A mini taxonomic assessment and distributional analysis (Sepsidae: Diptera) of Assam, India

doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-3992709/v1

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A mini taxonomic assessment and distributional analysis (Sepsidae: Diptera) of Assam, India

https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3992709/v1

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This article presents a mini taxonomic assessment and distributional analysis of the Sepsidae family of Diptera in Assam, India. The Sepsidae, commonly known as scavenger flies, play a crucial role in the ecosystem by aiding in the decomposition of organic matter. Despite their ecological importance, the taxonomy and distribution of these flies in Assam remain understudied. This study aims to fill this knowledge gap by conducting a comprehensive literature survey. The study also provides insights into the distribution patterns of these flies. This research contributes to the broader understanding of Dipteran biodiversity in Assam and underscores the need for further studies to conserve these ecologically significant insects and their ground truth verification by conducting surveys. The current findings have implications for biodiversity conservation and provide a foundation for future research on the ecological role of Sepsidae in Assam. The article calls for more extensive taxonomic studies and conservation efforts to preserve the biodiversity of this region.

Sepsidae

Assam

Scavenger flies

Taxonomy

Species prevalence

India

The Sepsidae family, a diverse group of flies, is globally represented by 339 species across 38 genera. In India, this family is less diverse, with only 45 species recorded under two subfamilies: Sepsinae and Toxopodinae. These subfamilies comprise 11 genera, with Sepsinae consisting of 10 genera and 40 species, and Toxopodinae consisting of a single genus with 5 species (Chakraborty, et. al, 2014).

Sepsidae, also known as "black scavenger flies," are a diverse family of small flies found worldwide, with over 3000 species described (Courtney et al., 2000; Disney, 2008; Marshall et al., 2011). These flies play crucial roles in ecosystems by aiding in the decomposition of organic matter (Gilbert, 1985; Rotheray, 1988). Sepsid flies exhibit various mating behaviors, including complex courtship rituals and mate guarding (Humphreys et al., 2016; Kumagai et al., 2020). Research suggests that Sepsidae larvae primarily feed on microorganisms associated with decomposing organic material (Disney, 2008; Marshall et al., 2011). Understanding the ecology and behavior of Sepsidae is essential for comprehending their ecological functions and their potential impact on ecosystems (Rotheray, 1988; Marshall et al., 2011).

The study of Indian Sepsidae was first initiated by Wiedemann (1824). Subsequent contributions by Brunetti (1910) and Iwasa (1982; 2008) led to the description of several new species from the Indian subregion. More recently, Ozerov (1992; 2010) has made significant contributions to our understanding of Indian Sepsidae (Chakraborty, 2014).

Sepsidae flies play a crucial role in the ecosystem. As natural scavengers, they help in the decomposition of decaying organic matter, carcasses, and feces, thereby facilitating their conversion into soil nutrients. Their association with dead carcasses makes them useful forensic indicators at crime scenes. This paper aims to further explore the ecological and forensic significance of Sepsidae flies, with a particular focus on the species found in India.

2.1. Literature survey

Various taxonomic resources were reviewed to extract Indian species of forensically important dipteran. These included online resources, catalogs updated till 2015, the Systema Dipterorum (2013), and catalogs of fossil Diptera, Oriental, Australasian, and Oceania regions. Zoo records (2011–2016), State fauna series, and open search papers on forensic dipterans were also consulted, along with the National Zoological and General Diptera collections from the Central zoological collection

2.2. Mapping

Launched the QGIS application and commenced a novel endeavor, integrating the shapefile that delineates the boundaries of the Indian states by means of dragging and releasing it onto the designated workspace. Additionally, included a delimited text layer that comprises the names of the Indian states.

A table of species inventory was created, with genus, species, type locality, distribution and reference in India and elsewhere are provided. A table of the various species present in Assam and rest of India was created, along with their biogeographic distribution, to get a better understanding of their bionomics. These flies seem to be very efficient in utilizing dead and decomposing matter for conversion of soil nutrients and their association with dead carcasses makes them useful forensic indicators at crime scenes.

This detailed account of the distribution of various species of Sepsidae in Assam and other regions contributes to the broader understanding of Diptera biodiversity in Assam and underscores the need for further studies to conserve these ecologically significant insects. The findings have implications for biodiversity conservation strategies and provide a foundation for future research on the ecological role or bionomics of Sepsidae in Assam. The article calls for more extensive taxonomic studies and conservation efforts to preserve the biodiversity of this region.

8 Sepsidae species are found in Assam. Decachaetophora aeneipes (Meijere, 1913) is biogeographically distributed in Australasian/Oceanian, Oriental and Palaearctic. — Asia. Dicranosepsis crinita (Duda, 1926) is exclusively Oriental. Dicranosepsis revocans (Walker, 1860), Dicranosepsis tibialis Iwasa & Tewari, 1991 and Sepsis nitens Wiedemann, 1824 is biogeographically distributed in Australasian/Oceanian and Oriental regions. Sepsis coprophila Meijere, 1906 is Oriental and Palaearctic. — Asia. Sepsis dissimilis Brunetti, 1909 is distributrd in Afrotropical, Australasian/Oceanian, Oriental and Palaearctic. — Asia. Sepsis lateralis Wiedemann, 1830 is found in Afrotropical. — Asia, Australasian/Oceanian, Palaearctic. — Asia, Europe, North Africa and Oriental regions . Dicranosepsis revocans (Walker, 1860) is the only member that is found in Assam and no other states or regions of India (Table.1).

A comprehensive checklist pertaining to taxonomy of Sepsidae of Assam was not previously carried out, therefore a revised checklist is prepared. A total of 8 Sepsidae flies were recorded from Assam (Table.1).

The study of Sepsidae in Assam, India, provides valuable insights into the biodiversity and ecological dynamics of this region. Through meticulous research and observation, scholars have enhanced our understanding of the role these flies play in various ecosystems, including their interactions with other organisms and their ecological significance. Continued research and conservation efforts are imperative to preserve the diverse fauna of Assam, ensuring the long-term health and sustainability of its ecosystems.

Acknowledgement.

We authors are grateful to the Vice Chancellor, Dean Academics, Registrar, Dean of Life Sciences and H.o.D. of Dept. Of Zoology, of The Assam Royal Global University, for providing the infrastructural facilities to carry out the present work. And, to all the anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments.

Authors' contributions: MG helped in the writing of the manuscript and structuring, BB and KB helped in data accumulation, making map and internet searches and AC helped in the proofreading, compilation, data interpretation and structuring of the manuscript.

Conflict of Interest: The Authors declare no conflict of interest.

Source of Funding: None

Compliance with ethical standards: All applicable international and national guidelines were followed. All procedures performed in studies were in accordance with the ethical stan-dards of the institution or practice at which the studies were conducted.

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Table 1 is available in the Supplementary Files section.

TABLE111.docx

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Editorial decision: Major revisions
31 Aug, 2024
Reviewers agreed at journal
04 Mar, 2024
Reviewers invited by journal
04 Mar, 2024
Editor assigned by journal
29 Feb, 2024
First submitted to journal
28 Feb, 2024

You are reading this latest preprint version

A mini taxonomic assessment and distributional analysis (Sepsidae: Diptera) of Assam, India

Status:

Version 1

Abstract

Figures

1. Introduction

2. Methodology

2.1. Literature survey

2.2. Mapping

3. Result and Discussion

Conclusion

Declarations

References

Tables

Supplementary Files

Status:

Version 1