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Repetitive sequences in the ITS1 region of the ribosomal DNA of Tunga penetrans and other flea species (Insecta, Siphonaptera)

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Abstract

Different Tunga penetrans isolates from various hosts obtained from South America (Fortaleza. Brazil) have been studied by nucleotide sequence comparison of the first and the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS1, ITS2) of the ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA) and part of the mitochondrial 16S rDNA. Results show no significant host-dependent sequence differences. No indication for intraindividual and intraspecific polymorphisms could be detected. Comparing the ITS1 spacer region of T. penetrans from South America with that from Africa (Togo, Cameroon), distinct length variations have been observed caused by a repetitive sequence motif of 99 bp. The ITS1 from the South American T. penetrans contain two tandemly repeated copies, whereas four of these units are present in the spacer of the African T. penetrans. The absence of homogenization of these units indicates a recent separation of both populations. However, the different number of repetitions together with two base substitutions put the evolutionary distance of only 135 years as postulated for the transfer of T. penetrans from South America to Africa into question. Repetitive sequences could also be detected within the ITS1 rDNA region of other flea species Ctenocephalides felis, Echidnophaga gallinacea, Pulex irritans, Spilopsyllus cuniculi, and Xenopsylla cheopis. The repeat units with lengths from 10 to 99 bp are arranged in pure tandem or interspersed. The repetitive elements observed in the ITS1 of various flea species may serve as a valuable tool for phylogeographic studies.

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Acknowledgment

We wish to thank Elizabeth Abari and Nadine Nagy for kindly providing Fortaleza Tunga penatrans samples as well as Prof. Dr. K Dogba (Togo) and Prof. Dr. Njayon (Cameroon) for sending fleas captured in their countries.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology and Parasitology, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany

    Sara Gamerschlag, Heinz Mehlhorn & Jochen D’Haese

  2. School of Public Health at Ceara State, Fortaleza, Brazil

    Jörg Heukelbach

  3. Center for Humanities and Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany

    Hermann Feldmeier

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  1. Sara Gamerschlag
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  2. Heinz Mehlhorn
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  3. Jörg Heukelbach
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  4. Hermann Feldmeier
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  5. Jochen D’Haese
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Correspondence to Jochen D’Haese.

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Gamerschlag, S., Mehlhorn, H., Heukelbach, J. et al. Repetitive sequences in the ITS1 region of the ribosomal DNA of Tunga penetrans and other flea species (Insecta, Siphonaptera). Parasitol Res 102, 193–199 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-007-0743-0

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