The use of sticky ovitraps to estimate dispersal of Aedes aegypti in northeastern Mexico.

A newly designed sticky ovitrap was used to determine the dispersal flight of the dengue vector Aedes aegypti in northeastern Mexico. Unfed marked females were released in the field where 100 sticky ovitraps had been positioned within a circular area 300 m in diameter. Success of this method was represented by a 7.7% (31 of 401) recapture rate during a 19-day sampling period. The maximum dispersal distance was 120 m with a mean of 30.5 m +/- 4.5 SD. Drastic hot and dry climatic conditions at the study site may have restricted mosquito dispersal. As expected, mostly gravid female mosquitoes were captured in the ovitraps. The method of sticky ovitraps proved to be useful and inexpensive for Ae. aegypti dispersal studies in Latin American countries. In addition to the marked mosquito populations, unmarked Ae. aegypti, Culex sp., roaches, and even small vertebrates such as lizards and sparrows were found glued to the sticky ovitraps. Based on these studies, the use of sticky ovitraps is recommended for Ae. aegypti dispersal studies, specially for dengue control programs in developing countries.

[Effect of cooking on the chemical and nutritional value of the Pithecellobium flexicaule (Bent) seed]. / Efecto de la cocción sobre la composición química y valor nutricio de la semilla de Pithecellobium flexicaule (Bent).

The leguminous P. flexicaule grows at the Northeast of Mexico. People living at this region traditionally consume the seeds (unripe cooked or toasted mature). Three localities samples of mature seeds were analyzed. The main results were: Protein (Nx6.25) 35.3%, lipids 25% and total dietary fiber (TDF) 13.2%. After a toasted treatment during 10 minutes (80-90 degrees C), the true protein digestibility increased from 79.3-91.8%, the phytate content and protein inhibitors decreased up to 35 an 96% respectively. Tannin concentration increased from 12.4 to 236 mg eq. cathequine/100 g, probably because during the treatment they passed from the shell to the cotyledons. Unripe seeds gave; protein 12.7%, lipids 6.6%, TDF 3.5%. When the unripe seeds in their sheath were boiling, the true protein digestibility was 85.8% (same value of the raw seeds), phytate content was reduced 68.4% and tannin concentration rose from 4.9 to 226 mg. Due to these results, the seeds free of the shell and sheaths were boiling, this time the tannin and phytate concentration were reduced 73.5 and 88.6% respectively, the true protein digestibility was 94.5%. The sulphur containing amino acids were the limit, as in other leguminous, the protein digestibility corrected amino acid score was 50.6% (unripe seeds), similar to that of pinto beans.

Sarcocystis neotomafelis sp. n (Protozoa; Apicomplexa) from the woodrat Neotoma micropus in Mexico.

The developmental cycle of a new species of Sarcocystis (S. neotomafelis) was investigated. Cysts obtained from the muscle fibers of the woodrats were given orally to 19 laboratory newborn kittens, 5 pups and 5 crotalids. Infection developed only in newborn kittens. Macrogametes, microgamonts and immature oocysts were observed principally in the jejunum. Immature oocysts were detected at 6-21 post infection days. Based on morphological observations made by light and electron microscopy, and repeating transmission experiments, S. neotomafelis is described as a new species. Also the prevalence of cysts and the statistical frequency of sarcocystosis according to location and hosts's sex are given. This is the first species described in Mexico, and also the first report for Neotoma.