Sex-specific genetic structure in Schistosoma mansoni: evolutionary and epidemiological implications

We studied the population genetic structure of 360 and 1247 adult Schistosoma mansoni using seven microsatellite and seven random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers, respectively. Parasites were collected from their natural definitive host Rattus rattus in Guadeloupe (West Indies). We found a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Molecular ecology 2002-07, Vol.11 (7), p.1231-1238
Main Authors: Prugnolle, F., De Meeûs, T., Durand, P., Sire, C., Théron, A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Base Sequence
DNA, Protozoan - chemistry
DNA, Protozoan - genetics
Evolution, Molecular
Female
Genetic Variation
Genetics, Population
Guadeloupe
host-parasite interactions
Host-Parasite Interactions - genetics
Male
Microsatellite Repeats - genetics
microsatellites
Molecular Sequence Data
Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique
RAPD
Rats
Rattus rattus
Schistosoma mansoni
Schistosoma mansoni - genetics
Schistosoma mansoni - growth & development
Schistosomiasis mansoni - epidemiology
sex-specific genetic structure
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Summary:We studied the population genetic structure of 360 and 1247 adult Schistosoma mansoni using seven microsatellite and seven random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers, respectively. Parasites were collected from their natural definitive host Rattus rattus in Guadeloupe (West Indies). We found a sex‐specific genetic structure, a pattern never before reported in a parasitic organism. Male genotypes were more randomly distributed among rats than female genotypes. This interpretation was consistent with a lower differentiation between hosts for males relative to females, the higher genetic similarity between females in the same host and the observed local (i.e. within‐individual‐host) differences in allele frequencies between the two sexes. We discuss our results using ecological and immunological perspectives on host–parasite relationships. These results change our view on the epidemiology of schistosomiasis, a serious disease affecting humans in African and American intertropical zones.
ISSN:0962-1083
1365-294X
DOI:10.1046/j.1365-294X.2002.01518.x