Trichobilharzia querquedulae and Physa acuta

This research focuses on exploring the population genetics and diversification of Trichobilharzia, a globally distributed schistosome parasite that infects ducks. Trichobilharzia is a speciose and globally successful group, a primary goal is to understand what factors have led to its success. To address these interests we have collected Trichobilharzia species from across the globe and use molecular genetic data to estimate phylogeographic, demographic and population genetic patterns. These tools help us understand the evolutionary history and genetic makeup of these parasites species, allowing us to begin to tease apart factors may have been important to Trichobilharzia diversification, as well as other parasite groups. A secondary focus is to address the phylogeny and phylogeography of one of the snail intermediate hosts, one that is endemic to North America, but is now global in distribution.