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Parasitology research2005; 97(5); 345-357; doi: 10.1007/s00436-005-1396-5

Phylogenetic relationships of Sarcocystis neurona of horses and opossums to other cyst-forming coccidia deduced from SSU rRNA gene sequences.

Abstract: Phylogenetic analyses based on sequences of the nuclear-encoded small subunit rRNA (ssurRNA) gene were performed to examine the origin, phylogeny, and biogeographic relationships of Sarcocystis neurona isolates from opossums and horses from the State of Michigan, USA, in relation to other cyst-forming coccidia. A total of 31 taxa representing all recognized subfamilies and genera of Sarcocystidae were included in the analyses with clonal isolates of two opossum and two horse S. neurona. Phylogenies obtained by the four tree-building methods were consistent with the classical taxonomy based on morphological criteria. The "isosporid" coccidia Neospora, Toxoplasma, Besnoitia, Isospora lacking stieda bodies, and Hyaloklossia formed a sister group to the Sarcocystis spp. Sarcocystis species were divided into three main lineages; S. neurona isolates were located in the second lineage and clustered with S. mucosa, S. dispersa, S. lacertae, S. rodentifelis, S. muris, and Frenkelia spp. Alignment of S. neurona SSU rRNA gene sequences of Michigan opossum isolates (MIOP5, MIOP20) and a S. neurona Michigan horse isolate (MIH8) showed 100% identity. These Michigan isolates differed in 2/1085 bp (0.2%) from a Kentucky S. neurona horse isolate (SN5). Additionally, S. neurona isolates from horses and opossums were identical based on the ultrastructural features and PCR-RFLP analyses thus forming a phylogenetically indistinct group in these regions. These findings revealed the concordance between the morphological and molecular data and confirmed that S. neurona from opossums and horses originated from the same phylogenetic origin.
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Publication Date: 2005-08-16 PubMed ID: 16133298DOI: 10.1007/s00436-005-1396-5Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study analyzes genetic sequences to determine the evolutionary relationships among Sarcocystis neurona, a type of parasite found in horses and opossums, and other related parasites. The research performed in Michigan, USA, confirms a close genetic match between this parasite in both horses and opossums, suggesting a common origin.

Methods and Objectives

  • The research used an approach called ‘phylogenetic analysis,’ which is a way of arranging organisms (in this case, parasites) into a ‘family tree’ based on genetic similarities and differences.
  • The researchers used sequences of the small subunit rRNA (ssurRNA) gene, a gene commonly used in this type of analysis due to its universality among living organisms and its unique patterns of evolution.
  • The aim of the study was to understand the origin and evolutionary relationships (phylogeny) of Sarcocystis neurona parasites isolated from opossums and horses in Michigan, comparing them to other similar parasites known as cyst-forming coccidia.

Results

  • A total of 31 different taxa (groups of one or more species) within the Sarcocystidae family were analyzed, including samples of S. neurona from both opossums and horses.
  • The evolutionary trees (phylogenies) constructed from these genetic data agreed with the current taxonomic classification based on physical features, supporting the accuracy of the previous classification.
  • S. neurona from opossums and horses in Michigan showed 100% identity to each other in their ssurRNA gene sequences, indicating they are the same species and suggesting a common origin.
  • This was further supported by finding that these parasites had identical ultrastructural features and matching patterns in a type of DNA analysis known as PCR-RFLP.
  • Just minimal differences were found between the Michigan S. neurona samples and a horse sample from Kentucky, suggesting a fairly recent divergence in evolution.

Conclusion

  • The study findings confirm the close genetic link between S. neurona in horses and opossums and suggest they originated from the same evolutionary source. This agreement between the morphological and molecular information solidifies our understanding of the evolutionary history of these parasites.

Cite This Article

APA
Elsheikha HM, Lacher DW, Mansfield LS. (2005). Phylogenetic relationships of Sarcocystis neurona of horses and opossums to other cyst-forming coccidia deduced from SSU rRNA gene sequences. Parasitol Res, 97(5), 345-357. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-005-1396-5

Publication

Parasitology research
ISSN: 0932-0113
NlmUniqueID: 8703571
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 97
Issue: 5
Pages: 345-357

Researcher Affiliations

Elsheikha, Hany M
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
Lacher, David W
    Mansfield, Linda S

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Base Sequence
      • Coccidia / classification
      • Coccidia / genetics
      • DNA, Protozoan
      • Horse Diseases / parasitology
      • Horses / parasitology
      • Michigan
      • Molecular Sequence Data
      • Opossums / parasitology
      • Phylogeny
      • RNA, Ribosomal / genetics
      • Sarcocystis / classification
      • Sarcocystis / genetics
      • Sarcocystosis / parasitology
      • Sarcocystosis / veterinary
      • Sequence Analysis, DNA

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