Phenotypic variability confirmed by nuclear ribosomal DNA suggests a possible natural hybrid zone of Triatoma brasiliensis species complex

Author(s):Show less -

Costa, Jane ^[1] ; Bargues, Maria Dolores ^[2] ; Neiva, Vanessa Lima ^[1] ; Lawrence, Gena G. ^[3] ; Gumiel, Marcia ^[4] ; Oliveira, Genova ^[5] ; Cabello, Pedro ^[6] ; Lima, Marli Maria ^[7] ; Dotson, Ellen ^[3] ; Provance, Jr., David William ^[8] ; Almeida, Carlos Eduardo ^{[9, 10]} ; Mateo, Lucia ^[2] ; Mas-Coma, Santiago ^[2] ; Dujardin, Jean Pierre ^[11]

Affiliation:Show less -

^[1] Inst Oswaldo Cruz, Lab Biodiversidade Entomol, BR-20001 Rio De Janeiro, RJ - Brazil

^[2] Univ Valencia, Fac Farm, Dept Parasitol, E-46010 Valencia - Spain

^[3] CDC, Entomol Branch, Div Parasit Dis, Atlanta, GA 30333 - USA

^[4] Inst Oswaldo Cruz, Lab Fisiol & Bioquim Insetos, BR-20001 Rio De Janeiro, RJ - Brazil

^[5] Secretaria Vigilancia Saude, Pernambuco - Brazil

^[6] Inst Oswaldo Cruz, Lab Genet Humana, BR-20001 Rio De Janeiro, RJ - Brazil

^[7] Inst Oswaldo Cruz, Lab Ecoepidemiol Doenca de Chagas, BR-20001 Rio De Janeiro, RJ - Brazil

^[8] CDTS, FIOCRUZ, Ctr Tecnol Saude, Rio De Janeiro, RJ - Brazil

^[9] Univ Est Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho, Araraquara, SP - Brazil

^[10] Univ Fed Paraiba, Prog PosGrad Ecol & Monitoramento Ambiental PPGEM, Campus 4, Joao Pessoa, Paraiba - Brazil

^[11] Inst Rech Dev, Montpellier - France

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION; v. 37, p. 77-87, JAN 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 9

Abstract

Triatoma brasiliensis macromelasoma occurs in Pernambuco state, Brazil, which is situated between the distribution areas of Triatoma brasiliensis brasiliensis (north) and Triatoma juazeirensis (south). T. b. macromelasoma displays greater variations in its chromatic phenotype than either T. b. brasiliensis or T. juazeirensis, and patterns reminiscent of one or the other. Experimental crosses from each of these members of the T. brasiliensis species complex generated fertile offspring suggesting that viable hybrids could be present in nature, despite their significant genetic distances. Considering the geographical position of occurrence of the T. b. macromelasoma (in Pernambuco) it was proposed to be an area capable of supporting natural hybridization between T. b. brasiliensis and T. juazeirensis. Since phenotypic variability is expected, this study investigated the existence of intermediate chromatic phenotypes for T. b. macromelasoma in various locations in areas between the T. b. brasiliensis and T. juazeirensis occurrences. Thirteen different color patterns were for the first time characterized and nine of those displayed intermediate phenotypes. Molecular analysis performed using ribosomal DNA intergenic region, grouped all within the T. brasiliensis complex. The intermediate chromatic phenotypes, molecular analysis and experimental crosses all support the distinction of a zone of hybridization that gave rise to the T. b. macromelasoma through homoploidal evolution. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/22378-0 - Ecologic niche modeling and genetic structure of Triatoma sherlocki (Triatominae: Hemiptera) in the Bahia State, Brazil: eco-epidemiologic implications
• Grantee: Carlos Eduardo de Almeida
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• FAPESP's process: 10/17027-0 - Ecological niche modeling and genetic structure of Triatoma sherlocki (Triatominae: Hemiptera) in Bahia state, Brazil: eco-epidemiological implications
• Grantee: Carlos Eduardo de Almeida
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral