An approach to reduce Descemet抯 membrane scrolling: Relevance to Descemet抯 membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK)

Purpose: We aimed to determine whether Descemet抯 membrane (DM) scrolling occurs primarily along the vertical or horizontal axis and establish whether oval trephination along the axis of least scrolling can reduce the grade of the scroll. Methods: The longest limbus?to?limbus axis on 28 sclerocorneal discs was taken as the horizontal axis. The horizontal (n = 7) or (right angles to it) vertical (n = 6) axis was marked on DM before peeling it off. The direction and grade of scrolling was observed. Narrow strips (3�mm wide) were then cut along the two axes (n = 4 each) and the scrolling pattern was observed. Ellipses (7 � 9 mm) of DM were punched along the two axes (n = 6 each) and the scrolls graded. Immunofluorescent staining for elastin on horizontal and vertical tissue sections from three DM samples was performed. The intensity and thickness of elastin staining were measured. Results: Twenty?four (85.72%) DM samples showed scrolling along the horizontal axis, none showed scrolling along the vertical axis, and four (14.28%) samples showed a spiral scroll, regardless of which axis was marked (grade 3.7 and 3.6). Vertically oval discs showed significantly reduced scrolling (grade 1.2) compared to horizontally oval discs (grade 3.5). Narrow strips of DM showed a similar scrolling pattern. Immunohistology showed no difference in any of the parameters examined along the two axes or from the center to the periphery. Conclusion: DM scrolls primarily along the horizontal axis. Vertically oval DM samples show minimal scrolling, which can be an advantage in DMEK. Differential scrolling is not determined by the distribution of elastin.

A new species of phlebotomine sandfly, Pintomyia (Pifanomyia) duckei (Diptera: Psychodidae) from Manaus, State of Amazonas, Brazil / Uma nova espécie de flebotomíneo, Pintomyia (Pifanomyia) duckei (Diptera: Psychodidae) de Manaus, Estado do Amazonas, Brasil

Pintomyia (Pifanomyia) duckei Oliveira, Alencar and Freitas sp. n. from Adolpho Ducke Reserve, Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil, is described and illustrated based on three male specimens, the holotype and two paratypes. The paratypes have abnormalities in the external genitalia, one with asymmetric bilateral anomaly (different anomalies in each of certain paired structures) and the other with unilateral anomaly (anomaly in one of the paired structures). The new species probably belongs to the Serrana Series, integrating the list of the species whose males possess gonostylus with two stout spines (one apical and other subapical), as well as a small and very thin spine on the inner surface of the basal half.

Pintomyia (Pifanomyia) duckei Oliveira, Alencar e Freitas sp. n. da Reserva Florestal Adolpho Ducke, Manaus, Estado do Amazona, Brasil, é descrita e ilustrada com base em três espécimes machos, o holótipo e dois parátipos. Os parátipos possuem anomalias na genitália externa, sendo um com anomalia bilateral assimétrica (anomalias diferentes em cada uma das estruturas pareadas) e outro com anomalia unilateral (anomalia em uma das estruturas pareadas). A nova espécie provavelmente pertence à Série Serrana, integrando a lista das espécies, cujos machos possuem gonóstilo com dois espinhos robustos (um apical e outro subapical), bem como um espinho delgado e muito curto na superfície interna da metade basal.

Phlebotomine sandfly (Diptera: Psychodidae) diversity and their Leishmania DNA in a hot spot of American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis human cases along the Brazilian border with Peru and Bolivia

