Epibiotic Communities of Common Crab Species in the Coastal Barents Sea: Biodiversity and Infestation Patterns

Crabs are important ecosystem engineers in marine habitats worldwide. Based on long-term data, we analyzed the species composition and infestation indices of epibionts and symbionts colonizing the great spider crab, Hyas araneus, and two lithodid crabs—the northern stone crab, Lithodes maja, and the red king crab, Paralithodes camtschaticus—in the coastal zone of the Barents Sea. The epibiotic communities found on great spider crabs were closer to northern stone crabs (33%) compared to red king crabs (25%). The prevalence of mobile symbionts (amphipods, Ischyrocerus, and polychaetes, Harmothoe) and common epibionts, such as barnacles and hydrozoans, was low on great spider crabs and high on the body and in the gills of lithodid crabs. Epiphytes were abundant on great spider crabs but not present on both species of lithodid crabs. Egg symbionts found on H. araneus and P. camtschaticus do not affect their local populations. Differences in the fouling communities found on the three crab species are associated with host size range, surface properties of their carapaces, and behavior patterns.

FRUGIVOROUS FLIES (Diptera: Tephritidae and Lonchaeidae) INTERACTIONS WITH PARASITOIDS AND NEW HOSTS

Fruits of two cultivars of guava, Psidium guajava L., (‘Tailandesa’ and ‘Kumagai’) and garlic passion fruit, Passiflora tenuifila Killip were collected to evaluate the infestation and co-infestation of frugivorous flies and the associated parasitoids and new hosts. Five species of Tephritoidea were recovered in Tailandesa guavas, three species in Kumagai guavas and three species in garlic passion fruit. This is the first report of a frugivorous fly infesting P. tenuifila. Individualization of the fruit samples was used to determine the co-infestation between Anastrepha spp., Ceratitis capitata and Neosilba spp. in each fruit. There was a fly/parasitoid association for Doryctobracon areolatus and Lopheucoila anastrephae with Anastrepha fraterculus in guavas. Infestation indices and emergence rate demonstrated that Tailandesa and Kumagai guavas are hosts capable of withstanding an infestation index ≥ 50 pupae/fruit and have an emergence rate ≥ 75%. The ability of some hosts to maintain and sustain the population of frugivorous flies at high levels may interfere with pest management.

A clinical-ecological study of a triple viral epidemic: Zika, Dengue and Chikungunya/ Um estudo clínico-ecológico de uma tripla epidemia viral: Zika, Dengue e Chikungunya

In Brazil, since 2015, co-circulation of three arboviruses, Dengue (DENV), Chikungunya (CHIKV) and Zika (ZIKV), have presented diagnostic challenges, due to their similar clinical manifestations. Our goal was to analyze cases of arboviral illness using key clinical features and to ascertain house infestation indices (HII) in the study area. A total of 28,064 medical records were analyzed by clinical-epidemiological criteria for DENV, ZIKV and CHIKV in 2015 and 2016 at the public health unit in Xerem, Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro. The collection of vectors at home breeding sites in Xerem was performed to determine the HII, in March and June 2015. The total number of cases of suspected arboviral illness in 2015 was 969, of which 444 (45.8%) were due to DENV, 146 (15.1%) to ZIKV, and 11 (1.1%) to CHIKV. In 2016, the number of suspected cases of arboviral illness was 2019, of which 324 (16.0%) were classified as DENV, 779 (38.6%) as ZIKV, and 53 (2.60%) as CHIKV. The clinical manifestations prevalent in ZIKV were rash (67.8% to 79.5%) and pruritus (63.7% to 71.4%). The HII for the immature stages of Aedes in the study area, in March and June 2015, was 11.8% for Ae. aegypti and 8.1% for Ae. albopictus, both very high. There was a strong positive correlation observed for precipitation and HII for both vectors (Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus), but not for temperature levels. We conclude that a triple epidemic occurred in the studied area probably due to the high infestation rates and a naive population for the two newly introduced arboviruses; whilst there are no available specific laboratory tests a practical clinical diagnosis workout is crucial.

