Abstract

MARTI, G. A.; GARCIA, J. J.; CAZAU, M. C.  and  LOPEZ LASTRA, C. C.. Fungal flora of the digestive tract of Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) from Argentina. Bol. Soc. Argent. Bot. [online]. 2007, vol.42, n.3-4, pp.175-179. ISSN 1851-2372.

A survey of the fungal microbiota of the digestive tract of Triatoma infestans (Klug) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) adults was carried out. Insects captured in the field from different provinces in Argentina, as well as individuals reared in artificial colonies, were used for dissection. Axenic cultures of the fungal species were identified and were deposited with mycological collections at La Plata , Argentina. A total of 33 fungal species, with the exception of three that were mycelia sterilia, belonging to 11 genera were identified. Thirty two species belonged to Ascomycota (Eurotiomycetes and Sordariomycetes) and one to Zygomycota (Zygomycetes). The genera with the greatest number of species were Penicillium (15), Aspergillus (5), and Cladosporium (2). Among the isolated fungi, some of the species were entomopathogenic or pathogens of humans and other animals.

Keywords : Argentina; Digestive tract; Fungal microflora; Insect; Symbionts; Triatoma infestans.

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