Occurrence of anurans in brazilian caves

Brazil has the greatest diversity of anurans and also one of the greatest speleological patrimonies in the world. However, informations about anurans in Brazilian caves including different biomes and lithologies are scarce. This study sampled 223 caves divided into different biomes (Amazon, Atlantic Forest, Caatinga, Cerrado and transition area) and lithologies (Conglomerate, Granite, Iron-ore, Limestone, Marble, Quartzite, and Sandstone) distributed in eleven Brazilian states. To determine the anuran composition (presence/absence), a single sampling event was conducted in each cave by a team of three researchers in the period 1999−2011, following acoustic and visual search methods. We recorded 54 species distributed 18 genera and 11 families. The caves in the Amazon biome had the highest number of species, followed by caves present in the Cerrado, Caatinga, transition area (Atlantic Forest and Cerrado) and the Atlantic Forest. The caves in the Iron-ore lithology had the highest number of species, followed by the Limestone, Sandstone, Quartzite, Granite, Marble and Conglomerate caves. The anurans proved to be very diverse in Brazilian caves, with this high species richness related to the large amount of biomes and lithologies sampled. The family Leiuperidae had the highest richness and the species Scinax fuscovarius the highest frequency of occurrence in the caves. Also recorded were tadpoles and immature forms inside caves suggesting that not all the species are accidental, and that some species may be using these environments for shelter, protection, food and, even reproduction

Species composition of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in caves of Quadrilátero Ferrífero, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Caves are extreme and inhospitable environments that can harbor several species of vertebrate and invertebrate animals. Among these animals are phlebotomine sand flies, vectors of parasites of the genus Leishmania that cause leishmaniasis. This study aimed to evaluate the species composition of sand flies of four caves, a cave located at Moeda Sul (MS) and three at Parque Estadual Serra do Rola Moça (PESRM), in the region of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero in the state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. Sand flies were collected with automatic light traps. Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling, using a dissimilarity matrix calculated with the Jaccard index, and Multivariate Permutation Analysis were used to evaluate sand fly species composition among entrance, interior, and the surrounding environments of each sampled cave and to infer biological mechanisms from patterns of distribution among these different cave environments. A total of 375 phlebotomine sand flies representing 14 species and six genera were collected. The most abundant species were Evandromyia tupynambai (54.7%), Brumptomyia troglodytes (25.6%), Evandromyia edwardsi (6.1%), Psathyromyia brasiliensis (4.8%) and Lutzomyia longipalpis (4.3%). Thirty individuals were collected at MS, 16 inside the cave and 14 from its surroundings. At PESRM, five individuals were collected from the surroundings of cave RM38, 190 individuals from cave RM39 (48 in the cave and 142 from its surroundings) and 150 individuals from cave RM40 (42 in the cave and 108 from its surroundings). The results revealed a rich sand fly fauna with similar species compositions among the entrance, interior, and surrounding environments of each sampled cave, suggesting that both caves and their surroundings are important for maintaining sand fly communities

Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera, Psychodidae) from iron ore caves in the State of Pará, Brazil

The present study aimed to evaluate the distribution of sand fly species in iron ore caves in the State of Pará, Brazil and to associate the richness and abundance of these insects with the capacity of leishmaniasis transmission. Entomological captures were carried out in the years 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2015, throughout active samples with brushes, along the entire caves’ extension, in dry and rainy periods. A total of 9,807 sand flies were counted during the 532 samplings events, being 4,340 in the dry period and 5,467 in the rainy period. A random sample of 802 morphologically identified specimens consisted of 8 genera and 17 species, being 369 males (46%) and 433 females (54%). The predominant species was Sciopemyia sordellii with 60.6% of the total of sand flies collected. Differences in composition and richness were observed between caves located inside of forest and anthropized areas. The mean richness and abundance were different between the wet and rainy periods, with a greater abundance of these insects in the rainy period. The phlebotomine fauna proved to be rich and abundant in the sampled caves, however, environmental degradation seems to be the main factor determining changes in the composition and richness, reinforces the importance of these places as a shelter for sand flies in degraded areas

Diversity of phlebotomine sand flies and molecular detection of trypanosomatids in Brumadinho, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

This study aimed to describe the sand fly fauna and detect trypanosomatids in these insects from Casa Branca, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, an endemic area of both visceral (VL) and tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL). Sand flies were collected bimonthly from May 2013 to July 2014, using automatic light traps exposed for three consecutive nights in peridomiciliary areas of nine houses with previous reports of VL and TL. ITS1-PCR and DNA sequencing were performed for trypanosomatids identification. A total of 16,771 sand flies were collected belonging to 23 species. The most abundant species was Nyssomyia whitmani (Antunes & Coutinho, 1939) (70.9%), followed by Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) (15.2%) and Migonemyia migonei (França, 1920) (9.1%). Leishmania amazonensis DNA was detected in Ny. whitmani (four pools) and Le. braziliensis DNA was detected in Psychodopygus lloydi (one pool). In seven pools of Ny. whitmani and in one pool of Lu. longipalpis positive for Leishmania DNA, the parasite species was not determined due to the low quality of the sequences. Moreover, DNA of Herpetomonas spp. was detected in Ny. whitmani (two pools) and Cortelezzii complex (one pool). DNA of Crithidia spp. was detected in Ny. whitmani and Ps. lloydi (both one pool). Our results suggest that Ny. whitmani may be involved in the transmission of Le. amazonensis in the study area. The molecular detection of Le. amazonensis suggests the presence of this species in a sylvatic cycle between vertebrate and invertebrate hosts in the region of Casa Branca. Our data also reveal the occurrence of other non-Leishmania trypanosomatids in sand flies in Casa Branca District