In this study, we identified the phlebotomine sandfly vectors involved in the transmission of American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ACL) in Assis Brasil, Acre, Brazil, which is located on the Brazil-Peru-Bolivia frontier. The genotyping of Leishmania in phlebotomines was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. A total of 6,850 sandflies comprising 67 species were captured by using CDC light traps in rural areas of the municipality. Three sandfly species were found in the state of Acre for the first time: Lutzomyia georgii, Lu. complexa and Lu. evangelistai. The predominant species was Lu. auraensis/Lu. ruifreitasi and Lu. davisi (total 59.27%). 32 of 368 pools were positive for the presence of Leishmania DNA (16 pools corresponding to Lu. davisi, and 16 corresponding to Lu. auraensis/Lu. ruifreitasi), with a minimal infection prevalence of 1.85% in Lu. davisi and 2.05% in Lu. auraensis/Lu. ruifreitasi. The Leishmania species found showed maximum identity with L. (Viannia) guyanensis and L. (V.) braziliensis in both phlebotomine species. Based on these results and similar scenarios previously described along the Brazil/Peru/Bolivia tri-border, the studied area must take into consideration the possibility of Lu. davisi and Lu. auraensis/Lu. ruifreitasi as probable vectors of ACL in this municipality.

Description of a new species of Psathyromyia Barreto (Diptera, Psychodidae, Phlebotominae) from Amazonas state, Brazil

ABSTRACTA new species of phlebotomine sand fly is described and illustrated based on the male and female morphological characters of specimens collected from Tefé and Coari municipalities, Amazonas state. The phlebotomine sand flies were collected with CDC light traps used as aspirators at the base of tree trunks. Both male and female specimens collected in Tefé municipality were first identified as Psathyromyia souzacastroi. After the analysis of the holotype of Pa. souzacastroi deposited in Smithsonian Institute/Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit, it was observed that the morphotypes collected in Tefé municipality belong to a distinct species, which characterization is here presented.

The genital atrium armature of some Brazilian sand fly females (Diptera: Phlebotominae) / Armadura do átrio genital de algumas fêmeas de flebotomíneos brasileiros (Diptera: Phlebotominae)

Phlebotomine sand flies are insects of medical importance. Species in the Neotropical region are highly diverse. Some of these species are considered cryptic species because of their morphological similarity between adult females of different species make identification especially difficult. The aim of this study was to analyze and describe the armature in the genital atrium (AGA) of some adult female sand flies, in order to discover new taxonomic characters that make it possible to distinguish between species that would otherwise be treated as cryptic by analysis of the AGA. The AGA of 16 Phlebotomine sand fly species are described. Distinct differences were found in relation to the shape and size of the armature, the presence or absence of spines on the armature, and the shape, size, and grouping patterns of the spines. These characters made it possible to distinguish between the species studied.

Os flebotomíneos são insetos de importância médica. Na região Neotropical existe grande diversidade de espécies. Algumas dessas espécies são consideradas espécies crípticas devido às semelhanças morfológicas entre fêmeas adultas de diferentes espécies, tornando a identificação especialmente difícil. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar e descrever a armadura no átrio genital (AAG) de algumas fêmeas adultas de flebotomíneos, a fim de descobrir novos caracteres taxonômicos que tornem possível a distinção por análise da AAG entre as espécies que poderiam ser tratadas como espécies crípticas. Foram descritas a AAG de 16 espécies de flebotomíneos. Diferenças distintas foram encontradas em relação à forma e ao tamanho da armadura, a presença ou ausência de espinhos na armadura, e a forma, tamanho e padrões de agrupamento dos espinhos. Esses caracteres tornou possível a distinção entre as espécies estudadas.

Epidemiological aspects of American cutaneous leishmaniasis and phlebotomine sandfly population, in the municipality of Monte Negro, State of Rondônia, Brazil

Introduction: This work was carried out on the purpose of identifying the species of phlebotomine sandflies in the municipality of Monte Negro, state of Rondonia, Brazil, that may have been transmitting the American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL), and concisely describe epidemiological aspects of disease. METHODS: The epidemiologic and socioeconomical indicators were obtained from government institutions and the local Municipal Secretary of Health. Phlebotomine sandflies were captured using CDC light traps between July 2006 to July 2008. The total of 1,240 of female sandflies were examined by PCR method directed to k-DNA. RESULTS: There has been a significant decrease in the incidence of ACL of about 50% over the last ten years in the municipality. A total of 1,935 specimens of 53 sandfly species were captured, three of the genus Brumptomyia genus and 50 of the genus Lutzomyia. The predominant species was Lutzomyia acanthopharynx, Lutzomyia whitmani, Lutzomyia geniculata and Lutzomyia davisi. None were positive for Leishmania sp. CONCLUSIONS: Four sandflies species were found in the State of Rondonia for the first time: Brumptomyia brumpti, Lutzomyia tarapacaensis, Lutzomyia melloi and Lutzomyia lenti. The presence of Lutzomyia longipalpis, was also captured. Socioeconomical improvement of Brazilian economy and the increase of environmental surveillance in the last 15 years collaborated in the decrease of people exposed to vectors, reducing the incidence of ACL.

