Geographic genetic differentiation of a malaria parasite, Plasmodium mexicanum, and its lizard host, Sceloporus occidentalis

The Journal of Parasitology
Jennifer M FrickeJos J Schall

Abstract

Gene flow, and resulting degree of genetic differentiation among populations, will shape geographic genetic patterns and possibly local adaptation of parasites and their hosts. Some studies of Plasmodium falciparum in humans show substantial differentiation of the parasite in locations separated by only a few kilometers, a paradoxical finding for a parasite in a large, mobile host. We examined genetic differentiation of the malaria parasite Plasmodium mexicanum, and its lizard host, Sceloporus occidentalis, at 8 sites in northern California, with the use of variable microsatellite markers for both species. These lizards are small and highly territorial, so we expected local genetic differentiation of both parasite and lizard. Populations of P. mexicanum were found to be differentiated by analysis of 5 markers (F(st) values >0.05-0.10) over distances as short as 230-400 m, and greatly differentiated (F(st) values >0.25) for sites separated by approximately 10 km. In contrast, the lizard host had no, or very low, levels of differentiation for 3 markers, even for sites >40 km distant. Thus, gene flow for the lizard was great, but despite the mobility of the vertebrate host, the parasite was locally genetically distinct. This discr...Continue Reading

Citations

Jul 30, 2014·Parasitology International·Richard L Culleton, Hussein M Abkallo
May 14, 2014·Journal of Vector Ecology : Journal of the Society for Vector Ecology·G L HughesA M Vardo-Zalik
Dec 20, 2013·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Allison T Neal, Jos J Schall

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
PCR

Software Mentioned

FSTAT
ene M apper

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