Triatoma rosai sp. nov. (Hemiptera, Triatominae): A New Species of Argentinian Chagas Disease Vector Described Based on Integrative Taxonomy

Abstract

Chagas disease is the most prevalent neglected tropical disease in the Americas and makes an important contribution to morbidity and mortality rates in countries where it is endemic since 30 to 40% of patients develop cardiac diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, or both. In this paper, a new species of the genus Triatoma is described based on specimens collected in the Department San Miguel, Province of Corrientes, Argentina. Triatoma rosai sp. nov. is closely related to T. sordida (Stål, 1859), and was characterized based on integrative taxonomy using morphological, morphometric, molecular data, and experimental crosses. These analyses, combined with data from the literature (cytogenetics, electrophoresis pattern, molecular analyses, cuticular hydrocarbons pattern, geometric morphometry, cycle, and average time of life as well as geographic distribution) confirm the specific status of T. rosai sp. nov. Natural Trypanosoma cruzi infection, coupled with its presence mostly in peridomestic habitats, indicates that this species can be considered as an important Chagas disease vector from Argentina.

Exploration for olive fruit fly parasitoids across Africa reveals regional distributions and dominance of closely associated parasitoids

“…Climate matching has been particularly important in fruit fly biological control programs 10 , 11 . Hymenopteran parasitoids from the braconid subfamily Opiinae have been used worldwide in CBC programs to control fruit-infesting Tephritidae 12 – 16 . The vast majority of utilized braconid parasitoids are koinobiont endoparasitoids that oviposit in the host egg or larval stage and emerge from host pupae 17 .…”

Do the new triatomine species pose new challenges or strategies for monitoring Chagas disease? An overview from 1979-2021

“…Since the publication of the remarkable Lent & Wygodzinsky 1 monograph in 1979, describing and illustrating 111 triatomines, 46 species and one subspecies have been described as new or revalidated. They were included in 12 of the 19 genera of the subfamily, which now represent 157 known species (154 living species and three fossils) from 15 countries, 52 , 53 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 plus a subspecies 69 ( Table ). Out of those 47 triatomines, 17 are from Brazil, followed by Mexico and Colombia, each with four species (post-1979).…”

“… 37 , 71 , 72 , 73 The fourth triatomine, T. rosai Alevi et al is able to colonise a great diversity of natural ecotopes and is also found infesting domiciliary and peridomiciliary areas in Argentina, as well as in Bolívia and Paraguay. 68 , 74 The fifth species, T. huehuetenanguensis was found naturally infected by T. cruzi in domestic ecotopes. 65 The two exceptions of triatomines ( Table ) collected in the intradomicile without clues of domiciliation or frequent invasion are the Belminus species, B. corredori and B. ferroae , known to be sylvatic species.…”

“… 105 , 106 The third is T. b. macromelasoma , from Pernambuco State, where this vector is frequently found in the peridomicile however, eventually it can be found infesting the domiciles. 69 , 71 The fourth one is T. rosai which occupies a great variety of ecotopes in several areas of Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay 68 , 74 and the fifth one is T. huehuetenanguensis, found naturally infected by T. cruzi in domestic ecotopes, being considered a potential important vector in Guatemala. 65 …”

Psammolestes tertius Lent & Jurberg, 1965 (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae): first report in Sergipe State, Brazil

“…Various species are important vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas 1909) (Kinetoplastida, Trypanosomatidae), the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, while others are of little importance from an epidemiological point of view, especially those with low adaptability to artificial ecotopes². Currently, the subfamily Triatominae contains more than 150 species, grouped into five tribes and 18 genera 3,4 .…”