Ecotopes, Natural Infection and Trophic Resources of Triatoma brasiliensis (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae)

Abstract

Triatoma brasiliensis is considered as one of the most important Chagas disease vectors in the northeastern Brazil. This species presents chromatic variations which led to descriptions of subspecies, synonymized by Lent and Wygodzinsky (1979)

Geographic distribution and morphometric differentiation of Triatoma nitida usinger 1939 (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) in Guatemala

“…However, is similar to that reported for T. infestans (7-15%) in an endemic area of Argentina (Asin & Giojalas 1995), or for Triatoma brasiliensis "brasiliensis" (15%) in Brazil (Costa et al 1998). In spite of its infection rate, laboratory studies have shown that this specie presents one important characteristic that reduces its vectorial capacity.…”

Biology, diversity and strategies for the monitoring and control of triatomines - Chagas disease vectors

“…However, most of the triatomines studied feed efficiently on different hosts, including mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. This kind of food eclecticism is probably one of the most important characteristics allowing the triatomines to invade new habitats and to colonise artificial ecotopes (Alencar 1987, Lent & Wygodzinsky 1979, Costa et al 1998. The biology of the vectors studied under laboratory conditions also shows that they are able to reproduce well; for instance, they can present high fertility and egg viability, even when they are fed on animals distinct from those with which they are normally associated in their natural environment (Costa et al 1986, Diotaiuti & Dias 1987.…”

Molecular Identification of Food Sources in Triatomines in the Brazilian Northeast: Roles of Goats and Rodents in Chagas Disease Epidemiology

“…collected bugs are often extremely starving. 11 Most of BLAST identity was over 97%, nonetheless 11 sequences had values lower than 95%, almost half represented by reptiles. This could indicate that GenBank does not always have a satisfactory representation of vertebrate diversity from a particular study area.…”