Genetic & Morphological Description of Echinostomatids taken from Waterfowl at Lake Winnibigoshish, Minnesota
Location
CSU Ballroom
Start Date
18-4-2016 10:00 AM
End Date
18-4-2016 11:30 AM
Student's Major
Biological Sciences
Student's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Mentor's Name
Robert Sorensen
Mentor's Department
Biological Sciences
Mentor's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Second Mentor's Name
Tyler Achatz
Second Mentor's Department
Biological Sciences
Second Mentor's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Description
Echinostomatids (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) are common parasitic flatworms of birds and other vertebrates. Many echinostomatids have complex life cycles with indistinguishable morphological characteristics which may vary by collection region. However, cryptic echinostomatids are distinguishable through diagnostic genetic sequencing of ribosomal and mitochondrial DNA. Unfortunately, most studies examine genetics of echinostomatids, while ignoring diagnostic morphological data. This study utilized both genetic and morphological data in order to validate species identifications and elucidate genetic and morphological variation previously unreported. Echinostome parasites from waterbirds were collected in Fall 2012 to Spring 2013 and had their DNA extracted. Polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were used to amplify and replicate 28S & internally transcribed spacers of ITS and NADH & Cox1 of mitochondrial DNA. PCR product was run on an agarose gel, gel extracted, and sequenced using an ABI377. Sequences were processed using basefinder & 4peaks software. MEGA6 software was used to generate phylogenies of each locus. The results showed 3 species of echinostomes: Hypoderaum conoideum, Echinoparyphium aconiatum, & Echinoparyphium recurvatum. Of these 3 species, E. aconiatum & E. recurvatum are known to be cryptic as both adults and juveniles within the waterfowl host. The adult morphology supported the differentiation between the 3 species, however, the juveniles only differed in the number of collar spines, an easily destroyed body feature. Mitochondrial DNA of E. recurvatum from fall and spring collected birds showed variation at both Cox1 & NADH indicating distinct lineages.
Genetic & Morphological Description of Echinostomatids taken from Waterfowl at Lake Winnibigoshish, Minnesota
CSU Ballroom
Echinostomatids (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) are common parasitic flatworms of birds and other vertebrates. Many echinostomatids have complex life cycles with indistinguishable morphological characteristics which may vary by collection region. However, cryptic echinostomatids are distinguishable through diagnostic genetic sequencing of ribosomal and mitochondrial DNA. Unfortunately, most studies examine genetics of echinostomatids, while ignoring diagnostic morphological data. This study utilized both genetic and morphological data in order to validate species identifications and elucidate genetic and morphological variation previously unreported. Echinostome parasites from waterbirds were collected in Fall 2012 to Spring 2013 and had their DNA extracted. Polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were used to amplify and replicate 28S & internally transcribed spacers of ITS and NADH & Cox1 of mitochondrial DNA. PCR product was run on an agarose gel, gel extracted, and sequenced using an ABI377. Sequences were processed using basefinder & 4peaks software. MEGA6 software was used to generate phylogenies of each locus. The results showed 3 species of echinostomes: Hypoderaum conoideum, Echinoparyphium aconiatum, & Echinoparyphium recurvatum. Of these 3 species, E. aconiatum & E. recurvatum are known to be cryptic as both adults and juveniles within the waterfowl host. The adult morphology supported the differentiation between the 3 species, however, the juveniles only differed in the number of collar spines, an easily destroyed body feature. Mitochondrial DNA of E. recurvatum from fall and spring collected birds showed variation at both Cox1 & NADH indicating distinct lineages.
Recommended Citation
Bennett, Dana. "Genetic & Morphological Description of Echinostomatids taken from Waterfowl at Lake Winnibigoshish, Minnesota." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 18, 2016.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2016/poster-session-A/6
