Diversity (Sep 2022)

Trends in Taxonomy of the Rhodniini Tribe (Hemiptera, Triatominae): Reproductive Incompatibility between <i>Rhodnius</i> <i>neglectus</i> Lent, 1954 and <i>Psammolestes</i> spp. Confirms the Generic Status of <i>Psammolestes</i> Bergroth, 1911

  • Amanda Ravazi,
  • Jader de Oliveira,
  • Fernanda Fernandez Madeira,
  • Yago Visinho dos Reis,
  • Ana Beatriz Bortolozo de Oliveira,
  • Cleber Galvão,
  • Maria Tercília Vilela de Azeredo-Oliveira,
  • João Aristeu da Rosa,
  • Kaio Cesar Chaboli Alevi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/d14090761
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 9
p. 761

Abstract

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The tribe Rhodniini is a monophyletic group composed of 24 species grouped in two genera: Rhodnius and Psammolestes. Rhodnius is a paraphyletic genus formed by 21 species. The event of paraphilia is supported by the greater evolutionary proximity of the species of the prolixus groups with the genus Psammolestes than with the other groups of Rhodnius. Based on this phenomenon, it was proposed the alteration of the genus of the species of Psammolestes to Rhodnius. Thus, we performed experimental crosses between Psammolestes spp. and R. neglectus to assess the degree of reproductive compatibility between Psammolestes and Rhodnius. Hybrids were not obtained for intergeneric crosses. Based on this, we have demonstrated that Rhodnius and Psammolestes have reproductive incompatibility. These data are important to confirm the validity of the specific status of Psammolestes, based on the biological concept of the species.

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