Geographic distribution update of Argentinian triatomine species as vectors of Chagas disease framed in a citizen science project

CANO, M. E; COCHERO, J; RABINOVICH, J. E; CECCARELLI, S; CANALE, D; STARIOLO, R; MARTI G. A; BALSALOBRE, A; LOBBIA, P; FERNANDEZ MP

National Harbor

Congreso; 68th Annual meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene; 2019

The Wallacean Shortfall phenomenon indicates that there is very little knowledge of thegeographic distribution for the vast majority of the species described today, especially forinvertebrates. In the case of insect vectors species and associated vector-borne pathogens,there are current initiatives that compile occurrence data, providing geographic informationthat enables policymakers to make evidence-based decisions. Other vector species are oftensparsely recorded and there are few globally comprehensive sets of primary data compiled.Such is the case of triatomine species (Reduviidae: Triatominae), vector of Trypanosomacruzi - Chagas disease etiological agent. Currently, there are about 150 species describedworldwide for the Triatominae subfamily, 137 species distributed in the Americas, and 17species cited for Argentina. Although all species are considered as potential vectors, around70 species have been found naturally infected with this parasite. Beyond the ?Atlas of theTratominae? published by Carcavallo et al. (1998), no work carried out a full integration of theexisting geographic information of Argentinian triatomine species, as some successful effortscompleted in other Latin American countries. Recently, an updated and integratedoccurrence database of 135 American triatomine species called ?DataTri? was published.Additionally, for the last 15 years, the National Vector Reference Center of Argentina(CeReVe) has been compiling occurrence data during their own fieldwork, which hasremained unpublished. Finally, a citizen science project called ?GeoVin? was developed togather occurrence data of Argentinian triatomine species through citizen participation usinga mobile app. Here we report a multi-source database of distributional records for allArgentinian triatomine species. A total of 9593 occurrence data were collected between 1918-2019. We hope that this study helps and encourage colleagues and citizen to keep thisinformation updated that can be used as basic information by public health agencies to guidesurveillance actions and control of Chagas disease.