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Frequency and possible consequences of hybridization between Schistosoma haematobium and S. mattheei in the Eastern Transvaal Lowveld

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2009

F. J. Kruger
F. J. Kruger
Affiliation:
Research Institute for Diseases in a Tropical Environment of the South African Medical Research Council, P.O. Box 634, Nelspruit 1200, Republic of South Africa
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Abstract

A survey was conducted at a locality in the Eastern Transvaal Lowveld where the prevalence of human infection with the bovine parasite, Schistosoma mattheei, is relatively high. It was found that, when compared to the number of S. haematobium eggs released into the environment, the number of S. mattheei eggs, with enclosed hybrid miracidia, is small. The consequences of backcrossing between the hybrids and S. haematobium was considered; a mathematical model indicated that a high percentage of the S. haematobium population should contain a small proportion of S. mattheei genes. The results indicate that it is highly unlikely that the two species will evolve into a single species, neither does it seem that the virulence of the parental species will be influenced.

Keywords

Schistosoma haematobiumSchistosoma mattheeiintrogressive hybridization
Type
Research Note
Information
Journal of Helminthology , Volume 64 , Issue 4 , December 1990 , pp. 333 - 336
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1990

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References

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