Interplay of host specificity and biogeography in the population structure of a cosmopolitan endoparasite: microsatellite study of Ligula intestinalis (Cestoda)

0334946 - BC 2010 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Štefka, Jan - Hypša, Václav - Scholz, Tomáš
Interplay of host specificity and biogeography in the population structure of a cosmopolitan endoparasite: microsatellite study of Ligula intestinalis (Cestoda).
Molecular Ecology. Roč. 18, č. 6 (2009), s. 1187-1206. ISSN 0962-1083. E-ISSN 1365-294X
R&D Projects: GA MŠMT LC06073; GA ČR GA524/08/0885; GA MŠMT LC522
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z60220518
Keywords : cryptic speciation * geographical isolation * host specificity * microsatellites * parasite * population structure
Subject RIV: GJ - Animal Vermins ; Diseases, Veterinary Medicine
Impact factor: 5.960, year: 2009

Populations of a parasite with a complex life cycle, wide host spectrum and global distribution were analysed using 15 microsatellite loci, with the aim to reveal factors underlying the evolution of host- or geography-dependent lineages. Deep genetic distances were observed between populations from distant geographical areas. Locally, two sympatric lineages differing in the spectrum of infected hosts co-occurred in the Euro-Mediterranean area, and two distinct lineages were recovered from Lake Tana in Ethiopia. Complexity of the parasite life-cycle contributed to such a stratified pattern. Differences in the immune response between fish hosts were suggested as the factor diversifying the populations locally; conversely, high mobility of the parasite due to migration with its bird (definitive) host were assessed to homogenize the populations globally. Interestingly, large bodies of salt water (e.g. the Mediterranean sea) were shown to prevent the parasite from long-distance migrations.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0179553