A molecular phylogeny of the human schistosomes

Abstract

Members of the genus Schistosoma are generally grouped on the basis of egg morphology, intermediate host specificity, and geographic origin. We have tested hypotheses based on these groupings by phylogenetic analysis of nuclear ribosomal (ITS2) and mitochondrial (COI) nucleotide sequences. Both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA data strongly support "traditional" hypotheses that (a) members of the Schistosoma haematobium group form a monophyletic clade, (b) members of the S. mansoni group form a monophyletic clade, (c) S. japonicum and S. mekongi form a monophyletic group relative to other schistosomes, and (d) the African schistosomes form a clade to the exclusion of the two Asian species.