Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: BEATRIZ BACELAR BARBOSA

Uma banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : BEATRIZ BACELAR BARBOSA
DATE: 29/12/2025
TIME: 09:00
LOCAL: Plataforma Google Meet
TITLE:

Prevalence and Diversity of Haemosporidians in Wild Birds Captured in Forest Remnants of the Amazon, Cerrado, and Caatinga in the Maranhão and Piauí Region

KEY WORDS:

Hemosporidae; avifauna; diversity; Brazilian Northeast

PAGES: 74
BIG AREA: Ciências Agrárias
AREA: Medicina Veterinária
SUBÁREA: Medicina Veterinária Preventiva
SPECIALTY: Doenças Parasitárias de Animais
SUMMARY:

Avian hemosporidia, mainly represented by the genera Plasmodium and Haemoproteus, are representative of a highly diverse group of parasites that play a relevant role in the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of wild birds. Despite advances in knowledge about these organisms in different regions of Brazil, areas of the Brazilian Northeast, especially the states of Maranhão and Piauí, remain poorly explored from the perspective of parasite-host ecology. In this context, the present study aimed to expand knowledge about the prevalence and diversity of Plasmodium and Haemoproteus in wild birds captured in fragments of forest remnants of the Amazon and Cerrado biomes in Maranhão, and Caatinga in Piauí. Birds were identified through an integrative approach, combining microscopic examination of blood smears and molecular tools, with amplification and partial sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Hemosporidian infection was detected in all sampled biomes, with varying prevalences among the regions. The Amazon presented the highest infection rate (17.05%), followed by the Caatinga (11.94%) and the Cerrado (9.48%), configuring a consistent epidemiological gradient among the biomes. The genus Haemoproteus predominated in the Amazon, while Plasmodium showed greater relative representation in the Caatinga. Phylogenetic analyses revealed high genetic diversity, with recovery of widely distributed lineages, such as Plasmodium nucleophilum, Plasmodium elongatum, and Plasmodium cathemerium, in addition to lineages supposedly new to the studied biomes. A clear phylogenetic structure associated with the biomes is observed, indicating geographic difference, ecological isolation, and possible co-evolution between parasites, hosts, and vectors. The levels of genetic variation indicate the potential presence of cryptic hemosporidian species. The results obtained significantly expand knowledge about the diversity and distribution of Plasmodium and Haemoproteus in Northeast Brazil, especially in ecotonal and semi-arid areas, and reinforce the importance of integrative approaches for understanding the ecology and evolution of avian hemosporidia in regions that are still poorly investigated.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - 3701492 - HUARRISSON AZEVEDO SANTOS
Interna - 3247559 - BRUNA DE AZEVEDO BAETA
Interna - 3103528 - CLAUDIA BEZERRA DA SILVA
Externo à Instituição - DANIEL DA SILVA GUEDES JUNIOR - FIOCRUZ
Externa à Instituição - ERICA CRISTINA ROCHA ROIER - UV