Banca de DEFESA: BEATRIZ BACELAR BARBOSA

Uma banca de DEFESA de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : BEATRIZ BACELAR BARBOSA
DATE: 23/01/2026
TIME: 13:30
LOCAL: Plataforma Google Meet
TITLE:

Diversity of haemosporidians in wild birds in forest remnants of the Amazon, Cerrado and Caatinga in the Maranhão and Piauí region

KEY WORDS:

Plasmodium; Haemoproteus; avifauna; haemosporidian; Northeast Brazil.

PAGES: 94
BIG AREA: Ciências Agrárias
AREA: Medicina Veterinária
SUBÁREA: Medicina Veterinária Preventiva
SPECIALTY: Doenças Parasitárias de Animais
SUMMARY:

Avian hemosporidia of the genera Plasmodium and Haemoproteus constitute a diverse group of widely distributed protozoa, whose ecology and infection patterns in wild birds are still poorly understood in regions of Northeast Brazil. Given this gap, the present study aimed to investigate the prevalence, genetic diversity, and phylogenetic structure of these hemoparasites in wild birds sampled in the Amazon and Cerrado biomes in the state of Maranhão, and the Caatinga biome in the state of Piauí. Four hundred passerine and non-passerine birds belonging to 101 species, distributed across eight orders and 30 families, were analyzed using an integrative approach, combining microscopic analysis of blood smears and molecular diagnosis based on amplification and partial sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Hemosporidian infection was detected in all studied biomes, with a total prevalence of 14%, with the Amazon biome having the highest infection rate (17.05%), followed by the Caatinga (11.94%) and the Cerrado (9.48%). The genus Haemoproteus predominated in the Amazonian samples, while Plasmodium sp. showed greater relative representation in the Caatinga. Molecular analyses revealed high genetic diversity, with the identification of widely distributed lineages such as Plasmodium nucleophilum, P. elongatum, P. cathemerium Haemoproteus paramultipigmentatus, as well as lineages new to the investigated biomes. Phylogenetic reconstructions showed structuring associated with the biomes, suggesting geographic differentiation and the influence of environmental and ecological factors, as well as the availability of hosts and vectors. The results significantly expand knowledge about the diversity and distribution of avian hemosporidia in ecotonal and semi-arid areas of Northeast Brazil and reinforce the importance of integrative approaches to understanding the ecology and evolution of these parasites in regions that are still poorly studied.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - 3701492 - HUARRISSON AZEVEDO SANTOS
Interno - ***.781.297-** - CARLOS LUIZ MASSARD - UFRRJ
Interna - 3103528 - CLAUDIA BEZERRA DA SILVA
Interna - 3247559 - BRUNA DE AZEVEDO BAETA
Externo à Instituição - DANIEL DA SILVA GUEDES JUNIOR - FIOCRUZ
Externa à Instituição - ERICA CRISTINA ROCHA ROIER - UV
Externo à Instituição - RICARDO DE OLIVEIRA BARBOSA BITENCOURT