Molecular characteristics and genetic diversity of Fasciola hepatica from sheep in Xinjiang, China

Abstract

Fasciola hepatica is a trematode infecting ruminants worldwide and occasionally affecting other animal species, including humans. It causes significant economic losses. Geographic distribution and patterns of infection must be considered before control and management measures are developed for this parasite. DNA molecular markers are useful for the identification of flukes and elucidation of their genetic evolution. Therefore, the population structure of F. hepatica was studied using this method in sheep in Xinjiang, China.

Keywords

• f. hepatica
• cox1
• nad1
• genetic diversity
• population structure