**5. Conclusions**

In the present study, we conducted whole-genome sequencing of *C. xiaoi* and developed a subtyping tool based on the *gp60* gene. The application of this new tool in the analysis of fecal samples from sheep and goats has revealed a high genetic diversity within the species, and likely identified the occurrence of host adaptation at the subtype family level. Further studies with extensive sampling of various hosts in diverse areas are needed to improve our understanding of the transmission characteristics of *C. xiaoi*.

**Author Contributions:** L.X. and N.L. conceived and designed the experiments; Y.F. (Yingying Fan), X.H. and S.G. performed the experiments; F.Y. X.Y., Y.G. and Y.F. (Yaoyu Feng) provided technical assistance; Y.F. (Yingying Fan), L.X. and N.L. analyzed the data; Y.F. (Yingying Fan), L.X. and N.L. wrote the paper. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

**Funding:** National Natural Science Foundation of China (U1901208 and 32030109), 111 Project (D20008), and Innovation Team Project of Guangdong University (2019KCXTD001).

**Institutional Review Board Statement:** Not applicable.

**Informed Consent Statement:** Not applicable.

**Data Availability Statement:** Data is contained within the article.

**Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflict of interest.

#### **References**

