Adaptive evolution of stress response genes in parasites aligns with host niche diversity.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Stress responses are key the survival of parasites and, consequently, also the evolutionary success of these organisms. Despite this importance, our understanding of the evolution of molecular pathways dealing with environmental stressors in parasitic animals remains limited. Here, we tested the link between adaptive evolution of parasite stress response genes and their ecological diversity and species richness. We comparatively investigated antioxidant, heat shock, osmoregulatory, and behaviour-related genes (foraging) in two model parasitic flatworm lineages with contrasting ecological diversity, Cichlidogyrus and Kapentagyrus (Platyhelminthes: Monopisthocotyla), through whole-genome sequencing of 11 species followed by in silico exon bait capture as well as phylogenet

SUBMITTER: Cruz-Laufer AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11727194 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature