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Pacheco MA, Escalante AA. Origin and diversity of malaria parasites and other Haemosporida. Trends Parasitol 2023; 39:501-516. [PMID: 37202254 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Symbionts, including parasites, are ubiquitous in all world ecosystems. Understanding the diversity of symbiont species addresses diverse questions, from the origin of infectious diseases to inferring processes shaping regional biotas. Here, we review the current approaches to studying Haemosporida's species diversity and evolutionary history. Despite the solid knowledge of species linked to diseases, such as the agents of human malaria, studies on haemosporidian phylogeny, diversity, ecology, and evolution are still limited. The available data, however, indicate that Haemosporida is an extraordinarily diverse and cosmopolitan clade of symbionts. Furthermore, this clade seems to have originated with their vertebrate hosts, particularly birds, as part of complex community level processes that we are still characterizing.
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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.
| | - Ananias A Escalante
- Biology Department/Institute of Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine (iGEM), Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122-1801, USA.
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2
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Cascardo P, Pucu E, Leles D. REVIEW OF PARASITES FOUND IN EXTINCT ANIMALS: WHAT CAN BE REVEALED. J Parasitol 2021; 107:275-283. [PMID: 33844838 DOI: 10.1645/20-30] [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
Parasitism is inherent to life and observed in all species. Extinct animals have been studied to understand what they looked like, where and how they lived, what they fed on, and the reasons they became extinct. Paleoparasitology helps to clarify these questions based on the study of the parasites and microorganisms that infected those animals, using as a source material coprolites, fossils in rock, tissue, bone, mummy, and amber, analyses of ancient DNA, immunodiagnosis, and microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Cascardo
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Parasitos, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, 21041-210, Brazil
| | - Elisa Pucu
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Parasitos, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, 21041-210, Brazil
| | - Daniela Leles
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Parasitos, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, 21041-210, Brazil
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Szentiványi T, Markotter W, Dietrich M, Clément L, Ançay L, Brun L, Genzoni E, Kearney T, Seamark E, Estók P, Christe P, Glaizot O. Host conservation through their parasites: molecular surveillance of vector-borne microorganisms in bats using ectoparasitic bat flies. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 27:72. [PMID: 33306024 PMCID: PMC7731914 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2020069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Most vertebrates host a wide variety of haematophagous parasites, which may play an important role in the transmission of vector-borne microorganisms to hosts. Surveillance is usually performed by collecting blood and/or tissue samples from vertebrate hosts. There are multiple methods to obtain samples, which can be stored for decades if properly kept. However, blood sampling is considered an invasive method and may possibly be harmful to the sampled individual. In this study, we investigated the use of ectoparasites as a tool to acquire molecular information about the presence and diversity of infectious microorganism in host populations. We tested the presence of three distinct vector-borne microorganisms in both bat blood and bat flies: Bartonella bacteria, malaria-like Polychromophilus sp. (Apicomplexa), and Trypanosoma sp. (Kinetoplastea). We detected the presence of these microorganisms both in bats and in their bat flies, with the exception of Trypanosoma sp. in South African bat flies. Additionally, we found Bartonella sp. in bat flies from one population in Spain, suggesting its presence in the host population even if not detected in bats. Bartonella and Polychromophilus infection showed the highest prevalence in both bat and bat fly populations. Single, co- and triple infections were also frequently present in both. We highlight the use of haematophagous ectoparasites to study the presence of infectious microorganism in host blood and its use as an alternative, less invasive sampling method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Szentiványi
- Museum of Zoology, 1014 Lausanne, Switzerland - Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Wanda Markotter
- Department of Medical Virology, University of Pretoria, 0001 Pretoria, South Africa - AfricanBats NPC, 0157 Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Muriel Dietrich
- UMR Processus Infectieux en Milieu Insulaire Tropical, 97490 Sainte-Clotilde, Reunion Island, France
| | - Laura Clément
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Laurie Ançay
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Loïc Brun
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Eléonore Genzoni
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Teresa Kearney
- AfricanBats NPC, 0157 Pretoria, South Africa - Ditsong National Museum of Natural History, 0001 Pretoria, South Africa - Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, 0083 Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | - Peter Estók
- Department of Zoology, Eszterházy Károly University, 3300 Eger, Hungary
| | - Philippe Christe
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Olivier Glaizot
