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Cavalcante MC, Chagas-de-Souza D, Coêlho TA, Viana LA, Adriano E, Corrêa LL. Hemoparasite Analysis and Hematological Parameters of Four Freshwater Turtle Species (Testudines: Podocnemididae) from the Brazilian Amazon. Acta Parasitol 2024; 69:1058-1066. [PMID: 38430293 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-024-00816-z] [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: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
METHODS Sampling was performed at three sites in the Tapajós River mouth, Pará State, Brazil, and an aliquot of blood was collected from each turtle by post-occipital dorsal vein puncture. The aliquots were used for the determination of hematological parameters and for the study of hemoparasites in the blood samples. RESULTS A total of 37 turtles were sampled: 21 Podocnemis expansa, three P. sextuberculata, nine P. unifilis, and four P. erythrocephala. Parasitological analyses showed inclusions in erythrocytes compatible with Haemogregarina sp., representing an overall prevalence of parasitized animals of 64.8% with an average of 94,789 parasites/ml of blood. In this study, the evolutionary forms of Haemogregarina spp. from trophozoites, pre-meronts, meronts, and mature and immature gamonts were observed in three species of freshwater turtle species, and one morphotype of the parasite with high similarity to Haemogregarina podocnemis has been observed. CONCLUSION Despite recent research on freshwater turtles, this study provides new information on the intensity of blood parasite infection and hematological parameters of free-living animals, highlighting the need for studies on infected and uninfected animals from the same population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Costa Cavalcante
- Instituto de Ciências e Tecnologia das Águas-ICTA, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará-UFOPA, Santarém, PA, 68040‑255, Brazil
- Laboratório de Estudos Morfofisiológicos e Parasitários, Universidade Federal do Amapá-UNIFAP, Macapá, AP, 68903-419, Brazil
| | - Darlison Chagas-de-Souza
- Laboratório de Estudos Morfofisiológicos e Parasitários, Universidade Federal do Amapá-UNIFAP, Macapá, AP, 68903-419, Brazil
| | - Tássio Alves Coêlho
- Laboratório de Estudos Morfofisiológicos e Parasitários, Universidade Federal do Amapá-UNIFAP, Macapá, AP, 68903-419, Brazil.
| | - Lúcio André Viana
- Laboratório de Estudos Morfofisiológicos e Parasitários, Universidade Federal do Amapá-UNIFAP, Macapá, AP, 68903-419, Brazil
| | - Edson Adriano
- Departamento de Ecologia e Biologia Evolutiva, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Diadema, SP, 09972-270, Brazil
| | - Lincoln Lima Corrêa
- Instituto de Ciências e Tecnologia das Águas-ICTA, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará-UFOPA, Santarém, PA, 68040‑255, Brazil
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Trivalairat P, Trivalairat K, Tassamakorn A, Purivirojkul W. Blood recovery of wild Mekong snail-eating turtles ( Malayemys subtrijuga Schlegel and Müller, 1845) in captivity from leech infestation. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2023; 22:126-135. [PMID: 37854273 PMCID: PMC10579961 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Blood cell counts are valuable diagnostic tools for assessing the health status of chelonians, however, reference standards for healthy blood parameters in various turtle species are lacking. In this study, forty wild female Malayemys subtrijuga were captured from ponds in Kasetsart University, and transported to laboratory for recuperating in captivity. All turtles were infected with a single leech species, Placobdelloides siamensis, with a mean of 513.7 ± 164.9 individuals per turtle, and exhibited penetrating and lesion wounds from leech infestations on both their skin and shell. Subsequently, they were cleaned and treated to eliminate ecto- and endoparasites before the recuperation period began. The turtles did not exhibit significantly differences in weight, carapace length (CL), red blood cell count (RCC), and white blood cell count (WCC) with a mean of 654.2 ± 199.9 g, 15.0 ± 2.5 cm, 327,080 ± 70,156 cells/mm3, and 73,340 ± 15,859 cells/mm3, respectively, during the initial records (week 0). However, after being maintained for 17 weeks, their health significantly improved in term of their blood parameters (RCC and WCC) and weight, except CL which remained unchanged, with a mean of 491,470 ± 16,169 cells/mm3, 18,790 ± 1496 cells/mm3, and 738.9 ± 191.5 g, respectively. Therefore, the health status obtained in this study can be used as a reference for blood parameters, weight, and recuperation period for the treatment of ill wild M. subtrijuga in captivity or as part of conservation management programs for turtles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poramad Trivalairat
- Chulabhorn Royal Academy, 906 Thung Song Hong, Lak Si, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand
- Animal Systematics and Ecology Speciality Research Unit (ASESRU), Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, 50 Ngam Wong Wan Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
| | - Krittiya Trivalairat
- Animal Systematics and Ecology Speciality Research Unit (ASESRU), Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, 50 Ngam Wong Wan Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Awirut Tassamakorn
- Chulabhorn Royal Academy, 906 Thung Song Hong, Lak Si, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand
| | - Watchariya Purivirojkul
- Animal Systematics and Ecology Speciality Research Unit (ASESRU), Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, 50 Ngam Wong Wan Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
- Biodiversity Center, Kasetsart University (BDCKU), Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
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Verneau O, Melliti S, Kimdil L, El Mouden EH, Achouri MS, Rouag R. Molecular Phylogenies of Leeches and Haemoparasites Infecting Freshwater Turtles in Aquatic Ecosystems of Northern Africa Suggest Phylogenetic Congruence between Placobdella costata Sensu Lato and Haemogregarina stepanowi Sensu Lato. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1584. [PMID: 37375085 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11061584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Haemogregarines are blood parasites with a life-cycle involving a vertebrate as the intermediate host and an invertebrate as the definitive host and vector. Extensive phylogenetic investigations based on 18S-rRNA gene sequences have shown that Haemogregarina stepanowi (Apicomplexa: Haemogregarinidae) is able to infest a large diversity of freshwater turtle species, including the European pond turtle Emys orbicularis, the Sicilian pond turtle Emys trinacris, the Caspian turtle Mauremys caspica, the Mediterranean pond turtle Mauremys leprosa, and the Western Caspian turtle Mauremys rivulata, among others. From the same molecular markers, H. stepanowi is further considered to be a complex of cryptic species predisposed to infect the same host species. While Placobdella costata is known to be the unique vector of H. stepanowi, it is only recently that independent lineages within P. costata have been illustrated-suggesting the presence of at least five unique leech species across Western Europe. The aims of our study were therefore to investigate from mitochondrial markers (COI) the genetic diversity within haemogregarines and leeches infecting freshwater turtles of the Maghreb, in order to identify processes of parasite speciation. We showed that H. stepanowi consists of at least five cryptic species in the Maghreb, while two Placobella species were identified in the same area. Although an Eastern-Western speciation pattern was apparent for both leeches and haemogregarines, we cannot make definitive conclusions regarding co-speciation patterns between parasites and vectors. However, we cannot reject the hypothesis of a very strict host-parasite specificity within leeches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Verneau
- Centre de Formation et de Recherche sur les Environnements Méditerranéens, University of Perpignan Via Domitia, UMR 5110, F-66860 Perpignan, France
- CNRS, Centre de Formation et de Recherche sur les Environnements Méditerranéens, UMR 5110, F-66860 Perpignan, France
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 20520, South Africa
| | - Sirine Melliti
- Centre de Formation et de Recherche sur les Environnements Méditerranéens, University of Perpignan Via Domitia, UMR 5110, F-66860 Perpignan, France
- Laboratoire de Diversité, Gestion et Conservation des Systèmes Biologiques, LR18ES06, Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, Université Tunis-El Manar, Tunis 2092, Tunisia
| | - Latifa Kimdil
- Centre de Formation et de Recherche sur les Environnements Méditerranéens, University of Perpignan Via Domitia, UMR 5110, F-66860 Perpignan, France
- Laboratory of Water, Biodiversity and Climatic Change, Faculty of Sciences, Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech 40000, Morocco
| | - El Hassan El Mouden
- Laboratory of Water, Biodiversity and Climatic Change, Faculty of Sciences, Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech 40000, Morocco
| | - Mohamed Sghaier Achouri
- Laboratoire de Diversité, Gestion et Conservation des Systèmes Biologiques, LR18ES06, Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, Université Tunis-El Manar, Tunis 2092, Tunisia
| | - Rachid Rouag
- Laboratoire de Recherche Biodiversité et Pollution des Ecosystèmes, Faculté des Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie, Université Chadli Bendjedid El-Tarf, BP73, El-Tarf 36000, Algeria
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Hemogregarine Diversity Infecting Brazilian Turtles with a Description of Six New Species of Haemogregarina (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina: Haemogregarinidae). DIVERSITY 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/d15020296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
(1) Background: Hemoparasites of the genus Haemogregarina (Haemogregarinidae) are commonly reported in freshwater turtles. However, in Brazil, only three species have currently been characterised using molecular methods. This study aimed to bring new insights on the diversity of species of Haemogregarina infecting Brazilian freshwater turtles from Mato Grosso and Goiás states using molecular and morphological tools. (2) Methods: In total, 2 mL of blood was collected, with between two to five blood smears prepared, fixed with absolute methanol, and stained with a 10% Giemsa solution. Blood was stored at −20 °C for molecular analysis targeting the 18S rRNA gene. Fragments of the organs (liver, spleen, heart, and kidney) were separated and stained with hematoxylin-eosin. (3) Results: A total of 40 turtles were screened and hemogregarines were observed in 34 (85%) individuals (3 Podocnemis expansa and 31 Podocnemis unifilis). Haemogregarina embaubali and six new species of Haemogregarina were observed and formally described as follows: H. unifila n. sp., H. rubra n. sp., H. goianensis n. sp., H. araguaiensis n. sp., H. tigrina n. sp., and H. brasiliana n. sp. (4) Conclusions: This study contributes to the diversity and knowledge of Brazilian fresh-water turtle blood parasites, using integrative approaches for diagnosing and characterizing hemoparasites, with the identification of six undescribed species.
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Genetic diversity, phylogenetic position, and co-phylogenetic relationships of Karyolysus, a common blood parasite of lizards in the western Mediterranean. Int J Parasitol 2023; 53:185-196. [PMID: 36736608 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2022.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The genus Karyolysus was originally proposed to accommodate blood parasites of lacertid lizards in Western Europe. However, recent phylogenetic analyses suggested an inconclusive taxonomic position of these parasites of the order Adeleorina based on the available genetic information. Inconsistencies between molecular phylogeny, morphology, and/or life cycles can reflect lack of enough genetic information of the target group. We therefore surveyed 28 localities and collected blood samples from 828 lizards of 23 species including lacertids, skinks, and geckoes in the western Mediterranean, North Africa, and Macaronesia, where species of Karyolysus and other adeleorine parasites have been described. We combined molecular and microscopic methods to analyze the samples, including those from the host type species and the type locality of Karyolysus bicapsulatus. The phylogenetic relationship of these parasites was analyzed based on the 18S rRNA gene and the co-phylogenetic relationship with their vertebrate hosts was reconstructed. We molecularly detected adeleorine parasites in 37.9% of the blood samples and found 22 new parasite haplotypes. A phylogenetic reconstruction with 132 sequences indicated that 20 of the newly detected haplotypes clustered in a well-supported clade with another 18 sequences that included Karyolysus galloti and Karyolysus lacazei. Morphological evidence also supported that K. bicapsulatus clustered in this monophyletic clade. These results supported the taxonomic validity of the genus. In addition, we found some parasite haplotypes that infected different lizard host genera with ancient diverging histories, which suggested that Karyolysus is less host-specific than other blood parasites of lizards in the region. A co-phylogenetic analysis supported this interpretation because no significant co-speciation signal was shown between Karyolysus and lizard hosts.
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Haemogregarines of the genera Haemogregarina, Hemolivia, and Hepatozoon Infecting Vietnamese Freshwater Turtles, with Additional Notes on Primer Specificity and Primer-template Mismatches Affecting Diagnostic Success. Protist 2022; 173:125884. [DOI: 10.1016/j.protis.2022.125884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Phylogenetic analysis of chelonian hemogregarines reveals shared species among the Amazonian freshwater turtle Podocnemis spp. and provides a description of two new species of Haemogregarina. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:691-701. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07405-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Characterization and identification of haemogregarine hemoparasites (Apicomplexa: Adeleina: Hepatozoidae) in natural populations of Mauremys leprosa leprosa and M. leprosa saharica from Morocco. Syst Parasitol 2021; 98:547-557. [PMID: 34322858 DOI: 10.1007/s11230-021-09995-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Distribution, prevalence and parasitaemia of apicomplexan parasites of the genus Haemogregarina were studied in 858 freshwater turtles (735 Mauremys leprosa leprosa and 123 Mauremys leprosa saharica) throughout 30 localities from Morocco. Blood smears were collected from the turtles and partial 18S rRNA sequence data used to infer genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships. Of the 858 individuals analyzed by microscopy 22.7% were infected, from 16 M. leprosa leprosa localities. Individuals of M. leprosa saharica sampled south of the High Atlas Mountains were not infected, probably due to the absence or rarity of the leech vectors in these localities. Within M. leprosa leprosa, we did not identify any patterns between geography and prevalence, which varied between 10% (Oued Nfiss) to 100% (Oued Tassaout). Five distinct genetic lineages were identified, indicating the likely presence of multiple species of haemogregarines, one of which probably corresponds to Haemogregarina stepanowi. Mixed infections were also detected. Additional studies are needed to better understand the ecology and epidemiology of this parasite in turtles, as well as the host-parasite relationship with their definitive hosts, leeches.
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Gutiérrez-Liberato GA, Lotta-Arévalo IA, Rodríguez-Almonacid CC, Vargas-Ramírez M, Matta NE. Molecular and morphological description of the first Hepatozoon (Apicomplexa: Hepatozoidae) species infecting a neotropical turtle, with an approach to its phylogenetic relationships. Parasitology 2021; 148:747-759. [PMID: 33536100 PMCID: PMC11010207 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182021000184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Haemogregarines (Adeleorina) have a high prevalence in turtles. Nevertheless, there is only one Hepatozoon species described that infects Testudines so far; it is Hepatozoon fitzsimonsi which infects the African tortoise Kinixys belliana. Colombia harbours a great diversity of chelonians; however, most of them are threatened. It is important to identify and characterize chelonian haemoparasite infections to improve the clinical assessments, treatments and the conservation and reintroduction programs of these animals. To evaluate such infections for the Colombian wood turtle Rhinoclemmys melanosterna, we analysed blood from 70 individuals. By using the morphological characteristics of blood stages as well as molecular information (18S rRNA sequences), here we report a new Hepatozoon species that represents the first report of a hepatozoid species infecting a semi-aquatic continental turtle in the world. Although the isolated lineage clusters within the phylogenetic clades that have morphological species of parasites already determined, their low nodal support makes their position within each group inconclusive. It is important to identify new molecular markers to improve parasite species identification. In-depth research on blood parasites infecting turtles is essential for increasing knowledge that could assess this potential unknown threat, to inform the conservation of turtles and for increasing the state of knowledge on parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germán A. Gutiérrez-Liberato
- Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá. Carrera 30 No. 45-03, Bogotá111321, Colombia
- Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Salud Pública, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá. Carrera 30 No. 45-03, Bogotá111321, Colombia
| | - Ingrid A. Lotta-Arévalo
- Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá. Carrera 30 No. 45-03, Bogotá111321, Colombia
| | - Cristian C. Rodríguez-Almonacid
- Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá. Carrera 30 No. 45-03, Bogotá111321, Colombia
| | - Mario Vargas-Ramírez
- Facultad de Ciencias, Estación de Biología Tropical Roberto Franco (EBTRF), Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Carrera 33 #33 −76, Villavicencio500005 Meta, Colombia
- Instituto de Genética, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá. Carrera 30 No. 45-03, Bogotá111321, Colombia
| | - Nubia E. Matta
- Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá. Carrera 30 No. 45-03, Bogotá111321, Colombia
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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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Haemogregarines and Criteria for Identification. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11010170. [PMID: 33445814 PMCID: PMC7828249 DOI: 10.3390/ani11010170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Taxonomic classification of haemogregarines belonging to Apicomplexa can become difficult when the information about the life cycle stages is not available. Using a self-reporting, we record different haemogregarine species infecting various animal categories and exploring the most systematic features for each life cycle stage. The keystone in the classification of any species of haemogregarines is related to the sporogonic cycle more than other stages of schizogony and gamogony. Molecular approaches are excellent tools that enabled the identification of apicomplexan parasites by clarifying their evolutionary relationships. Abstract Apicomplexa is a phylum that includes all parasitic protozoa sharing unique ultrastructural features. Haemogregarines are sophisticated apicomplexan blood parasites with an obligatory heteroxenous life cycle and haplohomophasic alternation of generations. Haemogregarines are common blood parasites of fish, amphibians, lizards, snakes, turtles, tortoises, crocodilians, birds, and mammals. Haemogregarine ultrastructure has been so far examined only for stages from the vertebrate host. PCR-based assays and the sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene are helpful methods to further characterize this parasite group. The proper classification for the haemogregarine complex is available with the criteria of generic and unique diagnosis of these parasites.
