The Triatoma phyllosoma species group (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae), vectors of Chagas disease: Diagnoses and a key to the species

Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5023 (3) ◽  
pp. 335-365
Author(s):  
LAURA RENGIFO-CORREA ◽  
JUAN LUIS x JUAN LUIS TÉLLEZ-RENDÓN ◽  
LYDA ESTEBAN ◽  
HERÓN HUERTA ◽  
JUAN J. MORRONE
Keyword(s):  
Cryptic Species ◽  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Reproductive Behavior ◽  
Species Concept ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Species Group ◽  
Species Status ◽  
Taxonomic Key ◽  
Species Complexes

The Triatoma phyllosoma species group includes 17 species of kissing bugs, most of them implicated in the transmission of Chagas disease in the Americas. The species of this group are T. bassolsae Alejandre-Aguilar, Nogueda-Torres, Cortéz-Jímenez, Jurberg, Galvão & Carcavallo, 1999, T. brailovskyi Martínez, Carcavallo & Pelaez, 1984, T. dimidiata (Latreille, 1811), T. gerstaeckeri (Stål, 1859), T. gomeznunezi Martínez, Carcavallo & Juberg, 1994, T. hegneri Mazzotti, 1940, T. huehuetenanguensis Lima-Cordón, Monroy, Stevens, Rodas, Rodas, Dorn & Justi, 2019, T. indictiva Neiva, 1912, T. longipennis Usinger, 1939, T. mazzottii Usinger, 1941, T. mexicana (Herrich-Schaeffer, 1848), T. mopan Dorn, Justi, Dale, Stevens, Galvão, Lima-Cordón & Monroy, 2018, T. pallidipennis (Stål, 1872), T. phyllosoma (Burmeister, 1835), T. picturata Usinger, 1939, T. recurva (Stål, 1868), and T. sanguisuga (LeConte, 1855). The validity of some species of the group was uncertain, because of both cryptic species and hybrid occurrence. Species exhibiting these particularities were formerly classified in the T. dimidiata and T. phyllosoma complexes. Although we recognize the historical value of these species complexes, we do not recommend their further use. Instead, we recognize the T. phyllosoma species group here reviewed, considering the current knowledge of the systematics and reproductive behavior of the group. We implement the cohesion species concept, validating the species status of T. bassolsae, T. longipennis, T. mazzottii, T. pallidipennis, T. phyllosoma, and T. picturata. We also provide diagnoses, photographs and a taxonomic key including the recently described species.  

Overview of the biodiversity and distribution of the Class Homoscleromorpha in the Tropical Western Atlantic

2015 ◽  
Vol 96 (2) ◽  
pp. 379-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Celso Domingos ◽  
Anaíra Lage ◽  
Guilherme Muricy
Keyword(s):  
Cryptic Species ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Greater Antilles ◽  
Undescribed Species ◽  
Western Atlantic ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Plakortis Angulospiculatus ◽  
North Western

In this study we revise the current knowledge on the biodiversity and distribution of the Class Homoscleromorpha in the Tropical Western Atlantic (TWA). Twenty-seven species are currently recognized in the TWA, belonging to the generaOscarella(O. nathaliae),Plakortis(P. angulospiculatus, P. dariae, P. edwardsi, P. halichondrioides, P. insularis, P. microrhabdifera, P. myrae, P. petrupaulensis, P. potiguarensis, P. simplex, P. spinalis, P. zyggompha),Plakinastrella(P. globularis, P. microspiculifera, P. onkodes, P. stinapa),Plakina(P. coerulea, P. elisa, P. jamaicensis, P. monolopha, P. tetralopha, P. trilopha, P. versatilis),Corticium(C. diamantense, C. quadripartitum) andTetralophophora(T. mesoamericana). Three of these ‘species’ are cosmopolitan and in fact represent complexes of cryptic species:Plakina monolopha, P. trilophaandPlakortis simplex. All other 24 species reported are TWA endemics. Only four species are found both in the Caribbean and in Brazil:Plakortis angulospiculatus, P. halichondrioides, Plakinastrella microspiculiferaandP. onkodes, but these may also be species complexes. Seven species are Brazilian endemics:Plakina coerulea, Plakinastrella globularis, Plakortis insularis, P. microrhabdifera, P. petrupaulensis, P. potiguarensisandP. spinalis. Thirteen species are restricted to the Tropical North-western Atlantic:Corticium diamantense, C. quadripartitum, Oscarella nathaliae, Plakina elisa, P. jamaicensis, P. tetralopha, P. versatilis, Plakortis dariae, P. edwardsi, P. myrae, P. zyggompha, Plakinastrella stinapaandTetralophophora mesoamericana. The Greater Antilles is the richest ecoregion, with 12 species reported. Only the Guianan ecoregion has no records of Homoscleromorpha. Several undescribed species ofOscarellaandPlakinaare also known from the TWA. We estimate that the biodiversity of Homoscleromorpha in the TWA is at least twice as high than currently known.

scholarly journals A NEW CRYPTIC SPECIES OF THE GENUS Microhyla (AMPHIBIA: MICROHYLIDAE) FROM LANGBIAN PLATEAU, VIETNAM

2020 ◽  
pp. 136-163
Author(s):  
Nikolay A. Poyarkov ◽  
Tan Van Nguyen ◽  
Alexey V. Trofimets ◽  
Vladislav A. Gorin
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Cryptic Species ◽  
Species Group ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Colour Pattern ◽  
Southern Vietnam ◽  
Taxonomic Analysis ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
Taxonomic Research ◽  
Effective Conservation

An integrative taxonomic analysis combining molecular and morphological lines of evidence revealed a new cryptic species of the Microhyla achatina species group from the Langbian Plateau of southern Vietnam. The new species was previously confused with its recently described morphologically similar and sympatric sister species, M. pineticola. The new species can be distinguished from M. pineticola by the presence of a continuous dark stripe running from the posterior edge of its eye towards the groin (vs dark markings interrupted above the axilla), snout acuminate in lateral profile (vs rounded), belly colour pattern, and foot webbing. The new species is currently known only from Bidoup–Nui Ba National Park in Lam Dong Province, Langbian Plateau in southern Vietnam (at elevations of 1300–1600 m a.s.l). We suggest the new species to be considered as Near Threatened (NT) in the IUCN Red List. Our results emphasize that our understanding of the diversity of genus Microhyla is still far from complete, and provide further evidence for montane areas of southern Vietnam to be a centre of Microhyla species richness. Our study further underscores the urgent need for intensified integrative taxonomic research on Microhyla spp. in order to clarify the taxonomy of wide-ranging species complexes and to elaborate effective conservation measures.

Aim for the Readers! Bromodomains As New Targets Against Chagas’ Disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (36) ◽  
pp. 6544-6563
Author(s):  
Victoria Lucia Alonso ◽  
Luis Emilio Tavernelli ◽  
Alejandro Pezza ◽  
Pamela Cribb ◽  
Carla Ritagliati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Discovery ◽  
Small Molecules ◽  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Causative Agent ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Lysine Acetylation ◽  
Specific Manner ◽  
Lysine Residues ◽  
Antiparasitic Drugs

Bromodomains recognize and bind acetyl-lysine residues present in histone and non-histone proteins in a specific manner. In the last decade they have raised as attractive targets for drug discovery because the miss-regulation of human bromodomains was discovered to be involved in the development of a large spectrum of diseases. However, targeting eukaryotic pathogens bromodomains continues to be almost unexplored. We and others have reported the essentiality of diverse bromodomain- containing proteins in protozoa, offering a new opportunity for the development of antiparasitic drugs, especially for Trypansoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas’ disease. Mammalian bromodomains were classified in eight groups based on sequence similarity but parasitic bromodomains are very divergent proteins and are hard to assign them to any of these groups, suggesting that selective inhibitors can be obtained. In this review, we describe the importance of lysine acetylation and bromodomains in T. cruzi as well as the current knowledge on mammalian bromodomains. Also, we summarize the myriad of small-molecules under study to treat different pathologies and which of them have been tested in trypanosomatids and other protozoa. All the information available led us to propose that T. cruzi bromodomains should be considered as important potential targets and the search for smallmolecules to inhibit them should be empowered.