Casos de arboviroses e correlação com os indicadores de infestação vetorial, fatores climáticos e determinantes sociais de saúde

<p><span class="fontstyle0">There are two main species of mosquitoes of the genus Aedes (Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus) capable of transmitting dengue and other arboviruses such as Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever. The present study aimed to characterize data on arboviruses and their correlation with the population density of vectors, climatic and socio-environmental factors in the city of João Pessoa-PB. We selected districts in the neighbourhood that integrate two distinct strata organized and grouped according to the Survey of the Rapid Index of Ae. aegypti (LIRAa) in the municipality of João Pessoa-PB. Stratum I, composed of districts with low quality life indicators, while stratum II grouped neighborhoods with better indicators. In these strata, epidemiological data were compared with the population density of vectors, climatic and socioeconomic factors from 2015 to 2017. It was found that Stratum II presented a strong correlation between the Building Infestation Index and the climatic variables related to precipitation and relative humidity. According to epidemiological data, Stratum I presented a higher number of dengue, Zika and chikungunya notifications, with significant difference (p = 0.001) in relation to Stratum II. Results indicated thatthe Breteau and building infestation indices are considered high; these data indicate that the population presents a higher probability of risk of arbovirus outbreak, mainly in periods of greater rainfall due to the accumulation of water in artificial reservoirs.</span></p>

Availability and Breeding Preferences of Aedes Mosquitoes in Fifteen High Altitude Localities, Maekel Region, Eritrea: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Even-though dengue fever suspicion started to surface in the high altitude localities of Zoba Maekel, presence of the vector has not been studied. Therefore, the study aimed to identify the availability of Aedes mosquitoes, their breeding preferences, and level of infestation in fifteen localities of this region.Methods: Inspection of all water holding containers, in 740 systematically selected households of fifteen localities, was done identifying immature stages of Aedes mosquitoes. All immatures were then, classified, reared and identified using taxonomic keys. Breeding preferences ratio and infestation indices were calculated.Results: In this study Aedes Aegypti mosquito was found in four localities, whereas mosquito of other Aedes specie was identified in twelve localities. Out of all the households inspected 51 were positive for Aedes immature. All indoor containers studied were free of Aedes infestation, whilst 53 of 874 outdoor containers were infested by Aedes larvae and pupae. In this study, discarded tyres were found to have the highest breeding preference ratio (2.11) and pupal productivity (40%). Plastic barrels had the highest positivity (42%) and were the second most productive type of container (28%). The Household, Container and Breteau Indices of more than half of the localities were higher than the high transmission risk thresholds.Conclusion: The study indicated possibilities of local dengue fever transmission in the studied areas. Hence, in depth confirmative studies should be considered and strategic preventive actions should be commenced in regard to the most preferred sites such as discarded tyres.

Infestation indices and characterization of injuries of Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in Barbados cherry

Females of Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae) have a serrated ovipositor that causes severe physical damage to soft fruit. This behaviour results in the early ripening and accelerated rotting of infested fruit. In addition, feeding by larvae softens of the fruit peel, causing in a depreciation in commercial value. In this study, results of infestation indices, pupal viability, egg-adult period, degradation time of infested fruit, and description of physical injuries caused by oviposition and larval feeding of D. suzukii in Barbados cherries (Malpighia emarginata DC., Malpighiaceae) are described. Overall, our results and discussion contribute to the understanding of the status of D. suzukii as an insect pest of the Barbados cherry.

Entomological Efficacy of Aerial Ultra-Low Volume Insecticide Applications Against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) in Mexico

A cluster-randomized controlled trial quantified the entomological efficacy of aerial ultra-low volume (AULV) applications of the insecticide chlorpyrifos against Aedes aegypti in Puerto Vallarta, México, during November–October 2017. The trial involved 16 large (1 × 1 km) clusters distributed between treatment-control arms. Primary endpoint was the abundance of Ae. aegypti indoors (total adults, females, and blood-fed females) collected using Prokopack aspirators. After four consecutive weekly cycles of AULV, all adult Ae. aegypti infestation indices were significantly lower in the treatment arm (OR and IRR ≤ 0.28). Efficacy in reducing indoor Ae. aegypti increased with each weekly application cycle from 30 to 73% (total adults), 33 to 76% (females), and 45.5 to 89% (blood-fed females). Entomological indices remained significantly lower in the treatment arm up to 2 wk after the fourth spraying round. Performing AULV spraying can have significant and lasting entomological impact on Ae. aegypti as long as multiple (ideally four) spray cycles are implemented using an effective insecticide.

Епізоотологічні особливості ктеноцефальозу собак в умовах міста Полтави

Мета статті – дослідження епізоотологічних особливостей ктеноцефальозу собак на території міста Полтава, оскільки ктеноцефальоз є одним із найбільш розповсюджених захворювань собак, що виникає внаслідок зараження блохами роду Ctenocephalides. Методика дослідження. Методологічною основою дослідження слугували такі наукові методи: аналіз і синтез (встановлення показників інвазованості собак блохами; визначення вікової динаміки ктеноцефальозу собак), теоретичний пошук і абстрактно-логічний (аналіз досліджень щодо захворювання собак ктеноцефальозом, що викликається блохами роду Ctenocephalides), графічний (відображення результатів досліджень графічно). Результати дослідження. У статті наведено результати досліджень щодо вивчення поширення ктеноцефальозу собак на території міста Полтави, зважаючи на залежність показників екстенсивності інвазії від породи та віку тварин. Ентомологічні дослідження проводили методом вичісування волосяного покриву собак та збору бліх з типових місць їх проживання на тілі тварини. Ктеноцефальоз виявлений нами у собак старших одного року. Однак максимально заражаються блохами собаки віком від одного до шести років (ЕІ – 50,0–62,8 %). З’ясовано, що найбільш сприйнятливими до збудників ктеноцефальозу виявилися собаки мисливських порід (ЕІ – 53,5 %) та безпородні тварини (ЕІ – 60,7 %). Найменш ураженими були собаки декоративних порід (ЕІ – 18,6 %). Елементи наукової новизни. Доведено, що ктеноцефальоз є поширеною інвазією собак на території міста Полтави. Причому до інвазування блохами виявилися схильними тварини обох статей. Визначено показники інвазованості собак блохами; виявлено вікову динаміку ктеноцефальозу собак; досліджено породну сприйнятливість собак до збудників ктеноцефальозу. Практична значущість. Вивчення епізоотичної ситуації щодо ктеноцефальозу собак в умовах м. Полтави здійснювалося за результатами досліджень тварин, які поступали у ветеринарний сервіс «Vetexpert» з різних адміністративних районів м. Полтави упродовж 2017–2018 рр. Усього обстежено 187 собак. Середня екстенсивність інвазії становила 43,85 %. Встановлено, що найбільш сприйнятливими до кровосисних комах серед собак декоративних порід є китайська чіхуа-хуа (50,0 %), мисливських порід – лабрадор-ретривер та кокер-спанієль (60,0–63,6 %), службових порід – німецька вівчарка та американський стафордширський тер’єр (62,9–71,4 %). The aim of the article is to study the epizootic peculiarities of dog ctenocephalosis on the territory of the town of Poltava, as ctenocephalosis is one of the most widely spread dog diseases, caused by fleas of genus Ctenocephalides. Methods of the research. The following scientific methods were the methodological basis of the research: analysis and synthesis (establishing infestation indices of dogs by fleas; determining age dynamics of dog ctenocephalosis); theoretical search and abstract-logical (the analysis of the research as to the disease incidence of dog ctenocephalosis, caused by fleas of genus Ctenocephalides); graphical (the reflection of the research results by graphics). The research results. The research results as to studying the spreading of dog ctenocephalosis on the territory of Poltava were given in the article. The indices of the invasion prevalence depending on animals’ breed and age were taken into account. Entomological examination was conducted by combing out animals’ hair-coat covering and collecting fleas from their typical places of inhabiting on the dogs’ body. Ctenocephalosis was revealed by us in dogs older than one year. However, dogs are maximally infested by fleas at the age from one to six years (EI - 50,0–62,8 %). It was found out, that dogs of hunting breeds (ЕІ – 53,5 %) and non-pedigree animals (ЕІ – 60,7 %) are susceptible to ctenocephalosis causal agents most of all. The dogs of ornamental breeds were the least infested (ЕІ – 18,6 %). The elements of scientific novelty. It has been established, that ctenocephalosis is a widely spread invasion on the territory of Poltava. Moreover, the animals of both sexes turned out to be susceptible to flea infestation. Infestation indices of dogs with fleas were determined; age dynamics of dog ctenocephalosis was defined; breed susceptibility of dogs to ctenocephalosis causal agents was investigated. Practical importance. The studying of epizootic situation as to dog ctenocephalosis in Poltava was conducted according to the research results of animals from different administrative districts of Poltava; the dogs were examined in the veterinary service “Vetexpert” during 2017-2018. In all, 187 dogs were examined. The average prevalence of infestation was 43,85%. It was established, that the most susceptible to blood-sucking insects among the dogs of ornamental breeds are the Chinese chihuahua (50%), hunting breeds –Labrador-retriever and cocker spaniel (60,0% - 63,6%), utility breeds – German sheep-dog and American Staffordshire terrier (62,9 – 71,4%).