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Comparative mtDNA phylogeographic patterns reveal marked differences in population genetic structure between generalist and specialist ectoparasites of the African penguin (Spheniscus demersus)

  • Genetics, Evolution, and Phylogeny - Short Communication
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Abstract

To address factors affecting genetic diversity and dispersal of ectoparasites, we compared mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) population genetic structures of the generalist soft tick Ornithodoros capensis to the more host-specific nest flea Parapsyllus humboldti. A total of 103 ticks and 92 fleas were sampled at five distinct South African island/mainland African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) colonies. With its wide host range, O. capensis showed no evidence of significant cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) mtDNA population differentiation among the five sampling sites (φst = 0.00 ± 0.004; p = 0.80), as well as a higher level of genetic diversity (π = 0.8% ± 0.06%) when compared to P. humboldti. In contrast, the flea showed significant population structure among most of the same sampling sites (φst = 0.22 ± 0.11; p ≤ 0.05) and a lower level of genetic diversity (π = 0.2% ± 0.01%). Our findings suggest that despite both parasites being mostly nest bound, O. capensis have few barriers to dispersal among island and mainland colonies. However, P. humboldti are more dependent on the African penguin for dispersal and thus have more impediments to gene flow among the same colonies. These findings broadly support the SGVH (specialist generalist variation hypothesis) and provide the first evidence for this hypothesis in parasites restricted to seabird colonies.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the managers and fieldworkers at CapeNature, South African National Parks and the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) for assisting with the specimen collection. MPAE was awarded a scholarship from the Chilean National Scholarship Program for Graduate Studies (Becas-Chile) of the National Commission for Scientific and Technological Research (CONICYT).

Funding

This work was supported by the International Penguin and Marine Mammal Foundation, the National Research Foundation and Stellenbosch University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Evolutionary Genomics Group, Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Stellenbosch, 7602, South Africa

    C. Wessels & C. A. Matthee

  2. Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Faculty of AgriScience, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Stellenbosch, 7602, South Africa

    S. Matthee & M. P. A. Espinaze

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  1. C. Wessels
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  2. S. Matthee
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  3. M. P. A. Espinaze
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  4. C. A. Matthee
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Correspondence to C. A. Matthee.

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Ethical approval was obtained from Stellenbosch University Animal Ethics Committee (SU-ACUD15-00114) who followed the South African National Standard (SANS) for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes (SANS 10386:2008).

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The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

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Section Editor: Boris R. Krasnov

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Wessels, C., Matthee, S., Espinaze, M.P.A. et al. Comparative mtDNA phylogeographic patterns reveal marked differences in population genetic structure between generalist and specialist ectoparasites of the African penguin (Spheniscus demersus). Parasitol Res 118, 667–672 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-018-6150-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-018-6150-x

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