Potential application of Gustatory Receptor 1 (CmegGr1) gene as a molecular marker for identification of Chrysomya megacephala (Diptera: Calliphoridae)
https://doi.org/10.47665/tb.39.2.008
- Author:
Ghazali, S.N.A.
1
;
Emelia, O.
1
;
Hidayatulfathi, O.
2
;
Syamsa, R.A.
1
Author Information
1. Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2. Biomedical Science Programme, Diagnostic and Applied Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Forensic larvae;
gustatory receptor 1 gene;
Chrysomya megacephala;
DNA identification;
phylogenetic study.
- From:Tropical Biomedicine
2022;39(No.2):226-230
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Chrysomya megacephala larvae can easily be identified using cheap traditional microscopy techniques.
Nevertheless, identification using taxonomy keys may be hampered, if the morphological characteristics
of the larvae are incomplete, or immature for microscopic identification. To overcome the difficulty
of species determination, molecular identification has gained relevance and is applied in forensic
investigations. This study aimed to identify a novel target gene, known as the gustatory receptor 1 gene
(CmegGr1), which has never been used for identification. The third instar larvae of Ch. megacephala
(n = 30) and eight other forensically important fly species were obtained from two sources; rabbit
carcasses and the Forensic Entomology Unit collection. Their DNAs were extracted and the CmegGr1
gene was amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The resulting sequences were subjected
to phylogenetic analysis. A 209 bp fragment of the CmegGr1 gene was successfully amplified in 80%
(24/30) of Ch. megacephala samples, while all of the non-Ch. megacephala species were not amplified.
The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the evolutionary tree of CmegGr1 shares many traits with the
21a gustatory receptors of Calliphora stygia and Lucilia cuprina (Gr21a), which are also classified as
necrophagous fly species. The high specificity of species identification was demonstrated in the present
study using DNA barcoding, which led to the conclusion that the CmegGr1 gene could serve as an
alternative marker for identifying Ch. megacephala.
- Full text:8.2022my1336.pdf
