| Grant number: | 16/25604-4 |
| Support type: | Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate |
| Effective date (Start): | April 01, 2017 |
| Effective date (End): | May 01, 2017 |
| Field of knowledge: | Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups |
| Principal researcher: | Maria Anice Mureb Sallum |
| Grantee: | Ivy Luizi Rodrigues de Sá |
| Supervisor abroad: | James E. Pecor |
| Home Institution: | Faculdade de Saúde Pública (FSP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil |
| Research place: | Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), United States |
| Associated to the scholarship: | 15/05109-6 - Taxonomic revision and molecular phylogeny of atratus and educator groups of the subgenus Melanoconion of Culex (Diptera: Culicidae), BP.DR |
Abstract The subgenus Melanoconion Theobald, is a medically significant by the reason that several species are important vectors of encephalitis and arboviruses. However, previous taxonomic studies demonstrates great problems for the identification of their species, especially for those belonging to Melanoconion Section, as representatives of Atratus and Educator Groups. These groups have species that are able to transmit arboviruses to humans, such as Culex zeteki Dyar and Culex dunni Dyar incriminated by transmitting Guamá viruses and Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis, respectively. Specimens of Culex theobaldi Lutz were infected in laboratory with subtype IIIC virus in the Venezuelan Equine Encephalomyelitis. Emphasizing the complexity and difficulty in identification of these vectors it is essential an accurate study of Atratus and Educator Groups species. And as part of the taxonomic process, the comparison by morphological analysis among specimens from field and holotypes is of great importance to delimiting of specie. Thus, the study the external morphological characteristics of adult and immature specimens of representatives of Atratus Groups and Educator of the subgenus Melanoconion of the Culex is very important because it can clarify the taxonomic status of these groups and could provide a sound basis for the future studies. These studies of the external morphology of adults will be carried out following the classical studies of systematic representatives of Culicidae with Stereomicroscope. For this study slides of larvae and pupae exuviae so as male genitalia, will be examined using Lietz microscope. The morphological characteristics of all forms will be examined in order to choose those that are important for their identification and considered as diagnostic for differentiating the species. (AU) | |