Survey of cavernicolous Phlebotominae sand flies (Diptera, Psychodidae) in Rondonia State, Brazil

• Grant number: 13/11550-1
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: August 01, 2013
• End date: July 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Parasitology - Entomology and Malacology of Parasites and Vectors
• Principal Investigator: Luís Marcelo Aranha Camargo
• Grantee: Luís Marcelo Aranha Camargo
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Guilherme Maerschner Ogawa ; Jansen Fernandes de Medeiros

Abstract

Phlebotominae sand flies are the vectors of leishmaniosis due to female hematophagic habit. Males feed on vegetal secretions and the juvenile forms breeds on organic matter with high humidity. They are frequently found in tree holes and animal shelter. Adult sand flies have nocturnal habits and usually don not fly far from the breeding place. The neotropical region, especially the Amazon due the large area and complexity, has a huge non studied area. The cavernicolous habitat in the Amazon is still poorly studied. The caves characteristics causes a high endemism and abnormalities. The low environmental variation, and the natural forces that creates caves, make this habitat very fragile and at the same time very interesting to sciences and to commercial exploration. The tourism exploration may increase the contact between humans and leishmaniosis vectors. With this project, we believe that will be found a dozen new registers to the state and probably a new species to science. We also believe that we will found differences in richness between caves in different areas. The Rondônia state have nineteen caves in three municipalities. CDC light traps will be used to collect sand flies. The traps will be installed at ten meters from each other beginning in the cave entrance. The collect will be made in two different times, one in the dry season and the other during the rainy season. The sand flies will be clarified, mounted, and then identified. The results analysis will be made with descriptive statistics. The result will be published into an international meeting and a specialized journal (AU)