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Diagnostic Clinical Pathology of Tortoises. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract 2022; 25:755-783. [PMID: 36122950 DOI: 10.1016/j.cvex.2022.05.007] [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: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Clinicopathologic evaluation of terrestrial tortoises is useful for health assessment and monitoring. There are specific considerations when evaluating data from these species, including sex, age, time of year/season, reproductive status, diet, captive versus wild, geographic location, methodology, and anticoagulant. The authors describe sample collection, hematology, biochemistry, and urinalysis features of terrestrial tortoises and discuss clinical relevance.
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Gentil E, de Medeiros LA, Vogt RC, Barnett AA. Biology of the Big-headed Amazon River Turtle, Peltocephalus dumerilianus (Schweigger, 1812) (Testudines, Pleurodira): the basal extant Podocnemididae species. HERPETOZOA 2021. [DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.34.e67807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We review the extent and nature of scientific knowledge of the Big-headed Amazon River Turtle, Peltocephalus dumerilianus, covering distribution, morphology, taxonomy, diet, behaviour, reproduction, and ecology. We discuss the phylogenetic position of the species and its evolutionary relationships with the other podocnemidids, comparing morphological, karyological and molecular information. Also, we describe the importance of this species and its relationship with traditional Amazonian communities, including capture techniques, uses, beliefs and taboos. Finally, we comment on the conservation status of the species and the urgent need for additional studies. Besides discussing and reinterpreting published data, we provide new information from recent genetic studies, field activities and captive observations.
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Pacheco MA, Ceríaco LMP, Matta NE, Vargas-Ramírez M, Bauer AM, Escalante AA. A phylogenetic study of Haemocystidium parasites and other Haemosporida using complete mitochondrial genome sequences. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2020; 85:104576. [PMID: 33002605 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2020.104576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Haemosporida are diverse vector-borne parasites associated with terrestrial vertebrates. Driven by the interest in species causing malaria (genus Plasmodium), the diversity of avian and mammalian haemosporidian species has been extensively studied, relying mostly on mitochondrial genes, particularly cytochrome b. However, parasites from reptiles have been neglected in biodiversity surveys. Reptilian haemosporidian parasites include Haemocystidium, a genus that shares morphological features with Plasmodium and Haemoproteus. Here, the first complete Haemocystidium mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genomes are studied. In particular, three mtDNA genomes from Haemocystidium spp. sampled in Africa, Oceania, and South America, are described. The Haemocystidium mtDNA genomes showed a high A + T content and a gene organization, including an extreme fragmentation of the rRNAs, found in other Haemosporida. These Haemocystidium mtDNA genomes were incorporated in phylogenetic and molecular clock analyses together with a representative sample of haemosporidian parasites from birds, mammals, and reptiles. The recovered phylogeny supported Haemocystidium as a monophyletic group apart from Plasmodium and other Haemosporida. Both the phylogenetic and molecular clock analyses yielded results consistent with a scenario in which haemosporidian parasites radiated with modern birds. Haemocystidium, like mammalian parasite clades, seems to originate from host switches by avian Haemosporida that allowed for the colonization of new vertebrate hosts. This hypothesis can be tested by investigating additional parasite species from all vertebrate hosts, particularly from reptiles. The mtDNA genomes reported here provide baseline data that can be used to scale up studies in haemosporidian parasites of reptiles using barcode approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Andreína Pacheco
- Biology Department/Institute of Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine (iGEM), Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122-1801, USA
| | - Luis M P Ceríaco
- Museu de História Natural e da Ciência da Universidade do Porto, Praça de Gomes Teixeira, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal; Departamento de Zoologia e Antropología (Museu Bocage), Museu Nacional de História Natural e da Ciência, Universidade de Lisboa, Rua da Escola Politécnica, 58, 1269-102 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Nubia E Matta
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá, Carrera 30 No 45-03, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Mario Vargas-Ramírez
- Instituto de Genética, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá, Carrera 30 No 45-03, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Aaron M Bauer
- Department of Biology and Center for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Stewardship, Villanova University, 800 Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, PA 19085-1699, USA
| | - Ananias A Escalante
- Biology Department/Institute of Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine (iGEM), Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122-1801, USA.
