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Vanstreels RET, Chagas CRF, Valkiūnas G, Dos Anjos CC, Parsons NJ, Roberts DG, Snyman A, Hurtado R, Kirchgatter K, Ludynia K, Pistorius PA. Haemoproteus jenniae (Haemoproteidae, Haemosporida) infects gulls ( Larus spp.) in South Africa, with redescription of Haemoproteus skuae. Parasitology 2023; 150:1286-1295. [PMID: 36951108 PMCID: PMC10941229 DOI: 10.1017/s003118202300029x] [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: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Haemoproteus spp. are dipteran-borne protozoa that infect erythrocytes and reticulo-endothelial cells of birds. These parasites are not usually transmitted between birds belonging to different orders. The suborder Lari (order Charadriiformes) comprises ~170 avian species, the majority of which are aquatic, including gulls, terns, auklets, murres and skuas, among others. In spite of the diversity of this avian group, there is limited known diversity of haemosporidian parasites, with only 4 recorded Haemoproteus morphospecies thus far. We examined the blood smears of 21 kelp gulls (Larus dominicanus) captured at a breeding colony in South Africa, as well as Haemoproteus-positive archival blood smears of 15 kelp gulls and 1 Hartlaub's gull (Larus hartlaubii) sampled while under care at seabird rehabilitation facilities in South Africa. Haemoproteus sp. infection was detected in 19% of wild-caught kelp gulls. All parasites from the gulls were morphologically identified as Haemoproteus jenniae, a species previously recorded in Lari birds at the Galapagos Islands (Ecuador), Rocas Atoll (Brazil) and Poland. Gene sequencing uncovered a new cytochrome b lineage, LARDOM01, which was closely related to the previously reported H. jenniae lineage CREFUR01. Additionally, we evaluated a hapantotype blood smear of Haemoproteus skuae, which had been described infecting a brown skua (Catharacta antarctica) in South Africa. We provide a redescription of H. skuae and discuss the morphological characters distinguishing it from H. jenniae. Further research is necessary to improve our knowledge about the host and geographic distribution, health effects and phylogeny of H. jenniae and H. skuae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralph E T Vanstreels
- Marine Apex Predator Research Unit (MAPRU), Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa
| | | | | | - Carolina C Dos Anjos
- Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Nola J Parsons
- Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), Cape Town, South Africa
| | - David G Roberts
- Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Albert Snyman
- Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Renata Hurtado
- Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Karin Kirchgatter
- Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Instituto Pasteur, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Katrin Ludynia
- Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Pierre A Pistorius
- Marine Apex Predator Research Unit (MAPRU), Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa
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de Angeli Dutra D, Khan AU, Ferreira FC, Beirão MV, Pichorim M, Moreira PA, Braga ÉM. Host phylogeny and seasonality shapes avian haemosporidian prevalence in a Brazilian biodiverse and dry forest: the Caatinga. Parasitology 2023; 150:1277-1285. [PMID: 37246557 PMCID: PMC10941212 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182023000549] [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: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The relationships between host phylogenetics, functional traits and parasites in wildlife remain poorly understood in the Neotropics, especially in habitats with marked seasonal variation. Here, we examined the effect of seasonality and host functional traits on the prevalence of avian haemosporidians (Plasmodium and Haemoproteus) in the Brazilian Caatinga, a seasonally dry tropical forest. 