Synanthropy and ecological aspects of the Muscidae (Diptera) in the Andean Amazon, Florencia, Caquetá, Colombia

Objective: The objective of this research was to analyze the synanthropic and ecological aspects of the Muscidae species in the municipality of Florencia, Caquetá, Colombia. Scope. Promote knowledge of the diversity of Muscidae in the Colombian Andean Amazon, given their medical, forensic, and ecological importance. Methodology: Sampling was conducted monthly over six months, in three habitats (urban, rural, and forest) using Van Someren-Rydon traps baited with fish, chicken viscera, decomposing onion, and human feces. Four traps (one per bait) were installed in each habitat for 48 hours each month. Samples were collected every 12 hours. Results: The synanthropic index was calculated. A total of 4,916 specimens from 21 species and eight genera were collected, 11 of them are new records in Colombia: Chaetagenia stigmatica, Graphomya maculata, Morellia dendropanasis, Morellia hirtitibia, Morellia lopesae, Ophyra capensis, Philornis falsificus, Philornis masoni, Philornis schildi, Philornis setinervis, Polietina flavithorax. The species with the highest synanthropic index that showed strong preference for dense human settlements were Morellia violacea, M. basalis, M. dendropanasis, and Ophyra capensis. The most abundant species were Biopyrellia bipuncta, Cyrtoneuropsis gemina and M. violacea, all three evidenced a preference for human settlements. Conclusions: These results suggest that certain species can be used as ecological indicators of disturbance in humid forests in Colombia.