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First finding of larviposition in Calliphora loewi from an island relict forest |
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| Authors: | Catarina Prado e Castro Krzysztof Szpila Carla Rego Mário Boieiro Artur R M Serrano |
| Institution: | 1. Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal;2. Chair of Ecology and Biogeography, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland;3. Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Azorean Biodiversity Group, Department of Agrarian Sciences, University of the Azores, Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira, Portugal;4. Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal |
| Abstract: | Larviposition is widespread in blowflies, but among Calliphora species this behavior has seldom been described. The evidence of larviposition in C. loewi is here reported for the first time and discussed in relation with other blowfly species exhibiting the same behavior. The blowfly C. loewi is considered oviparous but surprisingly, female specimens from Madeira Island (Portugal) were found to carry few large larvae (one to three larvae up to 5.1 mm in size) in the ovipositor and abdomen. The finding of larviposition behavior in C. loewi from Madeira Island is at present enigmatic and further studies are needed to clarify the reproductive biology of this species. |
| Keywords: | blowflies Calliphoridae laurisilva Madeira Archipelago ovoviviparous |