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Úngari LP, Netherlands EC, Quagliatto Santos AL, de Alcantara EP, Emmerich E, da Silva RJ, O’Dwyer LH. A new species, Dactylosoma piperis n. sp. (Apicomplexa, Dactylosomatidae), from the pepper frog Leptodactylus labyrinthicus (Anura, Leptodactylidae) from Mato Grosso State, Brazil. Parasite 2020; 27:73. [PMID: 33332263 PMCID: PMC7746082 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2020070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The Dactylosomatidae Jakowska and Negrelli, 1955 are one of four families belonging to adeleorinid coccidia and comprise the genera Babesiosoma Jakowska and Nigrelli, 1956 and Dactylosoma Labbé, 1894. These blood protozoa occur in peripheral blood of lower vertebrates, and are commonly reported parasitising amphibians. The present study describes Dactylosoma piperis n. sp. from the pepper frog Leptodactylus labyrinthicus (Spix, 1824) (Anura: Leptodactylidae), collected in 2018 at the municipality of Araguaiana, Mato Grosso State, Brazil, based on morphology of intra-erythrocytic trophozoite, primary and secondary merogonic stages and a molecular analysis (partial 18S rDNA). Dactylosoma piperis n. sp. forms a well-supported clade with other Dactylosomatidae. This is the first molecular characterization of a species of Dactylosoma from a Brazilian anuran.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letícia Pereira Úngari
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Setor de Parasitologia, DBBVPZ, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Junior Botucatu CEP 18.618-970 São Paulo Brazil
| | - Edward Charles Netherlands
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Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University Private Bag X6001 Potchefstroom 2520 South Africa
| | - André Luiz Quagliatto Santos
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Laboratório de Ensino e Pesquisa em Animais Silvestres, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia CEP 38.400-902 Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - Edna Paulino de Alcantara
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Setor de Parasitologia, DBBVPZ, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Junior Botucatu CEP 18.618-970 São Paulo Brazil
| | - Enzo Emmerich
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Setor de Parasitologia, DBBVPZ, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Junior Botucatu CEP 18.618-970 São Paulo Brazil
| | - Reinaldo José da Silva
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Setor de Parasitologia, DBBVPZ, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Junior Botucatu CEP 18.618-970 São Paulo Brazil
| | - Lucia Helena O’Dwyer
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Setor de Parasitologia, DBBVPZ, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Junior Botucatu CEP 18.618-970 São Paulo Brazil
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The genetic diversity of blood parasites within the freshwater turtles Mauremys leprosa and Emys orbicularis in Tunisia reveals coinfection with Haemogregarina spp. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:3315-3326. [PMID: 32699938 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06821-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Haemogregarina species are apicomplexan blood parasites infecting vertebrates such as fish, lizards, and turtles. Due to the high morphological similarity of the erythrocytic stages infecting host species, it has always been a challenge to identify the true diversity of these parasites. Therefore, taxonomic studies are presently based on the combination of morphological and molecular data. In Tunisia, two species of Haemogregarina have been reported within the freshwater turtle Mauremys leprosa (Geoemydidae) for more than 40 years. Since M. leprosa occurs in the same aquatic environments as Emys orbicularis (Emydidae) in Tunisia, our objectives were to assess parasite diversity and specificity on the basis of both morphological and molecular approaches. The turtles were surveyed and sampled across six aquatic areas of Tunisia. Among the 39 specimens of M. leprosa and seven of E. orbicularis that were trapped and investigated, the presence of haemogregarines was detected in the blood of turtles only at sites where leeches were observed. Three 18S variants were identified, which corresponded to three distinct Haemogregarina species, among which one was identified as Haemogregarina stepanowi. The two other species that were detected are likely new to science. Because we show the occurrence of more than one blood parasite species within a single host specimen, our study provides the first report of coinfection with molecularly distinct Haemogregarina spp.
