Epidemiological aspects of semi-domiciled domestic dogs present in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest Area of Caraguatatuba City and the correlation between the genetic variability of dogs ticks and the wild environment

Author(s)

Gislene Fatima da Silva Rocha Fournier

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ/SBD)
• Defense date: 2018-01-24

Examining board members

Ricardo Augusto Dias; Renata Santiago de Oliveira Buzatti; Marcelo Bahia Labruna; Marcos Gomes Lopes; Jonas Moraes Filho

• Advisor: Ricardo Augusto Dias

Abstract

Considered the most abundant carnivore in the world, the domestic dog can cause negative impacts when he is present in forested areas. Dogs can develop different roles in the environment in which they live as hunter, shepherd, guardian, companion and even more affective relationships in which the dog is seen like a family member. These roles are closely linked to the way of life of their owners. In Caraguatatuba City, dogs that live in the vicinity of Serra do Mar, an important Atlantic Rainforest Conservation Unit, are commonly parasitized by Amblyomma ovale. From data obtained through three years of monitoring in three different areas around the Serra do Mar State Park Caraguatatuba City, it has been possible to generate results that help in understanding the causes and consequences of the dog presence in the surroundings of the forest as well as its participation in the epidemiology of riquetsiosis and rangeliosis. Comparing the lifestyle of the owners and the role of their dogs in the environment in which they are inserted, it has been possible to estimate the risk of transmission of Rickettsia parkeri to these dogs. In addition, through the molecular analysis of the A. ovale individuals collected on dogs and also in free life, it has been possible to infer about the population structure and genetics of this parasite in Serra do Mar, which is an important ecological corridor for the Atlantic Rainforest wild fauna. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/00648-3 - Study on impacts of domestic dogs with access to forest present in the area of Atlantic Forest of Caraguatatuba County and the correlation between the genetic variability of the ticks of dogs and wild environment
• Grantee: Gislene Fátima da Silva Rocha Fournier
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate