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Pacheco MA, Cepeda AS, Miller EA, Beckerman S, Oswald M, London E, Mateus-Pinilla NE, Escalante AA. A new long-read mitochondrial-genome protocol (PacBio HiFi) for haemosporidian parasites: a tool for population and biodiversity studies. Malar J 2024; 23:134. [PMID: 38704592 PMCID: PMC11069185 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-04961-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies on haemosporidian diversity, including origin of human malaria parasites, malaria's zoonotic dynamic, and regional biodiversity patterns, have used target gene approaches. However, current methods have a trade-off between scalability and data quality. Here, a long-read Next-Generation Sequencing protocol using PacBio HiFi is presented. The data processing is supported by a pipeline that uses machine-learning for analysing the reads. METHODS A set of primers was designed to target approximately 6 kb, almost the entire length of the haemosporidian mitochondrial genome. Amplicons from different samples were multiplexed in an SMRTbell® library preparation. A pipeline (HmtG-PacBio Pipeline) to process the reads is also provided; it integrates multiple sequence alignments, a machine-learning algorithm that uses modified variational autoencoders, and a clustering method to identify the mitochondrial haplotypes/species in a sample. Although 192 specimens could be studied simultaneously, a pilot experiment with 15 specimens is presented, including in silico experiments where multiple data combinations were tested. RESULTS The primers amplified various haemosporidian parasite genomes and yielded high-quality mt genome sequences. This new protocol allowed the detection and characterization of mixed infections and co-infections in the samples. The machine-learning approach converged into reproducible haplotypes with a low error rate, averaging 0.2% per read (minimum of 0.03% and maximum of 0.46%). The minimum recommended coverage per haplotype is 30X based on the detected error rates. The pipeline facilitates inspecting the data, including a local blast against a file of provided mitochondrial sequences that the researcher can customize. CONCLUSIONS This is not a diagnostic approach but a high-throughput method to study haemosporidian sequence assemblages and perform genotyping by targeting the mitochondrial genome. Accordingly, the methodology allowed for examining specimens with multiple infections and co-infections of different haemosporidian parasites. The pipeline enables data quality assessment and comparison of the haplotypes obtained to those from previous studies. Although a single locus approach, whole mitochondrial data provide high-quality information to characterize species pools of haemosporidian parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Andreína Pacheco
- Biology Department/Institute of Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine (iGEM), Temple University, (SERC - 645), 1925 N. 12 St, Philadelphia, PA, 19122-1801, USA.
| | - Axl S Cepeda
- Biology Department/Institute of Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine (iGEM), Temple University, (SERC - 645), 1925 N. 12 St, Philadelphia, PA, 19122-1801, USA
| | - Erica A Miller
- University of Pennsylvania, Wildlife Futures Program, Kennett Square, Philadelphia, PA, 19348, USA
| | | | | | - Evan London
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Nohra E Mateus-Pinilla
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, 61801, USA
- Illinois Natural History Survey-Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, 61820, USA
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, 61820, USA
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, 61802, USA
| | - Ananias A Escalante
- Biology Department/Institute of Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine (iGEM), Temple University, (SERC - 645), 1925 N. 12 St, Philadelphia, PA, 19122-1801, USA.
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Haas M, Ploščicová L. Contribution to ecological environmental factors and the occurrence of haemosporidians in birds in Zhongar Alatau National Park, Kazakhstan. Parasitol Res 2023; 123:68. [PMID: 38135737 PMCID: PMC10746751 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-08097-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
In addition to the presence of a suitable host and vector, the prevalence of haemosporidians is influenced by several important factors, including the environmental conditions of the habitat, which depend on broader geographic characteristics. The aim of this study is to perform a preliminarily assessment of the distribution of blood parasites in birds from the mountainous area of Zhongar Alatau NP and to find potential new sites for research on their ecology in Kazakhstan. The results of this research constitute the first report on the occurrence of blood parasites from this area. A total of 58 birds, from the order Passeriformes and one individual from the order Caprimulgiformes, were examined during the study. The overall prevalence of infections caused by haemosporidian parasites (Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon) was 18.6%. Neither the genus Plasmodium nor the presence of trypanosomes and microfilariae was detected in the birds examined. Three birds (5.1% prevalence) were infected with parasites of the genus Haemoproteus, in all eleven positive birds the analyses showed the presence of parasites of the genus Leucocytozoon (18.6% prevalence). The presence of parasites genus Haemoproteus was detected only in birds that were also infected with Leucocytozoon parasites. More infections with parasites of the genus Leucocytozoon are predicted due to the higher altitude and ecological factors at the capture sites, which are more favourable for the development of vectors of this genus. The species Haemoproteus majoris was detected in the host Emberiza cioides and species Haemoproteus minutus in host Turdus merula. Other species of this genus in the hosts Cyanistes cyanus and Turdus atrogularis were not determined. The species Leucocytozoon fringilinarum was detected in the hosts Cyanistes cyanus and Parus major, Leucocytozoon dubreuili was detected in Turdus atrogularis and Turdus merula. In the other host species Aegithalos caudatus, Emberiza cioides and Periparus aterus, it was not possible to dermine the species of the genus Leucocytozoon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Haas
- Institute of High Mountain Biology, Žilina University, Tatranská Javorina 7, 059 56, Tatranská Javorina, Slovakia.
| | - Lenka Ploščicová
- Institute of High Mountain Biology, Žilina University, Tatranská Javorina 7, 059 56, Tatranská Javorina, Slovakia
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Vieira LMDC, Pereira PHO, Vilela DADR, Landau I, Pacheco MA, Escalante AA, Ferreira FC, Braga ÉM. Leucocytozoon cariamae n. sp. and Haemoproteus pulcher coinfection in Cariama cristata (Aves: Cariamiformes): first mitochondrial genome analysis and morphological description of a leucocytozoid in Brazil. Parasitology 2023; 150:1296-1306. [PMID: 37655743 PMCID: PMC10941214 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182023000811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
The distribution of avian haemosporidians of the genus Leucocytozoon in the Neotropics remains poorly understood. Recent studies confirmed their presence in the region using molecular techniques alone, but evidence for gametocytes and data on putative competent hosts for Leucocytozoon are still lacking outside highland areas. We combined morphological and molecular data to characterize a new Leucocytozoon species infecting a non-migratory red-legged seriema (Cariama cristata), the first report of a competent host for Leucocytozoon in Brazil. Leucocytozoon cariamae n. sp. is distinguished from the Leucocytozoon fringillinarum group by its microgametocytes that are not strongly appressed to the host cell nucleus. The bird studied was coinfected with Haemoproteus pulcher, and we present a Bayesian phylogenetic analysis based on nearly complete mitochondrial genomes of these 2 parasites. Leucocytozoon cariamae n. sp. morphology is consistent with our phylogenetic analysis indicating that it does not share a recent common ancestor with the L. fringillinarum group. Haemoproteus pulcher and Haemoproteus catharti form a monophyletic group with Haemocystidium parasites of Reptilia, supporting the polyphyly of the genus Haemoproteus. We also discussed the hypothesis that H. pulcher and H. catharti may be avian Haemocystidium, highlighting the need to study non-passerine parasites to untangle the systematics of Haemosporida.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lis Marques de C Vieira
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Pedro Henrique O Pereira
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Daniel Ambrózio da Rocha Vilela
- Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres, Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais não Renováveis, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Irène Landau
- Muséum Nation d'Histoire Naturelle, UMR7245, Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes, Paris, France
| | - M Andreína Pacheco
- Biology Department, Institute of Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine (iGEM), Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ananias A Escalante
- Biology Department, Institute of Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine (iGEM), Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Francisco C Ferreira
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
- Schubot Center for Avian Health, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Érika Martins Braga
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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Anjos CC, Bicudo T, Fecchio A, Anciães M, Mathias BS, Chagas CRF, Bell JA, Guimarães LO, Monteiro EF, Kirchgatter K. Prevalence and genetic diversity of avian haemosporidian parasites in islands within a mega hydroelectric dam in the Brazilian Amazon. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:2065-2077. [PMID: 37391644 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07906-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
The Brazilian Amazon supports an extremely diverse avifauna and serves as the diversification center for avian malaria parasites in South America. Construction of hydroelectric dams can drive biodiversity loss by creating islands incapable of sustaining the bird communities found in intact forest sites. Besides anthropogenic actions, the presence of parasites can also influence the dynamics and structure of bird communities. Avian malaria (Plasmodium) and related haemosporidian parasites (Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon) are a globally distributed group of protozoan parasites recovered from all major bird groups. However, no study to date has analyzed the presence of avian haemosporidian parasites in fragmented areas such as land bridge islands formed during artificial flooding following the construction of hydroelectric dams. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence and molecular diversity of haemosporidians in bird communities inhabiting artificial islands in the area of the Balbina Hydroelectric Dam. The reservoir area covers 443,700 ha with 3546 islands on the left bank of the Uatumã River known to contain more than 400 bird species. We surveyed haemosporidian infections in blood samples collected from 445 understory birds, belonging to 53 species, 24 families, and 8 orders. Passeriformes represented 95.5% of all analyzed samples. We found a low overall Plasmodium prevalence (2.9%), with 13 positive samples (two Plasmodium elongatum and 11 Plasmodium sp.) belonging to eight lineages. Six of these lineages were previously recorded in the Amazon, whereas two of them are new. Hypocnemis cantator, the Guianan Warbling Antbird, represented 38.5% of all infected individuals, even though it represents only 5.6% of the sampled individuals. Since comparison with Plasmodium prevalence data prior to construction of Balbina is not possible, other studies in artificially flooded areas are imperative to test if anthropogenic flooding may disrupt vector-parasite relationships leading to low Plasmodium prevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina C Anjos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil
| | - Thiago Bicudo
- Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá, Tefé, AM, 69553-225, Brazil
| | - Alan Fecchio
- Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica (CIEMEP), CONICET - Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Esquel, Chubut, Argentina
| | - Marina Anciães
- Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Coordenação de Biodiversidade, Manaus, AM, 69081-000, Brazil
| | - Bruno S Mathias
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil
| | | | - Jeffrey A Bell
- Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, 10 Cornell Street, Grand Forks, ND, 58202, USA
| | - Lilian O Guimarães
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Instituto Pasteur, São Paulo, SP, 01027-000, Brazil
| | - Eliana F Monteiro
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Instituto Pasteur, São Paulo, SP, 01027-000, Brazil
| | - Karin Kirchgatter
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil.
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Instituto Pasteur, São Paulo, SP, 01027-000, Brazil.
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Chagas CRF, Duc M, Gutiérrez-Liberato GA, Valkiūnas G. Host Cells of Leucocytozoon (Haemosporida, Leucocytozoidae) Gametocytes, with Remarks on the Phylogenetic Importance of This Character. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12050712. [PMID: 37242382 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12050712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Leucocytozoon parasites remain poorly investigated in comparison to other haemosporidians. The host cell inhabited by their blood stages (gametocytes) remains insufficiently known. This study aimed to determine the blood cells inhabited by Leucocytozoon gametocytes in different species of Passeriformes and to test if this feature has a phylogenetic importance. We microscopically analyzed blood films stained with Giemsa from six different bird species and individuals and used PCR-based methods for parasite lineage identification. The DNA sequences obtained were applied for phylogenetic analysis. Leucocytozoon parasite from the song thrush Turdus philomelos (cytochrome b lineage STUR1), the blackbird Turdus merula (undetermined lineage), the garden warbler Sylvia borin (unknown lineage) inhabited erythrocytes, a parasite from the blue tit Cyanistes caeruleus (PARUS4) infects lymphocytes, while in the wood warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix (WW6) and the common chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita (AFR205) they were found inhabiting thrombocytes. Parasites infecting thrombocytes were closely related, while the parasites infecting erythrocytes were placed in three different clades, and the one found in lymphocytes was placed in a separate clade. This shows that the determination of host cells inhabited by Leucocytozoon parasites can be phylogenetically important and should be considered in future species descriptions. Noteworthy, phylogenetic analysis might be used for the prediction of which host cells parasite lineages might inhabit.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mélanie Duc
- Nature Research Centre, 01109 Vilnius, Lithuania
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6
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Valkiūnas G, Iezhova TA. Insights into the Biology of Leucocytozoon Species (Haemosporida, Leucocytozoidae): Why Is There Slow Research Progress on Agents of Leucocytozoonosis? Microorganisms 2023; 11:1251. [PMID: 37317225 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11051251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Blood parasites of the genus Leucocytozoon (Leucocytozoidae) only inhabit birds and represent a readily distinct evolutionary branch of the haemosporidians (Haemosporida, Apicomplexa). Some species cause pathology and even severe leucocytozoonosis in avian hosts, including poultry. The diversity of Leucocytozoon pathogens is remarkable, with over 1400 genetic lineages detected, most of which, however, have not been identified to the species level. At most, approximately 45 morphologically distinct species of Leucocytozoon have been described, but only a few have associated molecular data. This is unfortunate because basic information about named and morphologically recognized Leucocytozoon species is essential for a better understanding of phylogenetically closely related leucocytozoids that are known only by DNA sequence. Despite much research on haemosporidian parasites during the past 30 years, there has not been much progress in taxonomy, vectors, patterns of transmission, pathogenicity, and other aspects of the biology of these cosmopolitan bird pathogens. This study reviewed the available basic information on avian Leucocytozoon species, with particular attention to some obstacles that prevent progress to better understanding the biology of leucocytozoids. Major gaps in current Leucocytozoon species research are discussed, and possible approaches are suggested to resolve some issues that have limited practical parasitological studies of these pathogens.
