title: Evolutionary genetics of Trypanosoma and Leishmania.
abstract: We review recent advances in the study of population structure and phylogenetic diversity of parasites belonging to the genera Trypanosoma and Leishmania. In all species properly analyzed, these parasites exhibit a basically clonal population structure, with occasional bouts of genetic exchange or hybridization, and a strong structuration of their populations into discrete evolutionary lineages. On an evolutionary scale, the impact of sex appears to be greater in African than in American trypanosomes. The taxonomic status of some Leishmania 'species' is questionable.
authors.affiliation: Centre d'Etudes sur le Polymorphisme des Microorganismes (CEPM), UMR CNRS/IRD 9926, IRD, BP 5045, 34032 Montpellier, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tibayrenc
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Ayala
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D006801:Humans; D007891:Leishmania / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D007896:Leishmaniasis / Q000469:parasitology; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D014345:Trypanosoma / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D014352:Trypanosomiasis / Q000469:parasitology