Occurrence of a sibling species complex within neotropical lymnaeids, snail intermediate hosts of fascioliasis.

The delimitation of cryptic species within the genus Lymnaea, which are the main vectors of fascioliasis, remains a topic of controversy. An analysis of genetic variability based on 12 enzyme loci revealed different fixed alleles at 9 loci between two sympatric samples of Lymnaea viatrix at the type locality in Lima, Peru. The absence of heterozygotes within this locality indicates the presence of isolated populations or cryptic species within L. viatrix. Significant genetic differences were also found between these two L. viatrix samples from Lima and other populations of L. viatrix in South America and in addition to species such as L. truncatula, L. cubensis and L. columella. Moreover, t…

New polymorphic microsatellite loci in the house sparrow, Passer domesticus.

3 pages; International audience; We developed 13 new polymorphic microsatellite loci in the house sparrow (Passer domesticus), which exhibited from 2 to 15 alleles. Observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.17 to 0.77 and from 0.35 to 0.85, respectively. We detected no linkage disequilibrium between loci. Allele frequencies supported Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium for 8 loci out of 13 after Bonferroni correction. Combined with loci previously isolated in the house sparrow, these new microsatellite markers provide valuable tools to study population genetics of this species.

Tracking zoonotic pathogens using blood-sucking flies as 'flying syringes'

About 60% of emerging infectious diseases in humans are of zoonotic origin. Their increasing number requires the development of new methods for early detection and monitoring of infectious agents in wildlife. Here, we investigated whether blood meals from hematophagous flies could be used to identify the infectious agents circulating in wild vertebrates. To this aim, 1230 blood-engorged flies were caught in the forests of Gabon. Identified blood meals (30%) were from 20 vertebrate species including mammals, birds and reptiles. Among them, 9% were infected by different extant malaria parasites among which some belonged to known parasite species, others to new parasite species or to parasite …

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers in the liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica)

PRIMER NOTE; International audience; Six microsatellite markers were isolated from Fasciola hepatica, a re-emerging parasite that causes important veterinary and public health problems. In a sample of 52 liver flukes from a region of hyperendemicity (Bolivian Altiplano), five microsatellite were polymorphic. Our results showed that liver flukes present important genetic variability, suggesting a preferential outcrossing reproduction mode for this hermaphroditic parasite.

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