Spontaneous morphogenetic juvenilization observed in laboratory populations of vector species of Chagas disease (Triatominae)

• Main Authors: Alina Perlowagora-Szumlewicz, Hermenegildo, N. da Cruz, Julieta A. Nabuco de Araújo
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT) 1973
• Subjects: Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doaj.org/article/25a1d29958424387b07264c3557bb07d

Reported are observations on spontaneous occurring morphogenetic juvenilization in laboratory populations of vector species of Chagas disease. Two general effects have been observed: arrested development and uncoordinated development. These are manifested by supernumerary nymphs (6th stage), intermediate nymphal-adult stages, badly deformed adults developed from 5th instar nymphs, uncoordinated development manifested by grotesque forms of adults, supernumerary adults unable to complete metamorphosis and complete supernumerary adults produced by 6th stage nymphs. The reoccurrence of insects with identical grades of juvenilization in the population is an indication that this is a genetic trait that might be inherited. The factors responsible for morphogenetic juvenilization cannot be transmitted through the juvenilized insects because they are sterile, than they were transmitted through normal insects probably as a recessive or a group recessive factors. The spontaneous morphogenetic juvenilization observed in laboratory populations has a striking similarity to juvenilizing effects induced by application of juvenile hormone analogues, described in the literature and also obtained in our laboratory in a study to be published. Thus it is suggested that both; the altered phenotypes occurring in wild populations and their "phenocopies" induced by the application of juvenile hormone analogues are products of gene controlled identical reactions. São relatadas observações sobre a ocorrência espontâea de juvenilização morfogenética em populações de espécies transmissoras da doença de Chagas, mantidas no laboratório. Dois efeitos gerais foram observados: a interrupção e a descoordenação do desenvolvimento. Tais efeitos são manifestados: 1) por ninfas supernumerárias (6º estádio), 2) por estágios intermediários (ninfa-adulto), 3) por adultos sensivelmente deformados, provenientes de ninfas do 5º estágio, 4) pelo desenvolvimento dèscoordenado manifestado por formas adultas grotescas, 5) por adultos supernumerários incapazes ...