Identification of Forensically Important Carrion Beetles (Coleoptera: Staphilinidae) in China Based on COI and COII

Unambiguous and speedy necrophagous insect species identification is common task in forensic entomological study. Carrion beetles (Staphilinidae: Silphinae) belong to a small group of Coleoptera with less than 200 species worldwide. Some species are commonly found on dead body during forensic entomological investigation. Despite some species are hard to be categorized morphologically, present DNA-based technologies offer a potential identification strategy. Here, 37 carrion beetle specimens were collected from 15 locations throughout Chinese mainland. The cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and II (COII) genes among all specimens were successfully sequenced, which provided reliable markers for precise identification. Mostly, the interspecific distance could clarify the capability of these genes for identifying included carrion beetle species. Exceptions existed between close species in Nicrophorus genus (Fabricius 1775). The sequenced gene's phylogenetic analysis revealed that all carrion beetle specimens were correctly classified into eight genera, and most have relatively high supporting values (>90%). Our data gives genetic diversity and a reference for global forensically important carrion beetle species identification, as well as a conductive significance for future application of Chinese carrion beetles in forensic entomology.

Automated summary

Unambiguous and speedy necrophagous insect species identification is a common task in forensic entomological study. Carrion beetles belong to a small group of Coleoptera with less than 200 species worldwide. DNA-based technologies offer a potential identification strategy for carrion beetles, and the study successfully sequenced the COI and COII genes of 37 carrion beetle specimens, providing reliable markers for precise identification.