Abstract
Phlebotomine sandflies are the vectors for the protozoan parasites that cause leishmaniasis. The present study investigated the species composition of sandfly fauna in the rural district of Taquaruçú, municipality of Palmas, state of Tocantins, Brazil and compared the diversity of species among intradomicile, peridomicile and forest environments during the dry and rainy seasons. Sandflies were collected using CDC light traps over the course of three months during the dry and rainy seasons. A total of 767 specimens were captured, belonging to different 32 species. The most abundant species were Micropygomyia goiana (Martins, Falcão & Silva), Sciopemyia sordellii (Shannon & Del Ponte), Evandromyia carmelinoi (Ryan Fraiha, Lainson & Shaw), Evandromyia termitophila (Martins, Falcão & Silva), Nyssomyia whitmani (Antunes & Coutinho) and Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva). The highest species diversity (30) and the greatest percentage of specimens (78.3%) were obtained during the rainy season. During the dry season, the species richness and abundance were greater in domestic environments. However, during the rainy season, the forest displayed the highest species richness and the domestic environment exhibited the greatest species abundance. Several important vector species are reported in this study.
Highlights
Setor de Controle Vetorial, Gerência de Vigilância em Saúde, Secretaria Municipal de Saúde, Palmas, TO, Brasil
Phlebotomine sandflies are the vectors for the protozoan parasites that cause leishmaniasis
The present study investigated the species composition of sandfly fauna in the rural district of Taquaruçú, municipality of Palmas, state of Tocantins, Brazil and compared the diversity of species among intradomicile, peridomicile and forest environments during the dry and rainy seasons
Summary
In 1988, the state of Tocantins (TO) was created by the Federal Constitution of Brazil. The creation of this state caused rapid socio-economic growth in this region that was often unplanned. This rapid growth impacted the environment and may have led to public health problems in the state. Leishmaniasis has become a problem because sandflies adapt relatively to environmental changes and their presence is common in urban and rural areas of Brazil (Leonardo & Rebêlo 2004, Nunes et al 2008). It is important to understand the species diversity and behaviour of sandflies in affected areas and during different seasons. If conditions are favourable for sandflies, they can initiate a new cycle of leishmaniasis that endangers the residents in these regions
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