1
|
Teixeira RHF, da Costa ALM, Gonzaga CRR, Matos FN, de Medeiros MA, Leandro SDFS, Von Matheus R, Bellotti MA, Lima BF, Sakamoto CAM, Barros LA. Flea parasitism in wild mammals in the metropolitan region of Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil. BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE 2023; 45:e003523. [PMID: 38149030 PMCID: PMC10750502 DOI: 10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm003523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Fleas are eurixenous ectoparasites that can parasitize different species of warm-blooded animals, including humans, with the possibility of causing irritation and blood spoliation. They are vectors responsible for the transmission of numerous pathogens and have a wide geographical distribution, more frequently in warm regions. Domestic animals (dogs and cats) are preferred hosts, but parasitism can also occur in wild hosts, with a greater variety of parasitic species and strong interaction between these siphonapters and their hosts. During the period from January 2021 to June 2023, flea specimens were collected from wild animals coming from the metropolitan region of Sorocaba, São Paulo. Some of these animals were animals from the zoo's own stock, which were diagnosed with parasitism during routine examinations and others were rescued from the natural environment and sent to the zoo. The flea specimens collected were packed in alcohol 700 GL and sent for microscopic diagnosis. Four groups were diagnosed at the specific level: Ctenocephalides felis, Rhopalopsyllus lutzi, R. lugrubis and Tunga penetrans, and two groups as unidentified species, belonging to the genera Rhopalopsyllus and Polygenis. The parasitized animals were all mammals, belonging to eleven different species, distributed in the Orders Carnivora, Didelphimorphia, Rodentia and Cingulata. Studies on the parasitofauna of wild animals contribute to a greater knowledge about the distribution of parasitic agents and their relationships with the host species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Hidalgo Friciello Teixeira
- Veterinarian, Municipal Zoological Park "Quinzinho de Barros" (PZMQB), Sorocaba, SP, Brazil.
- Veterinarian, Universidade do Estado de São Paulo "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" (UNESP - Botucatu), Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
- Veterinarian, Universidade de Sorocaba (UNISO), Sorocaba, SP, Brazil.
| | - André Luiz Mota da Costa
- Veterinarian, Municipal Zoological Park "Quinzinho de Barros" (PZMQB), Sorocaba, SP, Brazil.
- Veterinarian, Universidade do Estado de São Paulo "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" (UNESP - Botucatu), Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
| | | | - Flora Nogueira Matos
- Veterinarian, Municipal Zoological Park "Quinzinho de Barros" (PZMQB), Sorocaba, SP, Brazil.
| | | | | | | | | | - Beatriz Freitas Lima
- Veterinarian. Laboratório de Apoio ao Diagnóstico de Doenças Parasitárias, Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), Niterói, RJ, Brazil.
| | | | - Luciano Antunes Barros
- Veterinarian. Laboratório de Apoio ao Diagnóstico de Doenças Parasitárias, Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), Niterói, RJ, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Fantozzi MC, Sanchez JP, Lareschi M, Beldomenico PM. Effects of host factors on the dynamics of fleas (Siphonaptera) in Sigmodontinae rodents (Cricetidae) from El Espinal Ecoregion, Argentina. Acta Trop 2022; 225:106177. [PMID: 34627759 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the patterns of flea infestation in wild populations of eight Sigmodontinae rodent species: Akodon azarae, Calomys callidus, Calomys venustus, Holochilus chacarius, Necromys lasiurus, Oligoryzomys flavescens, Oligoryzomys nigripes and Oxymycterus rufus. Rodents were captured in systematic trapping sessions carried out along 2 years at two localities from El Espinal Ecoregion, Argentina. Mean flea intensity, occurrence (presence/absence) of flea infestation, richness and diversity were compared for different ages, body condition, sex and rodent tribes (Akodontini, Oryzomyini and Phyllotini). A total of 376 fleas of the following species and subspecies were collected: Craneopsylla minerva wolffhuegeli, Polygenis (Neopolygenis) pradoi, Polygenis (Polygenis) axius axius, and Polygenis (Polygenis) byturus. The most important factor driving flea infestation was the rodent tribe, with Phyllotini showing the highest values of occurrence, abundance and species richness. Only C. m. wolffhuegeli was affected by the sex of the host. Age and body condition of the hosts did not affect flea infestation. Our results contribute to knowledge of the ecology of fleas on rodent hosts in El Espinal Ecoregion. The relevance of host taxonomy as driver of flea dynamics highlight the importance of considering host community structures at the time of studying the ecology of parasites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Cecilia Fantozzi
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET LITORAL), Universidad Nacional del Litoral- CONICET, Argentina.
| | - Juliana P Sanchez
- Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires-CITNOBA (CONICET-UNNOBA), Ruta Provincial 32Km3,5, 2700 Pergamino, Argentina.