933 birds were evaluated for haemosporidian infections. We found a high parasitism prevalence (51.2%), which was correlated with phylogenetic relatedness among avian species. Prevalence varied drastically among the 20 well-sampled species, ranging from 0 to 70%. Seasonality was the main factor associated with infections, but how this abiotic condition influenced parasite prevalence varied according to the host-parasite system. Plasmodium prevalence increased during the rainy season and, after excluding the large sample size of Columbiformes (n = 462/933), Plasmodium infection rate was maintained high in the wet season and showed a negative association with host body mass. No association was found between non-Columbiform bird prevalence and seasonality or body mass when evaluating both Plasmodium and Haemoproteus or only Haemoproteus infections. Parasite community was composed of 32 lineages including 7 new lineages. We evidenced that even dry domains can harbour a high prevalence and diversity of vector-borne parasites and pointed out seasonality as a ruling factor.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Asmat U Khan
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
- Department of Zoology, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Sheringal Dir Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Francisco C Ferreira
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Schubot Centre for Avian Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Marina V Beirão
- Departamento de Biodiversidade, Evolução e Meio Ambiente, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
| | - Mauro Pichorim
- Departamento de Botânica e Zoologia, Ciências de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Patrícia A Moreira
- Departamento de Biodiversidade, Evolução e Meio Ambiente, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
| | - Érika M Braga
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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González AD, Lotta-Arevalo I, Fuentes-Rodríguez GA, Macías-Zacipa J, Acevedo-Cendales LD, Matta NE. Is Haemoproteus gabaldoni a valid species? An approach from morphology and molecular tools applied to parasites of Anseriformes. Acta Trop 2022; 233:106540. [PMID: 35623401 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106540] [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: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Currently, there are three recognized species of haemoproteids infecting Anseriformes: Haemoproteus nettionis, H. macrovacuolatus, and H. greineri. Unfortunately, genetic information associated with a morphotype is available only for H. macrovacuolatus. We recently found a parasite morphologically compatible with Haemoproteus gabaldoni, a species Bennet (1993) described in a Cairina moschata (Muscovy duck) from Venezuela. This species was synonymized to H. nettionis by Valkiūnas (2005), arguing not enough morphological differentiation between them; it was said that H. greineri could be as well a synonym of H. nettionis. In this study, we aimed to provide evidence to determine if Haemoproteus gabaldoni is a different species of H. nettionis and help to clarify other species status. We first performed morphological and morphometrical analyses and compared this information against the parahapantotypes of H. greineri, H. gabaldoni and material diagnosed as H. nettionis provided by the International Reference center for Avian Haematozoa (IRCAH), and H. macrovacuolatus from the Host-Parasite Relationship Study Group (GERPH, in Spanish Grupo de Estudio Relación Parásito Hospedero) biological collection. We used Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of dimensionless standard morphometrical variables from gametocytes. Furthermore, we amplified a small fragment of cytochrome b (cyt b) to compare the sequence with information in GenBank and Malavi through phylogenetic analyses and haplotype networks. PCA analyses revealed the presence of three distinct groups in the samples studied, supported in the morphological traits of each parasite species analyzed; phylogenetic analyses grouped parasite lineages separately according to the host and continent of provenance. Such results indicate that, H. gabaldoni, is a different species from H. nettionis. One more time, it is demonstrated the importance of linking barcode surveys to morphological studies. Finally, it is highlighted the importance of biological collections as repositories of worldwide biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angie D González
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá, Colombia.
