A New Species of Hershkovitzia (Diptera: Nycteribiidae) from Maranhão, Brazil.

Hershkovitzia Guimarães & D'Andretta, 1956 belongs to Nycteribiidae, composed of hematophagous species exclusively ectoparasites of bats. The new species was collected from the bat Thyroptera devivoi Gregorin, Gonçalves, Lim & Engstrom, 2006 (Chiroptera: Thyropteridae) from Barreirinhas in Maranhão State, Brazil. Herein, we proposed schematic drawings of the abdomen, legs and head. We also proposed an identification key to species of Hershkovitzia.

The influence of environmental management and animal shelters in vector control of Culicoides (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae) in northeastern Brazil.

We investigated whether biting midges in peridomestic environments are affected by environmental management practices and the presence of domestic animals. We used CDC light traps to collect midges in 112 residences across 24 locations along tourism routes of Maranhão, Brazil. The collection areas were characterized as follows: i) peridomestic area with domestic animals and without management (dirty); ii) peridomestic with domestic animals and management (clean); iii) peridomestic without animals and with management (clean); iv) peridomestic without animals and without management (dirty). The first two treatments had higher biting midge species richness and abundance, respectively. Generalized linear models indicated a positive correlation between the presence of domestic animals and midge abundance, with an approximate four-fold increase in Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) abundance in peridomestic areas with animals. The same model showed that domestic animals have no influence on richness. Environmental management does not appear to influence species richness or abundance of biting midges.

Experimental Infection of Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) whitmani (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) With Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and Leishmania (L.) amazonensis, Etiological Agents of American Tugumentary Leishmaniasis.

Leishmania (L.) amazonensis (Lainson & Shaw, 1972) and Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis (Vianna, 1911) are the principal causative agents of American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) in Brazil. L. amazonensis also causes diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL) vectored principally by Lutzomyia flaviscutellata and secondarily by Lutzomyia whitmani (Antunes & Coutinho, 1939). The latter is the most common phlebotomine in the state of Maranhão, and it is the focal species for potential ATL transmission. For this reason, we tested the ability of L. whitmani to become infected with Lutzomyia parasites. Phlebotomines were derived from a colony maintained in the laboratorial conditions. The first generation, uninfected females were offered a bloodmeal with mice infected with the strains of both parasites. We found that L. whitmani can become infected with both parasite species, with infection rates of 65.2% (L. braziliensis) and 47.4% (L. amazonensis). We conclude that in Maranhão, L. whitmani is likely an important vector in the transmission of ATL and may function as a vector of DCL. This possibility should be further investigated.

Sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in a cerrado area of the Maranhão state, Brazil

The present paper aims to increase the knowledge on the sand fly fauna in the cerrado areas of Maranhão state in urban, rural and forest environments. The research was carried out from October 2007 to September 2008, between 18:00h and 06:00h, in the municipality of Chapadinha, northeast Maranhão. For insect sampling, CDC light traps were set up in peridomicile and domicile areas of urban and rural zones as well as in Cerrado and Gallery forests. The total of 1,401 specimens belonging to 17 species were sampled, all within the genus Lutzomyia. Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva) (52.5 percent), Lu. evandroi (Costa Lima & Antunes) (18.3 percent), Lu. whitmani (Antunes & Coutinho) (12.1 percent), Lu. lenti (Mangabeira) (4.7 percent) and Lu. termitophila (Martins, Falcão & Silva) (4.0 percent) were the most frequently collected. From an epidemiological viewpoint, five from all of the collected species are vectors of leishmaniasis: Lu. longipalpis, Lu. whitmani, Lu. flaviscutellata (Mangabeira), Lu. gomezi (Nitzulescu) and Lu. chagasi (Costa Lima). Lutzomyia chagasi was registered for the first time in Maranhão state and Lu. saulensis (Floch & Abonnenc), Lu. monstruosa (Floch & Abonnenc) and Lu. gomezi were found for the first time in the eastern part of the state, since they had been reported only in the Amazonian region of Maranhão. Regarding to the studied environments, the urban chicken house had the highest number of specimens collected (801), while the Gallery Forest was the most diverse (15 species). This study demonstrates that the northeast cerrado exhibits a mixed sand fly fauna characterized by an extremely important species vectors assortment involved in the epidemiological cycle of leishmaniasis in Maranhão state.

Sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in a Cerrado area of the Maranhão state, Brazil.

The present paper aims to increase the knowledge on the sand fly fauna in the cerrado areas of Maranhão state in urban, rural and forest environments. The research was carried out from October 2007 to September 2008, between 18:00h and 06:00h, in the municipality of Chapadinha, northeast Maranhão. For insect sampling, CDC light traps were set up in peridomicile and domicile areas of urban and rural zones as well as in Cerrado and Gallery forests. The total of 1,401 specimens belonging to 17 species were sampled, all within the genus Lutzomyia. Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva) (52.5%), Lu. evandroi (Costa Lima & Antunes) (18.3%), Lu. whitmani (Antunes & Coutinho) (12.1%), Lu. lenti (Mangabeira) (4.7%) and Lu. termitophila (Martins, Falcão & Silva) (4.0%) were the most frequently collected. From an epidemiological viewpoint, five from all of the collected species are vectors of leishmaniasis: Lu. longipalpis, Lu. whitmani, Lu. flaviscutellata (Mangabeira), Lu. gomezi (Nitzulescu) and Lu. chagasi (Costa Lima). Lutzomyia chagasi was registered for the first time in Maranhão state and Lu. saulensis (Floch & Abonnenc), Lu. monstruosa (Floch & Abonnenc) and Lu. gomezi were found for the first time in the eastern part of the state, since they had been reported only in the Amazonian region of Maranhão. Regarding to the studied environments, the urban chicken house had the highest number of specimens collected (801), while the Gallery Forest was the most diverse (15 species). This study demonstrates that the northeast cerrado exhibits a mixed sand fly fauna characterized by an extremely important species vectors assortment involved in the epidemiological cycle of leishmaniasis in Maranhão state.

Primeiro registro de Euglossa stilbonota Dressler (Apidae: Euglossini) fora da Floresta Amazônica: implicações biogeográficas / First record of Euglossa stilbonota Dressler (Apidae: Euglossini) outside the Amazon Forest: biogeographic implications

A área de distribuição de Euglossa stilbonota Dressler era restrita à Floresta Amazônica, onde se encontra a maior riqueza de espécies endêmicas de abelhas Euglossini. Registra-se, pela primeira vez, a ocorrência da espécie fora do Domínio Amazônico, em área de mata de cocais do Nordeste do Maranhão. As implicações biogeográficas são discutidas.

The distribution area of Euglossa stilbonota Dressler was restricted to the Amazon Forest, the richest habitat of endemic species of Euglossini bees. In here, we report for the first time the occurrence of E. stilbonata outside of Amazon Domain, in a "cocais" forest area in Northeast Maranhão. The biogeographic implications are discussed.

[Ectoparasitic flies (Diptera: Streblidae) of bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) from São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil: infestation rates and the host-parasite association]. / Moscas ectoparasitas (Diptera: Streblidae) de morcegos (Mammalia: Chiroptera) do Município de São Luís, MA: taxas de infestação e associações parasito-hospedeiro.

This study reports the first records of the parasitism rates of the association among ectoparasitic flies of the family Streblidae found in phyllostomid bats in the state of Maranhão. Specimens were collected in patches of secondary forest and borders of mangrove in the village of Quebra Pote, located in the south portion of the island of São Luís. A total of 201 flies of 15 species and eight genera [Aspidoptera falcata Wenzel, A. phyllostomatis (Perty), Mastoptera minuta Costa Lima, Megistopoda aranea (Coquillett), M. proxima (Séguy), Speiseria ambigua Kessel, Stizostrebla longirotris Jobling, Strebla guajiro (García & Casal), S. hertigi Wenzel, Trichobioides perspicillatus (Pessôa & Galvão), Trichobius costalimai Guimarães, T. dugesii Townsend, T. dugesioides phyllostomus Guerrero, T. joblingi Wenzel and T. longipes (Rudow)] were collected from 50 individuals of nine species of phyllostomid bats [Artibeus lituratus (Olfers), A. obscurus Schinz, Carollia perspicillata L., Glossophaga soricina Pallas, Lophostoma carrikeri J A Allen, Micronycteris minuta Gervais, Phyllostomus discolor Wagner, P.hastatus Pallas and Sturnira lilium E Geoffroy)]. Mastoptera minuta, T. costalimai, T. longipes, A. falcata and S. longirostris, were the most frequently found ectoparasites, present in at least 50% of the infected bats. Two species of bats, C. perspicillata e P. discolor, showed the highest richness of ectoparasites, with four species of flies each, and an infection rate of 46% and 100%, respectively.

