Investigation of the phylogenetic relationships of sarcocystis spp. found in birds using 18s and 28s rrna gene partial sequences

Abstract

SUMMARY INVESTIGATION OF THE PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS OF SARCOCYSTIS SPP. FOUND IN BIRDS USING 18S AND 28S rRNA GENE PARTIAL SEQENCES Petras Prakas Institute of Ecology of Vilnius University, Laboratory of Population Genetics, Vilnius, Lithuania Based on cyst morphology, Sarcocystis cysts type I were found in white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons), cysts type II in mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), cyst type III in one grey-lag goose (Anser anser) and two white-fronted geese, cyst type V in hooded crow (Corvus cornix). The sarcocysts isolated from the infected birds as intermediate host have not been previously described and are unnamed. Type III sarcocysts detected in white-fronted and greylag geese may illustrate the case of polyhostal nature of sarcocysts when the same-species parasites infesting intermediate hosts of different species. The obtained 18S and 28S ribosomal RNA partial gene sequences showed the highest homology for the genera Sarcocystis and Frenkelia. In the tree of phylogenetic relationships, the species involved in this study were grouped with Frenkelia microti, Frenkelia glareoli, Sarcocystis muris and Sarcocystis neurona. Results show co-evolution of Sarcocystis spp. with the final host. Based on data obtained it could be stated that phylogenetic relationships of Sarcocystidae family are influenced by peculiarity of life cycle, hosts spectrum and host specificity. Analysis of the partial sequences of 18S and 28S ribosomal RNA revealed the phylogenetic and taxonomic status of the investigated Sarcocystis spp