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Electrophoretic patterns of salivary hemeproteins (nitrophorines) of rhodnius colombiensis and R. prolixus (hemiptera, reduviidae, triatominae)

Abstract:

Introduction. Salivary hemeprotein electrophoresis in starch gels is a recent technique used for differentiation of Rhodnius species with great phenotypic similarity. Furthermore, populations of the same species can be differentiated from geographically separated locales. Of the 15 described Rhodnius species in Latin America, at least eight have been reported in Colombia. Objective. To use the salivary hemeproteins electrophoresis for R. prolixus and R. colombiensis identification. These two species are phenotypically similar and have overlapping domestic and sylvatic cycles where they occur in the upper basin of the Magdalena river, Central Colombia. Material and methods. The content of salivary glands of each insect was subjected to starch gel electrophoresis using glycine buffer, and the bands were revealed with 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine. Band patterns were photographically recorded. Results. Electrophoretic patterns of salivary hemeproteins of R. prolixus and R. colombiensis were able to unequivocally differentiate the two species. Conclusion. The usefulness of the starch gel technique for distinguishing between R. prolixus and R. colombiensis was demonstrated as an additional tool to the morphometric and molecular methods already in use for differentiation of these two species.