| | - Ingrid Lotta-Arevalo
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Gustavo A Fuentes-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá, Colombia; Departamento de Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Jhon Macías-Zacipa
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá, Colombia; Programa Bacteriología y Laboratorio Clínico, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Colegio Mayor de Cundinamarca, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Nubia E Matta
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá, Colombia
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Garcia-Longoria L, Muriel J, Magallanes S, Villa-Galarce ZH, Ricopa L, Inga-Díaz WG, Fong E, Vecco D, Guerra-SaldaÑa C, Salas-Rengifo T, Flores-Saavedra W, Espinoza K, Mendoza C, SaldaÑa B, González-Blázquez M, Gonzales-Pinedo H, Luján-Vega C, Del Águila CA, Vilca-Herrera Y, Pineda CA, Reategui C, Cárdenas-Callirgos JM, Iannacone JA, Mendoza JL, Sehgal RNM, Marzal A. Diversity and host assemblage of avian haemosporidians in different terrestrial ecoregions of Peru. Curr Zool 2021; 68:27-40. [PMID: 35169627 PMCID: PMC8836326 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoab030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Characterizing the diversity and structure of host–parasite communities is crucial to understanding their eco-evolutionary dynamics. Malaria and related haemosporidian parasites are responsible for fitness loss and mortality in bird species worldwide. However, despite exhibiting the greatest ornithological biodiversity, avian haemosporidians from Neotropical regions are quite unexplored. Here, we analyze the genetic diversity of bird haemosporidian parasites (Plasmodium and Haemoproteus) in 1,336 individuals belonging to 206 bird species to explore for differences in diversity of parasite lineages and bird species across 5 well-differentiated Peruvian ecoregions. We detected 70 different haemosporidian lineages infecting 74 bird species. We showed that 25 out of the 70 haplotypes had not been previously recorded. Moreover, we also identified 81 new host–parasite interactions representing new host records for these haemosporidian parasites. Our outcomes revealed that the effective diversity (as well as the richness, abundance, and Shannon–Weaver index) for both birds and parasite lineages was higher in Amazon basin ecoregions. Furthermore, we also showed that ecoregions with greater diversity of bird species also had high parasite richness, hence suggesting that host community is crucial in explaining parasite richness. Generalist parasites were found in ecoregions with lower bird diversity, implying that the abundance and richness of hosts may shape the exploitation strategy followed by haemosporidian parasites. These outcomes reveal that Neotropical region is a major reservoir of unidentified haemosporidian lineages. Further studies analyzing host distribution and specificity of these parasites in the tropics will provide important knowledge about phylogenetic relationships, phylogeography, and patterns of evolution and distribution of haemosporidian parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luz Garcia-Longoria
- Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz E-506071, Spain
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab, Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, SE-22362 Lund, Sweden
| | - Jaime Muriel
- Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología—IPE (CSIC), Avda. Nuestra Señora de la Victoria 16, Jaca 22700, Spain
| | - Sergio Magallanes
- Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz E-506071, Spain
| | - Zaira Hellen Villa-Galarce
- DIRESA, Dirección Regional de Salud, Loreto 16001, Peru
- Departamento Académico de Microbiología y Parasitología. Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos 16001, Peru
| | - Leonila Ricopa
- Departamento Académico de Microbiología y Parasitología. Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos 16001, Peru
| | | | - Esteban Fong
- EverGreen Institute—San Rafael, Distrito de Indiana, Loreto 16200, Peru
- Observatorio de Aves Loreto (LBO), Distrito de San Juan, Loreto 16008, Peru
| | - Daniel Vecco
- Centro Urku de Estudios Amazónicos, Tarapoto 22200, Peru
| | | | | | - Wendy Flores-Saavedra
- Sanidad Animal—Facultad de Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Lima 15012, Peru
| | - Kathya Espinoza
- Laboratorio de Microbiología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Cient쥩ca del Sur, Lima 15067, Peru
| | - Carlos Mendoza
- Laboratorio de Análisis Clínico Moraleslab SAC, Morales, San Martín 22201, Peru
| | - Blanca SaldaÑa
- Laboratorio de Análisis Clínico Moraleslab SAC, Morales, San Martín 22201, Peru
| | - Manuel González-Blázquez
- Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz E-506071, Spain
| | | | - Charlene Luján-Vega
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, DA 95616, USA
