Sequence analysis of cox-1 gene of the giant american liver fluke (Fascioloides magna) from Croatia and Serbia

Abstract

The goal of this research was to analyse cox-1 gene and to collect data on fluke diversity in Croatia and Serbia, presenting first molecular data from Serbia and first molecular analysis of samples covering almost the entire distribution area in Croatia. After DNA isolation, PCR and sequencing we analysed 355 base pairs of cox-1 genes of 58 F. magna samples collected from red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Croatia and 55 in Serbia. In Croatia, the presence of two previously known haplotypes of the Danube focus was confirmed and the most common haplotype (Ha3) was also present in Serbian samples. Another haplotype, previously not described in the literature, was shared among samples from Croatia and Serbia. The finding of new haplotypes highlights the need for further research.