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Springer A, Durden LA, Kiene F, Klein A, Rakotondravony R, Ehlers J, Greiman SE, Blanco MB, Zohdy S, Kessler SE, Strube C, Radespiel U. Molecular phylogenetics of the sucking louse genus Lemurpediculus (Insecta: Phthiraptera), ectoparasites of lemurs, with descriptions of three new species. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2023; 20:138-152. [PMID: 36845223 PMCID: PMC9945782 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Sucking lice live in intimate association with their hosts and often display a high degree of host specificity. The present study investigated sucking lice of the genus Lemurpediculus from six mouse lemur (Microcebus) and two dwarf lemur (Cheirogaleus) species endemic to the island of Madagascar, considered a biodiversity hotspot. Louse phylogenetic trees were created based on cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI), elongation factor 1α (EF1α) and internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) sequences. While clustering according to host species was generally observed for COI and ITS1, suggesting high host specificity of the examined lice, EF1α sequences alone did not distinguish between lice of different Microcebus species, possibly due to rather recent divergence. As bootstrap support for basal tree structure was rather low, further data are necessary to resolve the evolutionary history of louse-mouse lemur associations. Three new species of sucking lice are described: Lemurpediculus zimmermanni sp. Nov. From Microcebus ravelobensis, Lemurpediculus gerpi sp.nov. from Microcebus gerpi, and Lemurpediculus tsimanampesotsae sp. nov. from Microcebus griseorufus. These new species are compared with all known congeneric species and identifying features are illustrated for all known species of Lemurpediculus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Springer
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany
| | - Lance A. Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, 4324 Old Register Road, Statesboro, GA, 30458, USA
| | - Frederik Kiene
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany,Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30173, Hannover, Germany
| | - Annette Klein
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Romule Rakotondravony
- École Doctorale Ecosystèmes Naturels (EDEN), University of Mahajanga, 5 Rue Georges V - Immeuble KAKAL, Mahajanga Be, B.P. 652, Mahajanga 401, Madagascar,Faculté des Sciences, de Technologies et de l’Environnement, University of Mahajanga, 5 Rue Georges V - Immeuble KAKAL, Mahajanga Be, B.P. 652. Mahajanga 401, Madagascar
| | - Julian Ehlers
- Animal Ecology and Conservation, Institute of Cell and Systems Biology of Animals, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stephen E. Greiman
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, 4324 Old Register Road, Statesboro, GA, 30458, USA
| | - Marina B. Blanco
- Duke Lemur Center, Durham, NC, 27705, USA,Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Sarah Zohdy
- School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| | - Sharon E. Kessler
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, Scotland, UK
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany,Corresponding author.
| | - Ute Radespiel
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany,Corresponding author.
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Wang W, Durden LA, Shao R. Two New Species of Sucking Lice (Psocodea: Phthiraptera: Hoplopleuridae) from Chestnut Mice, Pseudomys gracilicaudatus and Pseudomys nanus (Rodentia: Muridae), in Australia. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:1157-1165. [PMID: 33576393 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
We describe two new species of sucking lice in the genus Hoplopleura Enderlein, 1904 (Psocodea: Phthiraptera: Hoplopleuridae) from Australia: Hoplopleura gracilicaudatusa n. sp. from the eastern chestnut mouse Pseudomys gracilicaudatus (Gould) (Rodentia: Muridae), and Hoplopleura nanusa n. sp. from the western chestnut mouse Pseudomys nanus (Gould) (Rodentia: Muridae). Pseudomys Gray is the most speciose genus of rodents endemic to Australia with 24 species; however, only two Pseudomys species have been reported previously to be hosts of sucking lice. The description of the new species in the present study doubles the number of sucking louse species known to parasitize Pseudomys mice and increases the total number of sucking louse species known from endemic Australian rodents from 21 to 23. Pseudomys gracilicaudatus and P. nanus are closely related murines that diverged ~1 MYA with distinct and widely separated extant geographic distributions. The two new Hoplopleura species described in the present study share some morphological characters and likely co-evolved and co-speciated with their chestnut mouse hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- GeneCology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
| | - Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
| | - Renfu Shao
- GeneCology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
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Durden LA, Kessler SE, Radespiel U, Hasiniaina AF, Stekolnikov AA, Chalkowski K, Zohdy S. Host Associations of Ectoparasites of the Gray Mouse Lemur, Microcebus murinus, in Northwestern Madagascar. J Parasitol 2021; 107:108-114. [PMID: 33567091 DOI: 10.1645/20-145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Eight species of ectoparasites were collected during 225 gray mouse lemur, Microcebus murinus (J. F. Miller), captures, in Ankarafantsika National Park, Madagascar, in 2010-2011. The ixodid tick, Haemaphysalis lemuris Hoogstraal, was the most common ectoparasite and was mostly represented by nymphs. Other ectoparasites recorded include the polyplacid sucking louse, Lemurpediculus madagascariensis Durden, Kessler, Radespiel, Zimmermann, Hasiniaina, and Zohdy; the ixodid tick, Haemaphysalis simplex Neumann; an undescribed laelapid mite in the genus Aetholaelaps; another laelapid belonging to the genus Androlaelaps; the chigger mite Schoutedenichia microcebi Stekolnikov; an undescribed species of atopomelid mite in the genus Listrophoroides; and an undescribed species of psoroptid mite in the genus Cheirogalalges. Except for the 2 species of ticks and 1 species of chigger, these ectoparasites may be host-specific to M. murinus. Total tick (H. lemuris and H. simplex) infestation was significantly greater in August than October, whereas louse (L. madagascariensis) infestation was significantly greater in October. There was no significant difference in tick infestations between male and female lemurs, but male lemurs had significantly more lice than female lemurs. Reproductive status was not a significant predictor of tick infestation in males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, 4324 Old Register Road, Statesboro, Georgia 30458