Sand flies (Diptera, Psychodidae, Phlebotominae) from Central Amazonia and four new records for the Amazonas state, Brazil / Flebotomíneos da Amazônia Central e quatro novos registros para o estado do Amazonas, Brasil

Sand flies from Central Amazonia and four new records for the Amazonas state, Brazil. A survey was conducted in May and June 2008 to study the fauna of insects in Central Amazonia, Brazil. As part of the survey, we report here that sixty species of phlebotomine were identified, totaling 13,712 specimens from 13 genera. The collection sites were located at the border between the states of Pará and Amazonas, comprising three municipalities from the Amazonas state (Borba, Maués, and Nhamundá). Malaise, CDC and Shannon traps were used to collect the insects. Most of the sand flies were collected by CDC traps (89.5%), while Malaise and Shannon traps collected 7% and 3.5%, respectively. The most abundant genera, representing 97.1% of the total sand flies identified were: Trichopygomyia Barretto, 1962 (47.6%), Psathyromyia Barretto, 1962 (17.9%), Psychodopygus Mangabeira, 1941 (17.5%) and Trichophoromyia Barretto, 1962 (14.3%). The genera with the largest number of species identified were: Psychodopygus (14), Psathyromyia (10), Evandromyia Mangabeira, 1941 (7), Trichophoromyia (5) and Trichopygomyia (5). The most abundant species was Trichopygomyia trichopyga (Floch & Abonnenc, 1945), which represented 29% of the total sand flies identified. Here we also report new records for four species in the Amazonas state: Ps. complexus (Mangabeira, 1941), Ps. llanosmartinsi Fraiha & Ward, 1980, Ty. pinna (Feliciangeli, Ramirez-Pérez & Ramirez, 1989), and Th. readyi (Ryan, 1986). The results of this study provide new, additional information on the distribution of sand flies in the Amazon and increase the number of species in the Amazonas state from 127 to 131.

Flebotomíneos da Amazônia Central e quatro novos registros para o estado do Amazonas, Brasil. Um levantamento foi conduzido em maio e junho de 2008 para estudar a fauna de insetos da Amazônia Central, Brasil. Como parte desta pesquisa, foram registradas 60 espécies de um total de 13.712 espécimes pertencentes a 13 gêneros. Os locais de coleta localizaram-se na fronteira dos estados do Pará e do Amazonas, incluindo três municípios do estado do Amazonas (Borba, Maués e Nhamundá). Armadilhas do tipo Malaise, CDC e Shannon foram utilizadas para coletar os insetos. A maioria dos flebotomíneos foi coletada em armadilhas CDC (89,5%), enquanto que as armadilhas Malaise e de Shannon coletaram 7% e 3,5%, respectivamente. Os gêneros mais abundantes, representando 97,1% do total de flebotomíneos identificados foram: Trichopygomyia Barretto, 1962 (47,6%), Psathyromyia Barretto, 1962 (17,9%), Psychodopygus Mangabeira, 1941 (17,5%) e Trichophoromyia Barretto, 1962 (14,3%). Os gêneros com o maior número de espécies identificadas foram Psychodopygus (14), Psathyromyia (10), Evandromyia Mangabeira, 1941 (7), Trichophoromyia (5) e Trichopygomyia (5). A espécie mais abundante foi Trichopygomyia trichopyga (Floch & Abonnenc, 1945) a qual representou 29% do total de flebotomíneos identificados. Também são registradas quatro novas espécies para o estado do Amazonas: Ps. complexus (Mangabeira, 1941), Ps. llanosmartinsi Fraiha & Ward, 1980, Ty. pinna (Feliciangeli, Ramirez-Pérez & Ramirez, 1989), e Th. readyi (Ryan, 1986). Os resultados deste estudo fornecem informações novas e adicionais sobre a distribuição de flebotomíneos da Amazônia e aumenta o número de espécies no estado do Amazonas de 127 para 131.

Diversity of sandflies (Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) captured in sandstone caves from Central Amazonia, Brazil

In the present paper we describe the diversity of phlebotomine sandflies collected in three sandstone caves in the municipality of Presidente Figueiredo, state of Amazonas, Brazil. The phlebotomines were captured during 2006 with CDC light traps. Guano samples from inside the Gruta Refúgio do Maruaga were collected to investigate the presence of immature specimens. A total of 2,160 adult phlebotomines representing 15 species were captured. Pintomyia pacae was the dominant species in Gruta dos Animais (1,723 specimens) and Gruta dos Lages (50 specimens) and Deanemyia maruaga new comb (280 specimens) was the dominant species in Gruta Refúgio do Maruaga. A total of 18 guano samples were collected and seven of these samples included immature specimens. A total of 507 immature specimens were captured; 495 of these specimens were larvae and 12 were pupae. The presence of paca (Agouti paca) footprints near Gruta dos Animais and Gruta dos Lages suggests the association of Pi. pacae with this rodent. This finding may explain the abundance of Pi. pacae in these locations, while the species is relatively rare in the forest. Deanemyia maruaga is a cave species that uses guano to breed during its immature stages. Adult specimens of this species are apparently parthenogenetic and autogenous and represent the second record of parthenogenesis for the subfamily Phlebotominae.

Primeiro registro de Lutzomyia araracuarensis (Morales & Minter) (Diptera: Psychodidae) no Brasil / First Report of Lutzomyia araracuarensis (Morales & Minter) (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Brazil

A male of Lutzomyia araracuarensis (Morales & Minter) and possibly six females of this same species were found in the northeastern area of Manacapuru county, Amazonas State. Samples were collected using light traps CDC, from April 2003 to June 2004.

Primeiro registro de Lutzomyia (Trichopygomyia) conviti Ramirez Perez, Martins & Ramirez (Diptera: Psychodidae) no Brasil / First record of Lutzomyia (Trichopygomyia) conviti Ramirez Perez, Martins & Ramirez (Diptera: Psychodidae) from Brazil

The presence of Lutzomyia conviti Ramirez Perez, Martins & Ramirez, previously found only in Venezuela and Colombia, is recorded for the first time in Brazil. Lutzomyia conviti is now added to the 229 species of Lutzomyia already registered in Brazil and to the 44 identified in São Gabriel da Cachoeira, Amazonas state. Both sexes of L. conviti were collected in 2007 and 2008 with CDC light traps in an environment of primary vegetation represented by firm land forest. The distribution range of the species is cited and discussed.

Fauna de flebotomíneos (Diptera: Psychodidae) de uma reserva de campina no Estado do Amazonas, e sua importância epidemiológica / Phlebotomine fauna (Diptera: Psychodidae) in a campina reserve in the State of Amazonas, and its epidemiological importance

INTRODUÇÃO: No Brasil, a maior diversidade de flebotomíneos é encontrada na Região Amazônica, principalmente em floresta primária de terra-firme. No entanto, sua fauna ainda é pouco conhecida em outros ecossistemas desta região. MÉTODOS: a fim de conhecer a fauna de flebotomíneos de outro ecossistema amazônico, coletas com armadilhas de luz CDC foram realizadas em uma área de campina/campinarana na zona periurbana da Cidade de Manaus. RESULTADOS: foram capturados 814 flebotomíneos de 26 espécies, sendo as mais abundantes: Lutzomyia flaviscutellata (64,5 por cento); Lutzomyia georgii (14 por cento); Lutzomyia olmeca nociva (8,1 por cento); Lutzomyia furcata (3,2 por cento); Lutzomyia monstruosa (1,3 por cento); Lutzomyia umbratilis (1,1 por cento) outros (7,8 por cento). CONCLUSÕES: Campina/campinarana revelou-se de grande importância epidemiológica devido a elevada abundância de Lutzomyia flaviscutellata e Lutzomyia olmeca nociva, ambas vetoras de Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis. Com base nestas informações, será possível traçar metas para estudos parasitológicos e conscientizar pesquisadores e estudantes, que mantém constante exposição nesta área realizando trabalhos de pesquisa, sobre o possível risco de contaminação por Leishmania.

INTRODUCTION: In Brazil, the largest diversity of phlebotomines is found in the Amazon region, particularly in undisturbed terra-firma forest. However, the phlebotomine fauna in other ecosystems of this region is still not well known. METHODS: In order to investigate the phlebotomine fauna of another Amazon ecosystem, collections were made using CDC light traps in the campina/campinarana ecosystems in the periurban zone of the city of Manaus. RESULTS: Eight hundred and fourteen phlebotomines of 26 species were captured, of which the most abundant were: Lutzomyia flaviscutellata (64.5 percent); Lutzomyia georgii (14 percent); Lutzomyia olmeca nociva (8.1 percent); Lutzomyia furcata (3.2 percent); Lutzomyia monstruosa (1.3 percent); Lutzomyia umbratilis (1.1 percent); and others (7.8 percent). CONCLUSIONS: The campina/campinarana ecosystems showed great epidemiological importance because of the high abundance of Lutzomyia flaviscutellata and Lutzomyia olmeca nociva, which are both vectors of Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis. Based on this information, it will be possible to outline goals for parasitological studies and raise awareness among researchers and students who are constantly exposed in these areas while conducting research work, regarding the possible risk of contamination by Leishmania.

Fauna de flebotomíneos (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) em terra firme e planície fluvial na área de influência do gasoduto Coari-Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil / Fauna of Sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) on terra firme and fluvial lowland in areas under the influence of the Coari-Manaus gas pipeline, Amazonas, Brazil

Este trabalho teve como objetivo realizar um levantamento preliminar da entomofauna de flebotomíneos nas áreas de influência do gasoduto Coari-Manaus (AM). As coletas foram realizadas no período de 4 a 8 de agosto (2003), em cinco dos sete municípios da área de influência do gasoduto, utilizando-se de armadilhas de luz do tipo CDC. Foram capturados 205 indivíduos, distribuídos em 25 espécies, pertencentes a oito subgêneros (151 – 73,7%) e quatro grupos (54 – 26,3%). A espécie Lutzomyia umbratilis foi a mais numerosa encontrando-se 21,0% (43) do total coletado. Nestas coletas foi registrada pela primeira vez no Amazonas e segunda no Brasil a espécie Lutzomyia preclara, coletada nos municípios de Caapiranga e Manacapuru.

The object of this work was to make a preliminary survey of the entomofauna sandflies in the areas under the influence of the Coari-Manaus (AM) gas pipeline. The collections were made from 4 to 8 August 2003, in five of the seven municipal districts under the influence of the gas pipeline, using light traps of the type CDC. We captured 205 individuals, distributed in 25 species, belonging to eight subgenera (151 – 73.7%) and four groups (54 – 26.3%). The Lutzomyia umbratilis was the most numerous species found (43 – 21.0%). The species Lutzomyia preclara, collected in the municipal districts of Caapiranga and Manacupuru, was registered for the first time in the state of Amazonas, and the second time in Brasil.

