RESUMO
Studies on the prevalence and distribution of ectoparasites in Peru were carried out during a period of 2 1/2 years. The survey included 17,421 domesticated guinea pigs (Cavia aperea f. porcellus) from 14 departments in all bioregions and altitude levels and 143 wild guinea pigs (Cavia aperea) from three areas (El Paramo, Junin and La Raya) in the Andes and the Cordillera. The guinea pig is an important source of food, especially for the rural population, the infestation with ectoparasites, such as fleas, lice or mites greatly contributes to a decrease in production and low performance. Ectoparasites can be vectors for a variety of pathogens, which is particularly problematic due to the close association of this animal with humans. Twenty one ectoparasite species have been recovered. New knowledge about host associations and distributions could be obtained. The results of the studies are presented under faunistic and ecological aspects.
Assuntos
Ectoparasitoses/veterinária , Cobaias , Doenças dos Roedores/epidemiologia , Animais , Animais Domésticos , Animais Selvagens , Ectoparasitoses/epidemiologia , Feminino , Interações Hospedeiro-Parasita , Masculino , Peru/epidemiologia , PrevalênciaRESUMO
During several excavations of archeological sites in the Moquegua Valley, Southern Peru, various guinea pig mummies (Cavia aperea f. porcellus) have been discovered. They belong to the Chiribaya Culture (900-1100 AD). The outstanding preservation of the mummified animals gave rise to the idea of a paleoparasitological analysis. In the fur, numerous well preserved ectoparasites (lice, fleas, mites) could be recovered. Generally, ectoparasite remains are rarely found among archeological material. This is the first account of an extensive ectoparasitological analysis of animal mummies in Peru. A modified technique for recovery and preservation of the ectoparasites has been developed.
