Intra- and inter-specific competitive interactions in triatomines: relevance of age, nutritional status, arrival order and species in the shelters use

ZACHARIAS, CLAUDIA; MINOLI, SEBASTIAN; MANRIQUE, GABRIEL

San Pablo

Encuentro; XXXI ENCONTRO ANUAL DE ETOLOGIA; 2013

Sociedade Brasileria de Etologia

Kissing bugs leave their shelters during night and display most of their activities outside (e.g., feeding), returning before dawn, remaining aggregated to the substrate and conspecifics throughout the day. Since staying outside the shelter makes them vulnerable to predators, the ability to occupy a shelter at the end of the night is vital for their survival. The aim of this work is to study the relevance of competition in the spatial dynamic of use of shelters in larva of these bugs. We explored the competitive interaction between larval stages, nutritional status, arrival order and species (Triatoma infestans, T. sordida and Rhodnius prolixus). Behavioral assays were performed using one artificial shelter with limited space (creating a competitive environment) and quantifying the occupancy of individuals of different groups. Results showed higher occupancy levels of the shelter for 4th over 5th stage, fed over unfed and previously over lately arrived larvae of T. infestans. Interspecific comparisons suggest that T. sordida has better competitive abilities than T. infestans and the latter better than R. prolixus. The assessment of intra- and inter-specific competitive interactions is relevant as it can determine the success of a species in a given environment.