FIGURE 2.  Multiple DNA sequence alignment of the mitochondrial large subunit ribosomal RNA gene fragment sequences (forward strand) obtained from the examined 17 triatomine and one reduviid species. Alignment of DNA sequences was performed by the PILEUP and PRETTY programs (Wisconsin Package Version 9.1, Genetics Computer Group, Madison, WI), which group sequences that are most similar, maximize the sequence residue matches, minimize the occurrence of gaps (-) during alignment, and compute a consensus sequence of the most frequently occurring nucleotide at each position. Dots (.) in the sequences indicate the consensus nucleotide while asterisks (*) in the consensus sequence signify positions at which no particular nucleotide occurred predominantly. The (abbreviated) species identity for each sequence is indicated along the left-hand margin. Certain nucleotide positions appear to be characteristic for species of the Rhodniini tribe (residues 58, 72, 114, 116, 130, 137, 298, 336, and 343) or for species of the Triatomini tribe (residues 61, 137, 238, and 272). T dim. = Triatoma dimidiata; T.san. = T. sanguisuga; T pal. @ T. pallidipennis; T. pro. = T protracts; D. max. = Dipetalogaster maxima; T. inf. = T. infestans; P. meg. Panstrongylus megistus; T. nit. = T. nitida; T sor. = T. sordida; R. neg. @ Rhodnius neglects; R. rob = R. robustus; R. pro. = R. prolixus; P. cor. = Psammolestes coreodes; R. pic. = R. pictipes; R. bre. = brethesi; R. ecu. = R. ecuadoriensis; R. pal. = R. pallescens; A. cri. Arilus cristatus.