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Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz
ISSN: 1678-8060 EISSN: 1678-8060
Vol. 98, Num. 3, 2003, pp. 433
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Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Vol. 98, No. 3, April, 2003, pp.
433
BOOK REVIEW
Sifonápteros do Brasil by Pedro Marcos Linardi & Lindolfo
Rocha Guimarães
Darci Moraes Barros-Battesti
Laboratório de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan,
Av. Vital Brasil 1500,
05503-900 São Paulo, SP, Brasil
Code Number: oc03096
Sifonápteros do Brasil
Authors: Pedro Marcos Linardi & Lindolfo Rocha Guimarães
Publisher: Museu de Zoologia USP/Fapesp, São Paulo, SP, Brasil, 2000,
291 pp.
ISBN 85-87735-01-2
The book entitled Sifonápteros do Brasil, with two chapters,
is a fantastic and extremely qualified work, that presents a revision of all
flea species that occur in the country. Chapter I "Visão Panorâmica
e Novos Avanços na Ordem Siphonaptera", comprises the following
topics: parasitic importance; study methodology; flea/host interaction; biology;
control; morphology; systematics and the identification key for all South American
flea families. Under "Importância Parasitológica", two
aspects are covered: the role of fleas as infesting agents and as disease-causing
microorganism carriers; some of these diseases affecting humans and domestic
animals. The transmission, as well as the epidemiology of the diseases, caused
by virus (mixomatosis, in rabbits), rickettsiae (typhus murine caused by Rickettsia
mooseri, in rodents and humans), bacteria (salmonellosis, tularemia and
the plague, in humans), protozoa (trypanosomiasis in rodents) and helmintes,
are vastly discussed. In addition, the authors present information on fleas'
natural enemies and their use in biological control. Under "Métodos
de Estudo em Siphonaptera" the authors describe the hosts capture technique,
as well as the collecting of fleas from wild animals. In addition to preservation
methods, assembling and curatorial activities, the authors describe rearing
and dissecting techniques. The topic "Interações pulgas/hospedeiros" deals
with the importance of knowing infestation indices in order to stipulate control
measures; it discusses the concept of primary and secondary hosts, highlighting
that the specific association between parasite and host, not only aid taxonomic
identification of the host but also allow suggestions of phylogenetic implications.
Under "Biologia e Controle" the authors detail the biological cycle
of the common dog flea, including some information on other species. The authors
then discuss the different control methods (mechanical, chemical, and biological)
and the perspectives towards the use of different strategies for a qualified
control program. The following topic, "Morfologia", enables the researcher
to comprehend each of the cited morphological characters, for they are all
indicated in figures. Next, the phylogenetic relationships between the flea
families, as well as the presentation of an identification key are delt with
under "Sistemática" and "Chave de Identificação
das Famílias de Pulgas Sul-Americanas". Chapter II "Sistemática
dos Sifonápteros Brasileiros" deals, in detail, with each of the
families, including identification keys for subfamilies, tribes, genera, and
species. In some cases, a key for subspecies is presented. The authors also
discuss their ideas on the perspectives for new researchers, highlighting the
importance of investing in the study of larvae morphology, without forgetting
that data obtained from fleas found off the host can help epidemiological alertness
especially in plague occurrence areas. Three hundred and seventy four bibliographical
references are cited, as well as two anexes: "Distribuição
Geográfica das Espécies e Subespécies de Pulgas por Estados
do Brasil" and "Lista de Hospedeiros de Pulgas Brasileiras".
The arduous and perfectionist work of Pedro Marcos Linardi and Lindolpho Rocha
Guimarães is reflected in the well written text. These two authors,
no doubt, have left a major contribution for nowadays and future siphonapterologists,
when presenting identification keys for families, genera, species and subspecies,
carefully illustrated by means of 363 illustrations that greatly facilitate
taxonomical diagnosis. Considering the information presented for the Brazilian
biodiversity, represented to date by 21 genera and approximately 60 species,
including 17 endemic species, against the Neotropical biodiversity, with 52
genera and 280 known species, it is clear that the national territory has yet
great potential to be studied. As such, this book represents great stimuli
for young scientists to continue, not only taxonomical studies, but also different
research lines, based on taxonomy. Finally, as I came across the final version
of the book, I felt kind of proud for having been one of the authors aprentices
and consequently was able to enjoy all his knowledge in each of these printed
pages. As I read, my admiration and respect for the authors grew, for they
translated all their dedication to Science in these 291 pages.
Darci Moraes Barros-Battesti
Laboratório de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan,
Av. Vital Brasil 1500,
05503-900 São Paulo, SP, Brasil
Copyright 2003 Instituto Oswaldo Cruz - Fiocruz
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