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Raskin RE, Crosby FL, Jacobson ER. Newly recognized Anaplasma sp. in erythrocytes from Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus). Vet Clin Pathol 2020; 49:17-22. [PMID: 32060958 DOI: 10.1111/vcp.12823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2015, a previously unrecognized intracytoplasmic erythrocytic inclusion was discovered in anemic wild-caught adult gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus). Subsequently, molecular diagnostics revealed this inclusion to be a novel Anaplasma sp. OBJECTIVES The goal of this study was to morphologically characterize these erythrocytic inclusions by light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). METHODS Blood samples were taken from two car-injured wild-caught gopher tortoises for the preparation of Wright-Giemsa stained smears and TEM specimens. CBC data were serially performed and morphologically examined during treatment periods. RESULTS Studies revealed a moderate to severe anemia with moderate regeneration as indicated by polychromasia and the presence of immature erythroid precursors. In addition, on light microscopy, one to two variably-sized round basophilic stippled paracentral erythrocytic inclusions were present per cell in both animals and involved 10%-25% of erythrocytes. TEM identified the intraerythrocytic inclusions as discrete membrane-bound cytoplasmic vacuoles (morulae) containing membrane-bound bacterial subunits that were of variable size, shape, and electron density. Serial hematologic data indicated complete remission of the infection in response to a single long-term course of doxycycline. CONCLUSIONS The presence of a regenerative anemia in gopher tortoises from Florida revealed a newly recognized bacterial species that has morphologic characteristics similar to members of the genus Anaplasma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rose E Raskin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Francy L Crosby
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Elliott R Jacobson
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Further characterisation of Haemocystidium chelodinae-like Haemoproteidae isolated from the Bellinger River snapping turtle (Myuchelys georgesi). Parasitol Res 2019; 119:601-609. [PMID: 31754857 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06547-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The Bellinger River snapping turtle (Myuchelys georgesi) is endemic to Australia and is confined to a highly restricted distribution in the Bellinger River in New South Wales. Routine veterinary health examinations of 17 healthy turtles were undertaken, along with the collection and analysis of blood samples, during conservation efforts to save the species following a catastrophic population decline. Microscopy analysis of blood films detected Haemoproteidae parasites that morphologically resembled Haemocystidium chelodinae inside turtle erythrocytes. Of the 17 turtles examined, 16 were positive for infection with H. chelodinae by both light microscopy and PCR. DNA sequencing of a partial fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb) gene and phylogenetic analysis identified two different H. chelodinae-like genotypes. The phylogenetic relationship of H. chelodinae-like to other Haemoproteidae species based on cytb sequences grouped H. chelodinae-like into the reptile clade, but revealed the Haemocystidium genus to be paraphyletic as the clade also contained Haemoproteus, thus supporting a re-naming of Haemoproteus species from reptiles to Haemocystidium species. This study reports for the first time the genetic characterisation of H. chelodinae-like organisms isolated from a new Testudine host species, the Bellinger River snapping turtle. As evidence grows, further research will be necessary to understand the mode of transmission and to investigate whether these parasites are pathogenic to their hosts.
