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Genetic analyses of the parasitic nematode, Parelaphostrongylus tenuis, in Missouri and Kentucky reveal unexpected levels of diversity and population differentiation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 October 2020

L. S. Eggert Open the ORCID record for L. S. Eggert [Opens in a new window] ,
L. K. Berkman ,
K. Budd ,
B. J. Keller ,
A. M. Hildreth  and
J. J. Millspaugh
L. S. Eggert*
Affiliation:
Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, 226 Tucker Hall, Columbia, MO65211, USA
L. K. Berkman
Affiliation:
Missouri Department of Conservation, Central Regional Office and Conservation Research Center, 3500 E. Gans Rd., Columbia, MO65201, USA
K. Budd
Affiliation:
Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, 226 Tucker Hall, Columbia, MO65211, USA
B. J. Keller
Affiliation:
Missouri Department of Conservation, Central Regional Office and Conservation Research Center, 3500 E. Gans Rd., Columbia, MO65201, USA Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 500 Lafayette Rd., St. Paul, MN50575, USA
A. M. Hildreth
Affiliation:
Missouri Department of Conservation, Central Regional Office and Conservation Research Center, 3500 E. Gans Rd., Columbia, MO65201, USA
J. J. Millspaugh
Affiliation:
Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT59812, USA
*
Author for correspondence: L. S. Eggert, E-mail: eggertl@missouri.edu
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Abstract

Wildlife translocations, which involve the introduction of naive hosts into new environments with novel pathogens, invariably pose an increased risk of disease. The meningeal worm Parelaphostrongylus tenuis is a nematode parasite of the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), which serves as its primary host and rarely suffers adverse effects from infection. Attempts to restore elk (Cervus canadensis) to the eastern US have been hampered by disease caused by this parasite. Using DNA sequence data from mitochondrial and nuclear genes, we examined the hypothesis that elk translocated within the eastern US could be exposed to novel genetic variants of P. tenuis by detailing the genetic structure among P. tenuis taken from white-tailed deer and elk at a source (Kentucky) and a release site (Missouri). We found high levels of diversity at both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA in Missouri and Kentucky and a high level of differentiation between states. Our results highlight the importance of considering the potential for increased disease risk from exposure to novel strains of parasites in the decision-making process of a reintroduction or restoration.

Keywords

Brainwormdeer parasiteelkmeningeal wormpopulation structuretranslocation
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 148 , Issue 1 , January 2021 , pp. 31 - 41
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press

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