The triatomine bug Rhodnius prolixus is a main vector of Chagas disease, which affects several million people in Latin-America. These nocturnal insects spend most of their locomotory activity during the first hours of the scotophase searching for suitable hosts. In this study we used multivariate analysis to characterize spontaneous locomotory activity profiles presented by 5th instar nymphs. In addition, we investigated whether sex and the expression of the foraging (Rpfor) gene could modulate this behavioral trait. Hierarchical Clustering and Redundancy Analyses detected individuals with distinct locomotory profiles. In addition to a great variation in locomotory intensity, we found that a proportion of nymphs walked during unusual time intervals. Locomotory activity profiles were mostly affected by the cumulative activity expressed by the nymphs. These effects promoted by cumulative activity were in turn influenced by nymph sex. Sex and the Rpfor expression had a significant influence on the profiles, as well as in the levels of total activity. In conclusion, the locomotory profiles evinced by the multivariate analyses suggest the co-existence of different foraging strategies in bugs. Additionally, we report sex-specific effects on the locomotion patterns of 5th instar R. prolixus, which are apparently modulated by the differential expression of the Rpfor gene.

中文翻译：

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恰加斯病的接吻小虫载体中共存的运动活性和基因表达谱。

Triatomine bug Rhodnius prolixus是南美锥虫病的主要媒介，它影响了拉丁美洲的数百万人。这些夜间昆虫在近生期的头几个小时中花费了大部分的运动活性，以寻找合适的宿主。在这项研究中，我们使用多变量分析来表征五龄若虫的自发运动活性。此外，我们调查了性别和觅食（Rpfor）基因的表达是否可以调节这种行为特征。层次聚类和冗余分析可检测到具有不同机位配置文件的个体。除了运动强度的巨大变化外，我们发现一部分若虫在不寻常的时间间隔内行走。运动活动概况主要受到若虫表达的累积活动的影响。累积活动促进的这些效应反过来又受到若虫性的影响。性别和Rpfor的表达对概况以及总活动水平有重要影响。总之，多元分析表明的运动学特征表明不同的觅食策略在虫子中共存。此外，我们报告了对第5龄R. prolixus运动模式的性别特异性影响，这显然受Rpfor基因差异表达的调节。多元分析表明的运动学特征表明不同的觅食策略在昆虫中并存。此外，我们报告了第5龄R. prolixus的运动模式的性别特异性影响，这显然受Rpfor基因差异表达的调节。多元分析表明的运动学特征表明不同的觅食策略在昆虫中并存。此外，我们报告了第5龄R. prolixus的运动模式的性别特异性影响，这显然受Rpfor基因差异表达的调节。