Enzyme electrophoresis for the study of Triatomidae with special reference to Panstrongylus megistus subpopulations
Dórea, R.C.; Póvoa, M.M.; Miles, M.A.; de Souza, A.A.; Barata, J.M.
Revista Brasileira de Biologia 42(3): 521-526
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0034-7108 PMID: 6763730 Document Number: 186943
Electrophoresis of isoenzymes was used to investigate the isoenzyme heterogeneity among triatomines and 3 sub-populations of P. megistus from Pernambuco, Bahia and Rio de Janeiro, respectively. Morphological features of the 3 sub-populations of P. megistus were also analyzed. Of 24 enzymes, 15 worked well. Of 14 enzymes, 12 separated the 3 species, Rhodnius prolixus, Dipetalogaster maxima and Triatoma infestans and 2 enzymes separated D. maxima and T. infestans from R. prolixus. No enzyme distinctions between the 3 sub-populations of P. megistus were observed, but minor morphological differences were detected. These observations suggest that the climate is more important than genetic heterogeneity in the control of the behavior of P. megistus. It is possible to use electrophoresis with triatomines for phylogenetic studies and for studies of insecticide resistance.