Characterization of Triatoma guasayana biotopes in a hardwood forest of Santiago del Estero, Argentina
Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz
;
96(4): 459-466, May 2001. ilus, tab, graf
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-285553
RESUMEN
Triatoma guasayana is a silvatic triatomine species distributed in Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay. The study was performed in a secondary forest of Santiago del Estero, Argentina. The abundance of T. guasayana was evaluated by census in the following wild biotopes quimiles (Opuntia quimilo), chaguares (dry bromeliads), logs and underground burrows. Ten biotopes of each type were dismantled in winter (August) and another 40 in summer (January); all fauna was recorded. The biotopes most infested by T. guasayana were quimiles (65 percent), followed by chaguares (55 percent), and logs (25 percent). Quimiles and chaguares were infested in both seasons, whereas logs were positive only in summer and burrows were never infested. Infestation and abundance were higher in summer than in winter. The biotope structure is a key factor for T. guasayana colonization. The larger number of refuges, the constant presence of blood sources and suitable inner microclimatic conditions offered by quimiles may favour the persistence of T. guasayana colonies. The richness of invertebrate fauna per type of biotope was ranked in the same order as that of T. guasayana, suggesting similar microhabitat requirements for all studied arthropods
Full text:
Available
Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
Trees
/
Triatoma
/
Ecology
/
Insect Vectors
Limits:
Animals
Country/Region as subject:
South America
/
Argentina
Language:
English
Journal:
Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz
Journal subject:
Tropical Medicine
/
Parasitology
Year:
2001
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Argentina
Institution/Affiliation country:
Universidad de Buenos Aires/AR
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