Influence of Moonlight on Male Mating Aggregations of Nyssomyia whitmani, a Vector of American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Brazil

Abstract Nyssomyia whitmani (Antunes & Coutinho) is the sandfly vector of causative agents of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in South and Central America. It is widely spread throughout Brazil, in a close association with domestic animals. Almost nothing is known about male mating aggregations in N. whitmani, let alone the influence of moonlight on this behavior. Thus, the influence of moonlight on male N. whitmani aggregations was investigated by using non-attractant suction traps deployed in chicken cages under full moon and new moon nights. In this 18-night study, 2,160 specimens and seven species were collected. The most frequent species was N. whitmani accounting for 91.48% of the total sample. The abundance of males of N. whitmani was significantly higher in the presence than in the absence of moon. The sex ratio on new moon nights was 1:1 (M:F) and on full moon nights was male-biased (1.7:1). Based on this study, an influence of moonlight on male mating aggregations of N. whitmani was verified. The extent of this influence on increasing sandfly aggregation at hosts, the moonlight influence on the early flight activity of male sandflies and the use of chickens as aggregation sites for males of N. whitmani, are all discussed.

Download Full-text

Moonlight and the biting activity of Culex (Melanoconion) portesi Senevet & Abonnenc and C. (M.) taeniopus D. & K. (Diptera, Culicidae) in Trinidad forests

Bulletin of Entomological Research ◽

10.1017/s0007485300005794 ◽

1975 ◽

Vol 65 (1) ◽

pp. 81-96 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

John B. Davies

Keyword(s):

Full Moon ◽

Light Trap ◽

Ground Level ◽

The Moon ◽

Light Traps ◽

Baited Traps ◽

Suction Traps ◽

New Moon ◽

Phases Of The Moon ◽

Increased Activity

AbstractThe biting activity of Culex (Melanoconion) portesi Senevet & Abonnenc and C. (M.) taeniopus D. & K. in a secondary seasonal marsh forest in Trinidad was studied by means of catches by six mouse-baited suction traps, and a single light-trap. The traps were cleared at hourly intervals between 17.00 h and 07.00 h on nights which approximated to the new, first quarter, full and last quarter phases of the moon. The catches were compared with illumination at canopy and ground level which was estimated by selenium photocells whose output was recorded on the continuous chart of a servo-potentiometer. Humidity, rainfall, temperature and cloud cover were also recorded. In the suction traps both species showed peaks of activity at evening and dawn twilight at new moon, although the dawn peak was not very pronounced with C. taeniopus, but this pattern was modified on other nights in a manner which was consistent with moon age. At full moon the evening and dawn peaks were replaced by increased activity during moonrise and the middle of the night. The light-traps failed to show the evening and dawn activity and did not always duplicate the baited traps during darkness. Two hypotheses based on either a permissive range of illumination or an underlying circadian rhythm are discussed; neither fully explains the observed biting activity. Although an association between moonlight and biting activity does exist, an understanding of its nature will require more experimental data.

Download Full-text

Study of an outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Venezuela: the role of domestic animals

Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz ◽

10.1590/s0074-02761984000200005 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 79 (2) ◽

pp. 181-195 ◽

Cited By ~ 46

Author(s):

Cruz Manuel Aguilar ◽

Elio Fernandez ◽

Reina de Fernandez ◽

Leonidas M. Deane

Keyword(s):

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽

Domestic Animals ◽

Small Sample ◽

The Other ◽

Leishmania Braziliensis ◽

Wild Mammals ◽

American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽

Equus Asinus ◽

Sources Of Infection

During an outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis in a locality (Las Rosas, Cojedes State, venezuela) previously non-endemic, 12.9% of humans, 7% of dogs and 21.4% of donkeys (Equus asinus) had lesions with paraites. The agent in the three hosts was identified as Leishmania braziliensis, subspecies braziliensis at least in man and donkey. The probable vector was Lutzomyia panamensis. No infection was found in a small sample of wild mammals examined. The outbreak was apparently linked with the importation of donkeys with ulcers, from endemic areas. The Authors call attention to the fact that not only in the foci of "uta", but also in areas of the other forms of American cutaneous leishmaniasis, dogs are frequently found infected. They emphasize the necessity of searching for the infection in donkeys and of performing hemocultures and xenodiagnosis with sandflies in human, canine and equine cases, to verify their possible role as sources of infection, and not merely as dead ends in the epidemiological chain of the disease.

