Genetic structure of Anisakis physeteris, and its differentiation from the Anisakis simplex complex (Ascaridida: Anisakidae)

• Published in: Parasitology
• Main Authors: Mattiucci, S., Nascetti, G., Bullini, L., Orecchia, P., Paggi, L.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1986
• Subjects: Physeter macrocephalus; Sperm whale
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0031182000051544; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0031182000051544

SUMMARY The genetic structure of Anisakis physeteris from the Mediterranean Sea has been analysed electrophoretically at 22 enzyme loci. The samples studied, although differing in the life-stage (larvae and adults), and in the host (the fishes Micromesistius poutassou and Trachurus trachurus , and the sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus ) were genetically homogeneous. Of these loci 11 ( Ldh, Sod, Np, Adk-2, Pgm-1, Est-1, Est-2, Acph-1, Acph-2, Lap-2 and Ca ) were found to be monomorphic, while the other 11 ( Sdh, Mdh, ldh, 6-Pgdh, G3pdh, Got, Adk-1, Pgm-2, Lap-1, Mpi and Gpi ) showed from 2 to 7 alleles. The following values of genetic variability were estimated: He = 0·ll, P = 0·50, A = 1·95. Distinct alleles were found between A. physeteris and the A. simplex complex at 19 out of the 22 loci studied, and only few rare alleles were shared at the remaining 3 loci. The genetic divergence between A. physeteris and A. simplex A and B is therefore very high, the values of Nei’s index D being 7·384 and 6·443 respectively ( I = 0·001 and 0·002). The assignation of A. physeteris and the A. simplex complex to two distinct subgenera, Skrjabinisakis and Anisakis , as proposed by Mosgovoy on a morphological basis, appears to be fully justified according to our genetic data.