Exploration of Parascaris species in three different Equus populations in China.
Abstract: The roundworms, Parascaris spp., are important nematode parasites of foals and were historically model organisms in the field of cell biology, leading to many important discoveries. According to karyotype, ascarids in Equus are commonly divided into Parascaris univalens (2n = 2) and Parascaris equorum (2n = 4). Methods: Here, we performed morphological identification, karyotyping and sequencing of roundworms from three different hosts (horses, zebras and donkeys). Phylogenetic analysis was performed to study the divergence of these ascarids based on cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. Results: Karyotyping, performed on eggs recovered from worms of three different Equus hosts in China, showed two different karyotypes (2n = 2 in P. univalens collected from horses and zebras; 2n = 6 in Parascaris sp. collected from donkeys). There are some differences in the terminal part of the spicula between P. univalens (concave) and Parascaris sp. (rounded). Additionally, it was found that the egg's chitinous layer was significantly thicker in Parascaris sp. (> 5 μm) than P. univalens (< 5 μm) (F(2537) = 1967, P < 0.01). Phylogenetic trees showed that the sequences of Parascaris from Equus hosts were divided into two distinct lineages based on sequences of the COI and ITS. Conclusions: Comparing the differences in roundworms collected from three different Equus hosts, this study describes a Parascaris species (Parascaris sp.) with six chromosomes in donkeys. It is worth noting that the thickness of the chitinous layer in the Parascaris egg may serve as a diagnostic indicator to distinguish the two roundworms (P. univalens and Parascaris sp.). The Parascaris sp. with six chromosomes in donkeys in the present study may be a species of P. trivalens described in 1934, but the possibility that it is a new Parascaris species cannot be ruled out. Both karyotyping and molecular analysis are necessary to solve the taxonomic problems in Parascaris species.
© 2023. The Author(s).
Publication Date: 2023-06-15 PubMed ID: 37322493PubMed Central: PMC10273639DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05768-3Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article focuses on the study of the Parascaris roundworm species found in three different Equus species (horses, zebras, and donkeys) in China, highlighting the differences in their morphological and genetic characteristics, and suggesting potential taxonomic reclassification.
Objective of the Study
- The main goal of the study was to identify and analyze the morphological, karyotypic, and genetic characteristics of roundworms of the Parascaris genus found in three different hosts: horses, zebras, and donkeys.
Methods Used in the Research
- Morphological identification was done on the collected roundworms from each host.
- Karyotyping was performed, i.e., a method to analyze and identify the structure and number of chromosomes. Existing research divided roundworms in Equus into Parascaris univalens with a karyotype of 2n=2 and Parascaris equorum with 2n=4.
- DNA sequencing, particularly of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences, was conducted. This would help in understanding the genetic divergence among the study subjects.
Findings of the Study
- Karyotyping of roundworms retrieved from the three hosts revealed two different karyotypes: 2n=2 (in P. univalens collected from horses and zebras) and 2n=6 (in a Parascaris species collected from donkeys).
- Morphological differences such as the shape of the spicula were noted, and P. univalens had a concave shape while the other type in donkeys had a rounded shape.
- The thickness of the egg’s chitinous layer (a type of hard protein) was significantly thicker in the Parascaris species from donkeys compared to the P. univalens.
- The phylogenetic analysis, based on DNA sequencing, revealed two distinct lineages in line with the identified karyotypes.
Conclusions and Implications of the Study
- The research uncovers a Parascaris species in donkeys with six chromosomes, distinctive from P. univalens commonly found in horses and zebras.
- The thickness of the chitinous layer within the Parascaris eggs could serve as an indicator helping distinguish between the two worm types.
- The study conceptually handles the Parascaris species in donkeys as potentially being a previous identified species (P. trivalens), or possibly representing a new species altogether.
- The study emphasizes the need for both karyotyping and molecular analysis to solve taxonomic issues within the Parascaris genus.
Cite This Article
APA
Zhou M, Lu Y, Han L, Lu M, Guan C, Yu J, Liu H, Chen D, Li H, Yang Y, Zhang L, Tian L, Liu Q, Hou Z.
(2023).
Exploration of Parascaris species in three different Equus populations in China.
Parasit Vectors, 16(1), 202.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-023-05768-3 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China.
- Laboratory of Vector-Borne Diseases and Pathogens Ecology, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China.
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China.
- Laboratory of Vector-Borne Diseases and Pathogens Ecology, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China.
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China.
- Laboratory of Vector-Borne Diseases and Pathogens Ecology, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China.
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China.
- Laboratory of Vector-Borne Diseases and Pathogens Ecology, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China.
- Harbin Northern Forest Zoo, Harbin, China.
- Dong-E-E-Jiao Co. Ltd, Shandong, China.
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China.
- Laboratory of Vector-Borne Diseases and Pathogens Ecology, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China.
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China.
- Laboratory of Vector-Borne Diseases and Pathogens Ecology, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China.
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China.
- Laboratory of Vector-Borne Diseases and Pathogens Ecology, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China.
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China.
- Laboratory of Vector-Borne Diseases and Pathogens Ecology, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China.
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China.
- Laboratory of Vector-Borne Diseases and Pathogens Ecology, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China.
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China. Tianlihong1122@sina.com.
- Laboratory of Vector-Borne Diseases and Pathogens Ecology, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China. Tianlihong1122@sina.com.
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China. liuquan1973@hotmail.com.
- Laboratory of Vector-Borne Diseases and Pathogens Ecology, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China. liuquan1973@hotmail.com.
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China. houzhijundb@163.com.
- Laboratory of Vector-Borne Diseases and Pathogens Ecology, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China. houzhijundb@163.com.
MeSH Terms
- Horses
- Animals
- Ascaridoidea / genetics
- Phylogeny
- Ascaridida Infections / veterinary
- Ascaridida Infections / parasitology
- Horse Diseases / parasitology
- Equidae
- China
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
References
This article includes 24 references
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