Using molecular markers to study epidemiologically important trematode representatives, Clonorchis sinensis and Metagonimus suifunensis, in the Russian Far East

Abstract

Despite the epidemiological significance of the trematodes Clonorchis sinensis and Metagonimus suifunensis, these species are insufficiently studied in the Russian Far East. In this work, we compare various nuclear and mitochondrial markers used for population genetic studies, based on previously published articles, as well as new data on the nad1 mtDNA gene obtained for M. suifunensis. Even such conservative markers as the ITS1–5.8S-ITS2 rDNA region and the cox1 mtDNA gene are suitable for the analysis of genetic variability in the C. sinensis population, while more variable mtDNA genes must be used to assess the population structure of M. suifunensis. However, the level of variability is not the only determining factor when choosing a marker. The nad1 mtDNA gene did not reveal patterns within the M. suifunensis population, like the cox1 gene, while the mtDNA cytb gene, with lower variability indices, showed a geographical subdivision and migration ways for individuals of the species.