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Nordmeyer SC, Henry G, Guerra T, Rodriguez D, Forstner MR, Hahn D. Identification of Blood Parasites in Individuals from Six Families of Freshwater Turtles. CHELONIAN CONSERVATION AND BIOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.2744/ccb-1411.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie C. Nordmeyer
- Texas State University, Department of Biology, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, Texas 78666 USA [; ; ; ; ; ]
| | - Gina Henry
- Texas State University, Department of Biology, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, Texas 78666 USA [; ; ; ; ; ]
| | - Trina Guerra
- Texas State University, Department of Biology, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, Texas 78666 USA [; ; ; ; ; ]
| | - David Rodriguez
- Texas State University, Department of Biology, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, Texas 78666 USA [; ; ; ; ; ]
| | - Michael R.J. Forstner
- Texas State University, Department of Biology, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, Texas 78666 USA [; ; ; ; ; ]
| | - Dittmar Hahn
- Texas State University, Department of Biology, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, Texas 78666 USA [; ; ; ; ; ]
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van As M, Netherlands EC, Smit NJ. Molecular characterisation and morphological description of two new species of Hepatozoon Miller, 1908 (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina: Hepatozoidae) infecting leukocytes of African leopards Panthera pardus pardus (L.). Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:222. [PMID: 32357916 PMCID: PMC7195708 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-3933-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 07/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The African leopard Panthera pardus pardus (L.) is currently listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) red list of threatened species due to ongoing population declines. This implies that leopard-specific parasites are also vulnerable to extinction. Intracellular apicomplexan haemoparasites from the genus Hepatozoon Miller, 1908 have been widely reported from wild carnivores in Africa, including non-specific reports from leopards. This paper describes two new haemogregarines in captive and wild leopards from South Africa and provides a tabular summary of these species in relation to species of Hepatozoon reported from mammalian carnivores. METHODS Blood was collected from nine captive and eight wild leopards at various localities throughout South Africa. Thin blood smears were Giemsa-stained and screened for intraleukocytic haemoparasites. Gamont stages were micrographed and morphometrically compared with existing literature pertaining to infections in felid hosts. Haemogregarine specific primer set 4558F and 2733R was used to target the 18S rRNA gene for molecular analysis. Resulting sequences were compared to each other and with other available representative mammalian carnivore Hepatozoon sequences from GenBank. RESULTS Two species of Hepatozoon were found in captive and wild leopards. Of the 17 leopards screened, eight were infected with one or both morphologically and genetically distinct haemogregarines. When compared with other species of Hepatozoon reported from felids, the two species from this study were morphometrically and molecularly distinct. Species of Hepatozoon from this study were observed to exclusively parasitize a particular type of leukocyte, with Hepatozoon luiperdjie n. sp. infecting neutrophils and Hepatozoon ingwe n. sp. infecting lymphocytes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these haemogregarines are genetically distinct, with Hepatozoon luiperdjie n. sp. and Hepatozoon ingwe n. sp. falling in well supported separate clades. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first morphometric and molecular description of Hepatozoon in captive and wild African leopards in South Africa. This study highlights the value of using both morphometric and molecular characteristics when describing species of Hepatozoon from felid hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle van As
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of the Free State, Qwaqwa campus, Private Bag X13, Phuthaditjhaba, 9866 South Africa
- Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520 South Africa
| | - Edward C. Netherlands
- Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520 South Africa
| | - Nico J. Smit
- Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520 South Africa
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Hitch me a ride: first report of the alien leech Helobdella octatestisaca in Europe associated with freshwater turtles. Biol Invasions 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-019-02076-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Abdel-Haleem HM, Mansour L, Holal M, Qasem MAA, Al-Quraishy S, Abdel-Baki AAS. Molecular characterisation of Hepatozoon aegypti Bashtar, Boulos & Mehlhorn, 1984 parasitising the blood of Spalerosophis diadema (Serpentes: Colubridae). Parasitol Res 2018; 117:3119-3125. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-6006-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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19
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Abstract
Morphological and molecular techniques were used to investigate the presence of hemogregarines and haemosporidians in biological samples of free-living Geoffroy's side-necked turtles (Phrynops geoffroanus) and Giant Amazon turtles (Podocnemis expansa) from Brazil. No evolutionary form of haemosporidians or hemogregarines were observed in the blood smears of 83 P. geoffroanus samples, and there were no meronts in the histological sections of 31 necropsied P. geoffroanus samples. All DNA samples extracted from P. geoffroanus tissues and blood aliquots were negative in haemosporidian PCR assays (based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene) and hemogregarine PCR assays (based on the 18S rRNA gene). In the analysis of blood smears of all seven Podocnemis expansa evaluated, gametocytes of hemogregarines were observed. The seven P. expansa were negative in the haemosporidian PCR assays. Moreover, hemogregarine DNA was detected in blood samples from all of the sampled P. expansa. The phylogenetic maximum likelihood inference and probabilistic Bayesian inference revealed five closely related genotypes that formed a monophyletic group. There was also a sister group to the lineage that consisted of Haemogregarina spp. of freshwater turtles from Canada, Italy, Mozambique, Kenya, Gabon, Vietnam, and China. The findings suggest that free-living P. expansa were parasitized by a new genotype or even a possible new species of the genus Haemogregarina. Haemosporidians and hemogregarines are not frequently found in P. geoffroanus in the studied region under the local conditions of that period.
