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Volume 7, Number 1—February 2001
Research

Emerging Chagas Disease: Trophic Network and Cycle of Transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi from Palm Trees in the Amazon

Antonio R.L. Teixeira*Comments to Author , Pedro Sadi Monteiro*, José M. Rebelo†, Enrique R. Argañaraz*, Daniela Vieira*, Liana Lauria-Pires*, Rubens Nascimento*, Cássia A. Vexenat*, Antonio R. Silva†, Steven K. Ault‡, and Jackson M. Costa‡
Author affiliations: *University of Brasília,; †Federal University of Maranhão,; ‡Pan-American Health Organization/World Health Organization, Brasília, Brazil

Main Article

Table 5

Trophic network in randomly selected palm trees in an Amazonian county*

Network Trophic level Palm tree site Colloquial name
Metaphyta
Attalaea phalerata 1 Rain forest Babaçu
Mold (50,51) 2 Stipe, crown shaft Bolor
Meliolaceae
Meliola acristae
Catabotrydaceae
Catobotrys decidium
Metazoa
Insecta (52,53)
Coleoptera
Curculionidae
Homalinotus coriaceusRhynchophorus palmarumRhynchophorus barbirosstrisAmerrhynus inca 3 Stipe, fronds & crown Besouro
Chrysomelidae
Coraliomela bruneaMecistomela marginata 3 Crown Barata do coqueiro
Scarabaeidae
Strategus aloeus 3 Roots Rola bosta, broca raiz
Bruchidae
Pachimerus nucleorum 3 fronds Broca, bicho do côco
Homoptera
Asphidae
Cerataphis lataniae 3 Crown Pulgão
Diaspididae
Aspidiotus destructor 3 Crown Cochonilha coqueiro
Lepidoptera
Brassolidae
Brasssolis sophoraeBrassopholis astyra astyra 3 Crown Borboleta
Hymenoptera
Formicidae
Acromyrmex histrixA. landoltiA. laticeps migrosetosusA. nobilisA. lundi carli 2 & 3 Roots, stipe, fronds Formiga
Hemiptera, Reduvidae (6,7,10,17)
R. pictipesR. neglectusPanstrongylus lignarus 4 fronds, crown Barbeiro
Arachnida, Araneae (38) 4
Theraphosidae fronds Aranha
Amphibia
Scinax sp 4 fronds Perereca
Aves (56)
Aratinga jandaiaBuzeo magnirostrisColombina passerineCoragyps atratusCrotophaga aniGuira-guiraOtus cholibaPizangus sulphuratusTurdus fumigatusTyranus muscivora 5 fronds, crown Jandaia
Gavião
Rolinha
Urubú
Anu
Anu branco
Caburé
Bem-te-ví
Sabiá
Tesourinha
Marsupialia (54-59)
Didelphis marsupialisCaluromys sp. 5 fronds Mucura
Cuíca

*Palm trees were randomly selected from five backyards in Paço do Lumiar county.
† Trophic levels in microhabitat following the flux of energy: 1) palm tree, predated by molds, insecta, birds and mammals; 2) molds, predated by Formicinae and Ponarinae; 3) insects, predated by arachnids, amphibians and birds; 4) arachnids and amphibians, predated by birds; 5) birds and mammals, predated by hematophagus insects and humans (50-60)

Main Article

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Main Article

1In this study, a major ecosystem is defined as a set of ecoregions of comparable dynamics, response characteristics to disturbance, species diversity, and conservation needs. An ecoregion is a geographically distinct set of natural communities with similar species, ecologic dynamics, environmental conditions, and ecologic interactions critical for long-term persistence (1).

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