Genetic analyses of the parasitic nematode, Parelaphostrongylus tenuis, in Missouri and Kentucky reveal unexpected levels of diversity and population differentiation

Wildlife translocations, which involve the introduction of naive hosts into new environments with novel pathogens, invariably pose an increased risk of disease. The meningeal worm Parelaphostrongylus tenuis is a nematode parasite of the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), which serves as its...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Parasitology 2021-01, Vol.148 (1), p.31-41
Main Authors: Eggert, L. S., Berkman, L. K., Budd, K., Keller, B. J., Hildreth, A. M., Millspaugh, J. J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Animals, Wild - parasitology
Cervus elaphus
Datasets
Decision making
Deer
Deer - parasitology
Deoxyribonucleic acid
Differentiation
DNA
Elk
Environmental Restoration and Remediation
Genes, Helminth
Genetic analysis
Genetic diversity
Genetic structure
Genetic variance
Genetic Variation
Health risks
Infections
Kentucky
Males
Missouri
Mitochondrial DNA
Mortality
Nematodes
Nucleotide sequence
Odocoileus virginianus
Parasites
Population
Population differentiation
Reintroduction
Risk assessment
Ruminants - parasitology
Sexes
Strongylida - genetics
Strongylida - isolation & purification
Strongylida Infections - veterinary
Translocation
Veterinary medicine
Wildlife
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Summary:Wildlife translocations, which involve the introduction of naive hosts into new environments with novel pathogens, invariably pose an increased risk of disease. The meningeal worm Parelaphostrongylus tenuis is a nematode parasite of the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), which serves as its primary host and rarely suffers adverse effects from infection. Attempts to restore elk (Cervus canadensis) to the eastern US have been hampered by disease caused by this parasite. Using DNA sequence data from mitochondrial and nuclear genes, we examined the hypothesis that elk translocated within the eastern US could be exposed to novel genetic variants of P. tenuis by detailing the genetic structure among P. tenuis taken from white-tailed deer and elk at a source (Kentucky) and a release site (Missouri). We found high levels of diversity at both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA in Missouri and Kentucky and a high level of differentiation between states. Our results highlight the importance of considering the potential for increased disease risk from exposure to novel strains of parasites in the decision-making process of a reintroduction or restoration.
ISSN:0031-1820
1469-8161
DOI:10.1017/S0031182020001912