Korean J Parasitol.  2018 Aug;56(4):359-364. 10.3347/kjp.2018.56.4.359.

Molecular Genetic Findings of Spirometra decipiens and S. ranarum in Korea

• Jeon HK
• Huh S
• Sohn WM
• Chai JY
• Eom KS

• KMID: 2420320
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2018.56.4.359

Abstract

The taxonomy of Spirometra species has been controversial despite the medical and veterinary importance. Currently, only a few Spirometra species are considered valid species in the genus Spirometra. In the present study, the distribution of Spirometra species obtained from animals in Korea were identified by molecular analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (cox1) gene. A total of 28 Spirometra species specimens were analyzed. These were all collected between 1973 and 2008 in the Republic of Korea. Mitochondrial cox1 sequences were examined for a total of 28 specimens comprising 14 S. decipiens and 14 S. ranarum. The difference in partial cox1 sequences (316 bp) between S. erinaceieuropaei (KJ599680) and S. ranarum (this study) was 9.3%, while that between S. decipiens (KJ599679) and S. ranarum (this study) was 2.2%. Genetic analyses identified 2 Spirometra species in animals such as cat, leopard cat, dog, duck and snake in Korea as S. decipiens and S. ranarum. S. decipiens and S. ranarum were present in Gyeongnam Province (P), Jeonnam P, Gangwon P, Chungbuk P, and Seoul. S. decipiens was found in tadpoles, snakes, ducks, cats, leopard cats and dogs, while S. ranarum was found in cats and dogs. The ratio of S. decipiens:S. ranarum calculated from the molecular data was 14:14 (or 1:1). These results indicate that S. decipiens and S. ranarum are sympatrically distributed in Korea.

Keyword

Spirometra decipiens; S. ranarum; animals; sympatric distribution; molecular identification; Korea

MeSH Terms

Animals
Cats
Chungcheongbuk-do
Classification
Dogs
Ducks
Electron Transport Complex IV
Gangwon-do
Jeollanam-do
Korea*
Larva
Molecular Biology*
Panthera
Republic of Korea
Seoul
Snakes
Spirometra*
Electron Transport Complex IV