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The diversity, distribution and host-parasite associations of trypanosomes in Western Australian wildlife

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 August 2009

S. AVERIS ,
R. C. A. THOMPSON ,
A. J. LYMBERY ,
A. F. WAYNE ,
K. D. MORRIS  and
A. SMITH
S. AVERIS
Affiliation:
WHO Collaborating Centre for the Molecular Epidemiology of Parasitic Infections and the State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, South Street, Western Australia 6150, Australia
R. C. A. THOMPSON
Affiliation:
WHO Collaborating Centre for the Molecular Epidemiology of Parasitic Infections and the State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, South Street, Western Australia 6150, Australia
A. J. LYMBERY
Affiliation:
WHO Collaborating Centre for the Molecular Epidemiology of Parasitic Infections and the State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, South Street, Western Australia 6150, Australia
A. F. WAYNE
Affiliation:
Science Division, Department of Environment and Conservation, Manjimup, WA 6258, Australia
K. D. MORRIS
Affiliation:
Science Division, Department of Environment and Conservation, Wildlife Place, Woodvale WA 6026, Australia
A. SMITH*
Affiliation:
WHO Collaborating Centre for the Molecular Epidemiology of Parasitic Infections and the State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, South Street, Western Australia 6150, Australia
*
*Corresponding author: WHO Collaborating Centre for the Molecular Epidemiology of Parasitic Infections and the State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, South Street, Western Australia 6150, Australia. Tel: 08 9965 0908. E-mail: andrew.smith@murdoch.edu.au
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Summary

Little is known regarding the diversity, distribution or host-parasite associations of Trypanosoma spp. in Australian wildlife. Here we report on an investigation based on divergence of the 18S rRNA gene of trypanosomes isolated from a range of hosts and varied geographical locations. A total of 371 individuals representing 19 species of native animals from 14 different locations were screened. In total, 32 individuals from 9 different species tested positive for the parasite. Phylogenetic analysis revealed considerable parasite diversity with no clear geographical distribution and no evidence of host specificity. In general, it appears that Australian Trypanosoma spp. are widespread, with several genotypes appearing in multiple host species and in varied locations including both mainland areas and offshore islands. Some host species were found to be susceptible to multiple genotypes, but no individuals were infected with more than a single isolate.

Keywords

Trypanosoma sppgenetic diversityAustraliawildlifehost-specificitygeographical distribution
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 136 , Issue 11 , September 2009 , pp. 1269 - 1279
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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