A study of Culicoides in Rondônia, in the Brazilian Amazon: species composition, relative abundance and potential vectors

There is very little information available about Culicoides species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in the western Brazilian Amazon. However, studies of the fauna of this region are essential to knowledge of the species and potential vectors within it. Thus, the present study aims to evaluate the abundan...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Medical and veterinary entomology 2017-03, Vol.31 (1), p.117-122
Main Authors: CARVALHO, L. P. C., PEREIRA JÚNIOR, A. M., FARIAS, E. S., ALMEIDA, J. F., RODRIGUES, M. S., RESADORE, F., PESSOA, F. A. C., MEDEIROS, J. F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal Distribution
Animals
Biodiversity
Brazil
Ceratopogonidae - physiology
Culicoides
diversity
Entomology
Epidemiology
Female
Forests
Grassland
Insect Vectors - physiology
Male
Parasitic diseases
Population Density
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Summary:There is very little information available about Culicoides species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in the western Brazilian Amazon. However, studies of the fauna of this region are essential to knowledge of the species and potential vectors within it. Thus, the present study aims to evaluate the abundance, richness and composition of Culicoides species in rural areas in the state of Rondônia, Brazil. Culicoides specimens were collected in forest and pasture environments in the municipality of Porto Velho, using light traps. A total of 1708 individuals (1136 females and 572 males) belonging to 33 species were collected; 28 of these samples represent new records for the state of Rondônia and include the first record of Culicoides contubernalis in Brazil. Culicoides insignis was the most abundant species (86.1%). Species richness was greater in forest areas (32 species, 96.96%), whereas pastures presented the greatest number of Culicoides captured (n = 1540, 90.1%). This study shows that Culicoides populations differ between forest and pasture environments and indicates that the abundance of C. insignis is an important factor in epidemiological vigilance studies in the region.
ISSN:0269-283X
1365-2915
DOI:10.1111/mve.12208