Evaluation of the systematic value of the Process of the I Urotergito in males of eleven species of the subfamily Triatominae (Hemiptera, Reduviidae)

Objetivos. Avaliar o valor taxonômico da estrutura denominada \"Processo do I Urotergito\" (PIU) para a utilização na identificação de espécies de Triatominae, considerando parâmetros morfológicos e morfométricos. Comparar a eficiência da Microscopia Óptica (MO), da Microscopia Digital (MD) e da Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV) na descrição das características morfológicas e ou morfométricas desse processo. Material e Métodos. Através de MO, MD e MEV partindo-se da observação direta, da fotomicrografia e/ou do desenho em câmara clara, estudaram-se machos de 12 colônias de triatomíneos procedentes de diversas localidades do Brasil, mantidas no insetário do Serviço Especial de Saúde de Araraquara (SESA), pertencente à FSP da USP. Foram observados cinco exemplares de cada amostra das espécies Panstrongylus megistus (Burmeister, 1835), Rhodnius nasutus Stal, 1859, Rhodnius neglectus Lent, 1954, Rhodnius prolixus Stal, 1859, Triatoma brasiliensis Neiva, 1911, Triatoma infestans (Klug, 1834), Triatoma pseudomaculata Correa & Espinola, 1964, Triatoma rubro varia (Blanchard, 1843), Triatoma sordida (Stal, 1859), Triatoma tibiamaculata (Pinto, 1926) e Triatoma vitticeps (Stal, 18592 Resultados. A análise morfológica do PIU permitiu observar diferenças significativas entre as espécies estudadas. Embora o estudo morfométrico tenha permitido definir atributos taxonômicos do PIU, tais como \"Largura Basal do Urotergito I\", \"Largura Basal do Urotergito 2\", \"Largura Apical do Urotergito 2\" e \"Comprimento do Urotergito 2\", como parâmetros a serem utilizados na sistemática, a análise dos resultados não permitiu uma coerência com o padrão taxonômico tradicional da subfamília Triatominae, talvez pelo pequeno número de espécies trabalhadas. Conclusões. O PIU demonstrou ser uma estrutura útil na separação e identificação de espécies de triatomíneos. No estudo, considerou-se importante tanto a utilização da MO como a MD e a MEV. Recomenda-se particularmente a ampliação do estudo das observações morfométricas que deverão comparar e analisar um maior número de espécies.Objectives. To evaluate the taxonomic value of the structure, called \"Processo of the I Urotergito\" (PIU), for the use in the identification of species of Triatominae, considering morphologic and morphometric parameters. To compare the efficiency of Optic Microscopy (OM), Digital Microscopy (DM) and Scanning Electronic Microscopy (MEV) in the description of the morphologic and or morphometric characteristics of that process. Material and Methods. Through OM, DM and SEM, breaking itself of the direct comment, of the photomicrography and/or the drawing in clear chamber, male of 12 colonies of triatomine bugs originating of diverse localities of Brazil, had been studied. They had been kept in the insectary of the Special Service of HeaIth of Araraquara (SESA) of the FSP of the USP. Five units of each sample of the species Panstrongylus megistus (Burmeister, 1835), Rhodnius nasutus Stal, 1859, Rhodnius neglectus Lent, 1954, Rhodnius prolixuss Stal, 1859, Triatoma brasiliensis Neiva, 1911, Triatoma infestans (Klug, 1834), Triatoma pseudomaculata Correa & Espinola, 1964, Triatoma rubrovaria (Blanchard, 1843), Triatoma sordida (Stal, 1859), Triatoma tibiamaculata (Pinto, 1926) and Triatoma vitticeps (Stal, 1859) had been observed. Results. The morphologic analysis of the PIU, allowed to observe significant differences between the studied species. Even though the morphometric study has allowed to define taxonomic attributes of the PIU, such as \"basal width first urotergite\", \"basal width 2nd urotergite\", \"apical, width 2nd urotergite\" and \"length 2nd urotergite\", as parameters to be used in the systematic, the analysis of the resuIts did not allow coherence with the traditional taxonomic standard of the subfamily Triatominae, perhaps due to the small number of species worked. Conclusions. The PIU demonstrated to be a structure useful in the separation and identification of species of triatomine bugs. In this study, the use of OM was considered in such a way important as the DM and the SEM. It\'s advised particularly extending the study of the morphometrics comments that will must compare and analyze a greatest number of species

A study of the scutellum in eight Chagas disease vector species from genus Triatoma (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) using optical and scanning electron microscopy

The aim of this study was to analyze the external morphology of the scutellum through optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in male specimens of Triatoma costalimai, T. delpontei, T. eratyrusiformis, T. matogrossensis, T. infestans melanosoma, T. sherlocki, T. tibiamaculata, and T. vandae. A total of 30 photographs of the scutellum were made. Magnification varied from 50X to 750X. Regarding depth and forms of the central depression, the heart-shaped form was predominant, with some exceptions, so that this shape appears to be a common characteristic for species of genus Triatoma Laporte, 1832. In T. eratyrusiformis, a kind of sensillum with important taxonomic value was observed. The different sizes and shapes of the designs found on the posterior process of the scutellum were also of important taxonomic interest. The study of the scutellum based on SEM showed valuable characteristics, allowing the use of this structure to aid the diagnosis of triatomine species. Thus, more specimens in subsequent studies and analyses of morphometric parameters should contribute to agreement on phylogenetic aspects in this genus. A Key to eight species of Triatoma based on male scutellar morphology is presented

A study of the scutellum in eight Chagas disease vector species from genus Triatoma (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) using optical and scanning electron microscopy

The aim of this study was to analyze the external morphology of the scutellum through optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in male specimens of Triatoma costalimai , T. delpontei , T. eratyrusiformis , T. matogrossensis , T. infestans melanosoma , T. sherlocki , T. tibiamaculata , and T. vandae . A total of 30 photographs of the scutellum were made. Magnification varied from 50X to 750X. Regarding depth and forms of the central depression, the heart-shaped form was predominant, with some exceptions, so that this shape appears to be a common characteristic for species of genus Triatoma Laporte, 1832. In T. eratyrusiformis, a kind of sensillum with important taxonomic value was observed. The different sizes and shapes of the designs found on the posterior process of the scutellum were also of important taxonomic interest. The study of the scutellum based on SEM showed valuable characteristics, allowing the use of this structure to aid the diagnosis of triatomine species. Thus, more specimens in subsequent studies and analyses of morphometric parameters should contribute to agreement on phylogenetic aspects in this genus. A Key to eight species of Triatoma based on male scutellar morphology is presented