The genome of the thin-necked bladder worm Taenia hydatigena reveals evolutionary strategies for helminth survival.

ABSTRACT: Taenia hydatigena is a widespread gastrointestinal helminth that causes significant health problems in livestock industry. This parasite can survive in a remarkably wide range of intermediate hosts and affects the transmission dynamics of zoonotic parasites. T. hydatigena is therefore of particular interest to researchers interested in studying zoonotic diseases and the evolutionary strategies of parasites. Herein we report a high-quality draft genome for this tapeworm, characterized by some hallmarks (e.g., expanded genome size, wide integrations of viral-like sequences and extensive alternative splicing during development), and specialized adaptations related to its parasitic fitness (e.g., adaptive evolutions for teguments and lipid metabolism). Importantly, in contrast with the evoluti

SUBMITTER: Wang S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8384839 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature