Switch, disperse, repeat: host specificity is highly flexible in rodent-associated Eimeria.

Area of Science:

• Parasitology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Host-parasite coevolution is shaped by host specificity and host switching.
• Rodent-associated Eimeria present a model system to study these dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate host switch dynamics and genetic structuring of Eimeria populations in rodents.
• To analyze Eimeria lineages infecting Murinae and Arvicolinae host groups.

Main Methods:

• Population-level analysis of Eimeria genetic lineages.
• Comparative study of Eimeria from Murinae and Arvicolinae rodents.
• Assessment of host specificity and geographic distribution of lineages.
• Correlation analysis between genetic structure and morphological traits.

Main Results:

• Eimeria infecting Murinae and Arvicolinae form a complex system of genetically distinct lineages.
• These lineages exhibit conserved host specificities and wide geographic distribution.
• Genetic structure is only partially explained by observable morphological characteristics.

Conclusions:

• Eimeria populations demonstrate a balance between host specificity and host switching.
• Established genetic lineages maintain specificity while colonizing new areas.
• Morphological traits are insufficient indicators of Eimeria genetic diversity and host associations.