title: Population dynamics of Triatoma vitticeps (Stål, 1859) in Itanhomi, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
abstract: Taxonomic markers (head structure morphometry, isoenzymes and randon amplified polymorphism of DNA - RAPD) were used to understand the population dynamics of Triatoma vitticeps, predominant triatomine species in Itanhomi district, using samples obtained from domestic, peridomiciliary and sylvatic habitats. Morphometric analysis revealed sexual dimorphism within the three samples although specimens could not be separated according to the habitat in which they were captured. Forty-two bands were analyzed from RAPD profiles generated using four primers. A dendrogram constructed from Dice's similarity coefficient values showed that migration of the insects between the habitats has occurred, without structuring of populations. Moreover, the dendrogram obtained from the genetic distance values showed an important gene flow between the sylvatic and domestic habitats. No polymorphism was found in the electrophoretic mobility of proteins for the ten enzymes studied. Our results revealed movement of triatomines between the three habitats, suggesting that the presence of T. vitticeps in houses should not be ignored. As invasion of houses by sylvatic insects is frequent and the natural infection indices of this species are among the highest known, epidemiological vigilance studies may reveal possible changes in T. vitticeps behaviour which could present future risks to public health.
authors: Laboratório de Triatomíneos e Epidemiologia da Doença de Chagas.
authors: Rita de Cássia Moreira de
authors: Rde C
authors: Souza
authors: Silvia Ermelinda
authors: SE
authors: Barbosa
authors: Ivan Vieira
authors: IV
authors: Sonoda
authors: Bernardino Vaz de Melo
authors: BV
authors: Azeredo
authors: Alvaro Jose
authors: AJ
authors: Romanha
authors: Liléia
authors: L
authors: Diotaiuti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000635:transmission; D005260:Female; D005828:Genetics, Population; D006257:Head / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D011157:Population Dynamics; D019105:Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014224:Triatoma / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D007527:Isoenzymes