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Population genetic diversity in Spirocerca lupi

Dissertation (MSc (Genetics))--University of Pretoria, 2014.

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Other Authors: De Waal, Pamela Jean
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: University of Pretoria 2022
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access_status_str Open Access
author2 De Waal, Pamela Jean
author_browse De Waal, Pamela Jean
author_facet De Waal, Pamela Jean
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv © 2021 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.
description Dissertation (MSc (Genetics))--University of Pretoria, 2014.
format Thesis
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institution University of Pretoria (South Africa)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:37:10.039Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
publishDate 2022
publishDateRange 2022
publishDateSort 2022
publisher University of Pretoria
publisherStr University of Pretoria
record_format dspace
source_str UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
spelling oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/83764 Population genetic diversity in Spirocerca lupi De Waal, Pamela Jean janishtha@gmail.com Greeff, Jacobus Maree Reid, Kerry Mitha, Janishtha R. UCTD Dissertation (MSc (Genetics))--University of Pretoria, 2014. Spirocerca lupi is a nematode that parasitises canid species across the world. Infested hosts show symptoms associated with the disease called spirocercosis. The parasite is known to cause significant damage to its final host and often leads to death. Treatment of the disease has been a challenge for veterinarians for many years since symptoms of the disease only become apparent at advanced stages of the disease, by which time, the available treatment is considered ineffective. Many studies to date have given insight into the characterisation and description of spirocercosis, however very few studies have been conducted on the molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, epidemiology, ecology and host-parasite interactions. This study utilises molecular tools to perform genetic analyses to better understand the parasite’s population structure which will contribute to improved strategies for the treatment, prevention and control of spirocercosis. By integrating a population genetic approach with molecular marker data, it is possible to decipher the transmission dynamics of a parasite. For this purpose, microsatellite markers were developed using the FIASCO (fast isolation by AFLPs of sequences containing repeats) protocol and 454 pyrosequencing. Nine polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed to conduct population genetic analyses on S. lupi nematodes sampled across three geographical locations in South Africa, namely KwaZulu-Natal (Durban), Eastern Cape (Grahamstown) and Gauteng (Tshwane Metropole). Some of these loci proved to be effective in cross-species amplification testing. The loci were also used to provide molecular evidence that S. lupi is in fact found in jackal. Microsatellites proved to be effective markers in detecting subtle levels of population structuring between the three geographical locations, however allelic frequencies indicated that high amounts of gene flow was occurring. High levels of heterozygosity were found in individual hosts as well as between different hosts, suggesting that little or no inbreeding occurs between S. lupi nematodes within the final host. This could be due to the life cycle of the parasite. Spirocerca lupi uses a dung beetle intermediate host as well as several paratenic hosts, which allows for significant mixing of parasite genotypes before reaching the final host. In this way, the final host acquires a highly diverse genetic mixture of parasites, which influences mating patterns and results in outbreeding. This is the first study on S. lupi that uses co-dominant markers to study genetic variation and epidemiology across a wide geographical range. The implications of this study are that since S. lupi populations have high levels of genetic diversity, they have the genetic potential to adapt to changing environmental conditions as well as the ability to withstand possible treatments that are administered to final hosts. This is critical to consider when control mechanisms are implemented aimed to reduce the risk of infestation in canids. Additional research is required on the impact that different life cycle stages of the nematode have in the different hosts and its implication for effective prevention and control of spirocercosis. National Research Foundation (NRF) Genetics MSc (Genetics) Restricted 2022-02-10T09:20:44Z 2022-02-10T09:20:44Z 2014 2014-06 Dissertation * A2015 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/83764 en © 2021 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf application/pdf application/pdf application/pdf application/pdf University of Pretoria
spellingShingle UCTD
Population genetic diversity in Spirocerca lupi
title Population genetic diversity in Spirocerca lupi
title_full Population genetic diversity in Spirocerca lupi
title_fullStr Population genetic diversity in Spirocerca lupi
title_full_unstemmed Population genetic diversity in Spirocerca lupi
title_short Population genetic diversity in Spirocerca lupi
title_sort population genetic diversity in spirocerca lupi
topic UCTD
url http://hdl.handle.net/2263/83764