Phylogenetic analysis of goat warble fly (Przhevalskiana silenus) based on mitochondrial COI gene

The larvae of the genus Przhevalskiana (Diptera: Oestridae) are the causative agents of subcutaneous myiasis in goats. Several species have been grouped under this genus based on the morphology of different larval stages, albeit with a lot of uncertainties. Thus, application of genetic tools seems to be helpful for taxonomy. During this study, the cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene was targeted for the characterization of larval stages of goat warble fly. Fragments of 606 bp were amplified for all the specimens. Based on the COI gene analysis, all the recovered specimens were identified as larvae of Przhevalskiana silenus . Molecular data on the genus is relatively rare but present isolates revealed about 87–89% identity with previous isolates of P. silenus . According to the phylogenetic data, the present isolates branched (as a sister group) with a number of Hypoderma spp. including H. bovis , H. diana , H. lineatum and H. sinense . The present findings confirmed that the COI gene could be a suitable marker for genetic characterization and identification of larvae up to the species level.