Phylogenomics and diversification of Schistosomatidae using targetedsequence capture of ultra-conserved elements.

EBBS E; LOKER E S; BU L; LOCKE S A ; TKACH V V; DEVKOTA R; FLORES, V.; PINTO ALVES H; BRANT S V

Pathogens

MDPI

Año: 2022 vol. 11 p. 1 - 22

2076-0817

Schistosomatidae Stiles and Hassall 1898 is a medically significant family of digenetictrematodes (Trematoda: Digenea), members of which infect mammals or birds as definitive hosts andaquatic or amphibious gastropods as intermediate hosts. Currently, there are 17 named genera, formany of which evolutionary interrelationships remain unresolved. The lack of a resolved phylogenyhas encumbered our understanding of schistosomatid evolution, specifically patterns of host-useand the role of host-switching in diversification. Here, we used targeted sequence capture of ultraconserved elements (UCEs) from representatives of 13 of the 17 named genera and 11 undescribedlineages that are presumed to represent either novel genera or species to generate a phylogenomicdataset for the estimation of schistosomatid interrelationships. This study represents the largestphylogenetic effort within the Schistosomatidae in both the number of loci and breadth of taxonsampling. We present a near-comprehensive family-level phylogeny providing resolution to severalclades of long-standing uncertainty within Schistosomatidae, including resolution for the placementof the North American mammalian schistosomes, implying a second separate capture of mammalianhosts. Additionally, we present evidence for the placement of Macrobilharzia at the base of theSchistosoma + Bivitellobilharzia radiation. Patterns of definitive and intermediate host use and a strongrole for intermediate host-switching are discussed relative to schistosomatid diversification.