Molecular evidence for host-parasite co-speciation between lizards and Schellackia parasites.

摘要: Abstract Current and past parasite transmission may depend on the overlap of host distributions, potentially affecting specificity co-evolutionary processes. Nonetheless, diversification take place in sympatry when parasites are transmitted by vectors with low mobility. Here, we test co-speciation hypothesis between lizard final hosts Family Lacertidae, blood genus Schellackia , which haematophagous mites. The effects current distributional species also investigated. We sampled 27 localities Iberian Peninsula three northern Africa, collected samples from 981 individual lizards seven genera 18 species. overall prevalence infection was ∼35%. detected 16 haplotypes 18S rRNA gene, revealing that is more diverse than previously thought. Phylogenetic analyses showed grouped into two main monophyletic clades, first including those endemic to Mediterranean region second Acanthodactylus Zootoca Takydromus . All but one exhibited a high degree at generic level 78.5% them exclusively infected single Some within Podarcis (six species) Iberolacerta (two were non-specific suggesting switching might have positively influenced genus. However, results supported idea rare because there existed significant positive correlation number exclusive sympatric distribution. This result, together support for host–parasite molecular co-speciation, suggests co-evolved their hosts.