Abstract
Knowing the parasites' genotypes and establishing their phylogenetic tree help to define their route of evolution and determine their origin. On the other hand, understanding the variation in genome sequences aids in the development of techniques for identifying diseases and selecting the best and most efficient treatments. This study used worms isolated from cats and dogs intestines to genotyping and draw phylogenetic tree of Dipylidium caninum. This study approach involved isolating worms directly from the intestines of dogs and cats, and confirming infection through molecular diagnosis using primers designed by the author. Genotyping using primers for the large subunit rRNA gene revealed sequences of DNA products that were deposited in the GenBank. Finally, these sequences were aligned with previous sequences deposited in the GenBank, and gene sequences in cats were compared with their counterparts in dogs. Infection significantly were higher among dogs than cats and among males than females. Three sequences (OQ987885 to OQ987887) isolated from dogs and another (OQ987888 to OQ987890) isolated from cats have been deposited in the Gen Bank. Phylogenetic tree comparing these sequences and showing the genetic distance between them. Sequences deposited from this study recorded high alignment with (MG587892.1) and (OK523385.1) sequences dating back to D. caninum. The host species influences the species and ability of the parasite that will infect it, and possibly the genotypes as well. Canine fleas can infect dogs and cats, while feline fleas can infect cat only. so the parasite must adapt to continue living, and one of the ways to adapt is heterogeneity of genotypes.