| | - Marcela Lareschi
- Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores, CEPAVE (CCT CONICET La Plata-UNLP), Bv. 120 s/n e/ 60 y 61, 1900 La Plata, Argentina.
| | - Pablo M Beldomenico
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET LITORAL), Universidad Nacional del Litoral- CONICET, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Serpa MCDA, Luz HR, Costa FB, Weck BC, Benatti HR, Martins TF, Correa LS, Ramirez DG, Rocha V, Dias TC, Correa LR, Brasil J, Brites-Neto J, Nievas AM, Suzin A, Monticelli PF, Moro MEG, Lopes B, Pacheco RC, Aguiar DM, Piovezan U, Szabó MPJ, Ferraz KMPMB, Percequillo AR, Labruna MB, Ramos VN. Small mammals, ticks and rickettsiae in natural and human-modified landscapes: Diversity and occurrence of Brazilian spotted fever in Brazil. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 12:101805. [PMID: 34411793 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
We studied communities of small mammals and their ticks in endemic (E) and non-endemic (NE) areas for Brazilian spotted fever (BSF), aiming to infer if diversity parameters of parasites and hosts could be related to occurrence and prevalence of rickettsial infection, especially Rickettsia rickettsii. We compared E and NE areas in human-modified landscapes (HMLs) and natural areas (BIO) with no report of BSF cases. Composition and equitability were important components of diversity explaining differences among areas. The marsupial Didelphis albiventris was dominant in HMLs, but not in natural areas, and this opossum was the main host for the tick Amblyomma sculptum, principal vector of R. rickettsii, especially in E areas. Communities of ticks were dominated by A. sculptum, followed by Amblyomma dubitatum in E areas. In NE areas, this dominance was inverted, with more A. dubitatum than A. sculptum infesting small mammals, but the numbers of ticks were much lower than in E areas. Composition and abundance of ticks in natural areas were very dissimilar from HMLs, with the lowest tick burdens. Didelphis albiventris in E areas presented higher seroprevalence and endpoint titres against R. rickettsii than in other areas. At least three Rickettsia species, non-pathogenic to humans, were detected in natural areas (Rickettsia bellii, Rickettsia amblyommatis and 'Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae'), and only one non-pathogenic species in HMLs (R. bellii). Our results suggest that higher diversity of ticks, hosts and rickettsiae could be relevant factors in buffering the effect in BSF occurrence. Particularly for D. albiventris, its importance has to be quantified in further studies considering the epidemiological scenario of BSF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Carolina de A Serpa
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Hermes R Luz
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Departamento de Patologia, Programa de Pós Graduação em Biotecnologia do Renorbio, Ponto Focal Maranhão, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil
| | - Francisco B Costa
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil
| | - Bárbara C Weck
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Hector R Benatti
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Thiago F Martins
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Departamento de Laboratórios Especializados, Superintendência de Controle de Endemias, Secretaria de Estado da Saúde de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Lidiani Silva Correa
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Escola Superior de Agricultura 'Luiz de Queiroz' Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Diego G Ramirez
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Instituto de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Vlamir Rocha
- Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Araras, SP, Brazil
| | - Thiago C Dias
- Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Araras, SP, Brazil; Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Lucas Ribeiro Correa
- Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Araras, SP, Brazil
| | - Jardel Brasil
- Unidade de Vigilância em Saúde, Secretaria Municipal de Saúde, Americana, SP, Brazil
| | - José Brites-Neto
- Unidade de Vigilância em Saúde, Secretaria Municipal de Saúde, Americana, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Nievas
- Departamento de Psicologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Adriane Suzin
- Laboratório de Ixodologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil; Programa de Pós Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação de Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Patricia Ferreira Monticelli
- Departamento de Psicologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Estela G Moro
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Lopes
- Departamento de Ciências Florestais, Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Richard C Pacheco
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil
| | - Daniel M Aguiar
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil
| | - Ubiratan Piovezan
- Embrapa Pantanal, Corumbá, MS, Brazil; Embrapa Tabuleiros Costeiros, Aracaju, SE, Brazil
| | - Matias P J Szabó
- Laboratório de Ixodologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Katia Maria P M B Ferraz
- Departamento de Ciências Florestais, Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Alexandre R Percequillo
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Escola Superior de Agricultura 'Luiz de Queiroz' Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcelo B Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Vanessa N Ramos
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Laboratório de Ixodologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Didelphis spp. opossums and their parasites in the Americas: A One Health perspective. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:4091-4111. [PMID: 33788021 PMCID: PMC8599228 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07072-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Medium sized opossums (Didelphis spp.) are among the most fascinating mammals of the Americas, playing important ecological roles (e.g., dispersal of seeds and control of insect populations) in the environment they inhabit. Nevertheless, as synanthropic animals, they are well adapted to human dwellings, occupying shelters within the cities, peripheral areas, and rural settings. These marsupials can harbor numerous pathogens, which may affect people, pets, and livestock. Among those, some protozoa (e.g., Leishmania infantum, Trypanosoma cruzi, Toxoplasma gondii), helminths (e.g., Ancylostoma caninum, Trichinella spiralis, Alaria marcianae, Paragonimus spp.) and arthropods (e.g., ticks, fleas) present substantial public health and veterinary importance, due to their capacity to cause disease in humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. Here, we reviewed the role played by opossums on the spreading of zoonotic parasites, vectors, and vector-borne pathogens, highlighting the risks of pathogens transmission due to the direct and indirect interaction of humans and domestic animals with Didelphis spp. in the Americas.
