Abstract

VILLAMIZAR, Nestor et al. First description of the Simulium guianense s.l. larval habitat in the Amazonian focus of onchocerciasis, southern Venezuela. Bol Mal Salud Amb [online]. 2011, vol.51, n.1, pp.97-101. ISSN 1690-4648.

Simulium guianense sensu lato is the main vector of Onchocerca volvulus in the Amazonian onchocerciasis focus, southern Venezuela. Here, we present the first report of the pre-adult aquatic habitat spatial distribution as well as the landscape and the habitat ecological characterization of this species complex within the endemic area. Larvae and pupae were collected on submerged aquatic plants (Podosteamaceas) located in a waterfall (pH = 7, conductivity = 158 umhos/cm, discharge = 0.12 m3/s) of the Orinoquito river, in the Upper Orinoco-Casiquiare Biosphere Reserve. These results will help with the epidemiological stratification and control program of the onchocerciasis in southern Venezuela.

Keywords : Simulium guianense; breeding sites; onchocerciasis; Amazonas; Venezuela.