title: Trypanosoma brucei: two steps to spread out from Africa.
abstract: Trypanosoma brucei equiperdum and Trypanosoma brucei evansi are typically considered separate species, although a recent study suggested that these organisms can be classified as subspecies of Trypanosoma brucei, which we also favor. Here we present a scenario that attempts to explain the continuing evolution of the dyskinetoplastic and akinetoplastic strains, as a consequence of loss of selective pressure(s) leading to the loss of kinetoplast DNA.
authors.affiliation: Center for Parasitic Organisms, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Zhongshan Medical School, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, P.R. China. lsslzr@mail.sysu.edu.cn
authors.forename: Zhao-Rong
authors.initials: ZR
authors.lastname: Lun
authors.forename: De-Hua
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Feng-Jun
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Julius
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lukes
authors.forename: Francisco J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Ayala
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000349:Africa; D000818:Animals; D018105:DNA, Kinetoplast / Q000235:genetics*; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D006801:Humans; D012641:Selection, Genetic; D014346:Trypanosoma brucei brucei / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014353:Trypanosomiasis, African / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission*
chemical_list: D018105:DNA, Kinetoplast; D016054:DNA, Protozoan