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González LP, Pacheco MA, Escalante AA, Jiménez Maldonado AD, Cepeda AS, Rodríguez-Fandiño OA, Vargas-Ramírez M, Matta NE. Haemocystidium spp., a species complex infecting ancient aquatic turtles of the family Podocnemididae: First report of these parasites in Podocnemis vogli from the Orinoquia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2019; 10:299-309. [PMID: 31867209 PMCID: PMC6906830 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The genus Haemocystidium was described in 1904 by Castellani and Willey. However, several studies considered it a synonym of the genera Plasmodium or Haemoproteus. Recently, molecular evidence has shown the existence of a monophyletic group that corresponds to the genus Haemocystidium. Here, we further explore the clade Haemocystidium spp. by studying parasites from Testudines. A total of 193 individuals belonging to six families of Testudines were analyzed. The samples were collected in five localities in Colombia: Casanare, Vichada, Arauca, Antioquia, and Córdoba. From each individual, a blood sample was taken for molecular analysis, and peripheral blood smears were made, which were fixed and subsequently stained with Giemsa. The prevalence of Haemocystidium spp. was 1.55% (n = 3/193); all infected individuals belonged to Podocnemis vogli (Savanna Side-necked turtle) from the department of Vichada. This is the first report of Haemocystidium spp. in Colombia and in this turtle species. The phylogenetic analysis of a mitochondrial cytb fragment revealed Haemocystidium spp. as a monophyletic group and as a sister taxon of Haemoproteus catharti and the genus Plasmodium. Haemocystidium spp. are difficult to identify by morphology only. As a result, it is possible that some of the taxa, such as Haemocystidium (Simondia) pacayae, represent a species complex. The parasite found in our study is morphologically indistinguishable from Haemocystidium (Simondia) pacayae reported in Peru. However, the new lineage found in P. vogli shows a genetic distance of 0.02 with Hae. pacayae and 0.04 with Hae. peltocephali. It is proposed that this divergent lineage might be a new species. Nevertheless, additional molecular markers and ecological features could support this hypothesis in the future. Haemocystidium spp. now reported in Podocnemis vogli in Colombia. Haemocystidium spp. are cryptic species in Podocnemididae. Our data support that Haemocystidium is a monophyletic group that shares a recent common ancestor with the genus Plasmodium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leydy P González
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá, Carrera 30 No 45-03, Bogotá, Colombia.,Instituto de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá, Carrera 30 No 45-03, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - M Andreína Pacheco
- Department of Biology/Institute for Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine (iGEM), Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ananías A Escalante
- Department of Biology/Institute for Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine (iGEM), Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Andrés David Jiménez Maldonado
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá, Carrera 30 No 45-03, Bogotá, Colombia.,Instituto de Genética, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá, Carrera 30 No 45-03, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Axl S Cepeda
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá, Carrera 30 No 45-03, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Oscar A Rodríguez-Fandiño
- Fundación Universitaria-Unitrópico, Dirección de Investigación, Grupo de Investigación en Ciencias Biológicas de la Orinoquía (GINBIO), Colombia
| | - Mario Vargas-Ramírez
- Instituto de Genética, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá, Carrera 30 No 45-03, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Nubia E Matta
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá, Carrera 30 No 45-03, Bogotá, Colombia
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Goes VC, Brito ES, Valadao RM, Gutierrez CO, Picelli AM, Viana LA. Haemogregarine (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina) infection in Vanderhaege's toad-headed turtle, Mesoclemmys vanderhaegei (Chelidae), from a Brazilian Neotropical savanna region. Folia Parasitol (Praha) 2018; 65. [PMID: 30275346 DOI: 10.14411/fp.2018.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Knowledge of blood parasites in Brazilian chelonians is limited, since they have been recorded in only six species. Mesoclemmys vanderhaegei (Bour) is a freshwater turtle with a wide geographic distribution in Brazil, but there is little information about its natural history. This paper reports on a study of the prevalence and infection intensity of a haemogregarine in two subpopulations of M. vanderhaegei. The study was conducted in two areas of Cerrado in the Upper Paraguay River basin in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, between November 2010 and August 2013. Ninety-five (53%) of the 179 turtles captured were positive for haemogregarine parasites. The parasitic forms observed were two morphotypes of intraerythrocytic gametocytes. The prevalence differed between size classes, increasing significantly according to the animals' body size. There was no significant difference between prevalence and sex, or between sampling periods. The mean parasite intensity was 9 parasites/2,000 erythrocytes (0.45%) and the parasite population presented an aggregated distribution, with an aggregation index of 19 and discrepancy of 0.772. This is the first record of a hemoparasite in the freshwater turtle M. vanderhaegei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinicius C Goes
