[Situation of Mepraia spinolai, a wild vector for Chagas disease in Chile, in relation to others vectors from the perspective of their feeding profile].
BACKGROUND
Three triatomine species, Triatoma infestans, Mepraia spinolai and Mepraia gajardoi, are vectors for Chagas disease in Chile.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the alimentary profile of Mepraia spinolai, the Chilean wild vector of Chagas disease, with that of the several other triatomines.


METHODS
The alimentary profile of Mepraia spinolai was compared with that of other triatomines using cluster analysis (Q and R techniques) with the Jaccard index.


RESULTS
Three basic groups of triatomines were identified: domestic, wild and specialists, such as P. coreodes and C. pilosa. Our wild vector M. spinolai was in an intermediate position between wild and domestic clusters, grouping with T. rubrovaria, T. sordida and P. megistus. The feeding sources, animals of the domestic and peri-domestic habitat and wild animals, corresponded to the clusters of the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Mepraia spinolai, being a preponderantly wild species, approaches human dwellings and obtains food from domestic animals and eventually, from human blood (Rev Méd Chile 2000; 128: 1108-12).
Canals
M
M
Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile. mcanals@abello.dic.uchile.cl
Ehrenfeld
M
M
Cattan
P E
PE
D000818:Animals; D002677:Chile; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D014225:Triatominae / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*