Genomic data reveal a north-south split and introgression history of blood fluke populations across Africa
The human parasitic fluke, Schistosoma haematobium hybridizes with the livestock parasite S. bovis in the laboratory, but the frequency of hybridization in nature is unclear. Here, we analyze 34.6 million single nucleotide variants in 162 samples from 18 African countries, revealing a sharp genetic discontinuity between northern and southern S. haematobium. We find no evidence for recent hybridization. Instead the data reveal admixture events that occurred 257-879 generations ago in northern S. haematobium populations. Fifteen introgressed S. bovis genes are approaching fixation in northern S. haematobium with four genes potentially driving adaptation. Further, we identify 19 regions that are resistant to introgression; these are enriched on the sex chromosomes. These results (i) suggest strong barriers to gene flow between these species, (ii) indicate that hybridization may be less common than currently envisaged, but (iii) reveal profound genomic consequences of rare interspecific hybridization between schistosomes of medical and veterinary importance.
Authors
- Egie E. Enabulele (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9401-6131)
- Grace A. Arya
- Marian Onwude Agbugui (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3176-708X)
- Muriel Rabone (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8351-2313)
- Ehizogie Egbeobauwaye Adeyemi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2246-0641)
- Oluwaremilekun Grace Ajakaye (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6576-0241)
- Roy N. Platt (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9754-5765)
- Victor Stephen Njom (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8290-4016)
- Robbie Diaz
- David Rollinson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1999-1716)
- Ebube Charles Amaechi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0032-8837)
- Bonnie Lee Webster (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0930-9314)
- C. Igbeneghu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4149-3601)
- Fiona Allan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6836-4124)
- Aidan Mark Emery (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9028-8586)
- Ejikeugwu Chika (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3506-2346)
- Timothy J. C. Anderson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0191-0204)
- Precious Dlamini
Institutions
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute (US)
- Enugu State University of Science and Technology (NG)
- Natural History Museum (GB)
- University of Ilorin (NG)
- Adekunle Ajasin University (NG)
- University of Benin Teaching Hospital (NG)
- Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (NG)
- Ambrose Alli University (NG)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Published
- 2025-04-13
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58543-6
- Citations
- 5
- Primary Topic
- Parasites and Host Interactions
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 10.24
Funders
- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
- Wellcome Trust
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute
- European Commission
- Department for International Development
- Ministério da Saúde
- National Institutes of Health
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases