Temporal stability in the genetic structure of Sarcoptes scabiei under the host-taxon law: empirical evidences from wildlife-derived Sarcoptes mite in Asturias, Spain

The analysis of an 11-years interval period found little change in the genetic diversity (allelic diversity, and observed and expected heterozygosity). The temporal stability in the genetic diversity was confirmed by population structure analysis, which was not significantly variable over time. Population structure analysis revealed temporal stability in the genetic diversity of Sarcoptes mite under the host-taxon law (herbivore derived- and carnivore derived-Sarcoptes mite) among the sympatric wild animals from Asturias.The confirmation of parasite temporal genetic stability is of vital interest to allow generalizations to be made, which have further implications regarding the genetic structure, epidemiology and monitoring protocols of the ubiquitous Sarcoptes mite. This could eventually be applied to other parasite species.In the field of parasitology, different molecular markers have been used for parasite genetic characterization and genetic population studies. All molecular studies assume that genetic structure and diversity is relatively stable over time [1,2]. Since allele presence and frequency change over time due to genetic drift, and because of the gene flow between parasite populations from sympatric host species, the assumption of genetic stability may not be accurate [3].Here we describe, for the first time to our knowledge, a temporal analysis of microsatellite alleles and genetic structure at nine polymorphic loci to examine changes in genetic diversity of Sarcoptes mite over time.Sarcoptes mite continues to affect humans and a wide range of mammalian hosts worldwide [4], while the debate about its specificity by the host is still the subject of ongoing debate [5]. An epidemic can result, just from the introduction of a single case of scabies into crowded living conditions [6], which could entail devastating mortality in wild and domestic animals [7,8]. Moreover, recent biochemical and molecular approaches highlighted the threat of emerging acaricide