Tapetis Research Articles

ESTUDIO ETOLÓGICO DEL Sylvilagus brasiliensis, DEL BOSQUE SECO TROPICAL DEL DEPARTAMENTO DEL TOLIMA (COLOMBIA)

The behavior of Sylvilagus brasiliensis in the tropical dry forest of the department of Tolima, has not been studied. The objective of this study was to evaluate the behavior of Sylvilagus in captivity. They were used two Leporidae which were housed in natural conditions acclimated to individual pens. Data were collected for five consecutive days at intervals of five minutes, with one minute of observation through video cameras, identifying variables rest, sleep, tossing and turning, crack, drinking, eating, urinating, defecating, cecotrophy and grooming. We found that Sylvilagus brasiliensis have nocturnal habits behavior, due to the high percentage of activities in this period, and during the day the animals were devoted to rest and sleep.

Caracterización de los lepóridos (MAMMALIA: LEPORIDAE) del bosque seco tropical del departamento del Tolima (Colombia)

Un número de lepóridos del bosque seco tropical del departamento del Tolima (Colombia), no ha sido caracterizado. Con este objetivo se capturaron 22 lepóridos, de los cuales se seleccionaron 13 para realizar estudios morfométricos y citogenéticos. Se tomaron muestras de sangre para determinar el número cromosómico y se evaluaron parámetros morfométricos, entre ellos medidas craneales y corporales. Se encontró en todos los lepóridos un número cromosómico 2n = 38. Esta información junto con las medidas morfométricas permitieron establecer que dichos lepóridos hacen parte de la especie Sylvilagus brasiliensis, los cuales se han adaptado a las condiciones particulares de la región.

Diversity and habitat preference of medium and large-sized mammals in an urban forest fragment of southwestern Amazon

We assessed the species composition and abundance of medium and large-sized mammals in an urban forest fragment in the Brazilian Amazon, and recorded the preference of some species for particular phytophysiognomies. We placed nine transects with 20 sand plots each in three phytophysiognomies: open rainforest with a dominance of bamboos (OFB), open rainforest with palm trees (OFP), and dense rainforest (DF). We calculated species abundance as the number of records/plot.day, in a total of 2,700 plots.day. We recorded twelve mammal species; Sylvilagus brasiliensis (Linnaeus, 1758) and Dasyprocta fuliginosa (Wagler, 1831) were the most abundant. The results differed among phytophysiognomies: DF presented the highest mammal diversity, whereas the species composition of OFP was less similar than that of other phytophysiognomies. Rodents showed higher preference for OFP and Sylvilagus brasiliensis was more abundant in OFB. The study area showed high species richness, with the occurrence of mesopredators, but there was a predominance of common species adaptable to disturbed environments, which reflects the severe isolation degree of the forest fragment and the hunting pressure that is still present.

Quality control of Toxoplasma gondii in meat packages: Standardization of an ELISA test and its use for detection in rabbit meat cuts

Toxoplasma gondii causes severe disease both to man and livestock and its detection in meat after slaughtering requires PCR or biological tests. Meat packages contain retained exudate that could be used for serology due to its blood content. Similar studies reported false negative assays in those tests. We standardized an anti-T. gondii IgG ELISA in muscle juices from experimentally infected rabbits, with blood content determination by cyanhemoglobin spectrophotometry. IgG titers and immunoblotting profiles were similar in blood, serum or meat juice, after blood content correction. These assays were adequate regardless of the storage time up to 120days or freeze-thaw cycles, without false negative results. We also found 1.35% (1/74) positive sample in commercial Brazilian rabbit meat cuts, by this assay. The blood content determination shows ELISA of meat juice may be useful for quality control for toxoplasmosis monitoring.