| | | | - Yessica Vilca-Herrera
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima 15081, Perú
| | - Carlos Alberto Pineda
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional Hermilio Valdizan, Huánuco, 10160, Peru
| | - Carmen Reategui
- Departamento Académico de Microbiología y Parasitología. Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos 16001, Peru
| | | | - José Alberto Iannacone
- Laboratorio de Ecología y Biodiversidad Animal, Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal, El Agustino, Lima 15007, Peru
- Laboratorio de Invertebrados, Universidad Ricardo Palma—Santiago de Surco, Lima 15537, Peru
| | - Jorge Luis Mendoza
- Laboratorio de Ecología y Biodiversidad Animal, Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal, El Agustino, Lima 15007, Peru
| | - Ravinder N M Sehgal
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Alfonso Marzal
- Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz E-506071, Spain
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Epidemiology, hematology, and unusual morphological characteristics of Plasmodium during an avian malaria outbreak in penguins in Brazil. Parasitol Res 2019; 118:3497-3508. [PMID: 31720833 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06459-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Avian malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by Plasmodium spp. protozoa, and penguins are considered particularly susceptible to this disease, developing rapid outbreaks with potentially high mortality. We report on an outbreak of avian malaria in Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) at a rehabilitation center in Espírito Santo, southeast Brazil. In August and September 2015, a total of 89 Magellanic penguins (87 juveniles and 2 adults) received care at Institute of Research and Rehabilitation of Marine Animals. Over a period of 2 weeks, Plasmodium infections were identified in eight individuals (9.0%), four of which died (mortality = 4.5%, lethality = 50%). Blood smears and sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene revealed the presence of Plasmodium lutzi SPMAG06, Plasmodium elongatum GRW06, Plasmodium sp. PHPAT01, Plasmodium sp. SPMAG10, and Plasmodium cathemerium (sequencing not successful). Two unusual morphological features were observed in individuals infected with lineage SPMAG06: (a) lack of clumping of pigment granules and (b) presence of circulating exoerythrocytic meronts. Hematological results (packed cell volume, plasma total solids, complete blood cell counts) of positive individuals showed differences from those of negative individuals depending on the lineages, but there was no overarching pattern consistently observed for all Plasmodium spp. The epidemiology of the outbreak and the phylogeography of the parasite lineages detected in this study support the notion that malarial infections in penguins undergoing rehabilitation in Brazil are the result of the spillover inoculation by plasmodia that circulate in the local avifauna, especially Passeriformes.
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Haemoproteus paraortalidum n. sp. in captive Black-fronted Piping-guans Aburria jacutinga (Galliformes, Cracidae): High prevalence in a population reintroduced into the wild. Acta Trop 2018; 188:93-100. [PMID: 30171836 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.08.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Revised: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Haemosporidian parasites of the genus Haemoproteus are widespread and can cause disease and even mortality in birds under natural and captive conditions. The Black-fronted Piping-guan (Aburria jacutinga) is an endangered Neotropical bird of the Cracidae (Galliformes) going through a reintroduction program to avoid extinction. We used microscopic examination and partial cytochrome b DNA sequencing to describe a new Haemoproteus species infecting Black-fronted Piping-guans bred and raised in captivity that were reintroduced into the Atlantic rainforest. Haemoproteus (Parahaemoproteus) paraortalidum n. sp. was detected in the blood of 19 out of 29 examined birds. The new species is distinguished from other haemoproteids due to the shape of gametocytes, which have pointed ends in young stages, and due to the presence of vacuole-like unstained spaces in macrogametocytes and numerous volutin granules both in macro- and microgametocytes. Illustrations of the new species are provided. Phylogenetic inference positioned this parasite in the Parahaemoproteus subgenus clade together with the other two Haemoproteus genetic lineages detected in cracids up to date. We discuss possible implications of the reintroduction of birds infected with haemosporidian parasites into the wild. Treatment of Haemoproteus infections remains insufficiently studied, but should be considered for infected birds before reintroduction to improve host reproductive and survival rates after release.
