Deposition, Incubation Period and Hatching of Eggs from Triatoma juazeirensis Costa & Felix and Triatoma sherlocki Papa, Jurberg, Carcavallo, Cerqueira & Barata, (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) under Laboratory Conditions

Abstract

Abstract. Triatoma juazeirensis Costa & Felix andTriatoma sherlocki Papa, Jurberg, Carcavallo, Cerqueira & Barata are members of the Triatoma brasiliensis Neiva, 1911 species complex. Discovered in the state of Bahia, Brazil, collections from both natural and artificial habitats revealed that they can be found infected by Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas) suggesting a potential to be vectors for Chagas disease. To contribute to the evaluation of this potential, the capacity of each species to proliferate under laboratory conditions was measured by the number of eggs laid, the rate of hatching and the incubation time over a 22-week period. Thirty pairs, fifteen of each species, were maintained under laboratory conditions by weekly feedings on mice, Mus musculus (Linnaeus). The comparisons of laid and hatched eggs of T. juazeirensis and T. sherlocki were analyzed by t-test and Mann-Whitney test. When p value of <0.01 it was considered statistically significant. For comparison of the average longevity, a chi-square analysis was used. When p > 0.01, the average longevity was not considered statistically different. The two species presented similar incubation periods for their eggs, but T. juazeirensis demonstrated greater reproductive potential than T. sherlocki. The females of T. sherlocki deposited significantly fewer eggs with a lower rate of viability. Results suggest that T. juazeirensis is a more serious threat, concerning to these reproductive features. Considering the longevity, no significant differences could be noticed. Keywords

Distributional potential of the Triatoma brasiliensis species complex at present and under scenarios of future climate conditions

“…A recent study found support for high reproductive compatibility between T. sherlocki and the remaining members of T. brasiliensis species complex [ 18 ]. What is more, laboratory progeny between the parapatric T. juazeirensis and T. sherlocki were more vigorous in terms of longevity and dispersal capacity [ 17 , 65 ]. However, despite the physical proximity and genetic compatibility of these two species, no hybrids or intermediate forms have yet been collected in the field, such that factors involved in their isolation remain unknown [ 17 - 19 ].…”

“…However, despite the physical proximity and genetic compatibility of these two species, no hybrids or intermediate forms have yet been collected in the field, such that factors involved in their isolation remain unknown [ 17 - 19 ]. Recent experiments under laboratory conditions showed that T. juazeirensis presents higher reproductive potential as regards fecundity and fertility when compared to T. sherlocki [ 65 ].…”

The connection between Trypanosoma cruzi transmission cycles by Triatoma brasiliensis brasiliensis: A threat to human health in an area susceptible to desertification in the Seridó, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

“…Currently, the complex is formed by six species and two subspecies [23][24][25][26], which can be identified based on taxonomic keys [14,27]. The taxa of this complex show differences regarding its epidemiological importance, based on biological, ecological, and behavioral parameters [17,[28][29][30].…”