Phenotype Differences and Adaptative Ability of Rhodnius Ecuadoriensis Populations in the Ecuadorian Central-coastal and Southern-andean Region.

Abstract:

Chagas Disease (ChD) constitutes a serious health problem in Latin America and in Ecuador. Rhodnius ecuadoriensis is considered one the main vectors of ChD in this country. Populations of R. ecuadoriensis are widely distributed in the central Coastal region (Manabí province) and southern Highland region (Loja province) of Ecuador, where they occupy different habitats (domestic, peridomestic and sylvatic). The goal of this study was to analyze the phenotypic characteristics of R. ecuadoriensis collected in different habitats in Manabí and Loja, in order to discuss the vector adaptation to these two geographic areas and their habitats. A total of 237 right wings and 99 antenna from R. ecuadoriensis adults (both sexes) from the three habitats and the two regions were analyzed. Descriptive statistics, parametric and non-parametric analyzes were calculated, in addition, the software packages COO, TET, MOG, COV y PAD (Dujardin, http://www. mpl. ird. fr/morphometrics) were used. The wings of R. ecuadoriensis from Manabí resulted larger than in Loja individuals in both, males and females (p= 0.000009). The results demonstrated significant differences in the antennal sensilla between the individuals of R. ecuadoriensis from Loja and the ones from Manabí (p< 0.001). Sexual dimorphism in the antennal phenotype of domestic individuals from Loja province was registered (p< 0.006). In addition, females from Loja showed significant differences between the domestic and peridomestic populations (p< 0.05). On the contrary, differences in the antennal phenotype attributable to habitat and sexes were not detected in Manabí. This species has a high …

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