Evolutionary history of orangutan plasmodia revealed by phylogenetic analysis of complete mtDNA genomes and new biogeographical divergence dating calibration models.

ABSTRACT: During the past 15 years, researchers have shown a renewed interest in the study of the Plasmodium parasites that infect orangutans. Most recently, studies examined the phylogenetic relationships and divergence dates of these parasites in orangutans using complete mitochondrial DNA genomes. Questions regarding the dating of these parasites, however, remain. In the present study, we provide a new calibration model for dating the origins of Plasmodium parasites in orangutans using a modified date range for the origin of macaques in Asia. Our Bayesian phylogenetic analyses of complete Plasmodium sp. mitochondrial DNA genomes inferred two clades of plasmodia in orangutans (Pongo 1 and Pongo 2), and that these clades likely represent the previously identified species Plasmodium pitheci and Plas

SUBMITTER: Reid MJC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11318573 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature