Transmitter Insect of Chagas Disease in Northwest Mexico: A Comparative Study of the Cuticular Hydrocarbons Profile of Three Populations of Triatoma rubida: Peridomestic, Domestic and Sylvatic

Abstract

In México, biogeography data are available for species of triatomas called Trypanosoma cruzi transmitters; for example, the phyllosoma complex is distributed in several states of the south-central southeast of the country. In contrast, Northwestern Mexico species such as Triatoma rubida are considered sylvatic and in the process of domestication. The lack of research of these northern species of the country has generated an ignorance that contrasts with a growing number of alleged new cases of Chagas disease registered in health institutions in states such as Sonora. From the six species of triatomas that are potential transmitters of the trypanosoma in the state of Sonora, Triatoma rubida is the only one that has recent studies of distribution and transmission capacity. It is important then to know the degree of domesticity of the native species with the capacity of transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi and to define areas of risk. The process of adaptation of the sylvatic triatomines to the peridomestic and the domestic habitat has been understood in terms of environmental and biological variables. In this research, the profile of cuticular hydrocarbons of a peridomestic, domestic and sylvatic population of Triatoma rubida was analyzed and compared. distinctions can be made between populations. The profile of cuticular hydrocarbons, identified in this study, can be used as a reliable chemotaxonomic tool to identify the populations of T. rubida , considering the expression of hydrocarbons as the chemical phenotype of the vector that responds to environmental and biological factors of the insect.