Alexeia Grisolia

By Alexeia Barufatti Grisolia and Vanessa Roma Moreno-Cotulio

Part of the book: Analysis of Genetic Variation in Animals

By Bruno do Amaral Crispim, Alexandre Campos Banari, Joyce Azambuja de Oliveira, Juliana dos Santos Fernandes and Alexeia Barufatti Grisolia

Brazil has several breeds of sheep, including animals that developed from breeds brought by settlers soon after their discovery. Over the years, these animals were under the process of natural selection, resulting in breeds that are considered naturalized. The Pantaneiro sheep shows rusticity and ability of adaptation to tropical climate regions and tolerance or resistance to disease and parasites. Molecular tools have marked the discovery of the origin and domestication processes of a wide variety of species, using both nuclear and mitochondrial molecular markers. These tools have aided in the understanding of evolutionary relationships, taxonomies, and demographics of various species and provided support to identify the most important areas for conservation programs, in addition to assisting in the analysis of genetic diversity in domestic, wildlife and endangered species. Researches using these tools show the importance of exploiting the potential of the genetic diversity found in locally adapted livestock. So far, a few studies were performed to observe that Pantaneiro sheep served as maternal basis for the origin of other breeds reared. Moreover, it is possible to suggest an European origin for the sheep populations studied; therefore, more studies using more markers are needed, so that it is possible to prove their origin.

Part of the book: Livestock Science

By Márcia Ramos Jorge, Antonio Pancrácio de Souza, Ricardo Augusto dos Passos, Silvia Maria Martelli, Chaiane Regina Rech, Alexeia Barufatti, Bruno do Amaral Crispim, Helina dos Santos Nascimento and Eduardo José de Arruda

Important information about yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) and the identification and quantification of the main Brazilian breeding sites for this vector are highlighted in this chapter. Although most of the control actions have been directed to the adult (winged) phase of the vector, the reduction of immature forms (eggs and larvae) of Aedes is the most important way to control these insects, especially to eliminate breeding sites. These are, in principle, the most important targets for mosquito population control in order to reduce infestation and, consequently, the transmission and incidence of diseases transmitted by insect vectors. Thus, this chapter presents a compilation and discussion that allows comparing characteristics and similarities of Aedes species.

Part of the book: Life Cycle and Development of Diptera