Novel primers from informative nuclear loci for louse molecular phylogenetics (Insecta: Phthiraptera)

Andrew D. Sweet, Julie M. Allen, Kevin P. Johnson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

While parasitic lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera) have historically been an important model taxon for understanding host-parasite coevolution, very few molecular markers have been developed for phylogenetic analysis. The current markers are insufficient to resolve many of the deeper nodes in this group; therefore, sequences from additional genetic loci are necessary. Here, we design primers targeting several nuclear protein coding genes based on a complete genome and transcriptome of Pediculus humanus L. plus transcriptomes and modest coverage genomic data from five genera of avian feather lice. These primers were tested on 32 genera of avian feather lice (Ischnocera), including multiple species within some genera. All of the new primer combinations produced sequences for the majority of the genera and had similar or higher divergences than the most widely used nuclear protein-coding gene in lice, EF-1α. These results indicate that these new loci will be useful in resolving phylogenetic relationships among parasitic lice.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1122-1126
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of medical entomology
Volume51
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2014

Keywords

  • Nuclear locus
  • Phthiraptera
  • Phylogenetics
  • Primer

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Parasitology
  • General Veterinary
  • Insect Science
  • Infectious Diseases

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