Abstract

RODRIGUEZ RODRIGUEZ, Jinnay; CATALA, Silvia; FUENTES GONZALEZ, Omar  and  FRAGA NODARSE, Jorge. Antennal phenotype of two Cuban species of flavida: Triatoma flavida y Triatoma bruneri (Reduviidae: Triatominae) complex. Rev Cubana Med Trop [online]. 2009, vol.61, n.3, pp.226-231. ISSN 0375-0760.

INTRODUCTION: the antennal phenotype has proven to be a useful tool for the taxonomic comparison between Triatominae species. OBJECTIVE: to study the antennal phenotype in adults of T. flavida and T. bruneri adults to clarify the taxonomic status of these species as well as to learn about the specific adaptation of each of them to its habitat. METHODS: four types of sensilla were counted and analyzed: Bristles (BR), thin walled trichoidea (TH), thick walled trichoidea (TK) and basiconic (BA). RESULTS: the pedicel of T. flavida showed only two different types of receptors whereas T. bruneri males had a greater number of chemoreceptors of three different types. Among T. flavida and T. bruneri females, there were differences in BR and BA; differences in males were found in the receptors TH, TK and BA on the pedicel and BR, TK and BA in the flagellum 1. Discriminatory analysis allowed the separation of the two species; however, the analysis by sex did not show any difference. CONCLUSIONS: as a consequence of the adaptation of each species to its habitat, morphological changes of the antennal phenotype occurred. So, further studies at ecological, morphometric and molecular levels are needed to make their present taxonomic status clear.

Keywords : Triatoma flavida; Triatoma bruneri; Triatominae; antennal sensilla; Cuba.

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