Population size regulation is density-dependent in Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) through an irritability mechanism



Document title: Population size regulation is density-dependent in Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) through an irritability mechanism
Journal: Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz
Database: PERIÓDICA
System number: 000459461
ISSN: 0074-0276
Authors: 1
2
Institutions: 1Ecosystems Advisors, College Station, Texas. Estados Unidos de América
2Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores, La Plata, Buenos Aires. Argentina
Year:
Volumen: 118
Country: Brasil
Language: Inglés
Document type: Artículo
Approach: Experimental, aplicado
English abstract BACKGROUND Physical factors can determine the level of triatomine abundance, but do not regulate their population densities, and neither do natural enemies. OBJECTIVES To identify the processes associated with density-dependent triatomine population regulation. METHODS We set-up a laboratory experiment with four interconnected boxes; the central box harbored Rhodnius prolixus bugs and one hamster. Stage 5 and adult densities of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 60 bugs per hamster, were replicated four times (except the density of 60 bugs). Hamster’s irritability and several triatomine responses were measured: feeding, development time and longevity, mortality, fecundity, dispersal, and the net reproductive value (R o ). FINDINGS Density had a statistically significant effect on irritability, but not on the percent of bugs feeding. Density was significant on blood meal size ingested in bugs that did not move between boxes, but not significant when the bugs moved. Density and irritability affected the proportion of stage 5 nymphs molting, and the proportion of adult bugs dying per day and over a three-week period. There was a highly significant effect of density and irritability on R o . MAIN CONCLUSIONS We showed that a density-dependent mechanism, acting through the irritability of the host, seems the most plausible process regulating populations in triatomines
Disciplines: Biología
Keyword: Insectos,
Ecología,
Enfermedad de Chagas,
Vectores biológicos,
Regulación poblacional,
Denso-dependencia,
Tasa de reproducción neta,
Rhodnius prolixus,
Triatominae
Keyword: Insects,
Ecology,
Chagas disease,
Biological vectors,
Population regulation,
Denso-dependence,
Net reproduction rate,
Rhodnius prolixus,
Triatominae
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