Sex pheromone and period gene characterization of Lutzomyia longipalpis sensu lato (Lutz & Neiva) (Diptera: Psychodidae) from Posadas, Argentina

Lutzomyia longipalpis s.l. is the primary vector of Leishmania (L.) infantum in the New World. In this study, male Lutzomyia longipalpis specimens from Posadas, Argentina were characterized for two polymorphic markers: the male sex pheromone and the period (per) gene. The male sex pheromone was identified as (S)-9-methylgermacrene-B, the same compound produced by Lu. longipalpis from Paraguay and many populations from Brazil. The analysis of per gene sequences revealed that the population from Argentina is significantly differentiated from previously studied Brazilian populations. Marker studies could contribute to the understanding of the distribution and spread of urban American visceral leishmaniasis, thus aiding in the design of regional surveillance and control strategies.

Report of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) in a cutaneous-leishmaniasis-endemic area of Panama

Lutzomyia longipalpis is the primary vector of the parasite responsible for visceral leishmaniasis in the Americas. In the present study, Lu. longipalpis was found in a domiciliary area in Limón, a district in Capira, a region in which cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic in Panama. Previously, this species has been found in a humid forest in this same region. Finding Lu. longipalpis in domiciliary areas indicates that this species may be adapting to new habitats and that it may play a role in the transmission of leishmaniasis in Panama.

Lutz's spontaneous sedimentation technique and the paleoparasitological analysis of sambaqui (shell mound) sediments

Parasite findings in sambaquis (shell mounds) are scarce. Although the 121 shell mound samples were previously analysed in our laboratory, we only recently obtained the first positive results. In the sambaqui of Guapi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, paleoparasitological analysis was performed on sediment samples collected from various archaeological layers, including the superficial layer as a control. Eggs of Acanthocephala, Ascaridoidea and Heterakoidea were found in the archaeological layers. We applied various techniques and concluded that Lutz's spontaneous sedimentation technique is effective for concentrating parasite eggs in sambaqui soil for microscopic analysis.

M. Deffert [i. e. Henry Defert], président du T. C. F. [Touring-Club de France] : [photographie de presse] / [Agence Rol]

Référence bibliographique : Rol, 56902

[10 phot. de France: Montbéliard, Montoire (phot. Yvon-Abel, phot. à Loches), la Mer de glace près Chamonix (phot. ancienne maison Martinet, 172, rue de Rivoli, Paris), le lac Chambon (Puy-de-Dôme), La Rochelle (phot. D. Tallon Larente, phot. dans cette ville), un dolmen près de Lodève (Hérault) (phot. E. Cartailhac), environs de Chambéry (phot. J.L. Perrot, phot. à Chambéry), le Pont du Gard, la Maladetta et le Port de Vénasque (Haute-Garonne Aragon), Cirque de Gavarnie (Hautes-Pyrénées). Don E. Reclus en 1886]

Donateur : Reclus, Élisée (1830-1905)

[Phot. du Château de Gothembourg par Robert Dahllof, phot. à Goteborg, don E. Reclus en 1886. Sous la même cote se trouve aussi une phot. du Sofia, navire de l'expédition arctique suédoise de 1883, par Dallhöf don de Ch. Rabot]

Donateur : Rabot, Charles (1856-1944)

[Phot. du Pic du Midi d'Ossau par E. Lamy, don E. Reclus en 1886]

Donateur : Reclus, Élisée (1830-1905)

[Phot. des Alpes de Pedriolo et Monte delle Loccie, dans la région de Macugnaga (Piémont), non loin du Mont-Rose, par E. Lamy, don E. Reclus en 1886]

Donateur : Reclus, Élisée (1830-1905)

[5 phot. par Moser senior, phot. à Berlin, de Thuringe et des Riesengebirge, don E. Reclus en 1886]

Donateur : Reclus, Élisée (1830-1905)

[2 phot. de Lapeyre (Aveyron), don de Mathieu de Costeplane en 1886]

Donateur : Costeplane, Mathieu de (18..-19..? ; comte)

[3 phot. des mines de Monteponi en Sardaigne, en août 1878, don Demaffey en 1886]

Donateur : Demaffey (18..-1...)