The origin of Sarcoptes scabiei in wombats.

In 2002, Skerratt et al. phylogenetically analysed sequence data for several haplotypes of the parasitic mite Sarcoptes scabiei from wombat, human and dog hosts in Australia, to test scenarios concerning the origin and diversification of the scabies infections in wombats. Here we note that their substantive conclusions can be called into question by the choice of model used in their phylogenetic analysis, the lack of a root for their phylogenetic trees, and their interpretation of the evolutionary scenario.