- Laboratorio de Parasitologia Animal, Centro de Ciencias Biologicas e da Saude, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Elizangela S Brito
- Programa de Pos-graduacao em Ciencias Veterinarias, Faculdade de Agronomia, Medicina Veterinaria e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiaba, Brazil
| | - Rafael M Valadao
- Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservacao da Biodiversidade, Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservacao de Repteis e Anfibios, Goiania, Brazil
| | - Camila O Gutierrez
- Laboratorio de Parasitologia Animal, Centro de Ciencias Biologicas e da Saude, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Amanda M Picelli
- Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Zoologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Lucio A Viana
- Departamento de Ciencias Biologicas e da Saude, Universidade Federal do Amapa, Macapa, Brazil
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Ramasindrazana B, Goodman SM, Dsouli N, Gomard Y, Lagadec E, Randrianarivelojosia M, Dellagi K, Tortosa P. Polychromophilus spp. (Haemosporida) in Malagasy bats: host specificity and insights on invertebrate vectors. Malar J 2018; 17:318. [PMID: 30170583 PMCID: PMC6119311 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-018-2461-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bats are home to diverse haemosporidian parasites namely Plasmodium and Plasmodium-related. While information is available at a worldwide level, haemosporidian infection in bats from Madagascar is still scarce and recent changes in the taxonomy of the island’s bat fauna, particularly the description of several new species, require a reassessment of previously described patterns, including blood parasite ecology and vectorial transmission. Methods A sample representing seven of the nine known bat families and 31 of the 46 currently recognized taxa from Madagascar and collected in the western and central portions of the island were screened by PCR for the presence of Polychromophilus. In addition, Nycteribiidae flies parasitizing Miniopteridae and Vespertilionidae were screened for parasites with the aim to better understand aspects of vector transmission. Phylogenetic reconstruction using the mitochondrial cytochrome b encoding gene was used in a Bayesian analysis to examine the relationship between Polychromophilus recovered from Malagasy bats and those identified elsewhere. Results Polychromophilus infection was restricted to Miniopterus spp. (Miniopteridae), Myotis goudoti (Vespertilionidae), and Paratriaenops furculus (Rhinonycteridae), with an overall infection rate of 13.5%. Polychromophilus melanipherus was found infecting Miniopterus spp. and P. furculus, whereas Polychromophilus murinus was only recovered from M. goudoti. These two protozoan parasites species were also detected in bat flies species known to parasitize Miniopterus spp. and M. goudoti, respectively. Generalized linear model analyses were conducted to elucidate the effect of species and sex on haemoparasites infection in Miniopterus spp., which revealed that males have higher risk of infection than females and prevalence differed according to the considered Miniopterus host. Molecular screening of nycteribiid flies revealed three positive species for Polychromophilus spp., including Penicillidia sp. (cf. fulvida), Penicillidia leptothrinax, and Nycteribia stylidiopsis. These three fly species are known to parasitize Miniopterus spp. and M. goudoti and should be considered as potential vectors of Polychromophilus spp. Conclusion Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated the existence of at least four distinct clades within the genus Polychromophilus, two of which were documented in the present study. The screening of nycteribiid flies overlaid on the highly diversified genus Miniopterus, provides considerable insight into parasite transmission, with bat infection being associated with their roosting behaviour and the occurrence of specific arthropod vectors. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12936-018-2461-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beza Ramasindrazana
- UMR PIMIT "Processus Infectieux en Milieu Insulaire Tropical", INSERM 1187, CNRS 9192, IRD 249, Plateforme de Recherche CYROI, Université de La Réunion, 97490, Sainte Clotilde, La Réunion, France. .,Association Vahatra, BP 3972, 101, Antananarivo, Madagascar. .,Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, BP 1274, Ambatofotsikely, 101, Antananarivo, Madagascar.
