Phylogeny of the Triatominae (Hemiptera : Reduviidae) : proposals for taxonomic arrangements

Numerous scientists have emphasized the importance of phylogenetic information in ecosysteic interrelations, population dynamics, and possibilities for control when such populations are harmful to human beings and their health and economy. This work questioned at one and the same time the Henning's theory which considers that the unit of study is not the species or the individual but rather each one of his different periods of evolution called semaphoront, and the definition of species according to Mayr et al. (1953) : "groups of natural populations that reproduce within each other in a real or potential way and that are isolated reproductively from other analogous groups". These concepts should be interpreted taking into account not only the biological and genetic but also the geographical and ecological isolation. So exist in the nature many species perfectly identified by morphology able to cross and give fertile hybrids, sometimes with rapid fixation of new intermediate characters, that might be considered as new species by hybridization. This is well known by farmers and breeders of orchideae and aquarium fishes. Among Triatominae, the most noteworthy example may be that of #Triatoma infestans$ which produces fertile offsprings with #T. platensis$ over several generations. Hybrid forms present morphological intermediate characters between both species after many years. All Hemiptera Heteroptera feed by sucking organic liquids. According to the food-seeking trends, Schofield (1995) divides them into several groups : the Leptopodomorpha feed on the ground surface ; the Gerromorpha on the water surface monocuticle ; the Nepomorpha below water ; and three categories, Enicocephalomorpha, Dipsocoromorpha and Cimicomorpha, in interstitial habitats... (D'après résumé d'auteur