A phylogeny based on three mitochondrial genes supports the division of Schistosoma intercalatum into two separate species

• Published in: Parasitology Vol. 127; no. 2; pp. 131 - 137
• Main Authors: KANE, R. A., SOUTHGATE, V. R., ROLLINSON, D., LITTLEWOOD, D. T. J., LOCKYER, A. E., PAGÈS, J. R., TCHUEM TCHUENTÉ, L. A., JOURDANE, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.08.2003
• Subjects: Animals; Comparative analysis; cox1; cox1 gene; Deoxyribonucleic acid; DNA; DNA polymerase; DNA, Mitochondrial - genetics; Generations; Genes, Helminth - genetics; Genetic Variation - genetics; lsDNA gene; lsrDNA; molecular diversity; nad6; nad6 gene; Phylogeny; rRNA; rrnS; rrnS gene; Schistosoma - classification; Schistosoma - genetics; Schistosoma bovis; Schistosoma curassoni; Schistosoma haematobium; Schistosoma intercalatum; Species Specificity; Congo, Dem. Rep; Cameroon; rrnS; nad6; lsrDNA; phylogeny; Schistosoma intercalatum; molecular diversity; cox1
• ISSN: 0031-1820; 1469-8161
• DOI: 10.1017/S0031182003003421

Two recognized strains of Schistosoma intercalatum, one from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), formerly Zaire, and the other from Cameroon, have been investigated using DNA sequences from 3 mitochondrial genes, cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (cox1), NADH dehydrogenase subunit 6 (nad6) and the small ribosomal RNA gene (rrnS). In addition, partial DNA sequences from the nuclear large subunit ribosomal RNA gene (lsrDNA) were included within the study. Although partial lsrDNA alone reveals little taxonomic information, phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial data demonstrates a clear dichotomy between the 2 purported strains and it is proposed that they should be treated as distinct taxa. The ‘original’ S. intercalatum now falls relatively basal in the S. haematobium group, while the proposed new species is more derived and sister taxon to S. bovis and S. curassoni.