Studies were made on the ribosomal DNA intergenic region, comprising complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-1, 5.8S, and ITS-2 sequences, of populations of the triatomine Panstrongylus megistus, the most important vector of Chagas' disease in Brazil since Triatoma infestans eradication. Specimens were from 26 localities of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Paraná, São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Bahia, and Sergipe states. In total, 21 ITS-1 and 12 ITS-2 haplotypes were found. Nucleotide differences were higher in ITS-1 (3.00%) than in ITS-2 (1.33%). The intergenic region was 1,513–1,522-bp-long (mean 1,516.9 bp), providing 26 combined haplotypes. The combination of microsatellites found in both ITSs may be of applied usefulness, to assess interpopulation specimen exchange and potential recolonizations after vector elimination by control implementation. Network results suggest that São Paulo maybe considered one of the spreading centers of this species. Molecular clock datation suggests that P. megistus populations are diversifying at least since 4.54 million years ago, with diversification still ongoing today by geographical isolation of populations. Evidence is provided about the relationship of genetic diversity with geographical spread that characterizes a major vector and explains its ability to colonize distant areas and different ecotopes, including human habitats, and consequently its importance in Chagas' disease epidemiology.
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1 May 2014
Genetic Variability and Geographical Diversity of the Main Chagas' Disease Vector Panstrongylus megistus (Hemiptera: Triatominae) in Brazil Based on Ribosomal DNA Intergenic Sequences
Francelisse Bridi Cavassin,
Debora Do Rocío Klisiowicz,
Luiz Gustavo Rodrigues Oliveira,
Christian Collins Kuehn,
Rogério Luiz Kopp,
Vanette Thomaz-Soccol,
João Aristeu Da Rosa,
Ennio Luz,
Santiago Mas-Coma,
María Dolores Bargues
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Journal of Medical Entomology
Vol. 51 • No. 3
May 2014
Vol. 51 • No. 3
May 2014
Brazil
Chagas' disease
haplotype diversity
Panstrongylus megistus
rDNA intergenic region