Parasitology Research (2002) 88, 772-777

F. Berrilli, S. D'Amelio and L. Rossi (2002)
Ribosomal and mitochondrial DNA sequence variation in Sarcoptes mites from different hosts and geographical regions
Parasitology Research 88 (8), 772-777
Abstract: In order to investigate the extent of the genetic variation in the DNA sequences of Sarcoptes scabiei, mite populations collected on Alpine chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), Pyrenean chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes) from different localities of Italy and Spain were studied. Sequence analyses were carried out on the second internal transcribed spacer of the nuclear ribosomal DNA and on the 16S mitochondrial rRNA gene. ITS-2 sequences showed a higher degree of genetic polymorphism, mostly randomly distributed in the isolates from different hosts and localities, although both genomic regions are characterised by fixed nucleotide substitutions which were able to discriminate the mites collected on Pyrenean chamois from north-western Spain and on foxes from north-eastern Spain and from north-western Italy with respect to the other isolates. These results suggest the existence of a limitation to free gene exchange between the studied populations, probably related to the genetic structuring of local populations rather than to a differential adaptation to host species.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Luca Rossi

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
molecular biology - genes
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Sarcoptes scabiei		France
	Sarcoptes scabiei		Italy