Grimaldi G, Kreutzer RD, Hashiguchi Y, Gomez EA, Mimory T, Tesh RB (1992). Description of Leishmania equatorensis sp.n. (Kinetoplastida, Trypanosomatidae), a new parasite infecting arboreal mammals in Ecuador. Memorias do instituto Oswaldo Cruz 87 (2): 221-228. Abstract: Characterization is given of a new parasite, Leishmaniaequatorensis sp. n., which was isolated from the viscera of a sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni) and a squirrel (Sciurus granatensis), captured in humid tropical forest on the Pacific Coastof Ecuador. Data based on biological and molecular criteria, as well as numerical zymotaxonomical analysis, indicate that this parasite is a new speciesof the L. braziliensis complex. L. equatorensis is clearly distinguishable from all other known species within this complex,using the following molecular criteria: reactivity patterns withspecific monoclonal antibodies, isoenzyme electrophoresis, and restriction-endonuclease fragment patterns of kinetoplast DNA (k-DNA).