| | - Steven M Goodman
- Association Vahatra, BP 3972, 101, Antananarivo, Madagascar.,The Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL, 60605, USA
| | - Najla Dsouli
- UMR PIMIT "Processus Infectieux en Milieu Insulaire Tropical", INSERM 1187, CNRS 9192, IRD 249, Plateforme de Recherche CYROI, Université de La Réunion, 97490, Sainte Clotilde, La Réunion, France
| | - Yann Gomard
- UMR PIMIT "Processus Infectieux en Milieu Insulaire Tropical", INSERM 1187, CNRS 9192, IRD 249, Plateforme de Recherche CYROI, Université de La Réunion, 97490, Sainte Clotilde, La Réunion, France
| | - Erwan Lagadec
- UMR PIMIT "Processus Infectieux en Milieu Insulaire Tropical", INSERM 1187, CNRS 9192, IRD 249, Plateforme de Recherche CYROI, Université de La Réunion, 97490, Sainte Clotilde, La Réunion, France
| | - Milijaona Randrianarivelojosia
- Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, BP 1274, Ambatofotsikely, 101, Antananarivo, Madagascar.,Faculté des Sciences, Université de Toliara, 601, Toliara, Madagascar
| | - Koussay Dellagi
- UMR PIMIT "Processus Infectieux en Milieu Insulaire Tropical", INSERM 1187, CNRS 9192, IRD 249, Plateforme de Recherche CYROI, Université de La Réunion, 97490, Sainte Clotilde, La Réunion, France.,Institut Pasteur (International Division), 25-28 Rue du Dr Roux, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Pablo Tortosa
- UMR PIMIT "Processus Infectieux en Milieu Insulaire Tropical", INSERM 1187, CNRS 9192, IRD 249, Plateforme de Recherche CYROI, Université de La Réunion, 97490, Sainte Clotilde, La Réunion, France
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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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Boundenga L, Perkins SL, Ollomo B, Rougeron V, Leroy EM, Renaud F, Prugnolle F. Haemosporidian Parasites of Reptiles and Birds from Gabon, Central Africa. J Parasitol 2017; 103:330-337. [PMID: 28509658 DOI: 10.1645/16-118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Haemosporidian parasites are protozoans that infect many different vertebrate hosts. Re-examination of the diversity of haemosporidian parasites, using molecular tools, has generally led to rearrangements of traditional classifications. In this study, we explored the diversity of haemosporidian parasites infecting some species of reptile and birds living in the forests of Gabon, Central Africa, by analyzing a collection of 128 samples of reptiles and birds. We found that samples from 2 tortoise species (Pelusios castaneus and Kinixys erosa) and 3 bird species (Turtur afer, Ceratogymna atrata, and Agelastes niger) were infected by Haemocystidium spp. and Parahaemoproteus spp., respectively. From an ecological point of view, these lineages of parasites do not show host specificity because we have found them in several host species (2 tortoise and 3 bird species) that come from different areas of Gabon forest which are infected with these parasites. Also, our phylogenetic analyses revealed that the obtained lineages are related to isolates from other continents found in the same groups of vertebrates. Thus, our results show that haemosporidian parasites are also infecting central African vertebrates and that new lineages of these parasites are circulating in wild animals of the Gabon forest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larson Boundenga
- Centre International de Recherche de Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), BP: 769 Franceville, Gabon
| | - Susan L Perkins
- Centre International de Recherche de Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), BP: 769 Franceville, Gabon
| | - Benjamin Ollomo
- Centre International de Recherche de Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), BP: 769 Franceville, Gabon
| | - Virginie Rougeron
- Centre International de Recherche de Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), BP: 769 Franceville, Gabon
| | - Eric M Leroy
- Centre International de Recherche de Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), BP: 769 Franceville, Gabon
| | - François Renaud
- Centre International de Recherche de Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), BP: 769 Franceville, Gabon
| | - Franck Prugnolle
- Centre International de Recherche de Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), BP: 769 Franceville, Gabon
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Prevalence of Haemoproteus spp. (Apicomplexa: Haemoproteidae) in tortoises in Brazil and its molecular phylogeny. Parasitol Res 2015; 115:249-54. [PMID: 26358101 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-015-4741-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Accepted: 09/04/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Captive terrestrial tortoises of the species Chelonoidis carbonaria (n = 17) and Chelonoidis denticulata (n = 37) in the state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil, were examined for hematozoans by using a combination of microscopic and molecular methods. Microscopic examination revealed young intra-erythrocytic forms in blood smears from both species of tortoises. The results of PCR, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis indicated that these parasites belonged to the Haemoproteus spp., whose observed prevalence was 17.6 % in C. carbonaria and 13.5 % in C. denticulata. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that these sequences formed a clade that was grouped with other sequences of Haemoproteus spp. parasites in birds, separate from the clade formed by Haemoproteus spp. of reptiles. This study expands the information regarding the occurrence and distribution of hemosporidia in turtles and is the first study of blood parasites in C. carbonaria.
