Distribution of Lutzomyia whitmani in phytoregions of the state of Maranhão, Northeastern Brazil.
The study had the aim of characterizing the geographical distribution of Lutzomyia whitmani s.l. in the state of Maranhão, Northeastern Brazil. Between 1992 and 2005, 9,600 specimens (65.1% males and 34.9% females) were caught in the rural and urban zones of 35 municipalities in regions consisting of forests, savanna and mixed vegetation with coconut plantations, sandbanks and heath. Greater abundance was observed in areas surrounding dwellings (91.6%) than inside the dwellings (8.4%). The presence of the vector in different phytoregions and in rural and urban areas favors the transmission of tegumentary leishmaniasis in these environments. This taxon may constitute a complex of species in Maranhão, which can be confirmed by molecular biology studies.
Rebêlo
José Manuel Macário
JM
Laboratório de Entomologia e Vetores, Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Praça Madre Deus no. 02, São Luís, MA, Brazil. macariorebelo@uol.com.br
Rocha
Roseno Viana
RV
Moraes
Jorge Luiz Pinto
JL
Alves
Gildário Amorim
GA
Leonardo
Francisco Santos
FS
D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D005260:Female; D007303:Insect Vectors; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000635:transmission; D008297:Male; D011156:Population Density; D011576:Psychodidae; D014197:Trees / Q000145:classification*