Lutzomyia maruaga (Diptera: Psychodidae), a new bat-cave sand fly from Amazonas, Brazil

A new species of parthenogenetic, autogenic and apparently extremely endemic phlebotomine is described from a sandstone cave located in primary terra firme forest to the North of the city of Manaus. Specimens were collected in the aphotic zone of the Refúgio do Maruaga cave by light trap and reared from bat guano. The adult morphology suggests a closer relationship to some Old World Phlebotominae than to species of Lutzomyia França encountered in the surrounding rainforest, but it shares characteristics with the recently proposed Neotropical genera Edentomyia Galati, Deanemyia Galati and Oligodontomyia Galati.

Diversidade e abundância de flebotomíneos do gênero Lutzomyia (Diptera: Psychodidae) em áreas de mata do nordeste de Manacapuru, AM / Diversity and abundance of phlebotomine of the genus Lutzomyia (Diptera: Psychodidae) in areas of forest in the northeast of Manacapuru, Amazonas State, Brazil

O gênero Lutzomyia tem grande importância No Novo Mundo, com algumas espécies implicadas na transmissão dos agentes causais das leishmanioses, bartoneloses e arboviroses. De abril de 2003 a junho de 2004 foi realizada uma investigação sobre a fauna flebotomínica na região nordeste do município de Manacapuru, AM. As coletas foram realizadas em áreas de mata de terra firme ao longo da Rodovia Manuel Urbano, utilizando-se 16 armadilhas luminosas CDC. No período de 13 meses foram coletados 10.446 espécimes de flebotomíneos, dos quais, 3.908 machos (38 por cento) e 6.465 fêmeas (62 por cento), distribuídos em 43 espécies pertencentes ao gênero Lutzomyia, divididas em 10 subgênero e seis grupos de espécies. Os resultados encontrados para a região nordeste de Manacapuru evidenciaram uma fauna flebotomínica diversificada e abundante, com algumas espécies ainda não registradas para o município de Manaus, AM, vizinho à área estudada.

The genus Lutzomyia has great importance in the New World, with some species implicated in the transmission of causal agents of leishmaniases, bartonellosis and arboviruses. From April 2003 to June 2004 an investigation was undertaken on the richness and abundance of the sand fly fauna in the northeast area of Manacapuru county, Amazonas State. The captures were carried out, with 16 light traps CDC, in areas of forest known as terra firme along the highway Manuel Urbano. In the period of 13 months we collected a total of 10,446 sandfly specimens, 3,908 males (38 percent) and 6,465 females (62 percent), distributed in 43 species belonging to the genus Lutzomyia, 10 subgenera and six species groups. These results evidenced a diversified and abundant sand fly fauna, with some species not yet reported for Manaus county, close to the study area.

Descriptions of Lutzomyia (Evandromyia) georgii n. sp. and a Synopsis of the Series infraspinosa (Diptera: Psychodidae)

Lutzomyia georgii n. sp. and the female of L. tarapacaensis in the Series infraspinosa of the subgenus Evandromyia are described, from specimens collected in rainforest in the north of the State of Pará, Brazil. The new species was taken together with five other Evandromyia species including L. infraspinosa (sensu strictu) in the same locality. L. georgii has previously been confused with both L. begonae and L. infraspinosa, whereas L. tarapacaensis would run to L. infraspinosa in recent taxonomic keys. The fact that both L. georgii and L. tarapacaensis are locally sympatric with L. infraspinosa helps to clarify the taxonomic limits of the latter species. New keys to the subgenus Evandromyia are provided

Species diversity and flagellate infections in the sand fly sauna near Porto Grande, State of Amapá, Brazil (Diptera: Psychodidae. Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae)

Forty-six species of Lutzomyia and one species of Brumptomyia were identified among 20,008 sand flies collected in central Amapá. L. squamiventris maripaensis, L. infraspinosa, L. umbratilis and L. ubiquitalis accounted for 66 percent of the specimens caught in light traps, and L. umbratilis was the commonest of the 16 species found on tree bases. Seven species of Lutzomyia including L. umbratilis were collected in a plantation of Caribbean pine. Sixty out of 511 female sand flies dissected were positive for flagellates. Among the sand flies from which Leishmania was isolated, promastigotes were observed in the salivary glands and foregut of 13 out of 21 females scored as having very heavy infections in the remainder of the gut, reinforcing the idea that salivary gland invasion may be part of the normal life cycle of Leishmania in nature. Salivary gland infections were detected in specimens of L. umbratilis, L. whitmani and L. spathotrichia. Parasites isolated from L. umbratilis, L. whitmani and also from one specimen of L. dendrophyla containing the remains of a bloodmeal, were compatible with Le. guyanensis by morphology and behaviour in hamsters

