OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the taxonomic position of Eurytrema coelmaticum by using molecular technology. METHODS: 18S rRNA fragment was amplified from E. coelmaticum genomic DNA by specific conservative primers and sequenced. Homology and phylogenic tree of 18S rRNA sequences between E. coelmaticum and other Dicrocoeliidae trematodes were analyzed and constructed by DNAStar and MEGA3 respectively, and their evolutionary relationship was determined. RESULTS: E. coelmaticum 18S rRNA sequence was with high homology to those from Dicrocoelium dendriticum, Lyperosomum collurionis and Brachylecithum lobatum. Among them, the diversity of E. coelmaticum from D. dendriticum was 2.42%, and that from L. collurionis was 1.75%; D. dendriticum and B. lobatum were closer in evolution only with 1.09% diversity. CONCLUSION: For Dicrocoeliidae trematodes, classification based on 18S rRNA target is valid and the sequences are highly conservative. E. coelmaticum is evolutionarily closer to L. collurionis than to D. dendriticum and B. lobatum.
OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the taxonomic position of Eurytrema coelmaticum by using molecular technology. METHODS: 18S rRNA fragment was amplified from E. coelmaticum genomic DNA by specific conservative primers and sequenced. Homology and phylogenic tree of 18S rRNA sequences between E. coelmaticum and other Dicrocoeliidae trematodes were analyzed and constructed by DNAStar and MEGA3 respectively, and their evolutionary relationship was determined. RESULTS:E. coelmaticum 18S rRNA sequence was with high homology to those from Dicrocoelium dendriticum, Lyperosomum collurionis and Brachylecithum lobatum. Among them, the diversity of E. coelmaticum from D. dendriticum was 2.42%, and that from L. collurionis was 1.75%; D. dendriticum and B. lobatum were closer in evolution only with 1.09% diversity. CONCLUSION: For Dicrocoeliidae trematodes, classification based on 18S rRNA target is valid and the sequences are highly conservative. E. coelmaticum is evolutionarily closer to L. collurionis than to D. dendriticum and B. lobatum.