Triatoma guazu Lent and Wygodzinsky Is a Junior Synonym of Triatoma williami Galvão, Souza and Lima

Abstract

Triatoma guazu Lent and Wygodzinsky and Triatoma williami Galvão, Souza, and Lima (Hemiptera: Triatominae) are found in human dwellings and are potential vectors of the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease. Triatoma guazu was described based solely on a single female specimen, from the municipality of Villarica, Guairá Department, Paraguay, and posteriorly, a male from Barra do Garças, Mato Grosso, Brazil was described and designated as the allotype of this species. Triatoma williami is found in the central-west of Brazil between Goiás, Mato Grosso, and Mato Grosso do Sul. However, the taxonomic “status” of these species is questioned. Previous studies indicate the lack of isoenzymatic diagnostic loci, morphometric similarity, low genetic divergence, and close evolutionary relationship of these species. In this study, we compared the morphology, morphometry, and mitochondrial DNA fragments of the populations of the two species. The morphological diagnostic characteristic among these species is the difference in the connexivum spots pattern, which has been recognized as a phenotypic variation that exists among populations resulting from ecological diversity. Furthermore, our analysis also revealed the morphometric similarity and low genetic divergence between these species. Therefore, in the present paper, we formally propose T. guazu as a junior synonym of T. williami.

Trends in Taxonomy of the Rhodniini Tribe (Hemiptera, Triatominae): Reproductive Incompatibility between Rhodnius neglectus Lent, 1954 and Psammolestes spp. Confirms the Generic Status of Psammolestes Bergroth, 1911

“…The main form of transmission of the protozoan is through hematophagous insects known as triatomines (Hemiptera, Triatominae) [1,2]. Currently 157 species of triatomines are known, divided in 18 genera and five tribes [3][4][5], being all considered as potential Chagas disease vectors.…”

Climate and Environmental Changes and Their Potential Effects on the Dynamics of Chagas Disease: Hybridization in Rhodniini (Hemiptera, Triatominae)

“…Currently, 158 species of triatomines are known, divided into 18 genera and five tribes [45][46][47][48], with all of them considered as potential CD vectors. The tribe Rhodniini Pinto, 1926 is a monophyletic group composed of two genera: Rhodnius Stål, 1859 and Psammolestes Bergroth, 1911 [49][50][51][52].…”

Karyotype Evolution in Triatominae (Hemiptera, Reduviidae): The Role of Chromosomal Rearrangements in the Diversification of Chagas Disease Vectors

“…The main form of transmission of this protozoan is vectorial, through the feces/urine of infected triatomines (Hemiptera, Triatominae) [ 3 , 4 ], since these insects are obligatory hematophagous and have the habit of defecating/urinating during the blood meal [ 3 , 4 ]. Currently, 157 species of triatomines are known (three are fossils), which are distributed in 18 genera and five tribes [ 5 , 6 , 7 ].…”