title: Morphometric changes of Triatoma flavida Neiva, 1911 (Hemiptera:Triatominae) in the transition from sylvatic to laboratory conditions.
abstract: The one-generational metric changes occurring in Triatoma flavida (Hemiptera: Triatominae) when carried from its wild habitat (caves) to laboratory, were examined using traditional morphometric techniques. As for other species of Triatoma, Rhodnius or Panstrongylus studied in similar conditions, a significant reduction of head, thorax and wing size was observed. Sexual dimorphism of the wings, while present in the wild sample, was not detected anymore in the laboratory individuals. Biological significance and epidemiological importance are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Control de Vectores, Instituto de Medicina Tropical Pedro Kourí, Ciudad Habana, Cuba.
authors.forename: Jinnay
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rodríguez Rodríguez
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Fuentes González
authors.forename: Jorge Fraga
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Nodarse
authors.forename: Lianet
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Monzote Fidalgo
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Dujardin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000235:genetics; D007753:Laboratories; D008297:Male; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014224:Triatoma / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000235:genetics