and control group varied significantly. Development took longer time in the presence of high lead acetate concentration compared to control. Mortality results indicated greater mortality among the larvae with increased lead acetate concentration as compared to control. An estimate of the postmortem interval based on the normal development of C. megacephala could have an error of upto 8-80 hours.

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DOI: 
http://dx.doi.org/10.24327/ijcar.2019.18592.3558
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