Download Full-text

An outbreak of american cutaneous leishmaniasis (Leishmania braziliensis braziliensis) in a periurban area of Rio de Janeiro city, Brazil: clinical and epidemiological studies

Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz ◽

10.1590/s0074-02761988000400006 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 83 (4) ◽

pp. 427-435 ◽

Cited By ~ 47

Author(s):

Manoel P. Oliveira-Neto ◽

Claude Pirmez ◽

Elizabeth Rangel ◽

Armando Schubach ◽

Gabriel Grimaldi Júnior

Keyword(s):

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽

Rio De Janeiro ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Domestic Animals ◽

Skin Tests ◽

Leishmania Braziliensis ◽

Immunofluorescence Test ◽

Indirect Immunofluorescence Test ◽

American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽

The City

From July 1984 to September 1986, 105 cases of American cutaneous leishmaniasis were studied in a locality closely situated to an urbanized area of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Settement in this area was established at least 20 years ago but the first cases were noted six months prior to the beginning of this study. Cases were almost exlusively cutaneous and ulcerated, with one to six months of evolution. Montenegro's skin tests were positive in all cases and anti-Leishmania antibodies were detected by indirect immunofluorescence test in 74.3% of the patients. Parasites were demonstrated in 69.5% of cases. Domestic animals were easily found infected; 32% of the examined dogs and 30.8% of the examined equines were positive to the presence of Leishmania in cutaneous ulcerated lesions. Parasite isolates from human, dog andequines were immunologically characterized and identified as L. b. braziliensis. 73,0% of the sandfly population were Lutzomyia intermedia mainly caught on human baits and on domestic animals. Our observations suggest that this is an area of recent established L. b. braziliensis infection and that transmission probably occurs indoors or outdoors close to the houses.

Download Full-text

Lunar Cycle Influences Reproductive Performance of Crossbred Brahman Cows Under Tropical Conditions

Journal of Biological Rhythms ◽

10.1177/0748730420983638 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 074873042098363

Author(s):

Alejandro A. Aguirre ◽

Roberto A. Palomares ◽

Aitor D. De Ondiz ◽

Eleazar R. Soto ◽

Mariana S. Perea ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Performance ◽

Full Moon ◽

Lunar Cycle ◽

The Moon ◽

Crossbred Cows ◽

Lunar Phases ◽

Tropical Conditions ◽

Service Conception ◽

New Moon ◽

Postpartum Estrus

Evidence has accumulated over the years indicating that the moon influences some aspects of the reproductive activity in animals and humans. However, little is known about the influence of the lunar cycle on the reproductive performance of cows under tropical conditions, where the environment strongly affects reproduction. This retrospective study was conducted with the aim of assessing the influence of the lunar cycle on some reproductive traits of tropical crossbred cows managed in a pasture-based system. Data from 5869 reproductive records from two commercial farms localized in the Maracaibo Lake Basin of Zulia State, Venezuela, were analyzed. Variables studied were first service conception rate, calving frequency, first postpartum estrous frequency, and pregnancy frequency. In addition to the lunar cycle, the effects of farm, season, and predominant breed were also considered. Data were analyzed using logistic regression and general linear model from SAS. First service conception was affected by lunar phases and predominant breed, but not by farm or season. For frequencies of calving, first postpartum estrus, and pregnancy, there was no main effect of farm, season, and predominant breed, whereas the effect of lunar phases was highly significant. First service conception was significantly greater in waning than in crescent phase of the lunar cycle. Frequencies of calving, first estrus, and pregnancy were highly correlated and showed greater figures around full moon and new moon. In conclusion, lunar cycle influenced first service conception, attaining greater values in the waning phase of the moon cycle. Frequencies of calving, first postpartum estrus, and pregnancy in crossbred cows showed a clear bimodal rhythm, whose greatest values coincided with new moon and full moon.

Download Full-text

Pemphigus foliaceus in Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx)

Veterinary Pathology ◽

10.1177/03009858211030532 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 030098582110305

Author(s):

Jeffrey B. Curtiss ◽

Michelle Lewis ◽

Emily P. Mitchell

Keyword(s):

Medical Records ◽

Skin Lesions ◽

Domestic Animals ◽

Histological Evaluation ◽

Pemphigus Foliaceus ◽

Arid Environments ◽

Zoological Garden ◽

Causative Agents ◽

Arabian Oryx ◽

Tail Tip

Pemphigus foliaceus (PF) is an autoimmune acantholytic skin disease described in humans, dogs, cats, horses, goats, and sheep. From 2003 to 2016, six Arabian oryx ( Oryx leucoryx) at the National Zoological Garden in Pretoria, South Africa, developed progressive, bilaterally symmetrical, hyperkeratotic skin lesions and pustules consistent with PF. Lesions were similar to those observed in domestic animals and primarily affected the pinnae, face and nasal planum, distal legs, and tail tip. Histological evaluation of suspect PF skin lesions in affected animals, evaluation of medical records for treatments received, causative agents in the diet and environment, and special stains for infectious organisms yielded no consistent inciting cause. The Arabian oryx is a species highly adapted to arid environments of the desert and has recently survived from a severe genetic bottleneck; both of these factors may have contributed to the development of PF in these animals.

Download Full-text