ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND Vector transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi appears to be interrupted in Chile; however, data show increasing incidence of Chagas' disease, raising concerns that there may be a reemerging problem. OBJECTIVE To estimate the actual risk in a changing world it is necessary to consider the historical vector distribution and correlate this distribution with the presence of cases and climate change. METHODS Potential distribution models of Triatoma infestans and Chagas disease were performed using Maxent, a machine-learning method. FINDINGS Climate change appears to play a major role in the reemergence of Chagas' disease and T. infestans in Chile. The distribution of both T. infestans and Chagas' disease correlated with maximum temperature, and the precipitation during the driest month. The overlap of Chagas' disease and T. infestans distribution areas was high. The distribution of T. infestans, under two global change scenarios, showed a minimal reduction tendency in suitable areas. MAIN CONCLUSION The impact of temperature and precipitation on the distribution of T. infestans, as shown by the models, indicates the need for aggressive control efforts; the current control measures, including T. infestans control campaigns, should be maintained with the same intensity as they have at present, avoiding sylvatic foci, intrusions, and recolonisation of human dwellings.
Subject(s)
Chagas Disease/transmission , Insect Vectors/parasitology , Triatoma/parasitology , Climate ChangeABSTRACT
ABSTRACT The male of Hirmoneuropsis luctuosa (Philippi, 1865) is redescribed and the puparium is described and illustrated for the first time. Hirmoneuropsis luctuosa is compared with other species of the genus. Illustrations of diagnostic characters of the male and pupa are also provided.
ABSTRACT
Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) atacamensis, a new species in the subgenus Nyssorhynchus, is described and validated using morphological characters of the male and female adult, male genitalia and immature stages. Molecular characterization employing sequences of the ITS2 rDNA and COI mtDNA are provided. The new taxon is compared with Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) pictipennis (Philippi) from central Chile based on morphological features of the adults, male genitalia and larva. Illustrations of the diagnostic characteristics of the male genitalia, fourth-instar larva and pupa are provided.
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Male , Anopheles , Anopheles/anatomy & histology , Anopheles/classification , Anopheles/genetics , Base Sequence , Chile , DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics , DNA, Ribosomal Spacer/genetics , Molecular Sequence DataABSTRACT
The female of Dasybasis elquiensis, new species, is described and illustrated from specimens collected in Paso La Ternera, Elqui Province, north Chile. Its relationships to other Dasybasis species are discussed.
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Diptera/anatomy & histology , Chile , Diptera/classification , HorsesABSTRACT
The terrestrial immature stages of the Chilean horse fly, Protodasyapha (Protodasyapha) hirtuosa (Philippi), are described. P. (P.) hirtuosa resembles Ectenopsis vulpecula Macquart and Caenoprosopon trichocera (Bigot) from Australia, and Esenbeckia delta Hine from North America, in both the larval and pupal stages. Some characters that are shared between these species are unique and provide evidence of their monophyletic origin. Larvae of P. hirtuosa were found 3-5 below of the soil surface and associated with larvae of Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and Diptera.
Subject(s)
Animals , Diptera/embryology , Houseflies/classification , ChileABSTRACT
The female and male of Dasybasis (Agelanius) cortesi, new species, is described and illustrated from specimens collected in the National Reserve of Rio Clarillo, Cordillera Province, Central Chile. Its relationships to other Dasybasis species are discussed.