Goat ovaries were collected from the slaughterhouse and categorized as right, left, corpus luteum (CL)-present and -absent group and evaluated on the basis of weight (g), length (cm), width (cm), number of follicles, follicles aspirated and number and state ofcumulus-oocyte-complexes (COCs). Comparatively higher weight [(0.66±0.02) vs (0.64±0.02) g], length [(1.17±0.02)vs (1.11±0.02) cm] and width [(0.77±0.02) vs (0.74±0.02) cm] were found in right ovaries than those of left. On the other hand significantly (P＜0.05) higher weight [(0.71±0.03) vs (0.64±0.01) g] and width [(0.76±0.03) vs (0.75±0.01) cm] were found in CL-present group than those of CL-absent group of ovaries. The left ovaries contained comparatively higher number of normal COCs [(1.06±0.09) per ovary] than right ovaries [(1.03±0.10) per ovary] and the similar trend was found in total number of follicles [(4.51±0.25) vs (4.30±0.23) per ovary] and follicles aspirated [(2.55±0.14) vs (2.52±0.12) per ovary]. But the total COCs per ovary was almost similar in both ovaries [right and left: (1.85±0.12) and (1.85±0.11) per ovary, respectively]. Higher number of total COCs [(1.87±0.09) vs (1.76±0.16) per ovary], total number of follicles [(4.45±0.19) vs (4.16±0.37) per ovary], follicles aspirated [(2.55±0.10) vs (2.48±0.21) per ovary] and normal COCs [(1.12±0.07) vs (0.76±0.14) per ovary] were found in CL-absent group than those of CL-present group of ovaries.

In addition to the scarcity of forensic entomology baseline data on oviposition of necrophagous insects and completion of their life cycles in the Borneo region, similar data derived from caves remain unreported. Since entomological baseline data can differ from one biogeoclimatic region to another, the lack of such data would limit the practical values of applying entomological evidence in estimating minimum postmortem interval (mPMI). Therefore, this present research that investigated oviposition and completion of life cycles of necrophagous flies infesting rabbit carcasses decomposing in Mount Kapur Cave and its surrounding forest habitat in Kuching, Sarawak merits forensic consideration. In general, 13 taxa of necrophagous flies were identified viz. Hypopygiopsis violacea, Hypopygiopsis fumipennis, Hemipyrellia ligurriens, Hemipyrellia tagaliana, Chrysomya megacephala, Chrysomya villeneuvi, Chrysomya rufifacies, Chrysomya chani, Chrysomya pinguis, Chrysomya nigripes, Ophyra spinigera and Ophyra chalcogaster, as well as unidentified Sarcophagidae. In addition, Hyp. violacea and Hyp. fumipennis were the two earlier necrophagous flies that oviposited in all rabbit carcasses decomposing in both habitats. While all these necrophagous flies were observed infesting carcasses in Mount Kapur Cave, Hem. ligurriens and Hem. tagaliana were not found infesting carcasses in the surrounding forest habitat. Complete life cycles for six and five different necrophagous fly species were successfully observed in Mount Kapur Cave and its surrounding forest habitat, respectively. Significant delay in oviposition, as well as longer durations for completing the life cycles in several necrophagous fly species were observed in Mount Kapur Cave when compared with those of surrounding forest habitat (p < 0.05). These findings deserve consideration as the first ever forensic empirical baseline data on oviposition and completion of life cycles for necrophagous flies in Sarawak as well as in a cave habitat, in view of its practical values for estimating mPMI for forensic practical caseworks.