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A new pathogen spillover from domestic to wild animals: Plasmodium juxtanucleare infects free-living passerines in Brazil. Parasitology 2018; 145:1949-1958. [PMID: 29739479 DOI: 10.1017/s003118201800077x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Habitat modification may facilitate the emergence of novel pathogens, and the expansion of agricultural frontiers make domestic animals important sources of pathogen spillover to wild animals. We demonstrate for the first time that Plasmodium juxtanucleare, a widespread parasite from domestic chickens, naturally infects free-living passerines. We sampled 68 wild birds within and at the border of conservation units in central Brazil composed by Cerrado, a highly threatened biome. Seven out of 10 passerines captured in the limits of a protected area with a small farm were infected by P. juxtanucleare as was confirmed by sequencing a fragment of the parasite's cytochrome b. Blood smears from these positive passerines presented trophozoites, meronts and gametocytes compatible with P. juxtanucleare, meaning these birds are competent hosts for this parasite. After these intriguing results, we sampled 30 backyard chickens managed at the area where P. juxtanucleare-infected passerines were captured, revealing one chicken infected by the same parasite lineage. We sequenced the almost complete mitochondrial genome from all positive passerines, revealing that Brazilian and Asian parasites are closely related. P. juxtanucleare can be lethal to non-domestic hosts under captive and rehabilitation conditions, suggesting that this novel spillover may pose a real threat to wild birds.
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Pulgarín-R PC, Gómez JP, Robinson S, Ricklefs RE, Cadena CD. Host species, and not environment, predicts variation in blood parasite prevalence, distribution, and diversity along a humidity gradient in northern South America. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:3800-3814. [PMID: 29721258 PMCID: PMC5916302 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2017] [Revised: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental factors strongly influence the ecology and evolution of vector‐borne infectious diseases. However, our understanding of the influence of climatic variation on host–parasite interactions in tropical systems is rudimentary. We studied five species of birds and their haemosporidian parasites (Plasmodium and Haemoproteus) at 16 sampling sites to understand how environmental heterogeneity influences patterns of parasite prevalence, distribution, and diversity across a marked gradient in water availability in northern South America. We used molecular methods to screen for parasite infections and to identify parasite lineages. To characterize spatial heterogeneity in water availability, we used weather‐station and remotely sensed climate data. We estimated parasite prevalence while accounting for spatial autocorrelation, and used a model selection approach to determine the effect of variables related to water availability and host species on prevalence. The prevalence, distribution, and lineage diversity of haemosporidian parasites varied among localities and host species, but we found no support for the hypothesis that the prevalence and diversity of parasites increase with increasing water availability. Host species and host × climate interactions had stronger effects on infection prevalence, and parasite lineages were strongly associated with particular host species. Because climatic variables had little effect on the overall prevalence and lineage diversity of haemosporidian parasites across study sites, our results suggest that independent host–parasite dynamics may influence patterns in parasitism in environmentally heterogeneous landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo C Pulgarín-R
- Laboratorio de Biología Evolutiva de Vertebrados Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas Universidad de Los Andes Bogotá Colombia
| | - Juan P Gómez
- Florida Museum of Natural History University of Florida Gainesville FL USA.,Department of Biology University of Florida Gainesville FL USA.,Spatial Epidemiology and Ecology Research Laboratory Department of Geography Emerging Pathogens Institute University of Florida Gainesville FL USA
| | - Scott Robinson
- Florida Museum of Natural History University of Florida Gainesville FL USA.,Department of Biology University of Florida Gainesville FL USA
| | - Robert E Ricklefs
- Department of Biology University of Missouri-St. Louis St. Louis MO USA
| | - Carlos Daniel Cadena
- Laboratorio de Biología Evolutiva de Vertebrados Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas Universidad de Los Andes Bogotá Colombia
