**2.** *Lutzomyia* **(***Nyssomyia***)** *whitmani* **(Antunes & Coutinho 1939)**

*Lutzomyia (N.) whitmani* was described by Antunes & Coutinho in 1939 [24] as *Flebotomus whitmani* in honor of Dr. Whitman, from Rockefeller Foundation, an institute that collaborated with the Brazilian government at the time in the Yellow Fever Service. The new species was described based on male and female specimens captured in Ilhéus municipality, Bahia state. This species can be observed in all five regions of Brazil and, in the American continent it is also present in Argentina, French Guiana, Paraguay and Peru [7, 18].

The role of *L. (N.) whitmani* as ACL vector is evident throughout the Brazilian territory. The first observation of its importance in ACL transmission cycle was made in São Paulo state, where females were caught naturally infected by flagellates, possibly *Leishmania* [25]. In the same state, the biology of some sand fly species was studied, and *L. (N.) whitmani* was frequently found in deforested areas [26]. According to Pessoa & Coutinho [25], this species is considered highly anthropophilic, constantly invading houses for biting humans.

Between decades of 1930 and 1940, during the human colonization of South and Southeast Brazilian regions, ACL transmission was related with *L. (N.) whitmani*, with its occurrence mainly in sylvatic areas [27]. At this time, this sand fly species used to inhabit mainly forests. Man and domestic animals were bitten when they entered these areas or when houses were built near or inside forests [26]. Other studies on the ecology of *L. (N.) whitmani* showed aspects of its natural breeding places, monthly variation, high density and adaptation to domestic areas [28].

In Brazil, *L. (N.) whitmani* was already detected in 634 of its 5566 municipalities, occurring in all 27 federative units (Figure 2). The states with the higher spatial aggregation of municipal‐ ities with the vector occurrence are Pernambuco, Minas Gerais, São Paulo and Paraná, which are also areas of high concentration of ACL human cases [29] (see Figure 1).

*Lutzomya (N.) whitmani* is widely distributed across Brazilian biomes. Its presence was recorded in Amazon, Cerrado, Caatinga, Atlantic Forest and Pantanal (Figure 3), occurring mainly in Cerrado and Atlantic Forest [30]. When observing its occurrence in different Brazilian vegetation types, the vector occurs in municipalities with predominance of dense ombrophi‐ lous forest, deciduous ombrophilous forest, semideciduous ombrophilous forest, savannah and steppe (Figure 4). The species was not observed in municipalities predominantly covered by marshes and sandbanks [29].

In São Paulo state, *L. (N.) intermedia* and *L. (N.) whitmani* were the predominant species during deforestation of primary forests [28]. However, as deforestation continued to expand, *L. (N.) whitmani* showed lower abundances, suggesting that this species would be more dependent of primary forest than *L. (N.) intermedia*. On the other hand, *L. (N.) whitmani* was found frequently inside houses built near the forest. In Southeast Region, this species can be found during all months of the year [22, 26]. In São Roque municipality, São Paulo state, *L. (N.) whitmani* was the predominant sand fly species among *Leishmania (V.) braziliensis* transmission areas [31], showing higher abundances in the hotter months of the year [32].

Environmental Changes and the Geographic Spreading of American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Brazil http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/57207 7

**2.** *Lutzomyia* **(***Nyssomyia***)** *whitmani* **(Antunes & Coutinho 1939)**

considered highly anthropophilic, constantly invading houses for biting humans.

are also areas of high concentration of ACL human cases [29] (see Figure 1).

areas [31], showing higher abundances in the hotter months of the year [32].

also present in Argentina, French Guiana, Paraguay and Peru [7, 18].

6 Leishmaniasis - Trends in Epidemiology, Diagnosis and Treatment

areas [28].

by marshes and sandbanks [29].

*Lutzomyia (N.) whitmani* was described by Antunes & Coutinho in 1939 [24] as *Flebotomus whitmani* in honor of Dr. Whitman, from Rockefeller Foundation, an institute that collaborated with the Brazilian government at the time in the Yellow Fever Service. The new species was described based on male and female specimens captured in Ilhéus municipality, Bahia state. This species can be observed in all five regions of Brazil and, in the American continent it is

The role of *L. (N.) whitmani* as ACL vector is evident throughout the Brazilian territory. The first observation of its importance in ACL transmission cycle was made in São Paulo state, where females were caught naturally infected by flagellates, possibly *Leishmania* [25]. In the same state, the biology of some sand fly species was studied, and *L. (N.) whitmani* was frequently found in deforested areas [26]. According to Pessoa & Coutinho [25], this species is

Between decades of 1930 and 1940, during the human colonization of South and Southeast Brazilian regions, ACL transmission was related with *L. (N.) whitmani*, with its occurrence mainly in sylvatic areas [27]. At this time, this sand fly species used to inhabit mainly forests. Man and domestic animals were bitten when they entered these areas or when houses were built near or inside forests [26]. Other studies on the ecology of *L. (N.) whitmani* showed aspects of its natural breeding places, monthly variation, high density and adaptation to domestic

In Brazil, *L. (N.) whitmani* was already detected in 634 of its 5566 municipalities, occurring in all 27 federative units (Figure 2). The states with the higher spatial aggregation of municipal‐ ities with the vector occurrence are Pernambuco, Minas Gerais, São Paulo and Paraná, which