scholarly journals Current knowledge of Chagas-related heart disease among pediatric cardiologists in the United States

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanchi Malhotra ◽  
Imran Masood ◽  
Noberto Giglio ◽  
Jay D. Pruetz ◽  
Pia S. Pannaraj
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Differential Diagnosis ◽  
Heart Disease ◽  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Parasitic Infection ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cardiac Complications ◽  
The U.S

Abstract Background Chagas disease is a pathogenic parasitic infection with approximately 8 million cases worldwide and greater than 300,000 cases in the United States (U.S.). Chagas disease can lead to chronic cardiomyopathy and cardiac complications, with variable cardiac presentations in pediatrics making it difficult to recognize. The purpose of our study is to better understand current knowledge and experience with Chagas related heart disease among pediatric cardiologists in the U.S. Methods We prospectively disseminated a 19-question survey to pediatric cardiologists via 3 pediatric cardiology listservs. The survey included questions about demographics, Chagas disease presentation and experience. Results Of 139 responses, 119 cardiologists treat pediatric patients in the U.S. and were included. Most providers (87%) had not seen a case of Chagas disease in their practice; however, 72% also had never tested for it. The majority of knowledge-based questions about Chagas disease cardiac presentations were answered incorrectly, and 85% of providers expressed discomfort with recognizing cardiac presentations in children. Most respondents selected that they would not include Chagas disease on their differential diagnosis for presentations such as conduction anomalies, myocarditis and/or apical aneurysms, but would be more likely to include it if found in a Latin American immigrant. Of respondents, 87% agreed that they would be likely to attend a Chagas disease-related lecture. Conclusions Pediatric cardiologists in the U.S. have seen very few cases of Chagas disease, albeit most have not sent testing or included it in their differential diagnosis. Most individuals agreed that education on Chagas disease would be worth-while.

scholarly journals Co-occurring cryptic species pose challenges for conservation: a case study of the African dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemusspp.) in Cameroon

Oryx ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 584-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole L. Smolensky
Keyword(s):  
Cryptic Species ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Encounter Rates ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
Threatened Taxa ◽  
Population Structures

AbstractThe conservation status of threatened taxa may be obfuscated by the detection of cryptic species complexes, in both vertebrate and invertebrate species. African dwarf crocodiles (Osteolaemusspp.) are hunted throughout their range but their conservation status is unknown. Few population assessments have been carried out and there has been a taxonomic revision of the number of species in the genus. The similar morphologies ofOsteolaemus tetraspisandOsteolaemus osbornipose a challenge for conservation in Cameroon, where they are still managed as a single species. Nocturnal spotlight surveys were conducted in three regions during August–November 2010 and December 2011–February 2012 to provide population assessments ofO. tetraspisandO. osborniand raise awareness of the two species in Cameroon. The mean encounter rates ofO. tetraspisandO. osborniwere 1.02 ± SD 1.34 (65 individuals in 39 surveys) and 0.61 ± SD 0.38 (three in four surveys) crocodiles per km, respectively. TheO. tetraspispopulation comprised juveniles predominantly and had a male-biased sex ratio. The fewO. osbornidetected comprised both adults and juveniles. Both species are threatened in Cameroon, based on low encounter rates, young population structures and the threats of habitat loss and hunting pressure. This study provides distribution maps and serves as a baseline to quantify population trends and inform conservation strategies.

Drosophila sonorae (Diptera, Drosophilidae), a new species in the repleta species group from Mexico

Zootaxa ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 1725 (1) ◽  
pp. 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
WILLIAM B. HEED ◽  
SERGIO CASTREZANA
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Host Plant ◽  
Species Group ◽  
Plant Associations ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
A New Species

We describe a new species, D. sonorae Heed and Castrezana from Sonora, Mexico in the repleta species group of Drosophila (Drosophilidae, Diptera). This species is morphologically similar to other members of the newly established D. longicornis complex, and the well-established D. longicornis cluster. Host plant associations, biogeography, and distributions of species in both the longicornis and mulleri species complexes are discussed here.

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