Checklist and phenetics studies of nymphs of two species of triatomines: Triatoma lenti Sherlock & Serafim, 1967 and Triatoma sherlocki Papa, Jurberg, Carcavallo, Cerqueira, Barata, 2002 (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Triatoma lenti and Triatoma sherlocki are endemic species of the State of Bahia, located in northeastern Brazil, where they have records of domiciliation in the human environment. In view of the epidemiological aspect and taxonomic importance of these species for the systematics of the Triatoma genus, a study was carried out with nymphs of all five instars. METHODS An extensive review of studies on nymphs from the subfamily Triatominae is presented. Morphology was studied using a scanning electron microscope and morphometric analyses. RESULTS: The morphological study allowed us to characterize and discriminate species by means of scanning electron microscope of the last abdominal segment. In addition, the results show morphometric variability, with the total size of the head that best discriminates the species. CONCLUSIONS: Studies on nymphs are fundamental to the ecosystem; however, the literature on the immature forms of certain groups is scarce, difficult to use, or nonexistent. Therefore, this study includes morphological and morphometric data of the nymphal instars of T. lenti and T. sherlocki , corroborating the specific taxonomy of these species.

Fauna Triatomínica Do Estado Do Amazonas: Espécies E Distribuição Geográfica

“…Studies conducted on this triatomine species have led to various findings, including the characterization of its life cycle and its potential as a disease vector (LIMA-NEIVA et al, 2017). Furthermore, these studies have allowed for the differentiation of T. sherlocki nymphs compared to nymphs of similar triatomines (ROSSETTO et al, 2021).…”

“…These two species of triatomines may share the same region, making it important to distinguish their nymphs for accurate taxonomy. The distinction between these two species was made possible through measurements of the head, thorax, and abdomen of the nymphal stages, as well as the size of the ninth abdominal segment in the fifth-stage nymph(ROSSETTO et al, 2021).T. sherlocki has a narrow ventral ninth abdominal segment with an absence of an orifice in the posterior portion of this segment, along with fewer sensillae when compared to T. lenti.…”

Wild mammals involved in the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi and food sources of Triatoma sherlocki in an endemic region of northeastern Brazil

“…Its ecology and feeding habits are still poorly studied. Research has been conducted for this species of triatomine, which has characterized: the lifecycle and vector potential (Lima‐Neiva et al, 2017); the morphology of their nymphs (Rosseto et al, 2021); isolated strains of T. cruzi (Kunii et al, 2022); and the TcI and TcII genotypes of T. cruzi (Waniek et al, 2020). In addition, it is known that this species has a high T. cruzi infection rates and the ability to invade households (Almeida et al, 2009; Ribeiro Jr. et al, 2019).…”