Comparative population genetics of a parasitic nematode and its host community: The trichostrongylid Neoheligmonella granjoni and Mastomys rodents in southeastern Senegal

Contrasting host and parasite population genetic structures can provide information about the population ecology of each species and the potential for local adaptation. Here, we examined the population genetic structure of the nematode Neoheligmonella granjoni at a regional scale in southeastern Senegal, using 11 microsatellite markers. Using the results previously obtained for the two main rodent species of the host community, Mastomys natalensis and Mastomys erythroleucus, we tested the hypothesis that the parasite population structure was mediated by dispersal levels of the most vagile host. The results showed similar genetic diversity levels between host and parasite populations, and consistently lower levels of genetic differentiation in N. granjoni, with the exception of one outlying locus with a high FST. The aberrant pattern at this locus was primarily due to two alleles occurring at markedly different frequencies in one locality, suggesting selection at this locus, or a closely linked one. Genetic differentiation levels and isolation by distance analyses suggested that gene flow was high and random in N. granjoni at the spatial scale examined. The correlation between pair-wise genetic differentiation levels in the parasite and its main host was consistent with the hypothesis tested. Models of local adaptation as a function of the dispersal rates of hosts and parasites suggest that opportunities for local adaptation would be low in this biological system.

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► Population genetics of a nematode and of its two main rodent hosts were examined.
► Eleven microsatellites were used for the nematode, and previous data for rodents.
► Parasite dispersal was suggested to be mediated by the most vagile host.
► Correlated patterns and gene flow levels were consistent with the tested hypothesis.
► Opportunities for local adaptation should be low in this system.