Triatoma dimidiata (Latreille, 1811): a review of its diversity across its geographic range and the relationship among populations

Abstract

Due to its vast diversity the Chagas vector, Triatoma dimidiata, has been merged and split into species and subspecies since its first description in 1811. Across its geographic range from Southern Mexico to Northern Peru populations differ in their biology and ethology in many ways including those that directly affect vector capacity and competence. Recent phenetic and genetic data suggest that T. dimidiata can be divided into at least three clades and in fact may be a polytypic species or species complex. To effectively target this vector, it will be necessary to clearly understand how "T. dimidiata" is genetically partitioned both at the taxonomic and population level.