First record of Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) infected by the parasite Ascogregarina culicis (Ross) (Apicomplexa: Lecudinidae) in Argentina

Abstract

In a survey for parasites and pathogens of Aedes aegypti conducted in La Plata, Argentina, an aseptate gregarine was found parasitizing larvae, pupae and adults of this mosquito species. This gregarine species was identified as Ascogregarina culicis based on the morphology and size of gamonts, gametocysts and oocysts. It is the first record of gregarine infections in culicids from Argentina.

Prevalence and seasonality of Ascogregarina culicis (Apicomplexa: Lecudinidae) in natural populations of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) from temperate Argentina

“…aegypti populations from temperate Argentina. The prevalence estimated (21%) was close to those registered in the neighbouring city of La Plata (24-31%; Dellapé et al, 2005), and much lower than those of Northern Brazil (78-95%; Tadei and Augusto dos Passos, 2004). In the rest of America, A. culicis prevalence was highly variable, ranging from 9.6 to 17.1% in Trinidad (Beier et al, 1995), and from 17 to 70% in Texas, USA (Barrett, 1968;Barrett et al, 1971).…”

“…in Argentina (Dellapé et al, 2005) and Brazil (Tadei and Augusto dos Passos, 2004), were essential steps to develop further studies on these parasites in South America. We found A. culicis in both study areas and periods, and in each month in which Ae.…”

“…aegypti world-wide, (b) the natural host of A. taiwanensis (i.e., Ae. albopictus) is not present in temperate areas of Argentina, and (c) A. culicis was recently found in Buenos Aires Province (Dellapé et al, 2005).…”

“…In South America, there were no records of Ascogregarina in the last century (Dellapé et al, 2005). Recently, A. taiwanensis and A. culicis infecting Ae.…”

“…aegypti larvae, respectively, were found in Manaus, Northern Brazil (Tadei and Augusto dos Passos, 2004). Almost simultaneously, Dellapé et al (2005) reported for the Wrst time gregarine infections in mosquitoes from Argentina due to A. culicis in Ae. aegypti.…”