Level of Knowledge and Risk Factors for Visceral Leishmaniasis in a Mining Area of Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Aiming to optimize and adjust leishmaniasis prevention and control measures for the resident population of Pains, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, a structured questionnaire containing conceptual questions and questions about household characteristics was used to evaluate knowledge level and exposure risk. A total of 396 individuals were interviewed revealing unscientific and fragmented knowledge about the subject for most of the studied population. The female population was found to have 1.68 times more chance of knowing about the disease than the male population, while highly educated individuals were found to have 2.92 times more chances of knowing about leishmaniasis compared to basic educated individuals. All of the respondents reported the presence of, at least, one risk factor, while ages ≥40 years were considered a protective factor compared to younger ages, indicating that older individuals are more likely to recognize risks and protect themselves against leishmaniasis. These results will contribute to the production of didactic materials for the population with respect to their previous knowledge and will provide a basis for control and prophylactic measures

Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis infection in wild small mammals in ecotourism area of Brazil.

Submitted by Nuzia Santos ([email protected]) on 2018-03-05T16:34:34Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis infection in wild small mammals in ecotourism area of Brazil.pdf: 18531609 bytes, checksum: 21caba8c3bbade369b06bdd63d57b813 (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Nuzia Santos ([email protected]) on 2018-03-05T16:46:30Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis infection in wild small mammals in ecotourism area of Brazil.pdf: 18531609 bytes, checksum: 21caba8c3bbade369b06bdd63d57b813 (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2018-03-05T16:46:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis infection in wild small mammals in ecotourism area of Brazil.pdf: 18531609 bytes, checksum: 21caba8c3bbade369b06bdd63d57b813 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Grupo de Estudos em Leishmanioses. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Grupo de Estudos em Leishmanioses. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Grupo de Estudos em Leishmanioses. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Grupo de Estudos em Leishmanioses. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrasilUniversidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Departamento de Biologia Geral. Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Grupo de Estudos em Leishmanioses. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Grupo de Estudos em Leishmanioses. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Grupo de Estudos em Leishmanioses. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Grupo de Estudos em Leishmanioses. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Grupo de Estudos em Leishmanioses. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Grupo de Estudos em Leishmanioses. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrasilLeishmaniases are parasitic diseases transmitted to mammalian hosts by sand fly vectors (Diptera: Psychodidae). Despite the increasing occurrence of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis cases in urban centers, their transmission still occur primarily in wild environments and may be associated with professional activities and recreation, such as ecotourism. The Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural Santuário do Caraça (RPPNSC) is one of the largest ecotourism attractions in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and comprises an area of environmental preservation with 11,233 hectares presenting a transitional vegetation between Cerrado and Atlantic Forest. The present study describes the abundance of small mammals in RPPNSC, the isolation and identification of Leishmania in five wild animals. Small mammals were bimonthly trapped along 6 trails within the RPPNSC with 10 Tomahawk traps each. Two trails were located in peridomiciliary areas near tourist lodging facilities, and four trails were located at sites visited by tourists in forest areas. The most prevalent species were Akodon cursor, Cerradomys subflavus and Oligoryzomys nigripes. Six isolates of Leishmania were obtained from these animals and identified as Leishmania braziliensis through HSP70-PCR RFLP method. Leishmania spp. DNA was detected by kDNA-PCR method and isolated by biphasic culture. Studies point to some of the captured species as potential wild reservoirs of Leishmania, suggesting they may be involved in the transmission cycle in these wild environments

Sample sites and location site where isolation on biphasic medium culture and DNA detection by kDNA PCR of <i>Le</i>. <i>braziliensis</i> was performed from captured small mammals on the RPPN Santuário do Caraça.

<p>A—The red dot represents the location of the Sanctuary, yellow dots are the sample points and the red border in the yellow dot represents the location of isolation and detection of <i>Le</i>. <i>braziliensis</i>. B–Location of the RPPNSC in Brazil and Minas Gerais.</p

Species of small mammals captured in the RPPN Santuário do Caraça positive in kDNA PCR and culture by tissue analyzed.

<p>Species of small mammals captured in the RPPN Santuário do Caraça positive in kDNA PCR and culture by tissue analyzed.</p

Frequency of trapped mammals in RPPN Santuário do Caraça between July 2013 and July 2014.

<p>Frequency of trapped mammals in RPPN Santuário do Caraça between July 2013 and July 2014.</p

Electrophoresis 4% agarose gel of the RFLP HSP70 of positive DNA samples of small mammals collected in RPPNSC.

<p>MW = Molecular Weight, 8L, 11TS, 12L, 12TS, 13L and 14L = samples of liver (L) and tail skin (TS), NC = Negative Control, La, Lb, Lcand Lg = Positive Controls strains of <i>Leishmania amazonensis</i>, <i>Le</i>. <i>braziliensis</i>, <i>Le</i>. <i>infantum</i> and <i>Le</i>. <i>guyanensis</i> respectively.</p