Altitudinal Distribution of Calliphoridae (Diptera: Insecta) on the Eastern Slope of the Eastern Mountain Range in the Andean Amazon, Colombia

Objetive. The objective was to determine the altitudinal distribution of Calliphoridae (Diptera) on the eastern slope of the Eastern Mountain Range in the Andean Amazon, Colombia. Scope. Promote knowledge of the diversity of Calliphoridae in the Colombian Andean Amazon, which can be used as forensic indicators in this region of the country. Methodology. The study was done in an altitudinal gradient from 250 to 2,500 meters. During March, April, and June (high rainy season) and September, November, and December (low rainy season), using Van Someren-Rydon traps baited with decomposing fish. Results. A total of 4,437 specimens of Calliphorid were collected, distributed in nine genera and 14 species; the most abundant species were Chloroprocta idioidea (Robineau-Desvoidy), Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann), and Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius). ANOVA with a post-hoc Tukey HSD test showed that the two sampling seasons and the five sampling stations were not statistically different. Species accumulation curves were used to measure sampling effort and a rarefaction curve based on the number of specimens was used to compare species richness between sampling stations. Shannon diversity index showed that the most diverse altitude was Macagual at 250 meters (H = 2.39), and the Simpson index showed that the locality with the highest dominance was Los Lirios at 1400 meters (D = 1.33). Species showed specific altitudinal range distribution based on the results from a Factorial Correspondence Analysis and on an altitude range grouping using cluster analysis. Conclusions. The results showed that the distribution and diversity ofthe Calliphoridae species the eastern slope of the Eastern Mountain Range in the Colombian Andean Amazon are strongly influenced by weather conditions.