Collapse
|
5
|
de Mendonça RFB, Colle AC, Freitas LC, Martins TF, Horta MC, Oliveira GMB, Pacheco RC, Mateus LAF, Rossi RV. Ectoparasites of small mammals in a fragmented area of the southern Amazonia: interaction networks and correlations with seasonality and host sex. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2020; 81:117-134. [PMID: 32300917 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-020-00491-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The present work aimed to analyze the ectoparasite-host interaction network and possible differences of this interaction related to two seasonal periods and host sex. During November 2016 and July 2017, non-flying small mammals were captured in 17 forest fragments located in the southern portion of the Amazon biome. We captured 96 individuals belonging to 10 host species that were parasitized with a total of 3668 ectoparasites. Overall, we identified 24 ectoparasite taxa belonging to the mite and insect groups Ixodida (ticks), Mesostigmata, Sarcoptiformes, Trombidiformes (mites), Phthiraptera (lice), and Siphonaptera (fleas). The interaction network between all ectoparasites and hosts showed significant deviation from random, with moderately high specialization index (H2' = 0.80). There was seasonal difference in prevalence for Amblyomma cajennense (Fabricius) sensu stricto (s.s), Amblyomma coelebs Neumann and larvae of Amblyomma. This difference was also found in the mean intensity of infestation of Amblyomma larvae and the mite Tur aragaoi (Fonseca). Only mean intensity of infestation differed in relation to host sex for the species Marmosa constantiae Thomas. Our results demonstrate that specificity between ectoparasites and small mammals in this region is moderately high and that the pattern of aggregation of some ectoparasite taxa differed between two seasons, as well as between sexes in M. constantiae.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ravena F B de Mendonça
- Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa, nº2367, Bairro Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil.
| | - Ana C Colle
- Programa de Pós-graduação Em Ciências Veterinárias, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa, nº2367, Bairro Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
| | - Leodil C Freitas
- Programa de Pós-graduação Em Ciências Veterinárias, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa, nº2367, Bairro Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
| | - Thiago F Martins
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva E Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Professor Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, São Paulo, SP, 05508-270, Brasil
| | - Maurício C Horta
- Universidade Federal do Vale do Rio São Francisco, Campus de Ciências Agrárias. CMVET, Rodovia BR 407, Km 12, Lote 543 - Projeto de Irrigação Senador Nilo Coelho, s/n, Petrolina, PE, 56300990, Brasil
| | - Glauber M B Oliveira
- Universidade Federal do Vale do Rio São Francisco, Campus de Ciências Agrárias. CMVET, Rodovia BR 407, Km 12, Lote 543 - Projeto de Irrigação Senador Nilo Coelho, s/n, Petrolina, PE, 56300990, Brasil
| | - Richard C Pacheco
- Programa de Pós-graduação Em Ciências Veterinárias, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa, nº2367, Bairro Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
| | - Lúcia A F Mateus
- Centro de Biodiversidade, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa, nº2367, Bairro Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
| | - Rogério V Rossi
- Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa, nº2367, Bairro Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Bezerra-Santos MA, Nogueira BCF, Yamatogi RS, Ramos RAN, Galhardo JA, Campos AK. Ticks, fleas and endosymbionts in the ectoparasite fauna of the black-eared opossum Dipelphis aurita in Brazil. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2020; 80:329-338. [PMID: 31927646 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-020-00468-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Ticks and fleas are essential vectors of pathogens that affect humans and animals, and among their hosts, synanthropic animals such as the black-eared opossum, Didelphis aurita, play a role in public health due to their ability to move between urban centers and forested areas in Brazil. This study aimed to assess the ectoparasite fauna of D. aurita, as well as the presence of pathogens and endosymbionts in ticks and fleas. Opossums (n = 58) captured in Tomahawk livetraps were examined for ectoparasites, and their blood sampled for further analysis. Additionally, spleen samples were collected in individuals found dead. Samples were PCR screened for Rickettsia spp., Borrelia spp., Anaplasmataceae, and Babesia spp. Two tick species were morphologically identified as Ixodes loricatus 24/58 (41.4%) and Amblyomma sculptum 1/58 (1.7%). For fleas, Ctenocephalides felis was detected in 60.3% (35/58) of the animals, and Xenopsylla cheopis in 5.2% (3/58). PCR analysis detected Anaplasmataceae DNA in 34% (16/47) of pooled samples of C. felis, and in 66.7% (2/3) pooled samples of X. cheopis. Sequence analysis revealed Wolbachia pipientis symbiont in all positive samples. Tick, blood and spleen samples were all negative for the microorganisms assessed. These findings suggest that these arthropods circulate among wildlife and urban environments, which may implicate in their participation in the cycle of zoonotic pathogens among opossums, humans and companion animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Antônio Bezerra-Santos
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Viçosa, Av. PH Rolfs, s/n, University Campus, Viçosa, MG, 36570-900, Brazil.