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Fecchio A, Silveira P, Weckstein JD, Dispoto JH, Anciães M, Bosholn M, Tkach VV, Bell JA. First Record of Leucocytozoon (Haemosporida: Leucocytozoidae) in Amazonia: Evidence for Rarity in Neotropical Lowlands or Lack of Sampling for This Parasite Genus? J Parasitol 2018; 104:168-172. [PMID: 29346738 DOI: 10.1645/17-182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Birds harbor an astonishing diversity of haemosporidian parasites belonging to the genera Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon, and Plasmodium. Currently there are more than 250 morphologically described avian haemosporidian species and 2,828 unique lineages found in virtually all avian clades and zoogeographic regions, except for Antarctica. Our report is based on PCR and microscopic screening of 1,302 individual avian samples from Brazil to detect the underrepresented genus Leucocytozoon. This survey primarily focuses on passerine birds collected from Amazonia, the Atlantic Rain Forest, and Pantanal. We also summarize studies conducted in Brazil that report haemosporidian prevalence using both microscopy and molecular tools and present for the first time a record of Leucocytozoon infecting an avian host population in Amazonia. Based on our findings, we suggest that high average temperatures may be constraining both the distribution and diversity of Leucocytozoon in lowland tropical South America.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Fecchio
- Laboratório de Evolução e Biogeografia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, 40170115, Brazil
| | - P Silveira
- Laboratório de Evolução e Biogeografia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, 40170115, Brazil
| | - J D Weckstein
- Laboratório de Evolução e Biogeografia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, 40170115, Brazil
| | - J H Dispoto
- Laboratório de Evolução e Biogeografia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, 40170115, Brazil
| | - M Anciães
- Laboratório de Evolução e Biogeografia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, 40170115, Brazil
| | - M Bosholn
- Laboratório de Evolução e Biogeografia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, 40170115, Brazil
| | - V V Tkach
- Laboratório de Evolução e Biogeografia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, 40170115, Brazil
| | - J A Bell
- Laboratório de Evolução e Biogeografia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, 40170115, Brazil
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Werther K, Luzzi MDC, Gonçalves LR, de Oliveira JP, Alves Junior JRF, Machado RZ, André MR. Arthropod-borne agents in wild Orinoco geese (Neochen jubata) in Brazil. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2017; 55:30-41. [PMID: 29127991 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2017.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Revised: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Although Orinoco goose (Neochen jubata) is an anatid species widely distributed in South America, scarce are the reports on the occurrence of arthropod-borne pathogens in this avian species. The present work aimed to verify, by serological and molecular methods, the occurrence of haemosporida piroplasmids and Anaplasmataceae agents in wild Orinoco geese captured in Brazil. Between 2010 and 2014, 62 blood samples were collected from free-living geese captured in the Araguaia River, Goiás State, Brazil. Six geese (10%) were seropositive for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, showing titers ranging from 40 and 80. Twenty out of 62 blood samples (32.25%) were positive in nested PCR for hemosporidia (cytochrome b gene). Fifteen and five sequences shared identity with Haemoproteus and Plasmodium, respectively. Six out of 62 blood samples (9.68%) were positive in nested PCR for Babesia spp. (18S rRNA gene); one sequence showed to be closely related to Babesia vogeli. Thirty (48.38%) out of 62 Orinoco geese blood samples were positive in nested cPCR assays for Anaplasmataceae agents (16S rRNA gene): three for Anaplasma spp. and 27 for Ehrlichia. Six geese were simultaneously positive to Haemoproteus and Ehrlichia; three animals were co-positive to different Ehrlichia species/genotypes; and one goose sample was positive for both Anaplasma and Ehrlichia. The present work showed the occurrence of Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Babesia, Plasmodium, and Haemoproteus species in free-living N. jubata in Brazil. The threat of these arthropod-borne pathogens in Orinoco goose's fitness, especially during the breading season, should be assessed in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Werther
- Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias/ Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Mayara de Cássia Luzzi
- Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias/ Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Luiz Ricardo Gonçalves
- Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias/ Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Juliana Paula de Oliveira
- Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias/ Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Rosangela Zacarias Machado
- Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias/ Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias/ Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil.
