| Parasite distributions are rapidly expanding, in large part due to human mediated translocations of hosts. Thus, instances of parasite-spread to new hosts are common. Management of these emerging parasites depends on understanding the host-shifts occurring within invasive areas and the pathway of invasion; both of which can be investigated using molecular markers. Dicrocoelium dendriticum is one such emerging parasite, which has invaded Alberta. Here, I use molecular markers to identify two local Albertan hosts colonized by D. dendriticum; the snail Oreohelix subrudis and the ant Formica aserva. I also developed a panel of nine microsatellite markers that showed two separate introductions of the parasite into Canada. Furthermore, the markers also identified "clumped clonal transmission" throughout the life-cycle, which has implications for the potential evolution of cooperation via kin selection, in this behaviour altering parasite. |