- Museum of Zoology, 1014 Lausanne, Switzerland - Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Khan W, Nisa NN, Ullah S, Rehbar B, Ahmad S, Siyal GB, Ahmad A, Khalid S, Zada K, Ullah N. Morphology and ectoparasite spectrum of Pteropus vampyrus (the flying fox) in different parts of Malakand Division, Pakistan. BRAZ J BIOL 2019; 80:523-528. [PMID: 31644647 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.214614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Three districts viz. Lower Dir, Swat and Shangla in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, were surveyed for the collection of Pteropus vampyrus (the Indian flying fox) in Malakand division, the north western region of Pakistan from February to November 2018. A total of 35 specimens were captured. Out of the examined specimens 22 were found to be infected with ectoparasites. Three types of ectoparasites were observed including flies 20% (n=7/35), mites 28.5% (n=10/35) and bugs 14.2% (n=5/35). Male bats were more infected 57.1% (n=20/35) as compared to females 42.8% (n=15/35), however, no significant difference (p>0.05) was noted. Flies were recovered from wings membrane and head region, mites were found on wings, ears and around eyes while bugs were found attached on body surface and neck region. Body weight, circumference and wing span of male bats were greater as compared to female bats and were considered a key factor in clear cut identification of male and female Pteropus vampyrus (the Indian flyingfox). It was concluded that Pteropus vampyrus from north western part of Pakistan were parasitized by a varied parasite fauna with high infestation rates. We assume that in male bats the number of parasites is generally higher than in females. Our results revealed new insights into parasite fauna of Pteropus vampyrus.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Khan
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Zoology, University of Malakand, Lower Dir, Pakistan
| | - N N Nisa
- Southern Zone-Agricultural Research Center, Vertebrate Pest Control Institute, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - S Ullah
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Zoology, University of Malakand, Lower Dir, Pakistan
| | - B Rehbar
- Department of Zoology, University of Hazara, Mansehra, Pakistan
| | - S Ahmad
- Department of Zoology, University of Hazara, Mansehra, Pakistan
| | - G B Siyal
- Department of Zoology, University of Sindh, Jamshoro 76080, Pakistan
| | - A Ahmad
- Department of Molecular Biology, Virtual University of Lahore, Pakistan
| | - S Khalid
- Department of Molecular Biology, Virtual University of Lahore, Pakistan
| | - K Zada
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Zoology, University of Malakand, Lower Dir, Pakistan
| | - N Ullah
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Zoology, University of Malakand, Lower Dir, Pakistan
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5
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Szentiványi T, Christe P, Glaizot O. Bat Flies and Their Microparasites: Current Knowledge and Distribution. Front Vet Sci 2019; 6:115. [PMID: 31106212 PMCID: PMC6492627 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Bats are the second most diverse mammalian group, playing keystone roles in ecosystems but also act as reservoir hosts for numerous pathogens. Due to their colonial habits which implies close contacts between individuals, bats are often parasitized by multiple species of micro- and macroparasites. The particular ecology, behavior, and environment of bat species may shape patterns of intra- and interspecific pathogen transmission, as well as the presence of specific vectorial organisms. This review synthetizes information on a multi-level parasitic system: bats, bat flies and their microparasites. Bat flies (Diptera: Nycteribiidae and Streblidae) are obligate, hematophagous ectoparasites of bats consisting of ~500 described species. Diverse parasitic organisms have been detected in bat flies including bacteria, blood parasites, fungi, and viruses, which suggest their vectorial potential. We discuss the ecological epidemiology of microparasites, their potential physiological effects on both bats and bat flies, and potential research perspectives in the domain of bat pathogens. For simplicity, we use the term microparasite throughout this review, yet it remains unclear whether some bacteria are parasites or symbionts of their bat fly hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Szentiványi
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Museum of Zoology, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Philippe Christe
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Olivier Glaizot
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Museum of Zoology, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Leles D, Cascardo P, Pucu E, Brener B, Sudré A, Alves E, Uchoa F, Fajardo P, Millar P, Mattos D, Chame M, Cartelle C. Methodological innovations for the study of irreplaceable samples reveal giardiasis in extinct animals (Nothrotherium maquinense and Palaeolama maior). Parasitol Int 2018; 67:776-780. [DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2018.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Feng Y, Li Y, Fu S, Li X, Song J, Zhang H, Yang W, Zhang Y, Pan H, Liang G. Isolation of Kaeng Khoi virus (KKV) from Eucampsipoda sundaica bat flies in China. Virus Res 2017; 238:94-100. [PMID: 28606385 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2017.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Revised: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
A virus strain (WDBC1210) was isolated from specimens of bat flies (Eucampsipoda sundaica) associated with Leschenault's Rousette (Rousettus leschenaultii) in the China-Myanmar border area of Yunnan Province, China. Both BHK-21 and VeroE6 cells infected with WDBC1210 showed evident cytopathic effects (CPE), and the highest propagation titer was 1×105.6. The virus particles were spherical, 70nm in diameter. Virus plaques could be observed in BHK-21 cells. The whole genome of WDBC1210 contained three RNA segments: the small gene (S), 975 nucleotides long; the medium gene (M), 4568 nucleotides long; and the large gene (L), 6866 nucleotides long. The nucleotide homologies of the S, M, and L genes between WDBC1210 and the original isolate of Kaeng Khoi virus (KKV; PSC-19 strain) were 96.9%, 94.1%, and 95.2%, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses based on the S, M, and L segments indicated that WDBC1210 belongs within the same clade as the KKV strain PSC-19, a member of the Bunyaviridae family. This is the first report on the isolation of KKV from bat flies (Eucampsipoda sundaica) and from an inland area, nearly 2000km north from the original isolation site of KKV in Thailand, suggesting that KKV virus not only has a diverse set of vectors, but also a wide geographic distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Feng
- Yunnan Institute of Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Dali, China.