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Ferreira Junior FC, Rodrigues RA, Ellis VA, Leite LO, Borges MAZ, Braga ÉM. Habitat modification and seasonality influence avian haemosporidian parasite distributions in southeastern Brazil. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0178791. [PMID: 28575046 PMCID: PMC5456369 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Habitat modification may change vertebrate and vector-borne disease distributions. However, natural forest regeneration through secondary succession may mitigate these effects. Here we tested the hypothesis that secondary succession influences the distribution of birds and their haemosporidian parasites (genera Plasmodium and Haemoproteus) in a seasonally dry tropical forest, a globally threatened ecosystem, in Brazil. Moreover, we assessed seasonal fluctuations in parasite prevalence and distribution. We sampled birds in four different successional stages at the peak and end of the rainy season, as well as in the middle and at the end of the dry season. A non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis revealed that bird communities in the pasture (i.e., highly modified) areas were different from those in the early, intermediate, and late successional areas (secondary forests). Among 461 individual birds, haemosporidian prevalence was higher in pasture areas than in the more advanced successional stages, but parasite communities were homogeneous across these areas. Parasite prevalence was higher in pasture-specialists birds (resilient species) than in forest-specialists species, suggesting that pasture-specialists may increase infection risk for co-occurring hosts. We found an increase in prevalence between the middle and end of the dry season, a period associated with the beginning of the breeding season (early spring) in southeastern Brazil. We also found effects of seasonality in the relative prevalence of specific parasite lineages. Our results show that natural forest recovery through secondary succession in SDTFs is associated with compositional differences in avian communities, and that advanced successional stages are associated with lower prevalence of avian haemosporidian parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco C. Ferreira Junior
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
- * E-mail: (FCFJ); (EMB)
| | - Raquel A. Rodrigues
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Vincenzo A. Ellis
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Lemuel O. Leite
- Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Campus Universitário Professor Darcy Ribeiro, Montes Claros, MG, Brazil
| | - Magno A. Z. Borges
- Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Campus Universitário Professor Darcy Ribeiro, Montes Claros, MG, Brazil
| | - Érika M. Braga
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
- * E-mail: (FCFJ); (EMB)
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12
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Chagas CRF, Valkiūnas G, de Oliveira Guimarães L, Monteiro EF, Guida FJV, Simões RF, Rodrigues PT, de Albuquerque Luna EJ, Kirchgatter K. Diversity and distribution of avian malaria and related haemosporidian parasites in captive birds from a Brazilian megalopolis. Malar J 2017; 16:83. [PMID: 28212654 PMCID: PMC5316177 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-017-1729-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2016] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role of zoos in conservation programmes has increased significantly in last decades, and the health of captive animals is essential to guarantee success of such programmes. However, zoo birds suffer from parasitic infections, which often are caused by malaria parasites and related haemosporidians. Studies determining the occurrence and diversity of these parasites, aiming better understanding infection influence on fitness of captive birds, are limited. METHODS In 2011-2015, the prevalence and diversity of Plasmodium spp. and Haemoproteus spp. was examined in blood samples of 677 captive birds from the São Paulo Zoo, the largest zoo in Latin America. Molecular and microscopic diagnostic methods were used in parallel to detect and identify these infections. RESULTS The overall prevalence of haemosporidians was 12.6%. Parasites were mostly detected by the molecular diagnosis, indicating that many birds harbour subclinical or abortive infections. In this project, birds of 17 orders (almost half of all the orders currently accepted in taxonomy of birds), 29 families, and 122 species, were tested, detecting positive individuals in 27% of bird species. Birds from the Anatidae were the most prevalently infected (64.7% of all infected animals). In all, infections with parasites of the genus Plasmodium (overall prevalence 97.6%) predominated when compared to those of the genus Haemoproteus (2.4%). In total, 14 cytochrome b (cytb) lineages of Plasmodium spp. and 2 cytb lineages of Haemoproteus spp. were recorded. Eight lineages were new. One of the reported lineages was broad generalist while others were reported in single or a few species of birds. Molecular characterization of Haemoproteus ortalidum was developed. CONCLUSION This study shows that many species of birds are at risk in captivity. It is difficult to stop haemosporidian parasite transmission in zoos, but is possible to reduce the infection rate by treating the infected animals or/and while keeping them in facilities free from mosquitoes. Protocols of quarantine should be implemented whenever an animal is transferred between bird maintaining institutions. This is the first survey of haemosporidians in captive birds from different orders maintained in zoos. It is worth emphasizing the necessity of applying practices to control these parasites in management and husbandry of animals in captivity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lilian de Oliveira Guimarães
- Malaria Research Center, Superintendence for Endemic Disease Control, São Paulo, Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho, Aguiar 470, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil
| | - Eliana Ferreira Monteiro
- Malaria Research Center, Superintendence for Endemic Disease Control, São Paulo, Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho, Aguiar 470, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil
| | | | - Roseli França Simões
- Malaria Research Center, Superintendence for Endemic Disease Control, São Paulo, Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho, Aguiar 470, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil
| | - Priscila Thihara Rodrigues
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 1374, São Paulo, SP, 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Expedito José de Albuquerque Luna
- Virology Laboratory, Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar 470, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil
| | - Karin Kirchgatter
- Malaria Research Center, Superintendence for Endemic Disease Control, São Paulo, Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho, Aguiar 470, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil.