The current status and future directions of myxoma virus, a master in immune evasion

Myxoma virus (MYXV) gained importance throughout the twentieth century because of the use of the highly virulent Standard Laboratory Strain (SLS) by the Australian government in the attempt to control the feral Australian population of Oryctolagus cuniculus (European rabbit) and the subsequent illegal release of MYXV in Europe. In the European rabbit, MYXV causes a disease with an exceedingly high mortality rate, named myxomatosis, which is passively transmitted by biting arthropod vectors. MYXV still has a great impact on European rabbit populations around the world. In contrast, only a single cutaneous lesion, restricted to the point of inoculation, is seen in its natural long-term host, the South-American Sylvilagus brasiliensis and the North-American S. Bachmani. Apart from being detrimental for European rabbits, however, MYXV has also become of interest in human medicine in the last two decades for two reasons. Firstly, due to the strong immune suppressing effects of certain MYXV proteins, several secreted virus-encoded immunomodulators (e.g. Serp-1) are being developed to treat systemic inflammatory syndromes such as cardiovascular disease in humans. Secondly, due to the inherent ability of MYXV to infect a broad spectrum of human cancer cells, the live virus is also being developed as an oncolytic virotherapeutic to treat human cancer. In this review, an update will be given on the current status of MYXV in rabbits as well as its potential in human medicine in the twenty-first century.Table of contents1. The virus2. History3. Pathogenesis and disease symptoms4. Immunomodulatory proteins of MYXV4.1. MYXV proteins with anti-apoptotic functions4.1.1. Inhibition of pro-apoptotic molecules4.1.2. Inhibition by protein-protein interactions by ankyrin repeat viral proteins4.1.3. Inhibition of apoptosis by enhancing the degradation of cellular proteins4.1.4. Inhibition of apoptosis by blocking host Protein Kinase R (PKR)4.2. MYXV proteins interfering with leukocyte chemotaxis4.3. MYXV serpins that inhibit cellular pro-inflammatory or pro-apoptotic proteases4.4. MYXV proteins that interfere with leukocyte activation4.5. MYXV proteins with sequence similarity to HIV proteins4.6. MYXV proteins with unknown immune function5. Vaccination strategies against myxomatosis5.1. Current MYXV vaccines5.2. Vaccination campaigns to protect European rabbits in the wild6. Applications of myxoma virus for human medicine6.1. MYXV proteins as therapeutics for allograft vasculopathy and atherosclerosis6.2. Applications for MYXV as a live oncolytic virus to treat cancer7. Discussion and Conclusions8. List of AbbreviationsReferencesAuthor DetailsAuthors' contributionsCompeting interestsFigure LegendsAcknowledgements

Mamíferos presentes en la dieta de la Lechuza de Campanario (Tyto alba) en Valdivia, provincia de Guayas, Ecuador

En el sector de Valdivia, cercano al Parque Nacional Machalilla, se encontraron en la pared de un risco, dos refugios de lechuza de campanario (Tyto alba) y al pie del risco y bajo los refugios se encontraron algunas egagrópilas y numerosos restos óseos de los animales que sirven de alimento a esta lechuza. Se identificaron los restos de 8 especies de mamíferos, de los cuales el 85% representan los roedores y el 12.6% los marsupiales.
 La principal especie de mamífero consumida por esta especie de lechuza en el sector de Valdivia, es la rata algodonera peruana (Sigmodon peruanus) representando el 40.2 % del total de mamíferos utilizados como alimento por la lechuza de campanario, seguido por la rata costera amarillenta (Aegialomys xantheolus) con el 33.3 %, luego por la rata espinosa del pacífico (Proechimys decumanus) con el 9.2%, la raposa chica de simons (Marmosa robinsoni simonsi) con el 8%, la raposa (Didelphis sp.) con el 4.6%, la rata transandina (Transandinomys sp.), con el 2.3 %, el conejo silvestre (Sylvilagus brasiliensis) y el murciélago frutero fraternal (Artibeus fraterculus) con el 1.1 % cada uno. La media calculada de individuos registrados en cada egagrópila fue de 2.2.

