Mitochondrial DNA studies: Revealing the first record of genus Protophormia from India

Abstract

Calliphorids are forensically, ecologically and anthropologically very valuable, as they are astute forensic detectives; vectors of some human and veterinary diseases, scavenge on dead matter; responsible for myiasis in neglected and injured organisms, hold aesthetic value; used in maggot debridement therapy and are great pollinators. A new record of genus Protophormia from India based on 16SrRNA/NAD1/tRNA/Leu gene fragment (earlier known from Pakistan and other regions of northern hemisphere was found. This study clearly shows that molecular studies if used in the right direction can help in unveiling and estimating the actual biodiversity.