A New, Non-Invasive Methodology for the Molecular Identification of Adult Sarcophagidae from Collections

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Species identification is vital in most studies; it can be achieved through the analysis of morphological characters or molecular markers. Unfortunately, DNA extraction involves invasive techniques that lead to the partial or total destruction of specimens, which is not usually acceptable for museum, forensic, and archaeological samples. In this work, a non-invasive DNA extraction technique is described for flies in the genus Sarcophaga (Diptera, Sarcophagidae). The technique was tested with successful results on specimens collected between 1889 and 2015. ABSTRACT: Correct species identification is the cornerstone of all scientific studies that involve insects. Alongside traditional morphological identification techniques, molecular identification based on the characterization and analysis of specific mitochondrial or nuclear gene regions is becoming commonplace. Despite the good results that can be achieved, DNA extraction usually involves invasive techniques that lead to the partial or total destruction of specimens. In this work, a non-invasive DNA extraction technique is described. The technique was tested on the abdomens of dry-preserved Sarcophagidae (Diptera) specimens collected between 1889 and 2015. This allowed for the correct identification of species without impairing diagnostic morphological structures useful for further studies.