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Intraspecific variation between the ITS sequences of Toxocara canis, Toxocara cati and Toxascaris leonina from different host species in south-western Poland

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 October 2012

R. Fogt-Wyrwas*
Affiliation:
Department of Biology and Environmental Protection, University School of Physical Education, Królowej Jadwigi 27/39, 61-871Poznań, Poland
H. Mizgajska-Wiktor
Affiliation:
Department of Biology and Environmental Protection, University School of Physical Education, Królowej Jadwigi 27/39, 61-871Poznań, Poland
J. Pacoń
Affiliation:
Department of Internal Diseases with Clinic for Horses, Dogs and Cats, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Norwida 31, 50-375, Wrocław, Poland
W. Jarosz
Affiliation:
Department of Biology and Environmental Protection, University School of Physical Education, Królowej Jadwigi 27/39, 61-871Poznań, Poland
*
*Fax: +48 61 8355247 E-mail: fogt@awf.poznan.pl

Abstract

Some parasitic nematodes can inhabit different definitive hosts, which raises the question of the intraspecific variability of the nematode genotype affecting their preferences to choose particular species as hosts. Additionally, the issue of a possible intraspecific DNA microheterogeneity in specimens from different parts of the world seems to be interesting, especially from the evolutionary point of view. The problem was analysed in three related species – Toxocara canis, Toxocara cati and Toxascaris leonina – specimens originating from Central Europe (Poland). Using specific primers for species identification, internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-1 and ITS-2 regions were amplified and then sequenced. The sequences obtained were compared with sequences previously described for specimens originating from other geographical locations. No differences in nucleotide sequences were established in T. canis isolated from two different hosts (dogs and foxes). A comparison of ITS sequences of T. canis from Poland with sequences deposited in GenBank showed that the scope of intraspecific variability of the species did not exceed 0.4%, while in T. cati the differences did not exceed 2%. Significant differences were found in T. leonina, where ITS-1 differed by 3% and ITS-2 by as much as 7.4% in specimens collected from foxes in Poland and dogs in Australia. Such scope of differences in the nucleotide sequence seems to exceed the intraspecific variation of the species.

Type
Research Papers
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012 

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