An Analysis on Molecular Evolution and Systematics of Rodent Malaria Parasites |

ABSTRACT:

Over the last 6 decades, rodent Plasmodium species have become key model systems forunderstanding the basic biology of malaria parasites. Cell and molecularparasitology have made much progress in identifying genes underpinninginteractions between malaria parasites, hosts, and vectors. However, littleattention has been paid to the evolutionary genetics of parasites, whichprovides context for identifying potential therapeutic targets and forunderstanding the selective forces shaping parasites in natural populations.Additionally, understanding the relationships between species, subspecies, andstrains, is necessary to maximize the utility of rodent malaria parasites asmedically important infectious disease models, and for investigating theevolution of host-parasite interactions.