Abstract

A taxonomic study of the subfamily Triatominae was conducted to determine systematic relationships using agar gel diffusion methods in the differentiation of ova antigens and electrophoresis to differentiate hernolymph proteins.

Agar gel diffusion methods indicated that two distinctive Triatominae species from South America could be distinguished from typical North American species; it was also possible to distinguish the monotypic genus Dipetalogaster from other North American populations.

A total of 180 electrophoretic tracings of Triatominae hernolyrnph were made from 18 populations of kissing bugs. Closely related populations of the Triatoma Protracta, Triatoma Rubida, and Paratriatoma Hirsuta Complexes showed group relationships within each of the complexes and distinctive differences between species groups.

Data derived from the electrophoretic studies and analyzed by IBM computers have indicated that all genera, species and subspecies studied could be positively identified. Seventy-five per cent of the members of the morphologically indistinguishable infrasubspecific rough and smooth egg populations of Triatoma protracta protracta were correctly identified. In addition to the above 89% (159 out of 180) of the fifth instar nymphs were correctly classified to their sex.

LLU Discipline

Microbiology

Department

Microbiology

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

Raymond E. Ryckman

Second Advisor

Charles E. Winter

Third Advisor

Edward D. Wagner

Fourth Advisor

Gayle H. Nelson

Fifth Advisor

Ariel A. Roth

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Level

M.S.

Year Degree Awarded

1966

Date (Title Page)

6-1966

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Triatominae -- classification.

Type

Thesis

Page Count

vii; 82

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

Included in

Microbiology Commons

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