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Javanbakht H, Kvičerová J, Dvořáková N, Mikulíček P, Sharifi M, Kautman M, Maršíková A, Široký P. Phylogeny, Diversity, Distribution, and Host Specificity of Haemoproteus spp. (Apicomplexa: Haemosporida: Haemoproteidae) of Palaearctic Tortoises. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2015; 62:670-8. [PMID: 25939459 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2014] [Revised: 01/02/2015] [Accepted: 02/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A complex wide-range study on the haemoproteid parasites of chelonians was carried out for the first time. Altogether, 811 samples from four tortoise species from an extensive area between western Morocco and eastern Afghanistan and between Romania and southern Syria were studied by a combination of microscopic and molecular-genetic methods. Altogether 160 Haemoproteus-positive samples were gathered in the area between central Anatolia and eastern Afghanistan. According to variability in the cytochrome b gene, two monophyletic evolutionary lineages were distinguished; by means of microscopic analysis it was revealed that they corresponded to two previously described species-Haemoproteus anatolicum and Haemoproteus caucasica. Their distribution areas overlap only in a narrow strip along the Zagros Mts. range in Iran. This fact suggests the involvement of two different vector species with separated distribution. Nevertheless, no vectors were confirmed. According to phylogenetic analyses, H. caucasica represented a sister group to H. anatolicum, and both of them were most closely related to H. pacayae and H. peltocephali, described from South American river turtles. Four unique haplotypes were revealed in the population of H. caucasica, compared with seven haplotypes in H. anatolicum. Furthermore, H. caucasica was detected in two tortoise species, Testudo graeca and Testudo horsfieldii, providing evidence that Haemoproteus is not strictly host-specific to the tortoise host species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Javanbakht
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Razi University, Baghabrisham, 67149, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Jana Kvičerová
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Branišovská 31, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.,Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Nela Dvořáková
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackého 1/3, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic.,CEITEC-Central European Institute of Technology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackého 1/3, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Peter Mikulíček
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mlynská dolina B-1, 842 15, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Mozafar Sharifi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Razi University, Baghabrisham, 67149, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Matej Kautman
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackého 1/3, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Aneta Maršíková
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Branišovská 31, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.,Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Široký
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackého 1/3, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic.,CEITEC-Central European Institute of Technology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackého 1/3, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic
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14
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Haemogregarina spp. in a wild population from Podocnemis unifilis Troschel, 1848 in the Brazilian Amazonia. Parasitol Res 2014; 113:4499-503. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-4139-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2014] [Accepted: 09/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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15
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Pineda-Catalan O, Perkins SL, Peirce MA, Engstrand R, Garcia-Davila C, Pinedo-Vasquez M, Aguirre AA. Revision of Hemoproteid Genera and Description and Redescription of Two Species of Chelonian Hemoproteid Parasites. J Parasitol 2013; 99:1089-98. [DOI: 10.1645/13-296.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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16
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Orkun Ö, Güven E. A new species of Haemoproteus from a tortoise (Testudo graeca) in Turkey, with remarks on molecular phylogenetic and morphological analysis. J Parasitol 2012; 99:112-7. [PMID: 22924909 DOI: 10.1645/ge-3100.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Haemoproteus anatolicum n. sp. was identified in the tortoise Testudo graeca. The new species is described based on the morphology of its blood stages and a segment of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, which can be used for molecular identification and diagnosis. Chelonian haemoproteids recorded in the past were defined solely on the basis of their morphological characteristics. The chelonian haemoproteid we describe as a new species has a close genetic relationship to lizard haemoproteids, i.e., Haemoproteus ptyodactylii and Haemoproteus kopki. The new species description provides significant new information for little-known chelonian haemoproteids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ömer Orkun
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara 06110, Turkey.
