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Home / Equine Research Bank / Parasit Vectors / First report of four rare strongylid species infecting endan...
Parasites & vectors2023; 16(1); 385; doi: 10.1186/s13071-023-05993-w

First report of four rare strongylid species infecting endangered Przewalski’s horses (Equus ferus przewalskii) in Xinjiang, China.

Abstract: The Przewalski's horse (Equus ferus przewalskii) is the only surviving wild horse species in the world. A significant population of Przewalski's horses resides in Xinjiang, China. Parasitosis poses a considerable threat to the conservation of this endangered species. Yet, there is limited information on the nematode parasites that infect these species. To deepen our understanding of parasitic fauna affecting wild horses, we identified the intestinal nematodes of Przewalski's horses in Xinjiang and added new barcode sequences to a public database. Methods: Between 2018 and 2021, nematodes were collected from 104 dewormed Przewalski's horses in Xinjiang. Each nematode was morphologically identified to the species level, and selected species underwent DNA extraction. The extracted DNA was used for molecular identification through the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) genetic marker. Results: A total of 3758 strongylids were identified. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to identify four specific parasitic nematodes (Oesophagodontus robustus, Bidentostomum ivashkini, Skrjabinodentus caragandicus, Petrovinema skrjabini) and to obtain the ITS2 genetic marker for P. skrjabini. Conclusions: The ITS2 genetic marker for P. skrjabini enriches our understanding of the genetic characteristics of this species and expands the body of knowledge on parasitic nematodes. Our findings extend the known host range of four strongylid species, thereby improving our understanding of the relationship between Przewalski's horses and strongylids. This, in turn, aids in the enhanced conservation of this endangered species. This study introduces new instances of parasitic infections in wild animals and offers the DNA sequence of P. skrjabini as a valuable resource for molecular techniques in nematode diagnosis among wildlife.
© 2023. BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature.
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Publication Date: 2023-10-25 PubMed ID: 37880749PubMed Central: PMC10601325DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05993-wGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research article describes a study wherein four rare species of parasitic nematode worms, known as strongylids, were identified in Przewalski’s horses, an endangered breed, in Xinjiang, China. This is the first time these species have been detected, and the findings hold implications for the conservation of Przewalski’s horses.

Methods

  • The study was conducted between 2018 and 2021. Nematodes (roundworms) were collected from 104 dewormed Przewalski’s horses in Xinjiang.
  • Each nematode was classified based on its physical characteristics, down to the species level.
  • From these, selected species had their DNA extracted.
  • Scientists used a genetic marker, the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2), to assist in identifying the nematodes at a molecular level.

Results

  • A total of 3758 strongylids (a type of parasitic nematode) were identified.
  • This is the first study to identify four specific nematodes (Oesophagodontus robustus, Bidentostomum ivashkini, Skrjabinodentus caragandicus, Petrovinema skrjabini) within Przewalski’s horses.
  • This study also first captured the ITS2 genetic marker for P. skrjabini.

Conclusions

  • This discovery enhances our knowledge of the genetic characteristics of P. skrjabini and offers valuable insights into the body of knowledge on parasitic nematodes in general.
  • The fact that these four specific strongylid species were found in Przewalski’s horses broadens our understanding of the host range for these parasites.
  • This understanding is crucial for formulating effective strategies for the conservation of the endangered Przewalski’s horses species as parasitic infections pose a significant threat to their survival.
  • The findings of this study contribute to the broader understanding of parasitic infections in wild animals, offering the DNA sequence of P. skrjabini as a valuable resource for the application of molecular techniques in diagnosing nematode infections among wildlife.

Cite This Article

APA
Jia H, Gao S, Tang L, Fu Y, Xiong Y, Ente M, Mubalake S, Shao C, Li K, Hu D, Zhang D. (2023). First report of four rare strongylid species infecting endangered Przewalski’s horses (Equus ferus przewalskii) in Xinjiang, China. Parasit Vectors, 16(1), 385. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-023-05993-w

Publication

Parasites & vectors
ISSN: 1756-3305
NlmUniqueID: 101462774
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 16
Issue: 1
Pages: 385
PII: 385

Researcher Affiliations

Jia, Huiping
  • School of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.
Gao, Sijia
  • School of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.
Tang, Liping
  • School of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.
Fu, Yajun
  • School of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.
Xiong, Yu
  • School of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.
Ente, Make
  • Xinjiang Research Centre for Breeding Przewalski's Horse, Xinjiang, China.
Mubalake, Shalitanati
  • Xinjiang Research Centre for Breeding Przewalski's Horse, Xinjiang, China.
Shao, Changliang
  • Xinjiang Kalamaili Mountain Ungulate Nature Reserve Management Center, Xinjiang, China.
Li, Kai
  • School of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.
Hu, Defu
  • School of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.
Zhang, Dong
  • School of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China. ernest8445@163.com.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Genetic Markers
  • Equidae
  • Animals, Wild
  • Endangered Species
  • DNA

Grant Funding

  • 2019JQ0318 / the Beijing Forestry University Outstanding Young Talent Cultivation Project
  • 2022YFC2601601 / National Key Research and Development Program of China

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

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