Abstract
BackgroundBaylisascaris schroederi is one of the most common nematodes of the giant panda, and can cause severe baylisascarosis in both wild and captive giant pandas. Previous studies of the giant pandas indicated that this population is genetically distinct, implying the presence of a new subspecies. Based on the co-evolution between the parasite and the host, the aim of this study was to investigate the genetic differentiation in the B. schroederi population collected from giant pandas inhabiting different mountain ranges, and further to identify whether the evolution of this parasite correlates with the evolution of giant pandas.MethodsIn this study, 48 B. schroederi were collected from 28 wild giant pandas inhabiting the Qinling, Minshan and Qionglai mountain ranges in China. The complete sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome b (mtCytb) gene was amplified by PCR, and the corresponding population genetic diversity of the three mountain populations was determined. In addition, we discussed the evolutionary relationship between B. schroederi and its host giant panda.ResultsFor the DNA dataset, insignificant Fst values and a significant, high level of gene flow were detected among the three mountain populations of B. schroederi, and high genetic variation within populations and a low genetic distance were observed. Both phylogenetic analyses and network mapping of the 16 haplotypes revealed a dispersed pattern and an absence of branches strictly corresponding to the three mountain range sampling sites. Neutrality tests and mismatch analysis indicated that B. schroederi experienced a population expansion in the past.ConclusionsTaken together, the dispersed haplotype map, extremely high gene flow among the three populations of B. schroederi, low genetic structure and rapid evolutionary rate suggest that the B. schroederi populations did not follow a pattern of isolation by distance, indicating the existence of physical connections before these populations became geographically separated.
Highlights
Baylisascaris schroederi is one of the most common nematodes of the giant panda, and can cause severe baylisascarosis in both wild and captive giant pandas
We investigated whether there is geographical genetic differentiation within these populations, and further identified whether the evolution of this parasite correlates with the evolution of the giant panda
Nucleotide diversity in the 48 samples was 0.201%, and nucleotide diversity among the populations isolated in the different mountain ranges ranged from 0.1489% (Minshan) to 0.222% (Qionglai)
Summary
Baylisascaris schroederi is one of the most common nematodes of the giant panda, and can cause severe baylisascarosis in both wild and captive giant pandas. Based on the co-evolution between the parasite and the host, the aim of this study was to investigate the genetic differentiation in the B. schroederi population collected from giant pandas inhabiting different mountain ranges, and further to identify whether the evolution of this parasite correlates with the evolution of giant pandas. Giant pandas are currently restricted to the Qinling, Minshan, Qionglai, Daxiangling, Xiaoxiangling and Liangshan Mountains on the Eastern edge of the Tibetan plateau, and number about 1,600 individuals, of Understanding organismal biodiversity based on the analysis of genetic variation has important implications for studying the evolutionary history and genetic structure of populations, and may provide basic data for disease control. A significant amount of genetic data has been generated on nematode parasite populations, in an attempt to explain micro-evolutionary processes [8]. Genetic markers can be used to understand and depict the population genetic structure and diversity of a number of animal nematodes [8]
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