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17
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Cook CA, Smit NJ, Davies AJ. Hemoproteids (Apicomplexa: Haemoproteidae) from South African tortoises (Cryptodira: Testudinidae). J Parasitol 2010; 96:1168-72. [PMID: 21158631 DOI: 10.1645/ge-2527.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Terrestrial tortoises, Chersina angulata (Schweigger, 1812), Kinixys belliana belliana Gray, 1831, K. lobatsiana Power, 1927, K. natalensis Hewitt, 1935, and Stigmochelys pardalis (Bell, 1828), both wild (n = 84) and captive (n = 70), were examined for hematozoans from the provinces of Gauteng, Kwazulu-Natal, North West, and Western Cape, South Africa. In Giemsa-stained blood films, 2 species of hemoproteids were identified, 1 previously described, that is, Haemoproteus testudinalis ( Laveran, 1905 ) Wenyon, 1915, the other unknown. Haemoproteus testudinalis occurred in 2/27 wild K. lobatsiana and 1/41 S. pardalis and 2/2 captive K. lobatsiana from the North West and Gauteng, respectively, whereas Haemoproteus sp. A was recorded in 1 of 3 captive K. natalensis from Kwazulu-Natal. Haemoproteus testudinalis had pale blue-stained, often vacuolated, halteridial macrogametocytes, pale pink-stained microhalterdial to halteridial microgametocytes, and dark, scattered, often bacillus-like hemozoin granules. Haemoproteus natalensis n. sp. had ameboid growth stages, blue-stained halteridial to circumnuclear macrogametocytes, purple-stained circumnuclear microgametocytes, and brownish, often clustered, pigment granules. It is recommended that Haemoproteus balazuci Dias, 1953, become a junior synonym of H. testudinalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A Cook
- Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
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18
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Cook CA, Smit NJ, Davies AJ. A redescription of Haemogregarina fitzsimonsi Dias, 1953 and some comments on Haemogregarina parvula Dias, 1953 (Adeleorina: Haemogregarinidae) from southern African tortoises (Cryptodira: Testudinidae), with new host data and distribution records. Folia Parasitol (Praha) 2009; 56:173-9. [PMID: 19827360 DOI: 10.14411/fp.2009.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Blood films were examined from 154 wild and captive tortoises from four provinces of South Africa, including Gauteng, Kwazulu-Natal, North West and Western Cape. The five species ofchelonians studied were Chersina angulata (Schweigger), Kinixys belliana belliana (Gray), K. lobatsiana Power, K. natalensis Hewitt, and Stigmochelys pardalis (Bell). Two species of haemogregarines, previously reported from Mozambique, were identified in blood films, namely Haemogregarina fitzsimonsi Dias, 1953 and Haemogregarina parvula Dias, 1953. Additional stages of development (trophozoites and probable meronts, merozoites and immature gamonts) in blood preparations from South Africa warranted the redescription of H. fitzsimonsi. A variety of hosts and broad host distribution range were observed for this haemogregarine, with all five species of tortoises parasitized, wild and captive, from all four provinces, in all seasons. In contrast, only two individuals of K. b. belliana and one S. pardalis, all three captive in Kwazulu-Natal, contained H. parvula with encapsulated stages resembling those of Hemolivia mauritanica (Sergent et Sergent, 1904). For H. fitzsimonsi, parasite prevalences, but not parasitaemias, were significantly higher in captive than wild S. pardalis; captive female S. pardalis also showed a significantly greater prevalence of infection than males, but younger, lighter hosts were not significantly more heavily parasitized than older, heavier individuals. The ticks, Amblyomma marmoreum Koch, 1844 and A. sylvaticum (De Geer, 1778), found attached to some tortoises, may prove to be definitive hosts for the two species of haemogregarines observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney A Cook
- Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
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19
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Abstract
Transmission of haemospororin parasites (phylum Apicomplexa) needs the fertilization of at least one female by one male gamete within the bloodmeal of a suitable vector. Male and female gamete precursors (gametocytes) in Plasmodium and Haemoproteus parasites are normally alone inside the erythrocytes of the vertebrate host, but they also occur in male-female pairs in single erythrocytes. These paired gametocytes could enhance transmission success by facilitating the encounter between the female and male gametes when inside the midgut of the vector. Further study of these particular infections could provide new insights into the biology of and control strategies for haemospororin parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Jovani
- Dept Applied Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Avda. Ma Luisa s/n, 41013 Sevilla, Spain.
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