Detecting hybridization in African schistosome species: does egg morphology complement molecular species identification?

摘要: Hybrid parasites may have an increased transmission potential and higher virulence compared to their parental species. Consequently, hybrid detection is critical for disease control. Previous crossing experiments showed that schistosome eggs distinct morphotypes. We therefore the performance of egg morphology with molecular markers regard detecting hybridization in schistosomes. studied 303 terminal-spined eggs, originating from 19 individuals inhabiting a zone natural crosses between human parasite Schistosoma haematobium livestock bovis Senegal. The sizes high variability ranged 92·4 176·4 µm length 35·7 93·0 width. No morphotypes were found all resembled, varying extent, typical S. type. However, analyses on same clearly presence two partial mitochondrial cox1 profiles, namely haematobium, only single nuclear ITS rDNA profile (S. haematobium). Therefore, these particular crosses, appears not good indicator ancestry. conclude by discussing strengths limitations methods detect hybrids context high-throughput screening field samples.