Dissertation Reseach: Effects of host diversity, migration, and multiple infection on the population structure of a sterilizing trematode, Microphallus sp.

大多数寄生虫对其宿主有害，并选择增加宿主的抗性，但感染的遗传特异性程度仍然存在争议。虽然目前的模型侧重于直接传播的寄生虫，但许多重要和破坏性疾病，如疟疾和血吸虫病，需要多种宿主物种。本文研究了寄主种群组成和扩散对吸虫种群多样性和种群结构的影响。本研究认为多种寄生虫菌株的感染是增加寄生虫多样性的一种机制。总之，这一研究机构检查了感染的基因型特异性和宿主和寄生虫多样性的维持。本文的工作对通过限制宿主传播来控制疾病的传播具有重要意义。此外，该研究还包括通过支持实验和利用所开发的分子方法在系统上进行独立项目来指导本科生。这项工作的多学科性质允许学生将分子技术应用于群体水平的现象，并检查多个物种之间的群体-遗传相互作用。因此，这项工作吸引了来自不同背景和兴趣的学生。

Most parasites are harmful to their hosts and select for increased host resistance, yet the degree of genetic specificity for infection remains controversial. While current models focus on parasites with direct transmission, many important and devastating diseases, such as malaria and schistosomiasis, require multiple host species. This dissertation research explores the effects of host population composition and dispersal on the diversity and population structure of a trematode parasite. This work considers infection by multiple parasite strains as a mechanism for increased parasite diversity. Together, this body of research examines the genotypic specificity of infection and the maintenance of both host and parasite diversity. This dissertation work has important implications for controlling the spread of disease through the limitation of host dispersal. In addition, the research includes mentoring of undergraduate students through both support for experiments and through the undertaking of independent projects on the system using the molecular methods developed. The multidisciplinary nature of the work allows students to apply molecular techniques to population-level phenomenon and to examine the population-genetic interaction between multiple species. Therefore, the work appeals to students from a variety of backgrounds and with a diversity of interests.