Genetic diversity of cervid trypanosoma theileri In Honshu sika deer (cervus nippon) in Japan
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Abstract
The taxonomy of ruminant Trypanosoma theileri and its relatives (Kinetoplastida:
Trypanosomatidae) is controversial, with recent phylogenetic studies segregating T. theileri
in cattle and other ruminants worldwide into two major genetic lineages (the TthI and
TthII clades) based on genetic markers. In the present study, T. theileri-like trypanosomes
isolated from Honshu sika deer (Cervus nippon) in the western Japan (YMG isolate) were gen-
etically characterized using a number of genetic markers. Sika deer trypanosomes of the YMG
isolate were genetically different from the Trypanosoma sp. TSD1 isolate previously recorded
from Hokkaido sika deer in northern Japan, with the former trypanosome isolate being gen-
etically closer to European cervid trypanosomes and the bovine T. theileri TthII lineage. In
contrast, the latter isolate exhibited greater relatedness to North American cervid trypano-
somes and the bovine T. theileri TthI lineage, although a clear genetic distinction between
these was apparent. Furthermore, trypanosomes in Honshu sika deer from the central part
of Japan harboured additional genetic diversity and were closer to either TSD1 or YMG iso-
lates, while distinct from known T. theileri-related genotypes. Importantly, cervids and wild
ruminants worldwide might harbour divergent descendants of a T. theileri ancestor, which
exhibit rigid host specificity to either bovines or cervid species.
Description
Journal Article
Keywords
Cervus nippon, gGAPDH, Japan, Megatrypanum, rDNA, Trypanosoma theileri, Genetic diversity, Phylogeny, Sika deer, Taxonomy