First report of a natural hybrid between Schistosoma mansoni and S. rodhaini.
Experimental crosses between Schistosoma mansoni and S. rodhaini have shown that hybrid offspring are viable, yet, until now, no naturally occurring hybrid has been identified. A collection of freshwater snails from Nyamlebi-Ngoma, Ukerewe Island, Lake Victoria, Tanzania, yielded a mixed infection within a single Biomphalaria sudanica of S. mansoni females and S. mansoni-S. rodhaini hybrid males. The hybrids were identified using deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequences. Mitochondrial DNA 16S and 12S sequences of the hybrids match those of S. mansoni, whereas their nuclear ribosomal DNA ITS1 and ITS2 sequences match those of S. rodhaini. The identification of hybrids in Tanzania highlights the possibility that the genetic identity of either parasite species might be modified by introgression.
Morgan
Jess A T
JA
Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA.
DeJong
Randall J
RJ
Lwambo
Nicholas J S
NJ
Mungai
Benjamin N
BN
Mkoji
Gerald M
GM
Loker
Eric S
ES
D000818:Animals; D001700:Biomphalaria / Q000469:parasitology; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D017931:DNA Primers; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000737:chemistry; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005618:Fresh Water; D006823:Hybrid Vigor; D006824:Hybridization, Genetic / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D012547:Schistosoma / Q000235:genetics*; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000235:genetics*; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D013636:Tanzania
D017931:DNA Primers; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; C075526:RNA, ribosomal, 12S