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7
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Carvalho AM, Ferreira FC, Araújo AC, Hirano LQL, Paludo GR, Braga ÉM. Molecular detection of Leucocytozoon in red-legged seriemas (Cariama cristata), a non-migratory bird species in the Brazilian Cerrado. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2022; 31:100652. [PMID: 35569906 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2021.100652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Avian Haemosporidian parasites - Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon and Fallisia - have a wide distribution except for Antarctica. Leucocytozoon sp. has been poorly described in Brazil, and few studies have indicated infections in birds from the Atlantic Forest, Pantanal, Pampa and Amazon biomes. This study describes, for the first time, the occurrence of Leucocytozoon infection in red-legged seriemas (Cariama cristata) in the Brazilian savanna (Cerrado biome) using molecular diagnosis. Leucocytozoon spp. lineage CARCRI01 was detected in three C. cristata, a non-migratory bird, confirming transmission in mid-elevation areas in central Brazil. Further studies are needed to certify whether infections in red-legged seriemas were not abortive and to elucidate Leucocytozoon infection at low altitudes in the Brazilian lands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andréa M Carvalho
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Veterinária e Diagnóstico Molecular, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Francisco C Ferreira
- Center for Conservation Genomics, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, NW, Washington, USA; Center for Vector Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Andreina C Araújo
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Líria Queiroz Luz Hirano
- Setor de Animais Silvestres, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Giane Regina Paludo
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Veterinária e Diagnóstico Molecular, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Érika Martins Braga
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
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Duarte Moreno AN, Villamizar Escalante D, Rondón González F. Detección por PCR de Haemoproteus archilochus en Amazilia tzacatl (Trochilidae) en Colombia. ACTA BIOLÓGICA COLOMBIANA 2021. [DOI: 10.15446/abc.v27n1.89162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
La infección causada por haemosporidios en colibríes no ha sido estudiada en zonas agroforestales o urbanas de la vertiente occidental de la Cordillera Oriental de los Andes en el departamento de Santander, pese a existir evidencia de esta en otros grupos de aves. Con el fin de detectar e identificar los parásitos causales de infecciones por haemosporidios, se tomaron muestras de sangre de la vena yugular de colibríes en seis localidades. La presencia de infección se llevó a cabo por PCR y la identificación de los parásitos se hizo a partir de secuencias del gen mitocondrial Citocromo b (Cyt b). Se obtuvieron 86 muestras de sangre de 20 especies de colibríes. La prevalencia de infección en general fue del 43 % y en el 18 % de las muestras infectadas del colibrí Amazilia colirufa (Amazilia tzacatl) se identificaron secuencias de Haemoproteus archilochus correspondientes al linaje HUMHA4. Se reporta por primera vez para Colombia la presencia de H. archilochus en A. tzacatl, por medio de técnicas de biología molecular. Este parásito podría estar implicado en la haemoproteosis de colibríes en el país.
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Attia El Hili R, Achouri MS, Verneau O. Cytochrome c oxydase I phylogenetic analysis of Haemogregarina parasites (Apicomplexa, Coccidia, Eucoccidiorida, Haemogregarinidae) confirms the presence of three distinct species within the freshwater turtles of Tunisia. Parasitol Int 2021; 82:102306. [PMID: 33610828 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2021.102306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Species of Haemogregarina are apicomplexan blood parasites that use vertebrates as intermediate hosts. Due to limited interspecific morphological characters within the genus during the last decade, 18S rRNA gene sequences were widely used for species identification. As coinfection patterns were recently reported from nuclear molecular data for two sympatric freshwater turtles Mauremys leprosa and Emys orbicularis from Tunisia, our objectives were to design COI specific primers to confirm the presence of three distinct species in both host species. Blood samples were collected from 22 turtles, from which DNAs were extracted and used as templates for amplification. Following different rounds of PCR and nested PCR, we designed specific Haemogregarina COI primers that allowed the sequencing of nine distinct haplotypes. Phylogenetic Bayesian analysis revealed the occurrence of three well-differentiated sublineages that clustered together into a single clade. Based on pairwise genetic distances (p-distance), we confirmed the occurrence of three distinct but phylogenetically closely related species coinfecting M. leprosa and E. orbicularis in the same aquatic environments. Our results demonstrate that the use of fast evolving genes within Haemogregarina will help to investigate the parasite diversity within both intermediate vertebrate and definitive invertebrate hosts, and to assess the evolution, historical biogeography and specificity of haemogregarines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahma Attia El Hili
- University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, Laboratory of Diversity, Management and Conservation of Biological Systems, LR18ES06 Tunis, Tunisia; Université Perpignan Via Domitia, Centre de Formation et de Recherche sur les Environnements Méditerranéens, Perpignan, France; CNRS, Centre de Formation et de Recherche sur les Environnements Méditerranéens, Perpignan, France
| | - Mohamed Sghaier Achouri
- University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, Laboratory of Diversity, Management and Conservation of Biological Systems, LR18ES06 Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Olivier Verneau
- Université Perpignan Via Domitia, Centre de Formation et de Recherche sur les Environnements Méditerranéens, Perpignan, France; CNRS, Centre de Formation et de Recherche sur les Environnements Méditerranéens, Perpignan, France; Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
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Morel AP, Webster A, Prusch F, Anicet M, Marsicano G, Trainini G, Stocker J, Giani D, Bandarra PM, da Rocha MIS, Zitelli LC, Umeno KA, Souza UA, Dall'Agnol B, Reck J. Molecular detection and phylogenetic relationship of Haemosporida parasites in free-ranging wild raptors from Brazil. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2020; 23:100521. [PMID: 33678376 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2020.100521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The order Haemosporida is widely distributed parasitizing members of the Aves class. In birds of prey, infection with Plasmodium spp. parasites varies from an apathogenic form to a clinical syndrome. However, studies on Haemosporida in raptors from the neotropical region are scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate natural infection by Plasmodium spp., Haemoproteus spp. and Leucocytozoon spp. in free-ranging wild raptors from southern Brazil. For this, we sampled 206 individuals of 21 species: 94 live-trapped Southern Caracaras (Caracara plancus) and 112 raptors from other species that were brought to rehabilitation centers. The presence of infection was investigated using a nested-PCR for Haemosporida performed on blood samples. Overall, 56 out of 206 birds were positive for Plasmodium spp./Haemoproteus spp. Twenty-two percent (21/94) of the C. plancus samples were positive. Of the 112 wild raptors rescued, 31% (35/112) of those belonging to 15 other species tested positive. No sample was positive for Leucocytozoon spp. Herein, we demonstrated nine lineages of Haemosporidian parasites (eight Plasmodium sp. and one Haemoproteus sp.) in free-living species of Brazilian birds of prey, being six of them potential novel lineages. It suggests that information currently available on South-American haemosporidian from these birds greatly underestimate the potential lineage diversity in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula Morel
- Centro de Pequisa em Saúde Animal, Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor (IPVDF), Estrada do Conde, 6000 Eldorado do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Anelise Webster
- Centro de Pequisa em Saúde Animal, Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor (IPVDF), Estrada do Conde, 6000 Eldorado do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Fabiane Prusch
- Clinica Veterinária Toca dos Bichos, Marechal José Inácio da Silva, 404 Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Marina Anicet
- Clinica Veterinária Toca dos Bichos, Marechal José Inácio da Silva, 404 Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Gleide Marsicano
- Clinica Veterinária Toca dos Bichos, Marechal José Inácio da Silva, 404 Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Trainini
- Hayabusa Consultoria Ambiental, Estrada da Carapina, 1001 São Francisco de Paula, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Julian Stocker
- Hayabusa Consultoria Ambiental, Estrada da Carapina, 1001 São Francisco de Paula, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Denise Giani
- Hayabusa Consultoria Ambiental, Estrada da Carapina, 1001 São Francisco de Paula, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Paulo Mota Bandarra
- Núcleo de Rabilitação de Fauna Silvestre-NURFS, Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPEL), Campus Universitário, Capão do Leão, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Larissa Caló Zitelli
- Centro de Pequisa em Saúde Animal, Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor (IPVDF), Estrada do Conde, 6000 Eldorado do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Karen Akemi Umeno
- Centro de Pequisa em Saúde Animal, Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor (IPVDF), Estrada do Conde, 6000 Eldorado do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Ugo Araújo Souza
- Centro de Pequisa em Saúde Animal, Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor (IPVDF), Estrada do Conde, 6000 Eldorado do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Bruno Dall'Agnol
- Centro de Pequisa em Saúde Animal, Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor (IPVDF), Estrada do Conde, 6000 Eldorado do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - José Reck
- Centro de Pequisa em Saúde Animal, Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor (IPVDF), Estrada do Conde, 6000 Eldorado do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
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11
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Evolutionary ecology, taxonomy, and systematics of avian malaria and related parasites. Acta Trop 2020; 204:105364. [PMID: 32007445 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Haemosporidian parasites of the genera Plasmodium, Leucocytozoon, and Haemoproteus are one of the most prevalent and widely studied groups of parasites infecting birds. Plasmodium is the most well-known haemosporidian as the avian parasite Plasmodium relictum was the original transmission model for human malaria and was also responsible for catastrophic effects on native avifauna when introduced to Hawaii. The past two decades have seen a dramatic increase in research on avian haemosporidian parasites as a model system to understand evolutionary and ecological parasite-host relationships. Despite haemosporidians being one the best studied groups of avian parasites their specialization among avian hosts and variation in prevalence amongst regions and host taxa are not fully understood. In this review we focus on describing the current phylogenetic and morphological diversity of haemosporidian parasites, their specificity among avian and vector hosts, and identifying the determinants of haemosporidian prevalence among avian species. We also discuss how these parasites might spread across regions due to global climate change and the importance of avian migratory behavior in parasite dispersion and subsequent diversification.
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12
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Cuevas E, Vianna JA, Botero-Delgadillo E, Doussang D, González-Acuña D, Barroso O, Rozzi R, Vásquez RA, Quirici V. Latitudinal gradients of haemosporidian parasites: Prevalence, diversity and drivers of infection in the Thorn-tailed Rayadito ( Aphrastura spinicauda). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2019; 11:1-11. [PMID: 31879589 PMCID: PMC6920315 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Revised: 11/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Latitudinal gradients are well-suited systems that may be helpful explaining distribution of haemosporidian parasites and host susceptibility. We studied the prevalence, diversity and drivers of haemosporidian parasites (Leucocytozoon, Plasmodium and Haemoproteus) along a latitudinal gradient (30°–56° S), that encompass the total distribution (~3,000 km) of the Thorn-tailed Rayadito (Aphrastura spinicauda) in the South American temperate forests from Chile. We analyzed 516 individuals from 18 localities between 2010 and 2017 and observed an overall prevalence of 28.3% for haemosporidian parasites. Leucocytozoon was the most prevalent parasite (25.8%). We recorded 19 distinct lineages (13 for Leucocytozoon, five for Plasmodium, and one for Haemoproteus). Differences in haemosporidian prevalence and diversity by genus and type of habitat were observed in the latitudinal gradient. Further, we support the existence of a latitudinal associate distribution of Leucocytozoids in South America, where prevalence and diversity increase toward higher latitudes. Distribution of Leucocytozoon was associated with sub-antarctic habitat (higher latitude) and explained by cold temperature and high precipitation. On the other hand, we lacked to find a latitudinal associate pattern for Plasmodium and Haemoproteus, however low prevalence and high diversity were recorded in areas considered as a hotspot of biodiversity in Central Chile. Our findings confirmed the importance of habitat and climatic variables explaining prevalence, diversity and distribution of haemosporidian parasites in a huge latitudinal gradient, belonging the distribution of the Thorn-tailed Rayadito in the world's southernmost forests ecosystems. Prevalence and diversity differed between haemosporidian genera and habitats in the latitudinal gradient. Leucocytozoon was the most prevalent genus in the latitudinal distribution. Leucocytozoon prevalence and diversity were associated to higher latitudes. Distribution of Leucocytozoon was explained by cold temperature and high precipitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elfego Cuevas
- Programa de Doctorado en Medicina de la Conservación, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile.,Centro de Investigación para la Sustentabilidad (CIS), Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juliana A Vianna
- Departamento de Ecosistemas y Medio Ambiente, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Esteban Botero-Delgadillo
- Instituto de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,SELVA: Research for Conservation in the Neotropics, Bogotá, Colombia.,Department of Behavioral Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Max Plank Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Daniela Doussang
- Laboratorio de Parásitos y Enfermedades de Fauna Silvestre, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Chile.,Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Viña Del Mar, Chile
| | - Daniel González-Acuña
- Laboratorio de Parásitos y Enfermedades de Fauna Silvestre, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Chile
| | - Omar Barroso
- Instituto de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Parque Etnobotánico Omora, Universidad de Magallanes, Puerto Williams, Chile
| | - Ricardo Rozzi
- Instituto de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Parque Etnobotánico Omora, Universidad de Magallanes, Puerto Williams, Chile
| | - Rodrigo A Vásquez
- Instituto de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Verónica Quirici
- Centro de Investigación para la Sustentabilidad (CIS), Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile.,Departamento de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
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13
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Lotta IA, Valkiūnas G, Pacheco MA, Escalante AA, Hernández SR, Matta NE. Disentangling Leucocytozoon parasite diversity in the neotropics: Descriptions of two new species and shortcomings of molecular diagnostics for leucocytozoids. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2019; 9:159-173. [PMID: 31193389 PMCID: PMC6526250 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Avian communities from South America harbor an extraordinary diversity of Leucocytozoon species (Haemosporida, Leucocytozoidae). Here, of 890 birds sampled, 10 (1.2%) were infected with Leucocytozoon parasites. Among them, two new species were discovered and described. Leucocytozoon grallariae sp. nov. and Leucocytozoon neotropicalis sp. nov. were found in non-migratory highland passeriforms belonging to the Grallaridae and Cotingidae, respectively. They both possess gametocytes in fusiform host cells. However, due to combining microscopic examination and molecular detection, it was revealed that these parasites were present in co-infections with other Leucocytozoon species, which gametocytes develop in roundish host cells, therefore exhibiting two highly distant parasite lineages isolated from the same samples. Remarkably, the lineages obtained by cloning the mtDNA genomes were not captured by the classic nested PCR, which amplifies a short fragment of cytochrome b gene. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the lineages obtained by the classic nested PCR clustered with parasites possessing gametocytes in roundish host cells, while the lineages obtained by the mtDNA genome PCR protocol were closely related to Leucocytozoon parasites possessing gametocytes in fusiform host cells. These findings suggest problems with the sensitivity of the molecular protocols commonly used to detect Leucocytozoon species. A detailed analysis of the primers used in the classic nested PCR revealed a match with DNA sequences from those parasites that possess gametocytes in roundish host cells (i.e., Leucocytozoon fringillinarum), while they differ with the orthologous regions in the mtDNA genomes isolated from the samples containing the two new species. Since these are mixed infections, none of the lineages detected in this study can be assigned accurately to the new Leucocytozoon morphospecies that develops in fusiform host cells. However, phylogenetic analyses allowed us to hypothesize their most probable associations. This study highlights the need for developing detection methods to assess the diversity of Leucocytozoon parasites accurately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid A. Lotta
- Universidad Nacional de Colombia - Sede Bogotá- Facultad de Ciencias - Departamento de Biología - Grupo de Investigación Caracterización Genética e Inmunología, Carrera 30 No. 45-03, Bogotá, 111321, Colombia
| | - Gediminas Valkiūnas
- Institute of Ecology, Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, Vilnius-21, LT, 08412, Lithuania
| | - M. Andreína Pacheco
- Institute for Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine (iGEM), Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ananías A. Escalante
- Institute for Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine (iGEM), Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sandra Rocío Hernández
- Universidad Nacional de Colombia - Sede Bogotá- Facultad de Ciencias - Departamento de Biología - Grupo de Investigación Caracterización Genética e Inmunología, Carrera 30 No. 45-03, Bogotá, 111321, Colombia
- Red de Biología y Conservación de Vertebrados, Instituto de Ecología A.C., Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Nubia E. Matta
- Universidad Nacional de Colombia - Sede Bogotá- Facultad de Ciencias - Departamento de Biología - Grupo de Investigación Caracterización Genética e Inmunología, Carrera 30 No. 45-03, Bogotá, 111321, Colombia
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14
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Videvall E. Genomic Advances in Avian Malaria Research. Trends Parasitol 2019; 35:254-266. [PMID: 30642725 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2018.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 12/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Haemosporidian parasites causing malaria-like diseases in birds are globally distributed and have been associated with reduced host fitness and mortality in susceptible bird species. This group of parasites has not only enabled a greater understanding of host specificity, virulence, and parasite dispersal, but has also been crucial in restructuring the evolutionary history of apicomplexans. Despite their importance, genomic resources of avian haemosporidians have proved difficult to obtain, and they have, as a result, been lagging behind the congeneric Plasmodium species infecting mammals. In this review, I discuss recent genomic advances in the field of avian malaria research, and outline outstanding questions that will become possible to investigate with the continued successful efforts to generate avian haemosporidian genomic data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elin Videvall
- Center for Conservation Genomics, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, DC, USA.
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15
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Galen SC, Nunes R, Sweet PR, Perkins SL. Integrating coalescent species delimitation with analysis of host specificity reveals extensive cryptic diversity despite minimal mitochondrial divergence in the malaria parasite genus Leucocytozoon. BMC Evol Biol 2018; 18:128. [PMID: 30165810 PMCID: PMC6117968 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-018-1242-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coalescent methods that use multi-locus sequence data are powerful tools for identifying putatively reproductively isolated lineages, though this approach has rarely been used for the study of microbial groups that are likely to harbor many unrecognized species. Among microbial symbionts, integrating genetic species delimitation methods with trait data that could indicate reproductive isolation, such as host specificity data, has rarely been used despite its potential to inform species limits. Here we test the ability of an integrative approach combining genetic and host specificity data to delimit species within the avian malaria parasite genus Leucocytozoon in central Alaska. RESULTS We sequenced seven nuclear loci for 69 Leucocytozoon samples and used multiple species delimitation methods (GMYC and BPP models), tested for differences in host infection patterns among putative species based on 406 individual infections, and characterized parasite morphology. We found that cryptic morphology has masked a highly diverse Leucocytozoon assemblage, with most species delimitation methods recovering support for at least 21 separate species that occur sympatrically and have divergent host infection patterns. Reproductive isolation among putative species appears to have evolved despite low mtDNA divergence, and in one instance two Leucocytozoon cytb haplotypes that differed by a single base pair (~ 0.2% divergence) were supported as separate species. However, there was no consistent association between mtDNA divergence and species limits. Among cytb haplotypes that differed by one to three base pairs we observed idiosyncratic patterns of nuclear and ecological divergence, with cytb haplotype pairs found to be either conspecific, reproductively isolated with no divergence in host specificity, or reproductively isolated with divergent patterns of host specialization. CONCLUSION Integrating multi-locus genetic species delimitation methods and non-traditional ecological data types such as host specificity provide a novel view of the diversity of avian malaria parasites that has been missed previously using morphology and mtDNA barcodes. Species delimitation methods show that Leucocytozoon is highly species-rich in Alaska, and the genus is likely to harbor extraordinary species-level diversity worldwide. Integrating genetic and ecological data will be an important approach for understanding the diversity and evolutionary history of microbial symbionts moving forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spencer C. Galen
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024 USA
- Richard Gilder Graduate School, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024 USA
| | - Renato Nunes
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024 USA
| | - Paul R. Sweet
- Department of Ornithology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024 USA
| | - Susan L. Perkins
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024 USA
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16
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Lotta IA, Pacheco MA, Escalante AA, González AD, Mantilla JS, Moncada LI, Adler PH, Matta NE. Leucocytozoon Diversity and Possible Vectors in the Neotropical highlands of Colombia. Protist 2016; 167:185-204. [DOI: 10.1016/j.protis.2016.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Revised: 02/01/2016] [Accepted: 02/02/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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17
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Valkiūnas G, Ilgūnas M, Bukauskaitė D, Žiegytė R, Bernotienė R, Jusys V, Eigirdas V, Fragner K, Weissenböck H, Iezhova TA. Plasmodium delichoni n. sp.: description, molecular characterisation and remarks on the exoerythrocytic merogony, persistence, vectors and transmission. Parasitol Res 2016; 115:2625-36. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5009-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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18
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Description and molecular characterization of a new Leucocytozoon parasite (Haemosporida: Leucocytozoidae), Leucocytozoon californicus sp. nov., found in American kestrels (Falco sparverius sparverius). Parasitol Res 2016; 115:1853-62. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-4925-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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19
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Setsuda A, Da N, Hasegawa H, Behnke JM, Rana HB, Dhakal IP, Sato H. Intraspecific and interspecific genetic variation of Gongylonema pulchrum and two rodent Gongylonema spp. (G. aegypti and G. neoplasticum), with the proposal of G. nepalensis n. sp. for the isolate in water buffaloes from Nepal. Parasitol Res 2015; 115:787-95. [PMID: 26531300 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-015-4806-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Accepted: 10/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The gullet worm (Gongylonema pulchrum) has been recorded from a variety of mammals worldwide. In an earlier study, we demonstrated two separate transmission cycles in cattle (Bos taurus) and wild mammals in Japan based on nucleotide sequences of the ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox-1) region of mitochondrial DNA of multiple isolates of different origins. Our earlier study additionally demonstrated two major cox-1 haplotypes of G. pulchrum prevalent in cattle in Japan. In the present study, we collected G. pulchrum from cattle and goats (Capra hircus) in Alashan League, Inner Mongolia, China; Gongylonema aegypti from spiny mice (Acomys dimidiatus) in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt; and Gongylonema neoplasticum from a black rat (Rattus rattus) in Okinawa Island, Japan, to analyze their genetic relationships with G. pulchrum in Japan. The gullet worms from Alashan League had almost identical rDNA nucleotide sequences and two cox-1 haplotypes as seen in G. pulchrum from the cattle in Japan. The two rodent Gongylonema spp. had distinct rDNA nucleotide sequences compared with those of G. pulchrum; only the 18S and 5.8S rDNA sequences showed high identities at 97.2-98.7%, while the remaining sequences were less than 75% identical. The 18S, 5.8S, and 28S rDNA sequences of the two rodent Gongylonema spp. showed nucleotide identities of 99.8% (1811/1814), 100% (158/158), and 98.9% (3550/3590), respectively. The cox-1 regions showed 91.6% (338/369)-92.1% (340/369) identities, with completely identical amino acid sequences. The genetic diversities of three distinct Gongylonema spp. and their possible intraspecific genetic variation may allow us to resolve the taxonomic position of Gongylonema spp. which display few obvious morphological differences from their congeners. Consequently, the Gongylonema isolate from water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in Nepal reported in our previous study is concluded to be a new species, and Gongylonema nepalensis n. sp. is erected for it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aogu Setsuda
- Laboratory of Parasitology, United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi, 753-8515, Japan
| | - Nengtai Da
- Animal Toxicopathy Prevention and Cure Institution of Alashan League, Bayanhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, 750300, People's Republic of China
| | - Hideo Hasegawa
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Hasama, Yufu, Oita, 879-5593, Japan
| | - Jerzy M Behnke
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Hari Bahadur Rana
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science, Veterinary Science and Fisheries, Agricultural and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal
| | - Ishwari Prasad Dhakal
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science, Veterinary Science and Fisheries, Agricultural and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal
| | - Hiroshi Sato
- Laboratory of Parasitology, United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi, 753-8515, Japan.
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Sehgal RN. Manifold habitat effects on the prevalence and diversity of avian blood parasites. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2015; 4:421-30. [PMID: 26835250 PMCID: PMC4699977 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2015.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2015] [Revised: 08/30/2015] [Accepted: 09/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Habitats are rapidly changing across the planet and the consequences will have major and long-lasting effects on wildlife and their parasites. Birds harbor many types of blood parasites, but because of their relatively high prevalence and ease of diagnosis, it is the haemosporidians – Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, and Leucocytozoon – that are the best studied in terms of ecology and evolution. For parasite transmission to occur, environmental conditions must be permissive, and given the many constraints on the competency of parasites, vectors and hosts, it is rather remarkable that these parasites are so prevalent and successful. Over the last decade, a rapidly growing body of literature has begun to clarify how environmental factors affect birds and the insects that vector their hematozoan parasites. Moreover, several studies have modeled how anthropogenic effects such as global climate change, deforestation and urbanization will impact the dynamics of parasite transmission. This review highlights recent research that impacts our understanding of how habitat and environmental changes can affect the distribution, diversity, prevalence and parasitemia of these avian blood parasites. Given the importance of environmental factors on transmission, it remains essential that researchers studying avian hematozoa document abiotic factors such as temperature, moisture and landscape elements. Ultimately, this continued research has the potential to inform conservation policies and help avert the loss of bird species and threatened habitats. Review of recent literature studying habitat effects on avian blood parasites. Habitat affects the prevalence, parasitemia, distribution and diversity of avian hematozoa. Environmental conditions must be permissive for parasite transmission to occur. Anthropogenic environmental changes will affect host–vector–parasite interactions.
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