title: Genetic variation within and among species of Cloacina (Strongyloidea: Cloacinine) from the swamp wallaby, Wallabia bicolor (Marsupialia: Macropodidae).
abstract: This study examined genetic variation within and among species of Cloacina found in the swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor) collected at different localities along the eastern coast of Australia, and evaluated geographical distance as a potential driver for genetic variation. The first and second internal transcribed spacers (ITS-1 and ITS-2, respectively) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA were used to characterize individuals of 11 morphospecies of Cloacina that parasitize W. bicolor. The results of the molecular analyses revealed multiple genotypes for the nine morphospecies of Cloacina (i.e. Cloacina annulata, Cloacina edwardsi, Cloacina eos, Cloacina gallardi, Cloacina mawsonae, Cloacina papillata, Cloacina papillatissima, Cloacina pollux, and Cloacina wallabiae) for which multiple individuals were available for analysis. However, phylogenetic analyses of the sequence data revealed that for each morphospecies, there was no subdivision of individuals into distinct clades based on geographical region from which they were collected. Additional studies are needed to determine the drivers of genetic variation in cloacinid nematodes, and hence increase our understanding of the diversity of parasitic nematodes in macropodid marsupials.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Mary A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Shuttleworth
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Beveridge
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
authors.forename: Neil B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Chilton
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Anson V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Koehler
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Robin B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Gasser
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: jabbara@unimelb.edu.au.
authors.forename: Abdul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jabbar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia; D018509:DNA, Helminth / Q000032:analysis; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000032:analysis; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D014644:Genetic Variation; D007614:Macropodidae / Q000469:parasitology*; D010802:Phylogeny; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013320:Strongyloidea / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D053833:Wetlands
chemical_list: D018509:DNA, Helminth; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal
keywords: Cloacina; Evolution; Genetic variation; Macropodid marsupials; Wallabia bicolor