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Úngari LP, Santos ALQ, O’Dwyer LH, da Silva MRL, de Melo Fava NN, Paiva GCM, de Melo Costa Pinto R, Cury MC. Haemogregarina podocnemis sp. nov.: description of a new species of Haemogregarina Danilewsky 1885 (Adeleina: Haemogregarinaidae) in free-living and captive yellow-spotted river turtles Podocnemis unifilis (Testudines: Podocnemididae) from Brazil. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:1535-1548. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-5817-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Tomé B, Pereira A, Jorge F, Carretero MA, Harris DJ, Perera A. Along for the ride or missing it altogether: exploring the host specificity and diversity of haemogregarines in the Canary Islands. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:190. [PMID: 29554983 PMCID: PMC5859493 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2760-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Host-parasite relationships are expected to be strongly shaped by host specificity, a crucial factor in parasite adaptability and diversification. Because whole host communities have to be considered to assess host specificity, oceanic islands are ideal study systems given their simplified biotic assemblages. Previous studies on insular parasites suggest host range broadening during colonization. Here, we investigate the association between one parasite group (haemogregarines) and multiple sympatric hosts (of three lizard genera: Gallotia, Chalcides and Tarentola) in the Canary Islands. Given haemogregarine characteristics and insular conditions, we hypothesized low host specificity and/or occurrence of host-switching events. Methods A total of 825 samples were collected from the three host taxa inhabiting the seven main islands of the Canarian Archipelago, including locations where the different lizards occurred in sympatry. Blood slides were screened to assess prevalence and parasitaemia, while parasite genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships were inferred from 18S rRNA gene sequences. Results Infection levels and diversity of haplotypes varied geographically and across host groups. Infections were found in all species of Gallotia across the seven islands, in Tarentola from Tenerife, La Gomera and La Palma, and in Chalcides from Tenerife, La Gomera and El Hierro. Gallotia lizards presented the highest parasite prevalence, parasitaemia and diversity (seven haplotypes), while the other two host groups (Chalcides and Tarentola) harbored one haplotype each, with low prevalence and parasitaemia levels, and very restricted geographical ranges. Host-sharing of the same haemogregarine haplotype was only detected twice, but these rare instances likely represent occasional cross-infections. Conclusions Our results suggest that: (i) Canarian haemogregarine haplotypes are highly host-specific, which might have restricted parasite host expansion; (ii) haemogregarines most probably reached the Canary Islands in three colonization events with each host genus; and (iii) the high number of parasite haplotypes infecting Gallotia hosts and their restricted geographical distribution suggest co-diversification. These findings contrast with our expectations derived from results on other insular parasites, highlighting how host specificity depends on parasite characteristics and evolutionary history. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-2760-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Tomé
- CIBIO, InBIO - Research Network in Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal. .,Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Ana Pereira
- CIBIO, InBIO - Research Network in Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal.,Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Fátima Jorge
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, 340 Great King Street, PO Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
| | - Miguel A Carretero
- CIBIO, InBIO - Research Network in Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
| | - D James Harris
- CIBIO, InBIO - Research Network in Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Ana Perera
- CIBIO, InBIO - Research Network in Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
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Oliveira JPD, André MR, Alves Júnior JRF, Lustosa APG, Werther K. Molecular detection of hemogregarines and haemosporidians in Brazilian free-living testudines. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2018; 7:75-84. [PMID: 30050752 PMCID: PMC6058349 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2018.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Revised: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Morphological and molecular techniques were used to investigate the presence of hemogregarines and haemosporidians in biological samples of free-living Geoffroy's side-necked turtles (Phrynops geoffroanus) and Giant Amazon turtles (Podocnemis expansa) from Brazil. No evolutionary form of haemosporidians or hemogregarines were observed in the blood smears of 83 P. geoffroanus samples, and there were no meronts in the histological sections of 31 necropsied P. geoffroanus samples. All DNA samples extracted from P. geoffroanus tissues and blood aliquots were negative in haemosporidian PCR assays (based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene) and hemogregarine PCR assays (based on the 18S rRNA gene). In the analysis of blood smears of all seven Podocnemis expansa evaluated, gametocytes of hemogregarines were observed. The seven P. expansa were negative in the haemosporidian PCR assays. Moreover, hemogregarine DNA was detected in blood samples from all of the sampled P. expansa. The phylogenetic maximum likelihood inference and probabilistic Bayesian inference revealed five closely related genotypes that formed a monophyletic group. There was also a sister group to the lineage that consisted of Haemogregarina spp. of freshwater turtles from Canada, Italy, Mozambique, Kenya, Gabon, Vietnam, and China. The findings suggest that free-living P. expansa were parasitized by a new genotype or even a possible new species of the genus Haemogregarina. Haemosporidians and hemogregarines are not frequently found in P. geoffroanus in the studied region under the local conditions of that period. Hemogregarines was detected in blood samples of free-living Brazilian testudines. Gametocytes of hemogregarines were observed in Podocnemis expansa blood smears. Hemogregarines DNA fragments based on the 18S rRNA gene were detected in P. expansa. We propose that P. expansa were parasitized by a new genotype of Haemogregarina. Haemosporidians was not observed in either P. expansa or Phrynops geoffroanus samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Paula de Oliveira
- São Paulo State University (Unesp), School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Studies, Jaboticabal Campus, Via de Acesso Professor Paulo Donato Castellane s/n, 14.884-900, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- São Paulo State University (Unesp), School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Studies, Jaboticabal Campus, Via de Acesso Professor Paulo Donato Castellane s/n, 14.884-900, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Paula Gomes Lustosa
- Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), National Center for Research and Conservation of Reptiles and Amphibians (RAN), Rua 229, n 95, Setor Leste Universitário, 74.605-090, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Karin Werther
- São Paulo State University (Unesp), School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Studies, Jaboticabal Campus, Via de Acesso Professor Paulo Donato Castellane s/n, 14.884-900, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
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Prevalence and genetic diversity of blood parasite mixed infections in Spanish terrapins, Mauremys leprosa. Parasitology 2017. [PMID: 28641604 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182017000889] [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] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Blood parasites such as haemogregarines and haemosporidians have been identified in almost all groups of vertebrates and may cause serious damages to their hosts. However, very little is known about biodiversity of these parasites and their effects on some groups of reptiles such as terrapins. Moreover, the information on virulence from blood parasites mixed infection is largely unknown in reptiles. With this aim, we investigated for the first time the prevalence and genetic diversity of blood parasites from one genus of haemoparasitic aplicomplexan (Hepatozoon) in two populations of Spanish terrapins (Mauremys leprosa), a semi-aquatic turtle from southwestern Europe with a vulnerable conservation status. We also examined the association between mixed blood parasite infection and indicators of health of terrapins (body condition, haematocrit values and immune response). Blood parasite infection with Hepatozoon spp was detected in 46·4% of 140 examined terrapins. The prevalence of blood parasites infection differed between populations. We found two different lineages of blood parasite, which have not been found in previous studies. Of the turtles with infection, 5·7% harboured mixed infection by the two lineages. There was no difference in body condition between uninfected, single-infected and mixed-infected turtles, but mixed-infected individuals had the lowest values of haematocrit, thus revealing the negative effects of blood parasite mixed infections. Immune response varied among terrapins with different infection status, where mixed infected individuals had higher immune response than uninfected or single-infected terrapins.
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Alhaboubi AR, Pollard DA, Holman PJ. Molecular and morphological characterization of a haemogregarine in the alligator snapping turtle, Macrochelys temminckii (Testudines: Chelydridae). Parasitol Res 2016; 116:207-215. [PMID: 27807618 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5280-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/28/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
A severely underweight alligator snapping turtle Macrochelys temminckii Troost in Harlan, 1835, was found near Tyler, Texas, and taken to the Caldwell Zoo. Blood films were submitted to Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, for morphological and molecular identification of haemogregarine-like inclusions in the red blood cells. Intraerythrocytic Haemogregarina sp. forms were found on microscopic examination at a parasitemia of <1 %. The morphology and morphometric data for the forms indicate similarity to Haemogregarina macrochelysi n. sp. Telford et al., 2009, previously reported in alligator snapping turtles in Florida and Georgia, but two characteristic stage forms were not shared between H. macrochelysi n. sp. and the parasite found in this report. The haemogregarine 18S ribosomal RNA gene (1555-bp fragment) was amplified and cloned, and five clones sequenced. The sequences were deposited in the NCBI GenBank database. All five showed ∼96 % identity to Haemogregarina balli Paterson and Desser, 1976, Hepatozoon sp., and Hemolivia stellata Petit et al., 1990. A 774-bp segment shared 98-99 % identity with the corresponding Haemogregarina sp. rDNA sequence (KR006985) from Caspian turtles (Mauremys caspica McDowell, 1964) in Iran. A neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree generated from aligned sequences from the clones, 26 hematozoa, Adelina dimidiata Schneider, 1875, and Cryptosporidium serpentis Levine, 1980, revealed the cloned sequences clustered on their own branch within the Haemogregarina spp. clade. No genetic data are available for H. macrochelysi n. sp. at this time, so it remains unclear if this parasite in a Texas alligator snapping turtle is conspecific with H. macrochelysi n. sp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amer Rasool Alhaboubi
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX, 77843-4467, USA
| | - Dana A Pollard
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX, 77843-4467, USA
| | - Patricia J Holman
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX, 77843-4467, USA.
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Arizza V, Sacco F, Russo D, Scardino R, Arculeo M, Vamberger M, Marrone F. The good, the bad and the ugly: Emys trinacris, Placobdella costata and Haemogregarina stepanowi in Sicily (Testudines, Annelida and Apicomplexa). Folia Parasitol (Praha) 2016; 63. [DOI: 10.14411/fp.2016.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2016] [Accepted: 06/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Maia JP, Carranza S, Harris DJ. Comments on the Systematic Revision of Adeleid Haemogregarines: Are More Data Needed? J Parasitol 2016; 102:549-552. [PMID: 27385057 DOI: 10.1645/15-930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Haemogregarines are a group of apicomplexan parasites composed of 3 families that infect a wide range of hosts. Many species within these families have been subjected to reclassifications and reassignments, especially because the use of molecular tools to estimate their phylogenetic relationships became more widespread. The 18S rRNA gene has been the only widely used gene for studying the diversity of haemogregarines and recent phylogenetic analyses of this gene have indicated incongruences with the current taxonomy, such that a new genus Bartazoon has recently been proposed. To investigate the current taxonomic situation further, we conducted an overview of all published 18S rRNA sequence data for haemogregarines. We highlight that our understanding of the real diversity and phylogenetic relationships of haemogregarines is still limited, which undermines the proposed systematic revision. Notably all the molecular evidence comes from a single gene, and many studies have shown that single-gene trees often do not reflect species trees. Combined with doubts over the relationships of Hemolivia, the recent identification of a new lineage that could also warrant creation of a new genus, and issues with the type species for Hepatozoon, we suggest that any taxonomic changes now would be premature. In our opinion, type species need to be assessed, sampling across hosts improved, and multiple genes employed prior to taxonomic alterations. Otherwise taxonomic instability will be likely.
