Aspectos bioecológicos da culicidofauna em unidade de conservação no município de Nísia Floresta, Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil

Abstract

Studies on culicid fauna were conducted in anthropized areas of urban, rural and forest environments in different regions of Brazil. The National Forest of Nisia Floresta (FLONANF), located in the metropolitan region of Natal, is an Atlantic Forest remnant submitted to historical stages of anthropization. The fragments are in a stage of slow regeneration of native forest, exhibiting, therefore, heterogeneity of habitats, which enables the development of culicid species with varied hematophagic and behavioral habits. These factors stimulated the present study at the conservation unit. Studies of culicids also allow assessing the degree of environmental change in a number of regions. These insects participate in the epidemiological chains of diseases with extensive geographic distribution and occurrence of large population groups, requiring knowledge of the biological characteristics of species in order to determine the vulnerable points that facilitate control of vector insects. With the aim of performing the first culicid survey in the preserved area of Nisia Floresta, monthly collections of adult and immature mosquitoes were conducted by means of four methodological procedures, using a Shannon trap and Nasci aspirator in bromelias and larvitraps between February 2013 and February 2014. A total of 8,299 individuals were collected and identified morphologically using identification keys. The following distribution was obtained: 7,677 adult mosquitoes collected in the Shannon trap; 397 mosquitoes captured by the Nasci aspirator; and 93 and 132 immature mosquitoes in larvitraps and bromelias respectively. Nine genera of culicids were found with 19 species and three genera without species identification. The present study is relevant for being the first conducted at the site, with the occurrence of species in Rio Grande do Norte state; for adding knowledge about both the ecology of culicids and taxa with medical importance in other parts of the country. Furthermore, it highlights the need for conservation of the Atlantic Forest fragment and analyses regarding urbanization of areas surrounding the conservation unit, considering the potential presence of vertebrate and invertebrate hosts and consequent spread of pathogens with an impact on public health.