Ecology and Disease Transmission Potential in the Colombian Amazon Basin.
Abstract
Field studies were carried out on most of the river systems east of the Cordillera Oriental in Colombia, and at upper Trombetas River in Brazil. Over 1500 horse flies were collected from caimans, domestic animals and humans. Ten different species of horse flies attack caimans but only four of them do so exclusively or predominately. These flies, which feed between 0700 to 1735 are very sensitive to atmospheric changes and feed during sunlight only, especially preceeding rainstorms. Horse flies are suspected to transmit microfilaria and a new species was identified as was a new species of horse fly. Other ectoparasites including ticks and leeches, were collected from caimans, turtles and snakes. Roundworms and flatworms were collected from the stomach and intestines of caimans and turtles. Much new information on ecology and reproduction of caimans, turtles and Orinoco crocodile were presented which should be of value in the understanding and development of this remote, hostile region. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0730926
Entities
People
- Federico Medem