Experimental hybrids between Triatoma infestans and Triatoma platensis combine parental traits with potential implications for vector dispersal

Triatoma infestans and Triatoma platensis are closely related species that may coexist in peridomestic habitats and produce viable hybrids. Since dispersal is a key process in the epidemiology of Chagas disease, understanding how hybridization affects flight-related traits is important. Here, we compared head and wing morphology of parental species and experimental hybrids to assess whether hybridization alters morphological traits potentially associated with flight. Hybrids were obtained by crossing ♀ Triatoma infestans with ♂ T. platensis. Head and wing shape were analyzed using landmark-based geometric morphometrics, whereas size variation, allometric relationships, and wing aspect ratio were evaluated using generalized linear and generalized least-squares models. Significant differences in head and wing morphology were detected among parental species and hybrids. Overall, hybrids exhibited intermediate phenotypes, combining morphological features of both parental species, while their wing shape was more similar to that of T. infestans. The observed association between wing shape and aspect ratio describes variation in wing morphology, but whether these patterns correspond to differences in flight behaviour or dispersal remains to be experimentally tested.