Tetrahymenidae infection in mosquito populations in a malaria-endemic region of the Amazon.
In a field survey performed in a malaria-endemic region of Northern Amazon, Brazil, we encountered ciliate protozoa of the family Tetrahymenidae infecting adults and larvae of the following mosquito species: Culex sp., Anopheles albitarsis l.s., Anopheles strodei, Anopheles mattogrossensis, Anopheles darlingi, and Anopheles oswaldoi l.s. Based on morphological features and life style, we have tentatively identified the parasite as Lambornella sp. The association appears pathogenic for the mosquito. Prevalence of infection in both larvae and adults was higher in the dry season.
Barros
Fábio S M
FS
Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, s/n, 50.670-420, Recife-PE, Brazil.
Vasconcelos
Simão D
SD
Arruda
Mércia E
ME
Confalonieri
Ulisses E C
UE
Luitgards-Moura
José F
JF
Honório
Nildimar A
NA
D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D009033:Culicidae / Q000469:parasitology*; D011529:Protozoan Infections, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012621:Seasons; D013768:Tetrahymena / Q000472:pathogenicity*