Cytogenetics as a tool for Triatomine species distinction (Hemiptera-Reduviidae)

Abstract

Several cytogenetic traits were tested a species diagnostic characters on five triatomine species: Rhodnius pictipes, R. nasutus, R. robustus, Triatoma matogrossensis and T. pseudomaculata. Four of them are described for the first time. The detailed analysis of the meiotic process and the application of C-banding allowed us to identify seven cytogenetic characters wich result useful to characterize and differentiate triatomine species.

Keywords

• cytogenetics
• Triatoma
• Rhodnius
• holocentric chromosomes