LA CUNICULTURE SUD-AMÉRICAINE LE BRÉSIL

The information on Brazilian rabbit production is rare and partial even if the Latin origin of the population induces good development conditions for an important rabbit production. In the 60's, export-oriented angora rabbit farrns were created. Then, at the beginning of the 70's, the first rabbit meat farms were developed with very extensive rnanagement methods. After a crisis, at the beginning of the 80's, the Brazilian rabbit production decreased before the renewed success of the last years. The Brazilian rabbit production has 3 components the industrial segment, with some of the largest rabbit farms in the world, represents 15 % of the whole meat production ; the rational segment, constituted of 100-200 does rabbit farms, located mainly closeness of the industrial ones, represents 65 % of the whole production ; finally, the rabbit rural production, which is not very developed (20 % of the production), in the south of the country. The main part of the Brazilian rabbit production is located in the South-East of Brazil because of the favourable climate and of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro's important consumption markets. Regarding performances, the number of kindlings/doe/year is 5 to 7 because of the very extensive rhythrns of breeding. The number of commercialised rabbits/litter is about 4-5, due to the high mortality during fattening. Sorne rabbit slaughtering plants exist in Brazil close to the industrial farms, able to slaughter between 7.500 to 40.000 rabbits/week. The rabbits are sold mainly in the South-East cities where a part of the population is of ltalian origin. Globally, the Brazilian rabbit meat production can be evaluated at 12.000 tons/year.

Mixobiota do Parque Nacional Serra de Itabaiana, SE, Brasil: Stemonitales

Como parte do inventário da mixobiota do Parque Nacional Serra de Itabaiana, Sergipe, Nordeste do Brasil (10º40'52''S e 37º25'15''W, 180-670 m.s.m., 7.966 ha), avaliou-se a riqueza, abundância e constância das Stemonitales presentes em diferentes microhabitats e níveis altitudinais. Esporocarpos foram coletados durante 20 meses consecutivos, desde abril/2002 até dezembro/2003; amostras de substratos foram também coletadas para cultivo em câmara-úmida. Coleções do material estudado foram depositadas no Herbário UFP. Foram identificadas 14 espécies de Stemonitidaceae, pertencentes aos gêneros Collaria, Comatricha, Lamproderma, Stemonitis e Stemonitopsis. As espécies foram organizadas em ordem alfabética em uma lista comentada e apresenta-se sua distribuição geográfica no Brasil. Representantes da ordem estiveram presentes em todos os microhabitats analisados, predominando as lignícolas, seguidas das foliícolas. Stemonitis flavogenita foi a única espécie areícola, comportando-se também como suculentícola. Nos cultivos em câmara-úmida, registrou-se uma espécie fimícola (Comatricha mirabilis) e três suculentícolas (Collaria arcyrionema, Comatricha laxa e Stemonitis fusca). As espécies mais abundantes foram S. fusca (constante), Stemonitis smithii, Stemonitis axifera e Stemonitis splendens (acessórias), presentes nos diferentes níveis altitudinais. Exceto C. mirabilis, todos os gêneros e espécies constituem primeira referência para o estado de Sergipe.

Atropelamentos de vertebrados na Floresta Nacional de Carajás, Pará, Brasil

Vários pesquisadores têm avaliado impactos de estradas. Estes podem envolver aspectos paisagísticos, degradação do solo, poluição do ar e impactos sobre a fauna, como atropelamentos. Na estrada Raimundo Mascarenhas, que atravessa a Floresta Nacional de Carajás (ca. 400 mil hectares), há intenso tráfego de veículos automotores. O objetivo deste trabalho foi testar se há diferenças entre trechos da estrada, em três escalas espaciais; se há alteração ao longo dos anos; se alguns táxons são mais freqüentemente atropelados, e se a freqüência de atropelamentos aumenta com a precipitação mensal. Analisamos a freqüência de atropelamentos de vertebrados de abril/2003 até outubro/2006 ao longo dos 25 km iniciais da estrada. Registramos 155 atropelamentos. O número de atropelamentos diminui ao longo dos anos (P=0,01), e com a distância do início da estrada (P=0,0002). Serpentes (Ophidia) e gambás Didelphis marsupialis foram mais atropelados (7,5/ano), seguidos de aves, raposas Cerdocyon thous, quatis Nasua nasua, roedores (Rodentia), e não identificados (4,9/ano); cuíca Marmosops sp., tapeti Sylvilagus brasiliensis, guariba Alouatta sp., irara Eira barbara, jabuti Geochelone sp., lagartos (Lacertilia) e macaco prego Cebus apella (1/ano). Não houve relação significativa entre o número mensal de atropelamentos e a precipitação mensal.

