Distribution and molecular phylogeny of biliary trematodes (Opisthorchiidae) infecting native Lutra lutra and alien Neovison vison across Europe
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Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The recent identification of Pseudamphistomum truncatum, (Rudolphi, 1819) (Trematoda: Opisthorchiidae) and Metorchis bilis (Braun, 1790) Odening, 1962 (synonymous with Metorchis albidus (Braun, 1893) Loos, 1899 and Metorchis crassiusculus (Rudolphi, 1809) Looss, 1899 (Trematoda: Opisthorchiidae)) in otters from Britain caused concern because of associated biliary damage, coupled with speculation over their alien status. Here, we investigate the presence, intensity and phylogeny of these trematodes in mustelids (principally otters) across Europe (Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Poland and Sweden and Britain). The trematodes were identified to species using the internal transcribed spacer II (ITS2) locus. Both parasites were found across Europe but at unequal frequency. In the German state of Saxony, eight out of eleven (73%) otters examined were infected with P. truncatum whilst this parasite was not found in either mink from Scotland (n = 40) or otters from Norway (n = 21). Differences in the phylogenies between the two species suggest divergent demographic histories possibly reflecting contrasting host diet or competitive exclusion, with M. bilis exhibiting greater mitochondrial diversity than P. truncatum. Shared haplotypes within the ranges of both parasite species probably reflect relatively unrestricted movements (both natural and anthropogenic) of intermediate and definitive hosts across Europe.
Date Issued
2015-11-24
Date Acceptance
2015-11-23
Citation
Parasitology International, 2015, 65 (2), pp.163-170
ISSN
1873-0329
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
163
End Page
170
Journal / Book Title
Parasitology International
Volume
65
Issue
2
Copyright Statement
© 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
License URL
Subjects
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Parasitology
Eurasian otter
American mink
Trematode distribution
Gene flow
Introduced species
FLUKE PSEUDAMPHISTOMUM-TRUNCATUM
MINK MUSTELA-VISON
AMERICAN MINK
PARASITES
OTTERS
POPULATIONS
PREVALENCE
ABUNDANCE
PATTERNS
PRIMERS
Mycology & Parasitology
0605 Microbiology
0707 Veterinary Sciences
1108 Medical Microbiology
Publication Status
Published