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| Author(s): |
Letícia Pereira Úngari
Total Authors: 1
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| Document type: | Doctoral Thesis |
| Press: | Botucatu. 2023-03-30. |
| Institution: | Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Instituto de Biociências. Botucatu |
| Defense date: | 2023-03-03 |
| Advisor: | Lucia Helena O'Dwyer |
| Abstract | |
Brazil is considered a country rich in wild fauna, being the third place in the reptile biodiversity ranking and the first place in the amphibian biodiversity ranking. However, although there are studies on parasites in these animals in the Neotropical region, there are so much more to know about the diversity of these pararasites. Thus, the objective of this project was to identify and characterize the biodiversity of hemoparasite species (haemogregarines and trypanosomes) and ectoparasites associated with reptiles and amphibians from the Center-West and Southeast regions of Brazil, covering the Cerrado and Atlantic Forest Biomes, considered the main in herpetofauna diversity. In total, blood samples were collected from 445 animals, 136 of which were reptiles (45 crocodilians, 45 testudines, 31 lizards and 15 snakes) and 309 anurans, for morphological, morphometric and molecular analysis. Besides, some animals were euthanized for tissue collection (liver, spleen, kidney, heart and lung) as well. Of this total, through morphological analysis, 183 (41.30%) positive animals were observed. Of the 136 reptiles, 80 (58.82%) were infected, being 31 (68.88%) crocodilians, 39 (86.66%) testudines and 11 (73.33%) snakes. Of the anurans, 102 (33%) were positive. Four anurans were co-infected with haemogregarines and trypanosomatids. In addition, during containment of these animals, they were inspected for the presence of ectoparasites, since they are considered vectors of several pathogens, and leeches were observed attached to some aquatic turtles and mites and ticks in reptiles and anurans. Through morphological and molecular analyses, it was possible to identify: trypanosomatids affecting amphibians, three new species of Hepatozoon and two new species of Dactylosoma (Dactylosomatidae) in anurans, three new species of Hepatozoon besides the identification of Hepatozoon cevapii and Hepatozoon cuestensis in Brazilian snakes, three possible new species of Hepatozoon in crocodilians of the species Caiman 26 crocodilus; six new species of Haemogregarina in testudines of the species Podocnemis uniflis and Podocnemis expansa, and leeches considered possible vectors in the transmission of haemogregarines in Brazilian testudines, with the identification of a new species of these probably vectors. According to the study, it was possible to observe a great diversity of hemoparasites affecting the herpetofauna of the Center-West and Southeast regions of Brazil. This result reinforces the need for further studies on these hemoparasites, with taxonomy being a priority in this regard, with the identification and description of this diversity of parasites (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 18/00754-9 - Hemoparasites biodiversity from amphibians and reptiles of Brasil |
| Grantee: | Letícia Pereira Úngari |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate |