Trypanosomatid surveys in Ecuador were conducted in March and September of 2005 and 2006 in two major areas: in the upper Amazon basin (Rio Napo and Yasuni, elevations 250-400 m) and on the mid elevation eastern (Casanga) and western (Mindo) Andean slopes (2500-2800 m).
				Left: Rio Napo near Jatun Sacha
		The trypanosomatids found have been genotyped using the sequences of Spliced Leader RNA gene repeats. The data were combined with the results of the Costa Rican survey. Nearly 45 phylotypes (candidate new species) have been identified. The SL RNA sequences serve as barcodes to identify the new isolates.