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Affiliation(s)
- João P Maia
- * CIBIO Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBIO, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, No. 7, 4485-661 Vairão, Vila do Conde, Portugal. Correspondence should be sent to:
| | | | - D James Harris
- * CIBIO Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBIO, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, No. 7, 4485-661 Vairão, Vila do Conde, Portugal. Correspondence should be sent to:
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Cook CA, Netherlands EC, Smit NJ. Redescription, molecular characterisation and taxonomic re-evaluation of a unique African monitor lizard haemogregarine Karyolysus paradoxa (Dias, 1954) n. comb. (Karyolysidae). Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:347. [PMID: 27305899 PMCID: PMC4910240 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1600-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Within the African monitor lizard family Varanidae, two haemogregarine genera have been reported. These comprise five species of Hepatozoon Miller, 1908 and a species of Haemogregarina Danilewsky, 1885. Even though other haemogregarine genera such as Hemolivia Petit, Landau, Baccam & Lainson, 1990 and Karyolysus Labbé, 1894 have been reported parasitising other lizard families, these have not been found infecting the Varanidae. The genus Karyolysus has to date been formally described and named only from lizards of the family Lacertidae and to the authors' knowledge, this includes only nine species. Molecular characterisation using fragments of the 18S gene has only recently been completed for but two of these species. To date, three Hepatozoon species are known from southern African varanids, one of these Hepatozoon paradoxa (Dias, 1954) shares morphological characteristics alike to species of the family Karyolysidae. Thus, this study aimed to morphologically redescribe and characterise H. paradoxa molecularly, so as to determine its taxonomic placement. METHODS Specimens of Varanus albigularis albigularis Daudin, 1802 (Rock monitor) and Varanus niloticus (Linnaeus in Hasselquist, 1762) (Nile monitor) were collected from the Ndumo Game Reserve, South Africa. Upon capture animals were examined for haematophagous arthropods. Blood was collected, thin blood smears prepared, stained with Giemsa, screened and micrographs of parasites captured. Haemogregarine morphometric data were compared with the data for named haemogregarines of African varanids. Primer set HepF300 and HepR900 was employed to target a fragment of the 18S rRNA gene and resulting sequences compared with other known haemogregarine sequences selected from the GenBank database. RESULTS Hepatozoon paradoxa was identified infecting two out of eight (25 %) V. a. albigularis and a single (100 %) V. niloticus examined. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that H. paradoxa clustered with the 'Karyolysus' clade, and not with those of reptilian Hepatozoon spp. CONCLUSIONS In addition to this being the first morphological and molecular characterisation of a haemogregarine within the African Varanidae, it is the first report of a species of Karyolysus infecting the monitor lizard family. Furthermore, this constitutes now only the third described and named Karyolysus species for which there is a nucleotide sequence available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney A Cook
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
| | - Edward C Netherlands
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
- Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology, Evolution and Conservation, University of Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nico J Smit
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
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Rakhshandehroo E, Sharifiyazdi H, Ahmadi A. Morphological and molecular characterisation of Haemogregarina sp. (Apicomplexa: Adeleina: Haemogregarinidae) from the blood of the Caspian freshwater turtle Mauremys caspica (Gmelin) (Geoemydidae) in Iran. Syst Parasitol 2016; 93:517-24. [PMID: 27221004 DOI: 10.1007/s11230-016-9643-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
To date, a number of species of Haemogregarina have been described from different turtle hosts, mainly based on the morphology of the developmental stages detected in the host erythrocytes. The diversity and overlapping morphological features in the old and recent descriptions has led to considerable complications in the taxonomy of Haemogregarina spp. In this study, different stages of maturity and developing gamonts of a putative new species of Haemogregarina were detected in erythrocytes of the Caspian turtle Mauremys caspica (Gmelin) (Geoemydidae) originating from a southern province in Iran. Although some of the morphological characteristics were consistent with Haemogregarina stepanowi Danilewsky, 1885, some new observations were made, particularly in the gamont stage. The phylogenetic analysis based on 18S rDNA sequences revealed that the present isolate appears as basal to a large clade of Haemogregarina spp. with sequences available in the GenBank database. In accordance with the phylogenetic results, the present Iranian isolate showed a higher degree of interspecific divergence (up to 3.3%) compared to the data for the taxa available in the GenBank database. Thus, molecular data indicate that this isolate may represent a new species. However, further genetic analyses are needed as a complementary tool to the morphological characterisation in order to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships of Haemogregarina spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Rakhshandehroo
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, P.O. Box 1731, 71345, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Hassan Sharifiyazdi
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, P.O. Box 1731, 71345, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Amin Ahmadi
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, P.O. Box 1731, 71345, Shiraz, Iran
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Cook CA, Netherlands EC, Smit NJ. FirstHemoliviafrom southern Africa: reassigning chelonianHaemogregarina parvulaDias, 1953 (Adeleorina: Haemogregarinidae) toHemolivia(Adeleorina: Karyolysidae). AFRICAN ZOOLOGY 2015. [DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2015.1044467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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