Triatoma brasiliensis macromelasoma is revalidated based on the
results of previous multidisciplinary studies on the Triatoma
brasiliensis complex, consisting of crossing experiments and
morphological, biological, ecological and molecular analyses. These taxonomic
tools showed the closest relationship between T. b.
macromelasoma and Triatoma brasiliensis
brasiliensis. T. b. macromelasoma is redescribed
based on specimens collected in the type locality and specimens from a F1
colony. The complex now comprises T. b. brasiliensis,
T. b. macromelasoma, Triatoma melanica,
Triatoma juazeirensis and Triatoma
sherlocki. An identification key for all members of the complex is
presented. This detailed comparative study of the morphological features of
T. b. macromelasoma and the remaining members of the
complex corroborates results from multidisciplinary analyses, suggesting that
the subspecific status is applicable. This subspecies can be distinguished by
the following combination of features: a pronotum with 1+1 narrow
brownish-yellow stripes on the submedian carinae, not attaining its apex,
hemelytra with membrane cells darkened on the central portion and legs with an
incomplete brownish-yellow ring on the apical half of the femora. Because the
T. brasiliensis complex is of distinct epidemiological
importance throughout its geographic distribution, a precise identification of
its five members is important for monitoring and controlling actions against
Chagas disease transmission.
Triatoma brasiliensis melanica Neiva and Lent is elevated to species status based on comparison of its morphology, biology, ecology, crossing experiments, allozymes, and mtDNA sequences with those of other members of the T. brasiliensis species complex. The taxon is redescribed from specimens from northern Minas Gerais State, Brazil.
Synonymy of Paraportanus Carvalho & Cavichioli, 2009 with its senior synonym Metacephalus DeLong & Martinson, 1973 is proposed. Eleven species of Paraportanus are transferred to Metacephalus. Two new species of Metacephalus are described: Metacephalus adustus sp. nov. from Acre and Amazonas states, and Metacephalus sakakibarai sp. nov. from Amazonas and Roraima states. The first is diagnosed by its obliquely truncate pygofer posterior margin and aedeagus apex with pair of elongate and divergent spiniform processes. The second can be diagnosed by its rounded posterior pygofer margin and aedeagus apex with pair of elongate and parallel spiniform processes, directed posteroventrally. Metacephalus albocrux DeLong & Martinson, 1973 is newly recorded from Brazil. Metacephalus bicornis (Carvalho & Cavichioli, 2003) comb. nov. and Metacephalus jenniferae (Carvalho & Cavichioli, 2009) comb. nov. are newly recorded from Amazonas State; while Metacephalus facetus (Kramer, 1961) is newly recorded from Acre State.
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