Cyst morphology and sequence analysis of the small subunit rDNA and ef1α identifies a novel Giardia genotype in a quenda (Isoodon obesulus) from Western Australia

Adams, P.J., Monis, P., Elliot, A.D. and Thompson, R.C.A. (2004) Cyst morphology and sequence analysis of the small subunit rDNA and ef1α identifies a novel Giardia genotype in a quenda (Isoodon obesulus) from Western Australia. Infection, Genetics and Evolution, 4 (4). pp. 365-370.

Abstract

Sequence analysis of the small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU-rDNA) and elongation factor 1 alpha (ef1α) was performed on Giardia cysts isolated from faeces collected from a quenda (Isoodon obesulus) in the southwest of Western Australia. The SSU-rDNA and ef1α were sequenced in their entirety and correspondingly aligned with the published sequence information of other known species and genotypes of Giardia. Phylogenetic analysis of the SSU-rDNA and ef1α sequences identified the quenda isolate as a novel genotype of Giardia not previously reported. We believe that this quenda Giardia isolate constitutes a distinct species, which may be endemic within the Australian native fauna.