| Abstract [eng] |
The objective of this disertation to get new knowledge on the diversity and seasonal activity of biting midges (Ceratopogonidae, Culicoides) in Lithuania and their role in the trypanosomatid (Kinetoplastea, Trypanosomatida) transmission. The dissertation consists of scientific problem and relevance, a literature review, research methods, results, their conclusions, a list of references, and a summary. During this research the highest Culicoides abundance was recorded in June in Lithuania, but the highest trypanosomatid prevalence in biting midges was recorded in August. For the first time, monoxenous trypanosomatid Obscuromonas sp. was detected in Culicoides kibunensis biting midges, mammals infecting Trypanosoma theileri group trypanosomatids were detected in wild-caught biting midges belonging to Culicoides kibunensis, C. impunctatus, C. pictipennis, and C. scoticus species, mosquito-infecting T. culicavium was detected in Culicoides festivipennis biting midge and trypanosomatids of T. bennetti group were detected in biting midge C. duddingstoni. Additionally, five new Culicoides species were recorded in Lithuania for the first time: C. duddingstoni, C. minutissimus, C. lupicaris, C. clastrieri ir C. dewulfi. It was confirmed that the species of C. obsoletus group, C. pallidicornis, and C. punctatus exhibit mammalophilic feeding behaviour, while C. festivipennis, C. kibunensis, and C. pictipennis are opportunistic, with the first two species showing preference for birds. |
