Identification of morphologically similar Rhodnius species (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) by electrophoresis of salivary heme proteins.
We examined intraspecific variability in the genus Rhodnius using starch gel electrophoresis of salivary heme proteins. Salivary protein profiles of 8 Rhodnius species (R. prolixus, R. robustus, R. neglectus, R. nasutus, R. ecuadoriensis, R. pallescens, R. pictipes, and R. domesticus) were compared. All species could be distinguished by this technique. The greatest protein polymorphism was found in R. ecuadoriensis, R. nasutus, R. robustus, and R. pictipes, followed by R. prolixus, R. neglectus, R. pallescens, and R. domesticus. This approach was able to distinguish R. prolixus from R. robustus and R. neglectus from R. nasutus, species with extreme phenotypical similarity.
Soares
R P
RP
Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Sant'Anna
M R
MR
Gontijo
N F
NF
Romanha
A J
AJ
Diotaiuti
L
L
Pereira
M H
MH
D000818:Animals; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000635:transmission*; D004592:Electrophoresis, Starch Gel; D006420:Hemeproteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D010641:Phenotype; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D012239:Rhodnius / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000254:growth & development; D014743:Videotape Recording
D006420:Hemeproteins; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides