Identification of morphologically similar Rhodnius species (Hemiptera : Reduviidae : Triatominae) by electrophoresis of salivary heme proteins

We examined intraspecific variability in the genus Rhodnius using starch ge l electrophoresis of salivary heme proteins. Salivary protein profiles of 8 Rhodnius species (R. prolixus, R, robustus, R. neglectus, R. nasutus, R. e cuadoriensis, R. pallescens, R. pictipes, and R, domesticus) were compared. All species could be distinguished by this technique. The greatest protein polymorphism was found in R. ecuadoriensis, R. nasutus, R. robustus, and R . pictipes, followed by R. prolixus, R. neglectus, R. pallescens, and R. do mesticus. This approach was able to distinguish R. prolixus from R. robustu s and R. neglectus from Ii. nasutus, species with extreme phenotypical simi larity.