ENZYME POLYMORPHISM IN ENDOTRYPANUM AND NUMERICAL-ANALYSIS OF ISOENZYME DATA

In this study, we have analysed enzyme polymorphism among a group of p rotozoan parasites of the genus Endotrypanum (Kinetoplastida: Trypanos omatidae). Seventeen stocks of Endotrypanum spp. isolated from sloths (Choloepus didactylus and C. juruanus) in the Amazon Region of Brazil were analysed by enzyme electrophoresis, and their electromorphic prof iles were compared with reference strains reported previously. The 16 enzymic loci were analysed, and the strains were classified into zymod emes, each representing parasites with unique enzyme profiles. Each zy modeme was considered as an elementary taxon, and using numerical anal yses (cladistic, agglomerative hierarchical and ordination techniques) the genus was shown to be monophyletic and the 12 zymodemes character ized could be divided into 3 groups (A, B, C). The heterogeneous popul ation (which may represent a complex of parasite species or strains va riants) showed, however, no correlation with the origin (i.e. host spe cies involved or geographic area of isolation) of Endotrypanum stocks. Eight isolates of Endotrypanum sp. from Rondonia State (Brazil) and a parasite strain from Panama were clustered together into a zymodeme, which was phenetically closely related to the E. monterogeii from Cost a Rica. The data indicate that E. schaudini is a species complex.