Insects from the bodies of illegally hunted rhinoceros may provide valuable forensic information
Wiley
New research in Medical and Veterinary Entomology reveals that when rhinoceros are found dead after being illegally killed by poachers, analyzing insects on the decomposing body aids in estimating the time since death. This information has been used by investigators and officials to construct cases against suspected perpetrators.
The study included 19 rhinoceros that were illegally killed and dehorned in the Republic of South Africa between 2014 and 2021. Scientists collected 74 samples of insect evidence from these rhinoceros remains, from which an accurate estimate of their time of death was calculated. The specimens comprised 18 species from 12 families belonging to three insect orders.
“This has implications across both the science of forensic entomology and forensic wildlife, and especially highlights the opportunities for improving the global understanding of the procedures related to wildlife criminal cases,” said co–corresponding author Ian R. Dadour, PhD, of Source Certain and Murdoch University, in Australia. “Over the last 30 years, the results of this new activity combined with ranger teams and satellite tracking have led to a rebound in rhinoceros populations.”
URL upon publication: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mve.12760
Additional Information
NOTE: The information contained in this release is protected by copyright. Please include journal attribution in all coverage. For more information or to obtain a PDF of any study, please contact: Sara Henning-Stout, newsroom@wiley.com.
About the Journal
Medical and Veterinary Entomology covers the biology and control of insects, ticks, mites, and other arthropods of medical, veterinary, and forensic importance. Papers submitted to Medical and Veterinary Entomology should be novel research papers in the form of original articles or short communications, or review articles. Letters to the editor also are welcome. We do not publish purely descriptive studies that are limited in scope.
About Wiley
Wiley is a knowledge company and a global leader in research, publishing, and knowledge solutions. Dedicated to the creation and application of knowledge, Wiley serves the world’s researchers, learners, innovators, and leaders, helping them achieve their goals and solve the world's most important challenges. For more than two centuries, Wiley has been delivering on its timeless mission to unlock human potential. Visit us at Wiley.com. Follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram.
Journal
Medical and Veterinary Entomology
Article Title
Post-mortem Interval determinations using insects collected from illegally hunted and dehorned rhinoceros in the Republic of South Africa from 2014 to 2021
Article Publication Date
9-Oct-2024
No comments:
Post a Comment