Mysteries of host switching: Diversification and host specificity in rodent-coccidia associations

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution
Anna MácováJana Kvičerová

Abstract

Recent studies show that host switching is much more frequent than originally believed and constitutes an important driver in evolution of host-parasite associations. However, its frequency and ecological mechanisms at the population level have been rarely investigated. We address this issue by analyzing phylogeny and population genetics of an extensive sample, from a broad geographic area, for commonly occurring parasites of the genus Eimeria within the abundant rodent genera Apodemus, Microtus and Myodes, using two molecular markers. At the most basal level, we demonstrate polyphyletic arrangement, i.e. multiple origin, of the rodent-specific clusters within the Eimeria phylogeny, and strong genetic/phylogenetic structure within these lineages determined at least partially by specificities to different host groups. However, a novel and the most important observation is a repeated occurrence of host switches among closely related genetic lineages which may become rapidly fixed. Within the studied model, this phenomenon applies particularly to the switches between the eimerians from Apodemus flavicollis/Apodemus sylvaticus and Apodemus agrarius groups. We show that genetic differentiation and isolation between A. flavicollis/A....Continue Reading

Citations

Feb 23, 2020·Ecology and Evolution·Víctor Hugo Jarquín-DíazEmanuel Heitlinger
Oct 21, 2020·Parasitology Research·Wesley Arruda Gimenes NantesAna Maria Jansen
Nov 12, 2020·Frontiers in Veterinary Science·Federica BerrilliAnnunziata Giangaspero
Jan 1, 2021·Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology·Bruno Martorelli Di Genova, Laura J Knoll
Jan 19, 2020·Journal of Invertebrate Pathology·Ke GaoAstrid T Groot
Jun 6, 2021·International Journal for Parasitology·Aneta TrefancováVáclav Hypša

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