SHORT COMMUNICATION - Experimental Evidence for a Demographic Cline in Panstrongylus megistus Populations

Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2001, Volume 96, Number 6, pp. 773-775 SHORT COMMUNICATION - Experimental Evidence for a Demographic Cline in Panstrongylus megistus Populations Silvia E Barbosa, Rodrigo PP Soares, Herton HR Pires, Liléia Diotaiuti Code Number: oc01123 ABSTRACT: The population biology of three populations of Panstrongylus megistus was compared to determine possible influence on the behaviour and epidemiological importance of this species. The results demonstrated differences in terms of egg eclosion time, nymphal mortality and development rates, and feeding and defaecation rates. These differences appeared to follow a geographical cline, primarily reflecting different degrees of adaptation to domestic habitats. KEYWORDS: Panstrongylus megistus, populations, biological characterization Copyright 2001 Mem Inst Oswaldo Cru