Lutzomyia derelicta (Diptera: Psychodidae) a singular new phlebotomine sand fly from an inselberg in northeastern amazonia

Lutzomyia derelicta n. sp. is described from specimens collected in an isolated xeric habitat in the rainforest in the north of the State of Pará, Brazil. The new species lacks the posterior bulge in the dorsal wall of the cibarium characteristic of the New World genus Lutzomyia, and the armature of the male genitalia is of the pattern found elsewhere only in the Old World species of Sergentomyia. L. derelicta is phenetically intermediate between the known species of Lutzomyia and Sergentomyia, and cannot readily be placed in any existing subgenus or species group of either genus.

Phlebotomine sand flies from Säo Gabriel da Cachoeira (State of Amazonas, Brazil) with a description of Lutzomyia (Psychodopygus) douradoi n.sp. (Diptera: Psychodidae)

Third-five species of Lutzomyia and two species of Brumptomyia were identified among 795 phlebotomines taken in light-traps near the upper reaches of the middle Rio Negro. The subgenus Psychodopygus predominanted in number of species (11) and relative abundance (74-81 per cent in light trap samples from the forest and 99 per cent on human bait). For many of the species these records help to fill large gaps on current maps of distribution, and for others (L. olmeca nociva, L. mangabeirana, L. triacantha) the findings represent a significant expansion of their known range. A new species in the subgenus Psychodopygus (L. douradoi) is described from both sexes, and L. bettini is recorded for the first time in Brazil.

Report on a collection of Lutzomyia sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) from the Middle Solimoes (Amazonas, Brazil)

Fifty-two species of Lutzomyia sand flies were identified in contemporaneous samples totalling only 1875 individuals, collected at the same site in tall primary terra-firme rainforest, near the south bank of the Solimoes River. The most abundant species belonged to the subgenera Trichophoromyia and Nyssomyia. The subgenera Psathyromyia, Nyssomyia and Psychodopygus represented the greatest number of species. A new, aberrant species of the subgenus Psathyromyia (L. cutellata) and the female of Lu. souzacastroi are described. The Phlebotominae are proposed as a suitable indicator group for biogeographic and diversity studies.

Os flebotomíneos da região amazônica, estrada manaus - humaita, estado do amazonas, brasil (díptera: psychodidae: phlebotominae)

As part of our ongoing program, searching for the vectors and reservoirs of Leishmaniaparasites, we conducted a survey of the sandfly fauna along the BR-319 (Manaus-Porto Velho) highway. Fifty seven species of sandflies were captured; 44 in the genus Lutzomyia and 13 Psychodopygus.Of the collecting methods utilized, CDC traps set 6m above the forest floor proved to be the most effective, and the most frequently captured species were L. antunesi, P. chagasiand P. ayrozai.We also present the geographical distribution of the different species collected.

Como parte do programa do laboratorio de Parasitología do INPA, na procura dos vetores e reservatórios da Leishmaniose, foi realizado durante o periodo de 1978 até 1981, um levantamento da fauna flebotomínica, em oito localidades da Rodovia BR-319 (Manaus-Humaita). Capturamos 57 espécies: 44 do gênero Lutzomyiae 13 de Psychodopygus. Os métodos de coleta usados foram: capturas nos troncos das árvores, isca humana e armadilhas luminosas, o método mais eficiente foi o da armadilha luminosa colocada a 6 metros de altura na floresta. As espécies mais comuns foram L. antunesi, P. chagasie P. ayrozai.Dados sobre a distribuição geográfica das espécies coletadas e a distribuição por coletas são também assinalados.