Composição e abundância relativa dos mamíferos de médio e grande porte no Parque Estadual do Turvo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

Entre janeiro de 2005 e dezembro de 2006 foram realizados estudos sobre a composição e abundância relativa dos mamíferos de médio e grande porte do Parque Estadual do Turvo. Para tanto, foram utilizados registros de armadilhas fotográficas além de visualizações e dados sobre presença e ausência de pegadas ao longo de transectos pré-determinados. No total foram registradas 29 espécies de mamíferos de médio e grande porte, das quais Dasyprocta azarae Lichtenstein, 1823 e Sylvilagus brasiliensis (Linnaeus, 1758) foram as espécies com maior número de registros. No que se refere a Carnivora, Nasua nasua (Linnaeus, 1766) e Leopardus pardalis (Linnaeus, 1758) tiveram os maiores índices de registro, enquanto Leopardus tigrinus (Schreber, 1775), Leopardus wiedii (Schinz, 1782) e Galictis cuja (Molina 1782) os menores. Entre os ungulados apenas Pecari tajacu (Linnaeus, 1758) mostrou-se freqüente, sendo a quarta espécie em número de registros. Algumas espécies comuns em outros ambientes apresentaram baixos índices de registro no Parque Estadual do Turvo, tais como Dasypus novemcinctus Linnaeus, 1758 e Didelphis albiventris Lund, 1840. Finalmente, constata-se a provável extinção local de Tayassu pecari (Link, 1795), uma vez que não foram obtidos registros de sua presença ao longo do estudo. A conservação dos mamíferos de médio e grande porte do Parque está fortemente associada à preservação do "Corredor Verde de Misiones", que provavelmente representa uma área fonte para diversas espécies.

Morphological and chromosomal taxonomic assessment of Sylvilagus brasiliensis gabbi (Leporidae)

The cottontail rabbit species, Sylvilagus brasiliensis, is currently understood to be constituted by 18 subspecies ranging from east central Mexico to northern Argentina, and from sea level to at least 4800 m in altitude. This hypothesis of a single widespread polytypic species remains to be critically tested. In other species groups of Sylvilagus from other geographic areas, the use of chromosomal information has been important in delineating taxonomic boundaries. To date, however, no chromosomal data are available for Sylvilagus south of Mexico. Here we report the chromosomal complement of two individuals (a male and a female) putatively ascribed to Sylvilagus brasiliensis on the basis of morphological characters and collected from southern Península del Azuero in Panama. The diploid number (2n) of these two individuals was 38 and the fundamental number (autosomal arms, aFN) was 72. Karyotypes of S. brasiliensis from southern Mexico have reported two chromosomal forms: 2n=36, FN=68 and 2n=40, FN=76. We complement the chromosomal data with a morphological examination of the Panama specimens and of holotype materials pertinent to the taxonomic identity of Mesoamerican taxa of Sylvilagus. These findings, in association with others regarding the phylogenetic relationships of Sylvilagus from the Neotropics, reinforce the idea that the current taxonomic treatment of the species merits critical scrutiny. In particular, we excise Sylvilagus gabbi from subspecific synonymy with S. brasiliensis and remove the subspecies truei from brasiliensis to gabbi.

Composição e caracterização da fauna de mamíferos de médio e grande porte em uma pequena reserva de cerrado em Mato Grosso, Brasil

Este estudo foi realizado na Reserva Biológica Municipal "Mário Viana", Nova Xavantina, MT, objetivando inventariar e avaliar a abundância e diversidade de mamíferos terrestres de médio e grande porte. Para tanto, foram realizadas duas visitas mensais a um transecto com 2.820 m de extensão, durante todo o ano de 2001, para o levantamento de pegadas (rastreamentos) e outras evidências de mamíferos. Um total de 29 espécies foram registradas na área de estudo, sendo que 22 ocorreram no transecto e tiveram suas seqüências individuais de pegadas quantificadas para realização do cálculo dos índices de abundância e de diversidade de Shannon-Wiener (H'). De acordo com seus índices de abundância, as espécies foram classificadas em raras, comuns e abundantes. Dentre outras, onça-parda (Puma concolor - Linnaeus, 1771) e tatu-canastra (Priodontes maximus - Keer, 1792) mostraram-se raras; jaguatirica (Leopardus pardalis - Linnaeus, 1758), e tamanduá-bandeira (Myrmecophaga tridactyla - Linnaeus, 1758), comuns; e cutia (Dasyprocta azarae - Lichtenstein, 1823) e tapeti (Sylvilagus brasiliensis - Linnaeus, 1758), abundantes. O H' encontrado foi 2,40, sendo considerado significativo. O presente trabalho apontou que, apesar de pequena (470 ha), a área de estudo desempenha importante papel para a conservação da mastofauna da região de Nova Xavantina, MT.

Registros de mamíferos de maior porte na Reserva Florestal do Morro Grande, São Paulo

Poucos são os estudos sobre comunidades de mamíferos de maior porte em remanescentes de Mata Atlântica, apesar do importante papel deste grupo na manutenção da diversidade e de processos biológicos e da sua susceptibilidade à extinção em paisagens fragmentadas. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo o levantamento de espécies de mamíferos de maior porte presentes em um remanescente de Mata Atlântica próxima à cidade de São Paulo. O remanescente estudado é a Reserva Florestal do Morro Grande, com área de 10.870 ha, localizada no município de Cotia, SP. Sete áreas da Reserva foram amostradas utilizando duas metodologias: 1) amostragem em transecto linear e 2) parcelas de areia como armadilhas de pegadas. Outros registros diretos e indiretos da ocorrência de espécies do grupo também foram considerados. Foram observadas dezoito espécies, de sete ordens, classificadas em quatro categorias de dieta, sendo oito onívoras, cinco herbívoras, quatro frugívoras e apenas uma carnívora. O método de amostragem em transecto linear amostrou seis espécies de três ordens e as parcelas de areia registraram sete espécies de cinco ordens. As espécies menores, como o esquilo (Sciurus aestuans), o gambá (Didelphis aurita) e o tapiti (Sylvilagus brasiliense) foram as mais registradas e estavam presentes em quase todas as áreas amostradas. O predomínio de espécies menores e de espécies generalistas é um indício do alto grau de perturbação e do comprometimento da qualidade desta Reserva. Conclui-se que a Reserva Florestal do Morro Grande não é capaz de preservar a integridade da fauna de mamíferos de maior porte.

Update on the geographical distribution and habitat of the tapiti (Sylvilagus brasiliensis: Lagomorpha, Leporidae) in the Brazilian Amazon

Update on the geographical distribution and habitat of the tapiti (<i>Sylvilagus brasiliensis</i>: Lagomorpha, Leporidae) in the Brazilian Amazon

Helminths of rabbits (Lagomorpha, Leporidae) deposited in the Helminthological Collection of the Oswaldo Cruz Institute

