Population structure of the C hagas disease vector, T riatoma infestans, at the urban–rural interface

Abstract

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, T riatoma infestans , has dispersed through the P eruvian city of A requipa. 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 T rypanosoma cruzi and subsequent development of C hagas disease. Here, we show that populations of T ria. infestans 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 T ria. infestans 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 T ria. infestans and that human movement has played a significant role in the structuring of the T ria. infestans population in the region. Rapid urbanization across southern S outh A merica will continue to create suitable environments for T ria. infestans, and knowledge of its urban dispersal patterns may play a fundamental role in mitigating human disease risk.

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