Journal article
Novel typing scheme reveals emergence and genetic diversity of Chlamydia pecorum at the local management scale across two koala populations
Veterinary Microbiology, Vol.293, pp.1-10
2024
PMID: 38581768
Abstract
To overcome shortcomings in discriminating Chlamydia pecorum strains infecting the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) at the local level, we developed a novel genotyping scheme for this pathogen to inform koala management at a fine-scale subpopulation level. We applied this scheme to two geographically distinct koala populations in New South Wales, Australia: the Liverpool Plains and the Southern Highlands to South-west Sydney (SHSWS). Our method provides greater resolution than traditional multi-locus sequence typing, and can be used to monitor strain emergence, movement, and divergence across a range of fragmented habitats. Within the Liverpool Plains population, suspected recent introduction of a novel strain was confirmed by an absence of genetic diversity at the earliest sampling events and limited diversity at recent sampling events. Across the partially fragmented agricultural landscape of the Liverpool Plains, diversity within a widespread sequence type suggests that this degree of fragmentation may hinder but not prevent spread. In the SHSWS population, our results suggest movement of a strain from the south, where diverse strains exist, into a previously Chlamydia-free area in the north, indicating the risk of expansion towards an adjacent Chlamydia-negative koala population in South-west Sydney. In the south of the SHSWS where koala subpopulations appear segregated, we found evidence of divergent strain evolution. Our tool can be used to infer the risks of strain introduction across fragmented habitats in population management, particularly through practices such as wildlife corridor constructions and translocations.
Details
- Title
- Novel typing scheme reveals emergence and genetic diversity of Chlamydia pecorum at the local management scale across two koala populations
- Authors
- Cristina M. Fernandez - The University of SydneyMark B. Krockenberger - The University of SydneySimon Y.W. Ho - The University of SydneyMathew S. Crowther - The University of SydneyValentina S.A. Mella - The University of SydneyMartina Jelocnik - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringLachlan Wilmott - NSW Department of Planning and EnvironmentDamien P. Higgins (Corresponding Author) - The University of Sydney
- Publication details
- Veterinary Microbiology, Vol.293, pp.1-10
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Date published
- 2024
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.vetmic.2024.110085
- ISSN
- 1873-2542
- PMID
- 38581768
- Copyright note
- © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
- Data Availability
- All sequence data obtained and analysed in this study have been deposited in GenBank under the accession numbers: Type III Hyp_protein (OR146814–OR1466902), pmpG1 (OR420425–OR420513), and ompA (ORF420336–OR420424).
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991014388102621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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