| | - Sharon E Kessler
- Department of Psychology, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, Scotland, United Kingdom.,Department of Anthropology, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
| | - Ute Radespiel
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Alida F Hasiniaina
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany.,Facultés des Sciences, Technologies et de l'Environnement, Université de Mahajanga, Rue Georges V - Immeuble KAKAL, Mahajanga Be, B.P. 652, Mahajanga 401, Madagascar
| | - Alexandr A Stekolnikov
- Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Universitetskaya embankment 1, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Kayleigh Chalkowski
- School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, College of Veterinary Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849
| | - Sarah Zohdy
- School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, College of Veterinary Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849
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Wang W, Durden LA, Weaver H, Shao R. Eight New Species of Sucking Lice (Psocodea: Phthiraptera) From Endemic Murine Rodents in Australia and an Updated Identification Key. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:298-319. [PMID: 33237301 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Based on a comprehensive study of museum specimens, eight new species of sucking lice of the genus Hoplopleura Enderlein, 1904 (Psocodea: Phthiraptera: Hoplopleuridae), are described from six genera of Australian Old Endemic rodents: Conilurus Ogilby, 1838 (Rodentia: Muridae), Leggadina Thomas, 1910 (Rodentia: Muridae), Leporillus Thomas, 1906 (Rodentia: Muridae), Mesembriomys Palmer, 1906 (Rodentia: Muridae), Pogonomys Milne-Edwards, 1877 (Rodentia: Muridae), and Xeromys Thomas, 1889 (Rodentia: Muridae). The description of these new species increases the number of sucking louse species from endemic Australian rodents from 13 to 21 and extends the records of sucking lice to all of the 14 genera of endemic rodents in Australia. Our results show that sucking lice are much more diverse among rodents in Australia than previously known. Furthermore, the Australian Hoplopleura species are host specific-each Hoplopleura species, including the eight new species described in the present study, parasitizes only a single host species, except Hoplopleura irritans Kuhn and Ludwig, 1967 (Psocodea: Phthiraptera: Hoplopleuridae) and Hoplopleura melomydis Weaver, 2017 (Psocodea: Phthiraptera: Hoplopleuridae), each of which is found on two host species. An updated dichotomous key for identifying Australian Hoplopleura species is included.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- GeneCology Research Centre, School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
| | - Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
| | - Haylee Weaver
- Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Canberra ACT, Australia
| | - Renfu Shao
- GeneCology Research Centre, School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
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Kiene F, Andriatsitohaina B, Ramsay MS, Rakotondramanana H, Rakotondravony R, Radespiel U, Strube C. Forest edges affect ectoparasite infestation patterns of small mammalian hosts in fragmented forests in Madagascar. Int J Parasitol 2020; 50:299-313. [PMID: 32224123 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Habitat loss and fragmentation drive the worldwide depletion of biodiversity. Although it is known that anthropogenic disturbances severely affect host and ecosystem integrity, effects on parasites are largely understudied. This study aims to investigate if and how habitat fragmentation affects the composition of ectoparasite communities on small mammalian hosts in two networks of dry deciduous forest fragments in northwestern Madagascar. Forest sites differing in size, proportion of edge habitat and host density were studied in the Ankarafantsika National Park and in the Mariarano region. A total of 924 individuals of two mouse lemur species, Microcebus murinus (n = 200) and Microcebus ravelobensis (n = 426), and two rodent species, endemic Eliurus myoxinus (n = 114) and introduced Rattus rattus (n = 184), were captured to assess ectoparasite infestations. Ectoparasite prevalence and ectoparasite species richness were statistically related to nine ecological variables applying generalized linear mixed models. Hosts harbored ticks (Haemaphysalis microcebi), mites (Schoutedenichia microcebi, Listrophoroides spp., Laelaptidae gen. spp.) and sucking lice (Lemurpediculus spp., Polyplax sp., Hoplopleuridae gen. sp.). Parasite prevalence differed significantly between host species for all detected parasite taxa. Proximity to the forest edge led to a significant reduction in ectoparasites. Parasite-specific edge effects were observed up to a distance of 750 m from the forest edge. The obtained results imply that habitat fragmentation impacts ectoparasite communities, in particular by negatively affecting temporary parasite species. The results are best explained by an interplay of parasite life cycles, responses to changes in abiotic factors induced by edges and host-specific responses to habitat fragmentation. The negative responses of most studied ectoparasite taxa to forest edges and habitat fragmentation demonstrate their ecological vulnerability that may eventually threaten the integrity of ecosystems and potentially impact ectoparasite biodiversity worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederik Kiene
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany; Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany
| | - Bertrand Andriatsitohaina
- Ecole Doctorale Ecosystèmes Naturels (EDEN), University of Mahajanga, 5 Rue Georges V - Immeuble KAKAL, Mahajanga Be, B.P. 652, Mahajanga 401, Madagascar; Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany
| | - Malcolm S Ramsay
- Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto, 19 Russell Street, Toronto, ON M5S 2S2, Canada; Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany
| | - Herinjatovo Rakotondramanana
- Faculté des Sciences, de Technologies et de l'Environnement, University of Mahajanga, 5 Rue Georges V - Immeuble KAKAL, Mahajanga Be, B.P. 652, Mahajanga 401, Madagascar
| | - Romule Rakotondravony
- Ecole Doctorale Ecosystèmes Naturels (EDEN), University of Mahajanga, 5 Rue Georges V - Immeuble KAKAL, Mahajanga Be, B.P. 652, Mahajanga 401, Madagascar; Faculté des Sciences, de Technologies et de l'Environnement, University of Mahajanga, 5 Rue Georges V - Immeuble KAKAL, Mahajanga Be, B.P. 652, Mahajanga 401, Madagascar
| | - Ute Radespiel
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany.
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany.
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Durden LA, Robinson C, Cook JA, McLean BS, Nyamsuren B, Greiman SE. A New Species of Sucking Louse from the Long-Tailed Ground Squirrel, Urocitellus undulatus, from Mongolia, with a Key to Species, and a Review of Host Associations and Geographical Distributions of Members of the Genus Linognathoides (Psocodea: Anoplura: Polyplacidae). J Parasitol 2019. [DOI: 10.1645/18-198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lance A. Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia 30458
| | - Chase Robinson
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia 30458
| | - Joseph A. Cook
- Museum of Southwestern Biology and Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131
| | - Bryan S. McLean
- Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611
| | - Batsaikhan Nyamsuren
- Department of Biology, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia 11000
| | - Stephen E. Greiman
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia 30458
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Klein A, Zimmermann E, Radespiel U, Schaarschmidt F, Springer A, Strube C. Ectoparasite communities of small-bodied Malagasy primates: seasonal and socioecological influences on tick, mite and lice infestation of Microcebus murinus and M. ravelobensis in northwestern Madagascar. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:459. [PMID: 30089527 PMCID: PMC6083607 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3034-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ectoparasitic infections are of particular interest for endangered wildlife, as ectoparasites are potential vectors for inter- and intraspecific pathogen transmission and may be indicators to assess the health status of endangered populations. Here, ectoparasite dynamics in sympatric populations of two Malagasy mouse lemur species, Microcebus murinus and M. ravelobensis, were investigated over an 11-month period. Furthermore, the animals' body mass was determined as an indicator of body condition, reflecting seasonal and environmental challenges. Living in sympatry, the two study species experience the same environmental conditions, but show distinct differences in socioecology: Microcebus murinus sleeps in tree holes, either solitarily (males) or sometimes in groups (females only), whereas M. ravelobensis sleeps in mixed-sex groups in more open vegetation. RESULTS Both mouse lemur species hosted ticks (Haemaphysalis sp.), lice (Lemurpediculus sp.) and mites (Trombiculidae gen. sp. and Laelaptidae gen. sp.). Host species, as well as temporal variations (month and year), were identified as the main factors influencing infestation. Tick infestation peaked in the late dry season and was significantly more often observed in M. murinus (P = 0.011), while lice infestation was more likely in M. ravelobensis (P < 0.001) and showed a continuous increase over the course of the dry season. Genetic analyses identified Lemurpediculus sp. infesting both mouse lemur species. Ticks morphologically conform to H. lemuris, but genetic analysis showed a clear differentiation of the specimens collected in this study, suggesting a potentially new tick species. Host body mass decreased from the early to the late dry season, indicating nutritional stress during this period, which may render individuals more susceptible to parasitic infections. CONCLUSIONS Seasonal differences and species-specific variations in sleeping site ecology in terms of sleeping site type and sociality were determined as key factors influencing ectoparasitism in M. murinus and M. ravelobensis. This needs to be taken into account when evaluating ectoparasite infestations at a given time point. The detection of the same parasite species on two closely related and sympatric host species furthermore indicates a potential pathway for disease transmission, not only within but also between lemur species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Klein
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany
| | - Elke Zimmermann
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany
| | - Ute Radespiel
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany
| | - Frank Schaarschmidt
- Institute of Biostatistics, Leibniz University Hannover, Herrenhäuser Str. 2, 30419 Hanover, Germany
| | - Andrea Springer
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany
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