Ookinete-Specific Genes and 18S SSU rRNA Evidenced in Selection and Adaptation by Sympatric Vectors.

In the southern Pacific coast of Chiapas, Mexico (SM), the two most abundant vector species, and , were susceptible to different Pvs25/28 haplotypes. To broaden our understanding of the existing in the area, genes encoding proteins relevant for ookinete development and the 18S rRNA were studied. infectivity (percentage of infected mosquitoes and oocyst numbers) was evaluated by simultaneously feeding infected blood samples from patients to and female mosquitoes. Three infectivity patterns were identified: one group of parasites were more infective to than to , another group was more infective to , while a third group infected both vectors similarly. In 29 parasite isolates, the molecular variations of ookinete-specific genes and the 18S rRNA-type S were analyzed. Using concatenated sequences, phylogenetic trees, and Structure analysis, parasite clustering within SM isolates and between these and those from other geographical origins were investigated. A ML phylogenetic tree resolved two parasite lineages: PvSM-A and PvSM-B. They were associated to a different 18S rRNA variant. PvSM-A parasites had 18S rRNA variant rV2 and correspond to parasites causing high oocyst infection in . A new ML tree and Structure analysis, both comprising global sequences, showed PvSM-A clustered with Latin American parasites. Meanwhile, all isolates of PvSM-B had 18S rRNA variant rV1 and remained as unique genetic cluster comprising two subgroups: PvSM-Ba, producing high infection in , and PvSM-Bb, causing similar oocyst infection in both vector species. PvSM-A parasites were genetically similar to parasites from South America. Meanwhile, PvSM-B were exclusive to southern Mexico and share ancestry with Asian parasites. The results suggest that these lineages evolved separately, likely by geographic and vector restriction.