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Nemabiome metabarcoding reveals strongyle communities and taxonomic overlap between domestic and wild bovids in Thailand

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Wildlife-livestock interfaces may facilitate shared exposure to gastrointestinal parasites, but information on strongyle nematodes in Southeast Asian wild bovids remains limited. This study investigated gastrointestinal helminths in cattle, buffaloes, banteng, and gaur across Thailand and characterized strongyle taxonomic composition using internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) nemabiome metabarcoding. A total of 870 fecal samples were examined using flotation, sedimentation, and McMaster egg counting. For molecular analysis, 126 strongyle-positive fecal samples were selected by choosing up to four samples with the highest fecal egg counts from each host-associated sampling group and pooled into 36 DNA pools, of which 34 were successfully sequenced. Overall gastrointestinal helminth prevalence was 77.5%, with prevalence of 91.4% in gaur, 89.1% in banteng, 80.2% in cattle, and 47.7% in buffaloes. Strongyle-type nematodes were the most frequently detected helminths. Nemabiome sequencing identified 15 strongyle taxa belonging to seven genera. Within seven wildlife-livestock interface areas, Cooperia spatulata was detected in both domestic and wild host pools in all areas, while several other taxa showed more localized taxonomic overlap. No significant overall associations were identified between strongyle detection and herd size, livestock management system, or deworming practices in cattle or buffaloes. The detection of the same strongyle taxa in domestic and wild host pools within the same geographical areas provides baseline evidence of taxonomic overlap and identifies taxa and interface areas for further investigation of possible cross-host transmission. These findings provide baseline information for parasite surveillance and wildlife health monitoring at wildlife-livestock interfaces in Thailand.

Source: Current Research in Parasitology and Vector-Borne Diseases

DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2026.100456