Biological Diversity and the Synanthropy Behvaiour of Calliphoridae Flies in Abadan County, 2015

Abstract

<strong>Background:</strong> Some members of family Calliphoridae are myiasis agents and mechanical vectors of some pathogens. The aim of this study was to measure the biodiversity and synanthropy behaviour of Calliphoridae flies in Abadan, Khuzestan province. <strong>Methods:</strong>Data were collected based on a monthly schedule during March to December 2014 in urban, semi-urban and rural ecosystems of Abadan County. Bottle trap was equipped with 30 g of chicken liver and installed 3 days in each collection site where net collection was done for about 30 minutes. Synanthropy Index (SI) of flies and biodiversity indices including Simpson, Shannon-Wienner and Margalef were calculated. <strong>Results:</strong> As many as 1479 samples of Calliphoridae were collected including 18, 1212 and 249 specimens of <em>Chrysomyia megacephala</em>, <em>C. bezziana</em> and <em>C. albiceps</em> respectively. <em>C. bezziana</em> showed a moderate SI in some collecting times. In spite of more collection of <em>C. megacephala</em> in all three ecosystems, its SI had the highest range in comparisons with the others. The biodiversity of Calliphoridae community was high in spring (<em>H´</em>= 0.67) while the highest diversity of dominant species was in autumn (1-D = 0.74). Margalef Index showed equal estimation of species richness in spring and autumn (Mg = 0.3) but it was reduced in summer. <strong>Conclusion:</strong><em>C. megacephala</em> was the common species of Calliphoridae in Abadan. Abadan is an old international county in Iran which is the host of many domestic and international engineers, workers and visitors. Knowing the fauna and behaviour of medically important flies would be a major fact for the conditions of the health status of this city.