Arthropod successionin Whitehorse, Yukon Territory and compared development of protophormia terraenovae (R. -D.) from Beringia and the Great Lakes Region

Forensic medicocriminal entomology is used in the estimation of post-mortem intervals in death investigations, by means of arthropod succession patterns and the development rates of individual insect species. The purpose of this research was to determine arthropod succession patterns in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, and compare the development rates of the dominant blowfly species (Protophormia terraenovae R.-D.) to another population collected in Oshawa, Ontario. Decomposition in Whitehorse occurred at a much slower rate than is expected for the summer season, and the singularly dominant blowfly species is not considered dominant or a primary colonizer in more southern regions. Development rates of P. terraenovae were determined for both fluctuating and two constant temperatures. Under natural fluctuating conditions, there was no significant difference in growth rate between studied biotypes. Results at repeated 10°C conditions varied, though neither biotype completed development indicating the published minimum development thresholds for this species are underestimated.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MSc)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Applied Bioscience

Grantor

University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Bygarski, Katherine

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• LeBlanc, Helene

• Forensic entomology
• Decomposition
• Protophormia terraenovae
• Minimum development threshold

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10155/297

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ontariotechu.scholaris.ca:10155/297