Moscas ectoparasitas (Diptera: Streblidae) de morcegos (Mammalia: Chiroptera) do Município de São Luís, MA: taxas de infestação e associações parasito-hospedeiro / Ectoparasitic flies (Diptera: Streblidae) of Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) from São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil: infestation rates and the host-parasite association

Este estudo constitui o primeiro registro de taxas de parasitismo da associação entre moscas ectoparasitas da família Streblidae e morcegos da família Phyllostomidae para o Maranhão. As coletas foram realizadas em área de bosque peridomiciliar e de borda de mangue do povoado do Quebra Pote, no sul da Ilha de São Luís. Foram coletadas 201 moscas pertencentes a 15 espécies de oito gêneros [Aspidoptera falcata Wenzel, A. phyllostomatis (Perty), Mastoptera minuta (Costa Lima), Megistopoda aranea (Coquillett), M.proxima (Séguy), Speiseria ambigua Kessel, Stizostrebla longirotris Jobling, Strebla guajiro (García & Casal), S. hertigi Wenzel, Trichobioides perspicillatus (Pessôa & Galvão), Trichobius costalimai Guimarães, T. dugesii Townsend, T. dugesioides phyllostomus Guerrero, T. joblingi Wenzel e T. longipes (Rudow)] infestando 50 filostomídeos de nove espécies [Artibeus lituratus (Olfers), A. obscurus Schinz, Carollia perspicillata (L.), Glossophaga soricina Pallas, Lophostoma carrikeri J A Allen, Micronycteris minuta Gervais, Phyllostomus discolor Wagner, P. hastatus Pallas e Sturnira lilium (E Geoffroy)]. As espécies mais frequentes foram: M. minuta (28,9 por cento), T. joblingi (24,4 por cento), M. aranea (12,9 por cento) e A. phyllostomatis (5,5 por cento). As espécies de ectoparasitos mais prevalentes foram M. minuta, T. costalimai, T. longipes, A. falcata e S. longirostris, por encontrar-se infestando, pelo menos, 50 por cento dos indivíduos de uma espécie hospedeira. Carollia perspicillata e P. discolor apresentaram a maior riqueza de ectoparasitas, sendo cada uma, infestada por quatro espécies de moscas, apresentando taxa de infestação de 46 por cento e 100 por cento, respectivamente.

This study reports the first records of the parasitism rates of the association among ectoparasitic flies of the family Streblidae found in phyllostomid bats in the state of Maranhão. Specimens were collected in patches of secondary forest and borders of mangrove in the village of Quebra Pote, located in the south portion of the island of São Luís. A total of 201 flies of 15 species and eight genera [Aspidoptera falcata Wenzel, A. phyllostomatis (Perty), Mastoptera minuta Costa Lima, Megistopoda aranea (Coquillett), M. proxima (Séguy), Speiseria ambigua Kessel, Stizostrebla longirotris Jobling, Strebla guajiro (García & Casal), S. hertigi Wenzel, Trichobioides perspicillatus (Pessôa & Galvão), Trichobius costalimai Guimarães, T. dugesii Townsend, T. dugesioides phyllostomus Guerrero, T. joblingi Wenzel and T. longipes (Rudow)] were collected from 50 individuals of nine species of phyllostomid bats [Artibeus lituratus (Olfers), A. obscurus Schinz, Carollia perspicillata L., Glossophaga soricina Pallas, Lophostoma carrikeri J A Allen, Micronycteris minuta Gervais, Phyllostomus discolor Wagner, P.hastatus Pallas and Sturnira lilium E Geoffroy)]. Mastoptera minuta, T. costalimai, T. longipes, A. falcata and S. longirostris, were the most frequently found ectoparasites, present in at least 50 percent of the infected bats. Two species of bats, C. perspicillata e P. discolor, showed the highest richness of ectoparasites, with four species of flies each, and an infection rate of 46 percent and 100 percent, respectively.