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Ferreira FC, Rodrigues RA, Sato Y, Borges MAZ, Braga ÉM. Searching for putative avian malaria vectors in a Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest in Brazil. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:587. [PMID: 27852326 PMCID: PMC5112751 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1865-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 11/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Haemosporidian parasites of the genera Plasmodium and Haemoproteus can have detrimental effects on individual birds and populations. Despite recent investigations into the distribution and richness of these parasites and their vertebrate hosts, little is known about their dipteran vectors. The Neotropics has the highest diversity of mosquitoes in the world, but few studies have tried to identify vectors in this area, hampering the understanding of the ecology of avian malaria in the highly diverse Neotropical environments. Methods Shannon traps and active collection were used to capture 27,110 mosquitoes in a Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest in southeastern Brazil, a highly endangered ecosystem. Results We screened 17,619 mosquito abdomens from 12 different species and several unidentified specimens of Culex, grouped into 1,913 pools, for the presence of haemosporidians. Two pools (out of 459) of the mosquito Mansonia titillans and one pool (out of 29) of Mansonia pseudotitillans were positive for Plasmodium parasites, with the detection of a new parasite lineage in the former species. Detected Plasmodium lineages were distributed in three different clades within the phylogenetic tree revealing that Mansonia mosquitoes are potential vectors of genetically distant parasites. Two pools of Culex spp. (out of 43) were positive for Plasmodium gallinaceum and closely related lineages. We found a higher abundance of these putative vectors in pasture areas, but they were also distributed in areas at intermediate and late successional stages. One pool of the mosquito Psorophora discrucians (out of 173) was positive for Haemoproteus. Conclusions The occurrence of different Plasmodium lineages in Mansonia mosquitoes indicates that this genus encompasses potential vectors of avian malaria parasites in Brazil, even though we did not find positive thoraces among the samples tested. Additional evidence is required to assign the role of Mansonia mosquitoes in avian malaria transmission and further studies will add information about evolutionary and ecological aspects of avian haemosporidia and untangle the diversity of their vectors in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco C Ferreira
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil.
| | - Raquel A Rodrigues
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Yukita Sato
- Laboratory of Biomedical Science, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Nihon University, Kameino 1866, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880, Japan
| | - Magno A Z Borges
- Laboratório de Controle Biológico, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Campus Universitário Professor Darcy Ribeiro, Montes Claros, MG, 39401-089, Brazil
| | - Érika M Braga
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
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Clark NJ, Clegg SM, Klaassen M. Migration strategy and pathogen risk: non-breeding distribution drives malaria prevalence in migratory waders. OIKOS 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.03220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J. Clark
- Environmental Futures Research Inst., School of Environment, Griffith Univ.; Gold Coast Campus QLD 4222 Australia
- Natural Environments Program, Queensland Museum; PO Box 3300 South Brisbane Queensland 4101 Australia
| | - Sonya M. Clegg
- Environmental Futures Research Inst., School of Environment, Griffith Univ.; Gold Coast Campus QLD 4222 Australia
- Edward Grey Inst., Dept of Zoology, Univ. of Oxford; Oxford OX1 3PS UK
| | - Marcel Klaassen
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin Univ.; Geelong VIC Australia
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