Helminth samples (n = 35) recovered from Oryctolagus cuniculus (Linnaeus, 1758) Lilljeborg, 1873 (3) and from another rabbit species, Sylvilagus brasiliensis (Linnaeus, 1758) Thomas, 1901 (32), from August 1909 to February 1948 and that are deposited in the Helminthological Collection of the Oswaldo Cruz Institute were analyzed. The studied samples were represented by the cysticercus of the cestode Taenia pisiformis (Bloch, 1780) and by the nematodes Passalurus ambiguus (Rudolphi, 1819), Vianella fariasi (Travassos, 1915), Longistriata perfida Travassos, 1943, Trichostrongylus retortaeformis (Zeder, 1800). The scope of the present investigation is to survey the parasites infecting these hosts, commonly used as laboratory animal models in scientific research and supply figurative data on the helminths in order to provide their easy identification, since the presence of autochthonous parasite burdens, if undetected or misinterpreted, can alter the final results of experimental assays, mainly those related to immunological approaches, when cross-reactions can occur.

Serobiotypes and virulence genes of Escherichia coli strains isolated from diarrheic and healthy rabbits in Brazil

A total of 178 Escherichia coli isolates from diarrheic and healthy rabbits in the São Paulo State (Brazil) were serobiotyped and investigated by PCR for the presence of virulence genes. Among the 90 (50.6%) isolates which possessed the eae gene, 74 were from diarrheic animals and all but one encoded intimin β. Sixty five (72.2%) of the eae+ isolates had insertion of the locus of enterocyte effacement locus in the pheU locus, 11 (12.2%) in the selC and 14 (15.6%) did not insert in either of these loci. All isolates were negative for genes of the E. coli enterotoxins, Stx1, Stx2, CNF1, CNF2 and EHEC hemolysin. The O132:H2 serotype was dominant, being present in 63 isolates (70%) of the 90 eae+ isolates, and 57 of the 63 isolates of this serotype belonged to biotype 30. PCR detected the gene for AF/R2 fimbriae in 75 (83.3%) of the 90 eae+ isolates. Adherence to HeLa cells was best detected following 6 h incubation and a positive fluorescence actin staining (FAS) test was given by 52 isolates. These data show that isolates of E. coli associated with diarrhea in rabbits in Brazil possess the genotype and phenotype typically associated with rabbit enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC). We conclude that EPEC that possess the eae gene are a common cause of diarrhea in Brazilian rabbit farms and that the pathogenic eae+ AF/R2+ isolates of O132:H2:B30 serobiotype are especially predominant.

Composição e caracterização da fauna de mamíferos do Parque Nacional das Emas, Goiás, Brasil

Emas National Park is a very importam Conservation Unit in the Cerrado Biome. Nevertheless the fauna of this region is still poorly known. In this study, a revised list of the mammal fauna of the Emas National Park with comments about the composition and the number of species surveyed is presented. Eighty six species of mammals were recorded in the Park and neighboring area, including several rare and threatened species, like the bush dog (Speothos venaticus (Lund, 1842)), Marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus (Illiger, 1815)) and others. The giant rat (Kunsia tomentosus (Lichtenstein, 1830)) was recorded for the first time in a conservation unit. On the other hand, species usually very common in the Cerrado biome, don't occur in Emas National Park: the brazilian rabbit (Sylvilagus brasiliensis (Linnaeus, 1758)), marmosets (Callithrix spp.), and the punare (Thrichomys apereoides (Lund, 1841)).

Immune responses to myxoma virus.

Myxoma virus causes the systemic disease myxomatosis in the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Originating in the South American rabbit Sylvilagus brasiliensis, where it causes a relatively localized fibroma, myxoma virus is a classic example of a virus that has jumped species to produce an exotic disease and then coevolved with its new host. Like other poxviruses, myxoma virus encodes multiple proteins capable of downregulating the host innate and acquired immune responses. Other virus-encoded proteins enable replication in host lymphocytes and monocytes, for example, by inhibiting apoptosis. Detailed studies on these proteins have demonstrated novel methods of interactions with the host immune system and added substantially to the understanding of the interaction of large DNA viruses with their hosts. Despite the increasingly detailed molecular knowledge of myxoma virus, relatively little is known about the dynamics of the interaction of the virus with the integrated host-immune system during infection and, in particular, about the evolution of resistance to the virus in wild rabbits or the species barrier. This review will focus on the detailed molecular studies that have been done with myxoma virus and discuss the more limited knowledge of the pathogenesis of myxoma virus in rabbits and the ways that the consolidated immune responses may determine genetic resistance to myxomatosis.

