ORCID

0000-0001-6776-066X

Keywords

Parasitology, Pentastomes, Crustaceans, Genomics, Whole Genome Sequencing, Parasitism

Abstract

The introduction of invasive species can disrupt ecosystems not only through competition and predation but also by introducing novel pathogens to naïve host populations. In the southeastern United States, the invasive Burmese python (Python bivittatus) has been implicated in the introduction of the pentastome parasite Raillietiella orientalis, which has been associated with increased parasite burdens and mortality in native snakes. Despite their ecological significance and ancient evolutionary history, pentastomes remain poorly represented in genomic databases, limiting efforts to understand their evolutionary origins, host–parasite interactions, and mechanisms underlying parasite emergence. This study addresses these gaps by generating the first annotated nuclear genome assemblies for three pentastome species: the native parasites Kiricephalus coarctatus and Porocephalus crotali, and the invasive species R. orientalis. Using a hybrid sequencing approach integrating short- and long-read technologies, we assembled genomes ranging from approximately 150–220 Mb with high completeness (BUSCO scores 90.1–91.8%). Comparative genomic analyses revealed extensive gene family contraction across pentastomes, consistent with genome streamlining associated with obligate parasitism. Functional annotation of contracted gene families indicated reductions in pathways related to sensory perception, nervous system development, and tissue morphogenesis, reflecting the simplified morphology and specialized endoparasitic lifestyle of these organisms. Notably, R. orientalis exhibited the greatest degree of gene family contraction and a markedly elevated GC content relative to the native species, suggesting lineage-specific genomic divergence potentially associated with invasion dynamics or host breadth. Together, these assemblies substantially expand genomic resources for Pentastomida and establish a comparative framework for investigating how parasitic life history, host exploitation, and invasion history shape genome evolution. These genomic resources provide a foundation for future studies exploring host–parasite interactions and the molecular mechanisms underlying parasite emergence in naïve wildlife populations.

Completion Date

2026

Semester

Spring

Committee Chair

Fitak, Robert

Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Sciences

Department

Biology

Document Type

Thesis

Identifier

DP0053280

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