[First record of Euglossa stilbonota Dressler (Apidae: Euglossini) outside the Amazon Forest: biogeographic implications]. / Primeiro registro de Euglossa stilbonota Dressler (Apidae: Euglossini) fora da Floresta Amazônica: implicações biogeográficas.

The distribution area of Euglossa stilbonota Dressler was restricted to the Amazon Forest, the richest habitat of endemic species of Euglossini bees. In here, we report for the first time the occurrence of E. stilbonata outside of Amazon Domain, in a 'cocais' forest area in Northeast Maranhão. The biogeographic implications are discussed.

Efficacy of the intralesional treatment with Chenopodium ambrosioides in the murine infection by Leishmania amazonensis.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Leishmaniasis, caused by protozoan from Leishmania genus, is an endemic disease in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The chemotherapy to this disease is not always effective and can cause several side effects. Chenopodium ambrosioides L. (Chenopodiaceae) is used by the native people in the treatment of cutaneous ulcers caused by different species of Leishmania. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the treatment with a hydroalcoholic crude extract (HCE) from the leaves of Chenopodium ambrosioides on the murine infection with Leishmania amazonensis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The mice were treated for 4-6 weeks post-infection (p.i.) with HCE (5 mg/kg) or meglumine antimoniate (Sb(v)) (28 mg/kg) either by the oral route, once a day, for 15 days or by five intralesional (IL) injections at intervals of 4 days. The thickness of the infected paws was determined weekly and the parasite load evaluated in the draining lymph nodes (LN), the spleen and in the footpad after 7 weeks of infection. The nitric oxide (NO) production was evaluated in cultures with cells from peritoneum or LN. RESULTS: The IL treatment increased the NO production in the LN and peritoneum cultures and reduced the parasite load from the footpad, spleen and LN. On the other hand, the oral treatment decreased did alter neither the NO production nor the parasite load. CONCLUSIONS: IL HCE treatment was more efficient than the oral HCE treatment since the former was able to control the dissemination of infection. This effect can be due to either a direct leishmanicidal effect of HCE or the improvement in the NO production by HCE-stimulated macrophages. The results could justify the topical use of the Chenopodium ambrosioides' leaves in the treatment of the ulcers caused by Leishmania.

Espécies de Anopheles (Culicidae, Anophelinae) em área endêmica de malária, Maranhäo, Brasil / Species of Anopheles (Culicidae, Anophelinae) in malaria-endemic area, Maranhäo, Brazil

Objetivo: Estudar a flutuaçäo sazonal, freqüência horária, abundância relativa e riqueza de espécies de Anopheles em ambiente antrópico, para entender a bioecologia do grupo e para a monitorizaçäo do programa de controle da malária. Métodos: Os anofelinos foram estudados durante um ano, de outubro de 1996 a setembro de 1997, das 18 às 6 horas, a cada 30 dias, no Município da Raposa, Ilha de Säo Luís, Maranhäo. Utilizou-se o método de captura de fêmeas em iscas humanas no intra e peridomicílio, com tubo de sucçäo e foco luminoso orientado. Resultados: Foram coletados 1.407 espécimes assim distribuídos: Anopheles aquasalis (82 por cento), Anopheles galvaoi (10,2 por cento) e Anopheles albitarsis (6,4 por cento). As demais espécies, anopheles evansae, Anopheles nuneztovari e Anophles triannulatus davisi representaram juntas 1,4 por cento. Os anofelinos ocorreram o ano inteiro, principalmente no período chuvoso, sendo mais freqüentes no intra (75,3 por cento) do que no peridomicílio (24,7 por cento), preferindo sugar sangue no crepúsculo vespertino e nas primeiras horas da noite. Conclusäo: As variaçöes observadas no comportamento do anofelino mostram que as diferentes espécies vêm adaptando-se, em maior ou menor grau, ao convívio com o homem nas suas habitaçöes