Life cycle of the tick Haemaphysalis leporis-palustris (Acari: Ixodidae) under laboratory conditions.

The life cycles of two separate populations (colonies A and B) of the rabbit tick, Haemaphysalis leporis-palustris, were studied under laboratory conditions. Domestic New Zealand rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus, and wild rabbits, Sylvilagus brasiliensis, were used as hosts for ticks from colony B and only O. cuniculus rabbits were used as hosts for ticks from colony A. Developmental periods were observed in an incubator at 27+/-1 degrees C and RH 90+/-5%. Larvae from colonies A and B fed for 8.0+/-3.7 days and 8.5+/-1.3 days, respectively, on O. cuniculus. On S. brasiliensis larvae from colony B fed for 7.2+/-1.3 days. Nymphs from colony A fed for 8.1+/-1.4 days on O. cuniculus and nymphs from colony B fed for 8.1+/-1.0 days on S. brasiliensis. Only one engorged nymph from colony B was recovered from O. cuniculus. Females from colony A fed for 20.9+/-5.9 days on O. cuniculus and females from colony B fed for 18.6+/-2.4 days on O. cuniculus and 18.7+/-3.7 days on S. brasiliensis. Engorged larvae from colony A required 13.7+/-3.7 days to molt while engorged larvae from colony B required 11.8+/-3.0 and 11.5+/-1.8 days to molt, after having fed on O. cuniculus and S. brasiliensis, respectively. Engorged nymphs from colonies A and B required 16.3+/-1.9 days and 14.7+/-1.4 days to molt, respectively. Engorged females from colonies A and B required 4-7 and 3-5 days, respectively, to start oviposition. Mean egg incubation periods lasted for 33-34 days. For ticks from colony B, host species accounted for significant differences (p < 0.05) in larval and nymphal feeding periods, oviposition weights and CEIs. Significant differences (p < 0.05) between the two colonies when ticks fed on O. cuniculus were observed for larval and nymphal feeding and premolt periods, engorged female and oviposition weights and conversion efficiency indexes (CEI). S. brasiliensis were always a more suitable host for H. leporis-palustris than O. cuniculus. Significantly more larvae and nymphs engorged and molted when fed on S. brasiliensis (p < 0.001). Females fed S. brasiliensis were more successful to lay fertile eggs and showed the highest engorged and egg mass weights, and the highest CEIs. Data of H. leporis-palustris fed on wild rabbits (one of its natural host species) are reported for the first time.

Detection of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis complex in wild mammals from Colombian coffee plantations by PCR and DNA hybridization

The small mammal fauna of coffee plantations in SW Colombia was surveyed to determine which of the species present were infected with parasites of the Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis complex and might therefore act as reservoirs of human cutaneous leishmaniasis. Fifty animals of seven different species were captured. Tissue samples were taken from the ears of specimens from each of the seven species. Thirty three samples were analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using oligonucleotide primers directed against conserved regions of L. (V) braziliensis complex kinetoplast DNA. Three of the samples (two from mouse opossums Micoureus demerarae, and one from a pygmy rice rat Microryzomys minutus) gave positive results based on PCR analysis. When the samples were subjected to DNA hybridization (dot blot) analysis using the B18 ( L. (V.) braziliensis complex-specific) probe, a total of ten specimens belonging to six species (the opossums M. demerarae and Didelphis marsupilalis, the rodents Melanomys caliginosus, Mi. minutus and Rattus rattus, and a rabbit Sylvilagus brasiliensis) gave positive results, indicating that all these animals had been bitten by infected sand flies. The possibility that these species include potential reservoirs of L. (V.) braziliensis in the study area is considered.