Lucrative potentials of mitochondrial DNA: A laconic review accentuating particularly blow flies beyond forensic importance
Singh D, Khullar N, Jha C
Extensive survey of molecular research on animals, including insects, has brought forward remunerative scope of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Among the insects, blow flies are consensually known for their forensic importance. This review is a compendious effort to bring forward other latent potentials of mitochondrial DNA, specifically of Calliphoridae, concerning vivid fields beyond its application in detecting post mortem interval (PMI) alone. Mitochondrial DNA acts as a key to unlock various unsolved mysteries regarding identification of fragmented, small, incomplete, fossilized or archive museum specimens; tracing evolutionary history; evaluating biodiversity; monitoring mortality dynamics during epidemics or mass death toll; detecting endangered species; resolve misidentification and monophyletic or paraphyletic issues and population studies. In this review an attempt has been made to pinpoint the most prolific regions of mitochondrial DNA for the purpose of systematics and bring to light the positive and negative potentials of mtDNA.