Culicidae (Insecta: Diptera) in areas of Atlantic Forest, Paraná State, Brazil - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v30i1.1411

Abstract

Modifications in the landscape can lead to the development and proliferation of some Culicidae species, in detriment of others. As a result, some species may be forced to move to other places or become locally extinct. Based on these changes, some species can be used as bioindicators of environmental degradation. The aim of this study was to assess Culicidae composition and richness in two Atlantic Forest sites (Carvalho and Trilha; State of Paraná, Brazil), and to evaluate whether they can be used as indicators of environmental degradation of these sites. Culicidae samplings were performed between December 2002 and May 2003, using a manual electric aspirator. The study identified 48 species and 636 specimens of Culicidae. Species composition and species richness of Culicidae differed between the two studied forest fragments, possibly as a result of the varying conservation levels of theses sites. The higher values of richness observed in Carvalho, as well as the predominance of species from the Sabethini tribe and Kerteszia species, indicate reduced human interference in this forest fragment. In contrast, species composition and reduced richness in Trilha indicate a high level of environmental degradation