Description of the cave organ in three species of the genus Belminus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) by optical and scanning electron microscopy

Triatoma costalimai and Triatoma jatai are related species, which occur in sympatry in Paranã, Tocantins, Brazil, in rocky outcrops and in peridomicile and intradomicile environments. This study compared morphologic and morphometric aspects of the eggs of these species using optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Operculum cells (OP) and egg body (EB) were drawn and photographed, their surfaces were measured, and spots were quantified. Statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA and t-tests. OM showed an egg exochorium with spots in T. costalimai and a predominance of short lines in T. jatai. We found significant differences in egg length and width, which were larger in T. costalimai. SEM analysis showed that the operculum of both species had cells with straight and/or rounded rims, with a smooth aspect, random spots, and predominantly pentagonal shape. In the EB, hexagonal cells were predominant, with indices exceeding 60% in both species. Triatoma costalimai cells were flat, with a discrete definition of the rims, whereas T. jatai cells were smooth with well-defined rims. Statistical tests showed significant differences for EB, where T. costalimai cells were larger and have more spots than T. jatai. The eggs can thus be differentiated, thereby contributing to integrative taxonomy.

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Species-specific differences in the egg exochorium of the sympatric taxa Triatoma costalimai and Triatoma jatai (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae)

Müller

Freitas

Teves

et al. 2023

Journal of Medical Entomology

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Comparative Study of the Antennal Phenotype in Species of the Belminus (Hemiptera: Triatominae) Genus Using Optical and Scanning Electron Microscopy

Ramírez

Blanco

Adarme

et al. 2019

Journal of Medical Entomology

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The genus Belminus Stål, 1859 is distinguished by markedly entomophagous species. This genus is a poorly studied group of the Triatominae (Jeannel, 1919), which includes hematophagous species that are vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas, 1909), the etiological agent of Chagas disease. This study reports for the first time the description of the antennal sensilla of Belminus corredori (Galvão & Angulo, 2003), Belminus herreri (Lent & Wygodzinsky, 1979), and Belminus ferroae (Sandoval, Pabón, Jurberg & Galvão, 2007) nymphs and adults throughout scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy. Nine morphological types of sensilla were identified in the three species, including bristles I and II, trichobothria, tapered hairs, thin-walled trichoid, thick-walled trichoid, basiconic, campaniform, and coeloconica sensilla. The analysis of the most abundant types of sensilla and their distribution in nymphs and adults shows similarities with the antennal phenotypes described in other Triatominae. Quantitative differences showed the important phenotypic plasticity of this morphological trait in the genus and allowed for the separation of the species in both sexes. These differences were associated with sexual dimorphism and wing condition (macropterous and brachypterous). The role of the antennal phenotype in sexual behavior, its usefulness as a taxonomic tool, and its relationship with the dispersal capacity of these species are discussed.

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Psyttala horrida (Stål, 1865) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Reduviinae)—A Morphological Study of Eggs and Nymphs

Bugaj-Nawrocka

Danielczyk

Sułkowska

et al. 2022

Insects

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In terms of body size, species of the genus Psyttala Stål, 1859, are the largest known representatives of the subfamily Reduviinae. Among the species belonging to this genus, Psyttala horrida (Stål, 1865) is the most popular, mainly because it is a laboratory breeding species. Individuals of this species were bred in the laboratory of the Zoology Team at the University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland. A description of the morphology of the nymphs and eggs is presented. In addition to descriptions, photos of the successive immature stages are provided and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images are included to show morphological details and compare the developmental changes in subsequent stages.

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Description of the cave organ in three species of the genus Belminus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) by optical and scanning electron microscopy

Cited by 3 publications

References 8 publications

Species-specific differences in the egg exochorium of the sympatric taxa Triatoma costalimai and Triatoma jatai (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae)

Species-specific differences in the egg exochorium of the sympatric taxa Triatoma costalimai and Triatoma jatai (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae)

Comparative Study of the Antennal Phenotype in Species of the Belminus (Hemiptera: Triatominae) Genus Using Optical and Scanning Electron Microscopy

Psyttala horrida (Stål, 1865) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Reduviinae)—A Morphological Study of Eggs and Nymphs

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