Population structure of the Chagas disease vector, Triatoma infestans, at the urban–rural interface. Issue 20 (19th September 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Foley, Erica A.; Khatchikian, Camilo E.; Hwang, Josephine; Ancca‐Juárez, Jenny; Borrini‐Mayori, Katty; Quıspe‐Machaca, Victor R.; Levy, Michael Z.; Brisson, Dustin
• Is Part Of: Molecular ecology. Volume 22:Issue 20(2013)
• Page Start: 5162
• Page End: 5171
• Publication Date: 2013-09-19
• Subjects: Molecular ecology -- Periodicals; Molecular population biology -- Periodicals; 576
• DOI: 10.1111/mec.12471
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0962-1083

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="mec12471-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>The increasing rate of biological invasions resulting from human transport or human‐mediated changes to the environment has had devastating ecological and public health consequences. The kissing bug, <italic>Triatoma infestans</italic>, has dispersed through the Peruvian city of Arequipa. The biological invasion of this insect has resulted in a public health crisis, putting thousands of residents of this city at risk of infection by <italic>Trypanosoma cruzi</italic> and subsequent development of Chagas disease. Here, we show that populations of <italic>Tria. infestans</italic> in geographically distinct districts within and around this urban centre share a common recent evolutionary history although current gene flow is restricted even between proximal sites. The population structure among the <italic>Tria. infestans</italic> in different districts is not correlated with the geographical distance between districts. These data suggest that migration among the districts is mediated by factors beyond the short‐range migratory capabilities of <italic>Tria. infestans</italic> and that human movement has played a significant role in the structuring of the <italic>Tria. infestans</italic> population in the region. Rapid urbanization across southern South America will continue to create suitable environments for <italic>Tria. infestans, </italic> and knowledge of its urban dispersal patterns may play a fundamental role in mitigating human disease risk.</p> </abstract>