Disentangling hybridization and host colonization in parasitic roundworms of humans and pigs.

ABSTRACT: Knowledge of cross-transmission and hybridization between parasites of humans and reservoir hosts is critical for understanding the evolution of the parasite and for implementing control programmes. There is now a consensus that populations of pig and human Ascaris (roundworms) show significant genetic subdivision. However, it is unclear whether this has resulted from a single or multiple host shift(s). Furthermore, previous molecular data have not been sufficient to determine whether sympatric populations of human and pig Ascaris can exchange genes. To disentangle patterns of host colonization and hybridization, we used 23 microsatellite loci to conduct Bayesian clustering analyses of individual worms collected from pigs and humans. We observed strong differentiation between populations w

SUBMITTER: Criscione CD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2279219 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature