The Genomic Basis of Adaptive Response to Anthelmintic Treatment in Two Species of Parasitic Nematodes

Date
2022-06-08
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Abstract
Despite rapid increases in next-generation sequencing studies, relatively little is known about how often species evolve convergently at the genotypic level, using the same loci to respond to a similar selection pressure (hereafter, genotypic convergence). Here we investigate similar adaptive responses in two species of parasitic nematodes, H. contortus and T. circumcincta, and test for possible genotypic convergence between species. After treating populations on farms across Western Canada with antiparasitic drugs, either fenbendazole or ivermectin, we use whole genome shotgun sequencing to identify loci putatively involved in drug resistance in each species and test for genotypic convergence. Despite both species facing similar environments and selection pressures and showing similar resistance statuses, we found no evidence for polygenic genotypic convergence for resistance. Although the response to selection was not strongly repeated between species, we did identify six candidate genes for resistance which were repeated between species.
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Keywords
haemonchus contortus, teladorsagia circumcincta, anthelmintic resistance, genotypic convergence, benzimidazole, ivermectin, genetic convergence, adaptation
Citation
Jasper, R. (2022). The Genomic Basis of Adaptive Response to Anthelmintic Treatment in Two Species of Parasitic Nematodes (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.