Analysis of the geographical distribution of Triatoma vitticeps (Stål, 1859) based on data of species occurrence in Minas Gerais, Brazil

DE SOUZA, RITA DE CÁSSIA MOREIRA; DIOTAIUTI, LILÉIA; LORENZO, MARCELO GUSTAVO; GORLA, DAVID E.

Infection, Genetics and Evolution

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Año: 2010 vol. 10 p. 720 - 726

1567-1348

The purpose of this study was to determine the potential for infestation of man-made environments byTriatoma vitticeps, correlating the epidemiological importance of this species with that of others presentin the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. In addition, climatic variables that could help explain thedistribution of this species and clarify its population dynamics were sought. This was done by carryingout a historical survey of the presence of T. vitticeps in artificial ecotopes, using data from the Fundac¸a?oNacional de Sau´ de (FUNASA). Monthly records of bioclimatic variables averaged for the period 1950?2000 and pixel size of 1 km 1 kmprovided a reference for spatial distribution analysis. Annual rainfalland rainfall of themost humid trimester are the best indicators of the species distribution. To confirm theimportance of these variables, T. vitticeps eggs were exposed to different levels of relative humidity.Hatching was found to vary significantly, and low humidity showed a significant negative effect on egghatching. Our results demonstrate a strong association between T. vitticeps and high environmentalhumidity, which apparently acts as a limiting factor on the distribution of this triatomine.