Ecologia de culicídeos vetores de febre amarela silvestre em relação ao microclima na Floresta Nacional de Caxiuanã-Melgaço-PA

Abstract

The species vectors of yellow fever are distributed, in the Americas, in the genera Haemagogus and Sabethes. The culicidae have their blood-sucking activities influenced both by endogenous and exogenous factors, such as the responses to microclimatic factors. The micoclimate and the stratification of the mosquito hosts are the main determinants for the occupation of ecological niches by culicids in the tropical forests. This study was developed in the micrometeorological tower of the Caxiuanã National Forest, in the municipality of Melgaço, State of Pará, Brazil. The aims were to analyse the vertical distribution of the species vectors of yellow fever in relation to microclimate in the dense upland forest, from July 2005 to April 2006, at ground level and in platforms at 8m, 16m and 30 meters. Collections were made for 12-hour periods, both at night and during the day, with the use of human attractors. Temperature and humidity records were made at all heights where the collections were made and the precipitation was measured at the top of the tower. A total of 25,498 specimens of culicids were collected, among which 1028 were from the genus Haemagogus and 502 from Sabethes, captured during daytime. The species of Sabethes and Haemagogus janthinomys were found mostly at the canopy level, especially at the heights of 16 and 30 meters, while Haemagogus leucocelaenus was more frequent in the ground. The rainiest months were associated to the greatest number of specimens of the different species but this was not statistically significant. However, there was a significant relationship between temperature, relative humidity and the number of yellow fever vectors collected.