Mastomys natalensis (Smith, 1834) as a natural host for Schistosoma haematobium (Bilharz, 1852) Weinland, 1858 x Schistosoma bovis Sonsino, 1876 introgressive hybrids

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Abstract
Cercarial emission of schistosomes is a determinant in the transmission to the definitive host and constitutes a good marker to identify which definitive host is responsible for transmission, mainly in introgressive hybridization situations. Our goal was to test the hypothesis that micro-mammals play a role inSchistosoma haematobium,S.bovis, and/orS.haematobiumxS.bovistransmission. Small mammal sampling was conducted in seven semi-lacustrine villages of southern Benin. Among the 62 animals trapped, 50 individuals were investigated forSchistosomaadults and eggs: 37Rattus rattus, 3Rattus norvegicus, 9Mastomys natalensis, and 1Crocidura olivieri.Schistosomaadults were found in fourR. rattusand twoM. natalensis, with a local prevalence reaching 80% and 50%, respectively.Two cercarial chronotypes were found fromBulinus globosusexperimentally infected with miracidia extracted from naturally infectedM. natalensis: a late diurnal and nocturnal chronotype, and an early diurnal, late diurnal, and nocturnal chronotype. The cytochrome C oxidase subunit I mtDNA gene of the collected schistosomes (adults, miracidia, and cercariae) belonged to theS.bovisclade. Eleven internal transcribed spacer rDNA profiles were found; four belonged toS.bovisand seven toS.haematobiumxS.bovis. These molecular results together with the observed multi-peak chronotypes addM. natalensisas a new host implicated inS.haematobiumxS.bovistransmission. We discuss the origin of the new chronotypes which have become more complex with the appearance of several peaks in a 24-h day. We also discuss how the new populations of offspring may optimize intra-host ecological niche, host spectrum, and transmission time period.
Funding Information
  • Ministère des Affaires Etrangères
  • Institut de Recherche pour le Développement
  • Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR-17-CE12-0005- 01)
  • Ministère des Affaires Etrangères (student fellow from the SCAC)

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