Schistosoma japonicum complex: relatedness of the parasites and relatedness of its intermediate hosts in evolution

Abstract

Abstract Purpose In this research, I report the relationship between S. ovuncatum, S. sinensium, S. japonicum, S. mekongi, and S. malayensis. Additionally, I also report the relatedness between five species of Oncomelania and Neotricula aperta, Robertsiella spp, and Tricula spp. Furthermore, I describe the formation of the genus Oncomelania from its predecessor forms. Principal Results: The results of nucleotide BLAST showed that S. ovuncatum shared 99.69% identity with S. sinensium, 98.68% identity with S. mekongi, 97.98% identity with S. malayensis, and 97.85% identity with S. japonicum. All E-values are smaller than 0.01. The tree-view slanted cladogram showed that S. sinensium is a sister to S. ovuncatum. It split into S. japonicum. Schistosoma japonicum splits into S. mekongi and S. malayensis. The results also showed that Oncomelania robertsoni shared 86.12% identity with Neotricula aperta, 85.88% identity with Robertsiella spp., and 85.28% identity with Tricula bollingi. The tree-view slanted cladogram showed that Tricula spp. split into N. aperta and Robertsiella spp. This study showed that Oncomelania emerged from its predecessor forms. Conclusions Nucleotide BLAST results showed that S. ovuncatum is close to S. sinensium. Schistosoma sinensium split into S. japonicum, S. mekongi, and S. malayensis. Oncomelania robertsoni was closer to N. aperta than to Robertsiella spp. and Tricula spp. (Tricula bollingi). Oncomelania species emerged from their predecessor forms.