Sex Determination in the Parasitic Nematode Strongyloides ratti

The parasitic nematode Strongyloides ratti reproduces by both parthenogenesis and sexual reproduction, but its genetics are poorly understood. Cytological evidence suggests that sex determination is an XX/XO system. To investigate this genetically, we isolated a number of sex-linked DNA markers. One of these markers, Sr-mvP1, was shown to be single copy and present at a higher dose in free-living females than in free-living males. The inheritance of two alleles of Sr-mvP1 by RFLP analysis was consistent with XX female and XO male genotypes. Analysis of the results of sexual reproduction demonstrated that all progeny inherit the single paternal X chromosome and one of the two maternal X chromosomes. Therefore, all stages of the S. ratti life cycle, with the exception of the free-living males, are XX and genetically female. These findings are considered in relation to previous analyses of S. ratti and to other known sex determination systems.