Influence of Altitude, Latitude and Season of Collection (Bergmann's Rule) on the Dimensions of Lutzomyia intermedia (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) (Diptera, Psychodidae, Phlebotominae)

Vol. 94(5): 693-700

Carlos Brisola Marcondes/⁺, Ana Leuch Lozovei*, Aloisio Falqueto**, Reginaldo P Brazil***, EAB Galati****, GM Aguiar*****, NA Souza*****

Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Trindade, 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brasil *Departamento de Patologia Básica, SCB, UFPR, Curitiba, PR, Brasil **Centro Biomédico, UFES, Vitória, ES, Brasil ***Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil ****Faculdade de Saúde Pública, USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil *****Departamento de Entomologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil

The influence of altitude and latitude on some structure sizes of Lutzomyia intermedia was noted; several structures of insects collected in higher localities were greater, according to Bergmann's rule. This influence was more remarkable in two localities of the State of Espírito Santo, probably due to greater differences in altitude. Comparing insects from different latitudes, more differences were noted in comparisons of insects from low altitude localities than in those of material from higher altitudes. The small number of differences between insects collected in July and in December does not indicate a defined influence of season and temperature on the size of adults. The possible epidemiological implications of these variations are discussed.

Key words: altitude - latitude - Phlebotominae - Lutzomyia intermedia - Bergmann's Rule

The relationship between size and temperature was initially observed for endothermic animals and extended to insects, constituting Bergmann's rule (James 1970, Atkinson 1994). The altitude and latitude, in which the insects develop, through the temperature, can influence their size.

Lane (1988) cited preliminary studies on the influence of temperature upon the size of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912). This may be related to their fertility (Honek 1993) and epidemiological role (Haramis 1983, Kelly & Edman 1992). Lu. intermedia (Lutz & Neiva, 1912), redescribed by Marcondes (1996), has been incriminated as a vector of parasites causing cutaneous leishmaniasis (Rangel et al. 1984, Barros et al. 1985, Pereira & Hoch 1990, Aguiar 1993). Leishmania chagasi Cunha & Chagas, 1937 (Paraense & Chagas, 1940) and L. braziliensis Vianna, 1911 (Rangel et al. 1992), experimentally infected insects of this species. Several measurements of insects of this species from localities in the Brazilian states of Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo were taken. Insects collected in the winter and in the summer, in one of the localities, were also compared, to check the occurrence of seasonal variation in size (cyclomorphism). The influence of altitude, latitude and season upon the size of this species and their possible relationship to the epidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis was analyzed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

RESULTS

DISCUSSION

REFERENCES

TABLE I | TABLE II | TABLE III | TABLE IV | TABLE V | TABLE VI | TABLE VII | TABLE VIII | TABLE IX

⁺Corresponding author. Fax: +55 48 331.9258. E-mail: cbrisola@mbox1.ufsc.br  

Received 8 September 1998

Accepted 10 May 1999

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