18S rDNA next-generation sequencing uncovers the biodiversity of gastrointestinal parasites in Tibetan grazing ruminants in China

Parasite diversity is important in several fields of study including ecology, evolutionary biology and epidemiology. Nowadays, limited study was reported on the biodiversity of gastrointestinal parasites in ruminants in QTP of China. In this study, we aimed to explore the species biodiversity of parasitic protists and nematodes in the fecal samples of local ruminants based on 18S SSU ribosomal RNA gene by high-throughput sequencing, in the cause of providing a basis for further studies on epidemiology and biodiversity of parasites.