Study of the external female genitalia of 14 Rhodnius species (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) using scanning electron microscopy

• Published in: Parasites & vectors Vol. 7; no. 1; p. 17
• Main Authors: da Rosa, João Aristeu, Mendonça, Vagner José, Gardim, Sueli, de Carvalho, Danila Blanco, de Oliveira, Jader, Nascimento, Juliana Damieli, Pinotti, Heloisa, Pinto, Mara Cristina, Cilense, Mario, Galvão, Cleber, Barata, José Maria Soares
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Springer-Verlag 09.01.2014; BioMed Central Ltd; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Animals; Chagas disease; Electron microscopy; External female genitalia; Female; female genitalia; Genitalia, Female - ultrastructure; Hemiptera; Methods; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Physiological aspects; Reduviidae; Rhodnius; Rhodnius - ultrastructure; Scanning electron microscopy; Triatominae
• ISSN: 1756-3305; 1756-3305
• DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-17

BACKGROUND: Among the vectors of Chagas disease (Hemiptera: Reduviidae:Triatominae), there are eighteen Rhodnius species described and some are difficult to identify. The aim of this article is to contribute to the specific identification of fourteen Rhodnius spp. through morphological characters of the external female genitalia. METHODS: Female abdomens were cut transversely. The specimens were then prepared for examination by using scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: The careful examination of the dorsal, posterior and ventral sides revealed characteristics that allowed the identification of each of the fourteen species. CONCLUSION: The use of external female genitalia as characteristics are proposed as a tool for specifically identifying Rhodnius species, and an identification key for these species is presented.