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Epidemiology and genetic variability of two species of nematodes (Heligmosomoides polygyrus and Syphacia stroma) of Apodemus spp.

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 April 1999

C. D. M. MÜLLER-GRAF
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK Centre de Biologie et d'Ecologie Tropicale et Méditerranéenne, Laboratoire de Biologie Animale, CNRS UMR 5555, Université de Perpignan, Avenue de Villeneuve, 66860 Perpignan Cedex, France
P. DURAND
Affiliation:
Centre de Biologie et d'Ecologie Tropicale et Méditerranéenne, Laboratoire de Biologie Animale, CNRS UMR 5555, Université de Perpignan, Avenue de Villeneuve, 66860 Perpignan Cedex, France Laboratoire de Parasitologie Comparée, CNRS UMR 555 Université Montpellier 2, Place E. Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 05, France
C. FELIU
Affiliation:
Laboratori de Parasitologia, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal, s/n. 08028 Barcelona, Spain
J.-P. HUGOT
Affiliation:
Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Mammifères et Oiseaux, (FR CNRS 1541) 55, rue Buffon, 75231 Paris Cedex 05, France
C. J. O'CALLAGHAN
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
F. RENAUD
Affiliation:
Laboratoire de Parasitologie Comparée, CNRS UMR 555 Université Montpellier 2, Place E. Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 05, France
F. SANTALLA
Affiliation:
Laboratori de Parasitologia, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal, s/n. 08028 Barcelona, Spain
S. MORAND
Affiliation:
Centre de Biologie et d'Ecologie Tropicale et Méditerranéenne, Laboratoire de Biologie Animale, CNRS UMR 5555, Université de Perpignan, Avenue de Villeneuve, 66860 Perpignan Cedex, France

Abstract

The epidemiology and genetic variability of 2 parasitic nematodes Heligmosomoides polygyrus and Syphacia stroma of Apodemus spp. were investigated. Both are parasites of the same host, exhibit a direct life-cycle and are dioecious. However, H. polygyrus has a diploid and S. stroma a haplodiploid mode of reproduction. Haplodiploidy may lead to a more female biased sex ratio and reduced genetic variability. Levels of genetic diversity were analysed using both isoenzyme electrophoresis and RAPDs (random amplified polymorphic DNA). Both parasites showed a female biased sex ratio with a stronger bias for the haplodiploid parasite. Results showed significantly fewer genetic polymorphisms as measured by RAPDs for the haplodiploid parasite S. stroma in comparison with H. polygyrus. Despite the observed female biased sex ratio this could not be explained by a significant amount of inbreeding. Heterozygote deficiency for individual allozyme loci – which could indicate inbreeding – was not found in either parasite species. Other features of the particular life-history of these species are likely to have an impact on the sex ratio and genetic variability too.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 1999 Cambridge University Press

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