A complete morphological characterization of all life stages of the phorid fly Megaselia scalaris
Abstract Megaselia scalaris, commonly known as the scuttle fly, is a cosmopolitan species in the family Phoridae. It is an easily cultured fly species that is an emerging model organism in the fields of genetics and developmental biology. Its affinity for carrion and its predictable life cycle makes...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-50200-6 |
| _version_ | 1797376968712257536 |
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| author | Jayakumar Pallavi Harshita Snehal Rakshita Sukruth Kolipakala Daniela Salazar Mrunal Hanbar Larina Bejoy Chiramel Khushi Alok Jha Sai Bhumica Lakshmi Venkatesh Tanishka Dayanand Shetty Navya Madhusudan Amrutha Mohan Amulia John Naomi Deep D’souza Priyanka Sheet Deepesh Nagarajan |
| author_facet | Jayakumar Pallavi Harshita Snehal Rakshita Sukruth Kolipakala Daniela Salazar Mrunal Hanbar Larina Bejoy Chiramel Khushi Alok Jha Sai Bhumica Lakshmi Venkatesh Tanishka Dayanand Shetty Navya Madhusudan Amrutha Mohan Amulia John Naomi Deep D’souza Priyanka Sheet Deepesh Nagarajan |
| author_sort | Jayakumar Pallavi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Megaselia scalaris, commonly known as the scuttle fly, is a cosmopolitan species in the family Phoridae. It is an easily cultured fly species that is an emerging model organism in the fields of genetics and developmental biology. Its affinity for carrion and its predictable life cycle makes it useful in the field of forensic science for estimating the post-mortem interval (PMI) of human remains. Cases of human myasis caused by M. scalaris have also been reported in the medical literature. Despite its ubiquitous prevalence and its relevance across multiple fields, its morphology has not been adequately characterized. Here, we report the complete morphological characterization of all lifestages of M. scalaris, ranging from egg to adult. Scanning electron microscopy has enabled us to uncover morphological features and developmental processes that have previously not been reported in the literature. Our data lays the groundwork for future genetic studies: a morphological characterization of the wild type must be performed before mutants displaying different phenotypes can be identified. In this vein, we also report the observation of a acephalic, or 'headless’, adult phenotype whose study could yield insights into the process of cephalogenesis. Finally, all morphological features observed have been compiled into an ’atlas’ that should be of use to all workers in the field. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T19:46:55Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3ef19412f49043a0bca2b2a82e7e0d26 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T19:46:55Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-3ef19412f49043a0bca2b2a82e7e0d262023-12-24T12:18:41ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222023-12-011311910.1038/s41598-023-50200-6A complete morphological characterization of all life stages of the phorid fly Megaselia scalarisJayakumar Pallavi0Harshita Snehal1Rakshita Sukruth Kolipakala2Daniela Salazar3Mrunal Hanbar4Larina Bejoy Chiramel5Khushi Alok Jha6Sai Bhumica Lakshmi Venkatesh7Tanishka Dayanand Shetty8Navya Madhusudan9Amrutha Mohan10Amulia John11Naomi Deep D’souza12Priyanka Sheet13Deepesh Nagarajan14Department of Biotechnology, M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied SciencesDepartment of Biotechnology, M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied SciencesDepartment of Biotechnology, M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied SciencesEcology and Genetics Research Unit, University of OuluDepartment of Microbiology, St. Xaviers CollegeDepartment of Microbiology, St. Xaviers CollegeDepartment of Microbiology, St. Xaviers CollegeDepartment of Biotechnology, M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied SciencesDepartment of Biotechnology, M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied SciencesDepartment of Biotechnology, M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied SciencesDepartment of Biotechnology, M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied SciencesDepartment of Microbiology, St. Xaviers CollegeDepartment of Microbiology, St. Xaviers CollegeDepartment of Microbiology, St. Xaviers CollegeDepartment of Biotechnology, M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied SciencesAbstract Megaselia scalaris, commonly known as the scuttle fly, is a cosmopolitan species in the family Phoridae. It is an easily cultured fly species that is an emerging model organism in the fields of genetics and developmental biology. Its affinity for carrion and its predictable life cycle makes it useful in the field of forensic science for estimating the post-mortem interval (PMI) of human remains. Cases of human myasis caused by M. scalaris have also been reported in the medical literature. Despite its ubiquitous prevalence and its relevance across multiple fields, its morphology has not been adequately characterized. Here, we report the complete morphological characterization of all lifestages of M. scalaris, ranging from egg to adult. Scanning electron microscopy has enabled us to uncover morphological features and developmental processes that have previously not been reported in the literature. Our data lays the groundwork for future genetic studies: a morphological characterization of the wild type must be performed before mutants displaying different phenotypes can be identified. In this vein, we also report the observation of a acephalic, or 'headless’, adult phenotype whose study could yield insights into the process of cephalogenesis. Finally, all morphological features observed have been compiled into an ’atlas’ that should be of use to all workers in the field.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-50200-6 |
| spellingShingle | Jayakumar Pallavi Harshita Snehal Rakshita Sukruth Kolipakala Daniela Salazar Mrunal Hanbar Larina Bejoy Chiramel Khushi Alok Jha Sai Bhumica Lakshmi Venkatesh Tanishka Dayanand Shetty Navya Madhusudan Amrutha Mohan Amulia John Naomi Deep D’souza Priyanka Sheet Deepesh Nagarajan A complete morphological characterization of all life stages of the phorid fly Megaselia scalaris Scientific Reports |
| title | A complete morphological characterization of all life stages of the phorid fly Megaselia scalaris |
| title_full | A complete morphological characterization of all life stages of the phorid fly Megaselia scalaris |
| title_fullStr | A complete morphological characterization of all life stages of the phorid fly Megaselia scalaris |
| title_full_unstemmed | A complete morphological characterization of all life stages of the phorid fly Megaselia scalaris |
| title_short | A complete morphological characterization of all life stages of the phorid fly Megaselia scalaris |
| title_sort | complete morphological characterization of all life stages of the phorid fly megaselia scalaris |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-50200-6 |
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