title: Distribution and molecular phylogeny of biliary trematodes (Opisthorchiidae) infecting native Lutra lutra and alien Neovison vison across Europe.
abstract: The recent identification of Pseudamphistomum truncatum, (Rudolphi, 1819) (Trematoda: Opisthorchiidae) and Metorchis bilis (Braun, 1790) Odening, 1962 (synonymous with Metorchis albidus (Braun, 1893) Loos, 1899 and Metorchis crassiusculus (Rudolphi, 1809) Looss, 1899 (Trematoda: Opisthorchiidae)) in otters from Britain caused concern because of associated biliary damage, coupled with speculation over their alien status. Here, we investigate the presence, intensity and phylogeny of these trematodes in mustelids (principally otters) across Europe (Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Poland and Sweden and Britain). The trematodes were identified to species using the internal transcribed spacer II (ITS2) locus. Both parasites were found across Europe but at unequal frequency. In the German state of Saxony, eight out of eleven (73%) otters examined were infected with P. truncatum whilst this parasite was not found in either mink from Scotland (n=40) or otters from Norway (n=21). Differences in the phylogenies between the two species suggest divergent demographic histories possibly reflecting contrasting host diet or competitive exclusion, with M. bilis exhibiting greater mitochondrial diversity than P. truncatum. Shared haplotypes within the ranges of both parasite species probably reflect relatively unrestricted movements (both natural and anthropogenic) of intermediate and definitive hosts across Europe.
authors.affiliation: School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK; Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, UK. Electronic address: e.sherrard-smith@imperial.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Ellie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sherrard-Smith
authors.affiliation: School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK.
authors.forename: David W G
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Stanton
authors.affiliation: School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK.
authors.forename: Jo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cable
authors.affiliation: School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK.
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Orozco-terWengel
authors.affiliation: Wildlife Veterinary Investigation Centre, Chacewater, Cornwall TR4 8PB, UK.
authors.forename: Vic R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Grenåvej 14, Kalø, DK-8410, Rønde, Denmark.
authors.forename: Morten
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elmeros
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, PO Box 5685, Sluppen, NO-7485 Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Jiska
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van Dijk
authors.affiliation: Groupe Mammalogique Breton, Maison de la Rivière, 29450 Sizun, France.
authors.forename: Franck
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Simonnet
authors.affiliation: Department of Contaminant Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History, PO Box 50007, SE-104 05, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Roos
authors.affiliation: VetAgro Sup, Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, 1 Avenue Bourgelat, 69280 Marcy-l'etoile, France.
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lemarchand
authors.affiliation: ALKA Wildlife, o.p.s., Lidéřovice 62, CZ-380 01 Peč, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Lukáš
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Poledník
authors.affiliation: Charles University in Prague, Third Faculty of Medicine, Ruská 87, CZ-100 00 Prague 10, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Petr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Heneberg
authors.affiliation: School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK.
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Chadwick
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D051456:Gene Flow; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006239:Haplotypes; D058865:Introduced Species; D008907:Mink / Q000469:parasitology*; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000235:genetics; D010041:Otters / Q000469:parasitology*; D010802:Phylogeny; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D014200:Trematoda / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014201:Trematode Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: American mink; Eurasian otter; Gene flow; Introduced species; Trematode distribution