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New classification of natural breeding habitats for Neotropical anophelines in the Yanomami Indian Reserve, Amazon Region, Brazil and a new larval sampling methodology
Sánchez-Ribas, Jordi; Oliveira-Ferreira, Joseli; Rosa-Freitas, Maria Goreti; Trilla, Lluís & Silva-do-Nascimento, Teresa Fernandes
Abstract
Here we present the first in a series of articles about the ecology of immature stages of anophelines in the Brazilian
Yanomami area. We propose a new larval habitat classification and a new larval sampling methodology. We
also report some preliminary results illustrating the applicability of the methodology based on data collected in the
Brazilian Amazon rainforest in a longitudinal study of two remote Yanomami communities, Parafuri and Toototobi.
In these areas, we mapped and classified 112 natural breeding habitats located in low-order river systems based on
their association with river flood pulses, seasonality and exposure to sun. Our classification rendered seven types of
larval habitats: lakes associated with the river, which are subdivided into oxbow lakes and nonoxbow lakes, flooded
areas associated with the river, flooded areas not associated with the river, rainfall pools, small forest streams, medium
forest streams and rivers. The methodology for larval sampling was based on the accurate quantification of the
effective breeding area, taking into account the area of the perimeter and subtypes of microenvironments present per
larval habitat type using a laser range finder and a small portable inflatable boat. The new classification and new
sampling methodology proposed herein may be useful in vector control programs.
Keywords
Anopheles larvae; lakes associated with rivers; effective breeding area; Yanomami
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