| | - Bárbara Cristina Félix Nogueira
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Viçosa, Av. PH Rolfs, s/n, University Campus, Viçosa, MG, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Seiti Yamatogi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Viçosa, Av. PH Rolfs, s/n, University Campus, Viçosa, MG, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Rafael Antonio Nascimento Ramos
- Academic Unit of Garanhuns, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Av. Bom Pastor, s/n, Boa Vista, Garanhuns, PE, 55292-270, Brazil
| | - Juliana Arena Galhardo
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Federal University of Mato Grosso Do Sul, Av. Senador Filinto Müller, 2443, Jd. Ipiranga, Campo Grande, MS, 79074-460, Brazil
| | - Artur Kanadani Campos
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Viçosa, Av. PH Rolfs, s/n, University Campus, Viçosa, MG, 36570-900, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Sponchiado J, Melo GL, Landulfo GA, Jacinavicius FC, Barros-Battesti DM, Cáceres NC. Interaction of ectoparasites (Mesostigmata, Phthiraptera and Siphonaptera) with small mammals in Cerrado fragments, western Brazil. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2015; 66:369-381. [PMID: 25912954 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-015-9917-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Accepted: 04/09/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
We describe ectoparasite fauna associated with small mammals in fragments of Cerrado biome, central-western Brazil. We analyzed the level of associations and the aggregation patterns according to seasonal and host variations. Small mammals were systematically captured in 54 woodland fragments from February 2012 to July 2013. A total of 1040 animals belonging to eight marsupial and 12 rodent species were sampled; 354 individuals were parasitized by 33 ectoparasite species (twenty five Mesostigmata, seven Phthiraptera and one Siphonaptera). A total of 49 ecological relationships between ectoparasites and small mammals were observed, 24 being new association records. The overall specialization index of all ectoparasites and host species was 0.91 with significant deviation from a random host-parasite association, suggesting a high host-parasite specialization in this system. Specialization indices for ectoparasites ranged from moderate to high, while among host was high, for most species. Contrary to the overall pattern, some ectoparasites had higher prevalence and mean intensity of infestation in the dry season. Overall, ectoparasite prevalence and mean intensity of infestation were not significantly associated with host gender. This study provides significant information about the ectoparasites ecology in relation to specificity, seasonality and hosts gender, contributing to the understanding of host-parasite relationships in Brazilian savannah.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Sponchiado
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, CCNE, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Av. Roraima 1000, Santa Maria, RS, 97110-970, Brazil,
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Asfora PH, Palma ART, Astúa D, Geise L. Distribution of Oecomys catherinae Thomas, 1909 (Rodentia: Cricetidae) in northeastern Brazil with karyotypical and morphometrical notes. BIOTA NEOTROPICA 2011. [DOI: 10.1590/s1676-06032011000200039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The genus Oecomys Thomas, 1906 is currently composed of 16 species with unclear taxonomy and poorly known geographic limits. O. catherinae Thomas, 1909 is known to occur within the Brazilian Atlantic Forest from the states of Santa Catarina to Pernambuco (where the northernmost previously known specimen of Oecomys in the Atlantic forest was recorded), and along riverine forest into the Cerrado. To gain a greater understanding of its geographical and ecological distribution (mainly in Northeastern Brazil) and of its taxonomic characterization, we provide a short review of karyotypical and morphometrical data from specimens collected within the distribution range of the species. Specimens presented 2n = 60 and AN varying between 62 and 64. A table with external and cranial measurements of the analyzed specimens is provided. In this paper we also report the presence of O. catherinae in the semi-deciduous forests of the state of Paraíba, representing the northernmost records of the species in the Atlantic forest and thereby extending its known geographical limits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Diego Astúa
- Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lena Geise
- Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|