*Lutzomya (N.) whitmani* is widely distributed across Brazilian biomes. Its presence was recorded in Amazon, Cerrado, Caatinga, Atlantic Forest and Pantanal (Figure 3), occurring mainly in Cerrado and Atlantic Forest [30]. When observing its occurrence in different Brazilian vegetation types, the vector occurs in municipalities with predominance of dense ombrophi‐ lous forest, deciduous ombrophilous forest, semideciduous ombrophilous forest, savannah and steppe (Figure 4). The species was not observed in municipalities predominantly covered

In São Paulo state, *L. (N.) intermedia* and *L. (N.) whitmani* were the predominant species during deforestation of primary forests [28]. However, as deforestation continued to expand, *L. (N.) whitmani* showed lower abundances, suggesting that this species would be more dependent of primary forest than *L. (N.) intermedia*. On the other hand, *L. (N.) whitmani* was found frequently inside houses built near the forest. In Southeast Region, this species can be found during all months of the year [22, 26]. In São Roque municipality, São Paulo state, *L. (N.) whitmani* was the predominant sand fly species among *Leishmania (V.) braziliensis* transmission

**Figure 2.** Brazilian municipalities with *Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) whitmani* occurrence

**Figure 3.** Brazilian municipalities with *Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) whitmani* occurrence and biomes

Environmental Changes and the Geographic Spreading of American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Brazil http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/57207 9

**Figure 4.** Brazilian municipalities with *Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) whitmani* occurrence and vegetation types

**Figure 3.** Brazilian municipalities with *Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) whitmani* occurrence and biomes

8 Leishmaniasis - Trends in Epidemiology, Diagnosis and Treatment

This species was also observed in Atlantic Forest protected areas and inside houses near the forest in Rio de Janeiro state [33]. In the same state, studies performed in rural areas of ACL transmission showed the co-occurrence of *L. (N.) intermedia* and *L. (N.) whitmani* biting humans. In peridomestic areas, *L. (N). intermedia* was predominant, while *L. (N.) whitmani* was more frequent in the nearest forest. With this spatial separation, the authors suggested that both species would be sharing *Leishmania (V.) braziliensis* transmission on the same focus, through‐ out the year. *Lutzomyia (N.) whitmani* was captured during all year, but was more frequent in months with lower temperatures [34].

Also in Southeast region, besides São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro states, *L. (N.) whitmani* was associated with *Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis* transmission in Caratinga (Minas Gerais state) and in a mountainous region of Afonso Cláudio (Espírito Santo state) [35, 36].

In South Brazil, *L. (N.) whitmani* is probably associated to ACL transmission in Paraná state. Studies performed in the north of this state detected it as predominant sand fly species and naturally infected by *Leishmania (V.) braziliensis* parasites [37].

*Leishmania (V.) braziliensis* in Northeast region is also probably transmitted by *L. (N.) whitma‐ ni*. In Bahia and Ceará states this vector shows similar habits to the Southeast region popula‐ tions: high anthropophily and presence in domestic areas [38-40]. In Ceará state, *L. (N.) whitmani* was found naturally infected by *Leishmania* of *Viannia* subgenus [41]. Afterwards, new infections were detected and the parasite characterization confirmed to be *Leishmania (V.) braziliensis* [42]. Other evidences of this vector's role in ACL transmission in the region were its high abundance and anthropophily [40, 42].

In Bahia state, *L. (N.) whitmani* was found naturally infected by *Leishmania (V.) braziliensis* in Três Braços [43]. This finding, associated with the high frequency of this sand fly in perido‐ mestic and domestic areas allowed the hypothesis of occurrence of a domestic transmission cycle in this area [44]. In Ilhéus municipality, *L. (N.) whitmani* was suggested as ACL vector, considering its almost absolute predominance over other sand fly species (99.7%), its high anthropophily and its occurrence on every sand fly capture point, most of them coincident with areas of ACL human cases [40].

In the Mid-West Region, in Corguinho municipality (Mato Grosso do Sul state), *Leishmania (V.) braziliensis* was isolated from every tested ACL patient by monoclonal antibodies. *Lutzomyia (N.) whitmani* was suggested as vector because it was observed in high abundances and anthropophilic [45]. Furthermore, its predominance over other sand flies was observed in eight of ten ecotopes studied in the locality. *Lutzomyia (N.) whitmani* was present both in ground level and in the forest canopy, suggesting its eclectic feeding habits on mammals and birds. Although in this locality the species is not very common in peridomestic areas, its high abundance and anthropophily are strong evidences of its role in ACL transmission [46].

The behavior of *L. (N.) whitmani* in North region seems to be different from other regions. In these areas, the species was considered mainly sylvatic, being captured on tree trunks and canopies, besides showing low attractiveness for humans [47]. Afterwards, novel studies confirmed such observations and suggested that, if the species were to be anthropophilic, it would be only in some situations [48, 49]. In 1989, in Pará state, a parasite was isolated from *L. (N.) whitmani*, and after its characterization as *Leishmania (V.) shawi*, the sand fly species was suggested as its vector [50].
