Genetic Characterization of the Co-Invasive Rodent Parasite Heterakis spumosa (Nematoda, Heterakidae)
Issued Date
2024-09-01
Resource Type
eISSN
20762615
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85205290075
Journal Title
Animals
Volume
14
Issue
18
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Animals Vol.14 No.18 (2024)
Suggested Citation
Poonlaphdecha S., Ribas A., Chaisiri K., Morand S., Chan A.H.E., Thaenkham U. Genetic Characterization of the Co-Invasive Rodent Parasite Heterakis spumosa (Nematoda, Heterakidae). Animals Vol.14 No.18 (2024). doi:10.3390/ani14182674 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/101510
Title
Genetic Characterization of the Co-Invasive Rodent Parasite Heterakis spumosa (Nematoda, Heterakidae)
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Corresponding Author(s)
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Abstract
Heterakis spumosa, a parasitic worm infecting rodents, is globally prevalent in black rats, brown rats, and house mice. It is hypothesized to originate from Asia due to its widespread presence in Southeast Asia in various Murinae. Previous molecular studies focused on European, African, and Japanese specimens, but none included samples from the putative native range. Rodents were collected between 2008 and 2015 across various localities in Southeast Asia and Europe, identified by morphology or genetic barcoding. Viscera were examined or preserved for later inspection. DNA was extracted from H. spumosa. PCR amplification targeting the mtCOI gene and ITS1 region was conducted in this study using newly designed primers (based on Heterakis reference sequences). PCR amplicons were subsequently sequenced and analyzed. In this study, the phylogenetic analysis using ITS1 sequences revealed that Heterakis samples from Thai and Laotian rodents belong to the species H. spumosa, exhibiting low genetic variation compared to samples from other regions. Genetic distance calculations using mtCOI sequences confirmed the marked distinction of H. spumosa from other Heterakis species. Our phylogenetic analyses using partial mtCOI and ITS1 sequences have significantly enhanced our comprehension of the genetic diversity and evolutionary history of the nematode H. spumosa.
