Using ecological niche models to describe the geographical distribution of the myiasis-causing Cochliomyia hominivorax (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in southern South America

MULIERI, PABLO RICARDO; PATITUCCI, LUCIANO DAMIÁN

PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH

SPRINGER

Lugar: Berlin; Año: 2019 vol. 118 p. 1077 - 1086

0932-0113

In southern South America, namely Argentina and Chile, Cochliomyiahominivorax (Coquerel) is the main myiasic agent on humans and domesticanimals. The distribution pattern of the species is poorly known and thesouthern limit of its geographic distribution is unclear. The aims of this studyare to elucidate the basic environmental factors associated with occurrence ofthis myiasic species, evaluation of models constructed on the basis ofoccurrence data based on adult specimen records to predict geographicoccurrence of myiasis, evaluation of unsurveyed sites of high potential ofoccurrence of the species, and recognition and prioritization of areas that needmedical control and specific prophylaxis practices related to this pest. Themaximum entropy modeling system (Maxent) was used. Maps of potentialdistribution of C. hominivorax were produced using two different datasets,models obtained with all localities known for the species (combining medicaldata and taxonomic data) and only-taxonomic models (excluding medicaldata). The results obtained include an updated compilation of occurrence of thespecies in Argentina and Chile. Predictive models obtained in this workindicated that large areas of central-eastern territory of Argentina has thepotential for C. hominivorax occurrence, probably reaching the parallel 42° Sas is indicated by the complete datasets. Only-taxonomic models fail to predictthose myiasic cases occurring in the nearer areas of the Andean chains. Themain variables associated with the distribution of C. hominivorax were,alternatively, isothermality or minimum temperature of the coldest month.These results provide a new analytical resource of high potential for theprevention of myiasis and to supports further epidemiological studies.