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shihong Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaolong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jingdong Song
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hailin Zhang
- Yunnan Institute of Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Dali, China
| | - Weihong Yang
- Yunnan Institute of Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Dali, China
| | - Yuzhen Zhang
- Yunnan Institute of Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Dali, China
| | - Hong Pan
- Yunnan Institute of Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Dali, China
| | - Guodong Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China.
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8
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Obame-Nkoghe J, Leroy EM, Paupy C. Diversity and role of cave-dwelling hematophagous insects in pathogen transmission in the Afrotropical region. Emerg Microbes Infect 2017; 6:e20. [PMID: 28400590 PMCID: PMC5457679 DOI: 10.1038/emi.2017.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2016] [Revised: 01/11/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The progressive anthropization of caves for food resources or economic purposes increases human exposure to pathogens that naturally infect cave-dwelling animals. The presence of wild or domestic animals in the immediate surroundings of caves also may contribute to increasing the risk of emergence of such pathogens. Some zoonotic pathogens are transmitted through direct contact, but many others require arthropod vectors, such as blood-feeding insects. In Africa, hematophagous insects often play a key role in the epidemiology of many pathogens; however, their ecology in cave habitats remains poorly known. During the last decades, several investigations carried out in Afrotropical caves suggested the medical and veterinary importance particularly of insect taxa of the Diptera order. Therefore, the role of some of these insects as vectors of pathogens that infect cave-dwelling vertebrates has been studied. The present review summarizes these findings, brings insights into the diversity of cave-dwelling hematophagous Diptera and their involvement in pathogen transmission, and finally discusses new challenges and future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judicaël Obame-Nkoghe
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC, UMR 224-5290 CNRS-IRD-UM, IRD Montpellier, 911, Avenue Agropolis, BP 64501, 34394 Montpellier Cedex 5, France.,Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), BP 769 Franceville, Gabon
| | - Eric-Maurice Leroy
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC, UMR 224-5290 CNRS-IRD-UM, IRD Montpellier, 911, Avenue Agropolis, BP 64501, 34394 Montpellier Cedex 5, France.,Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), BP 769 Franceville, Gabon
| | - Christophe Paupy
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC, UMR 224-5290 CNRS-IRD-UM, IRD Montpellier, 911, Avenue Agropolis, BP 64501, 34394 Montpellier Cedex 5, France.,Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), BP 769 Franceville, Gabon
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Obame-Nkoghe J, Rahola N, Bourgarel M, Yangari P, Prugnolle F, Maganga GD, Leroy EM, Fontenille D, Ayala D, Paupy C. Bat flies (Diptera: Nycteribiidae and Streblidae) infesting cave-dwelling bats in Gabon: diversity, dynamics and potential role in Polychromophilus melanipherus transmission. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:333. [PMID: 27286888 PMCID: PMC4902993 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1625-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2016] [Accepted: 06/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Evidence of haemosporidian infections in bats and bat flies has motivated a growing interest in characterizing their transmission cycles. In Gabon (Central Africa), many caves house massive colonies of bats that are known hosts of Polychromophilus Dionisi parasites, presumably transmitted by blood-sucking bat flies. However, the role of bat flies in bat malaria transmission remains under-documented. Methods An entomological survey was carried out in four caves in Gabon to investigate bat fly diversity, infestation rates and host preferences and to determine their role in Polychromophilus parasite transmission. Bat flies were sampled for 2–4 consecutive nights each month from February to April 2011 (Faucon and Zadie caves) and from May 2012 to April 2013 (Kessipoughou and Djibilong caves). Bat flies isolated from the fur of each captured bat were morphologically identified and screened for infection by haemosporidian parasites using primers targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Results Among the 1,154 bats captured and identified as Miniopterus inflatus Thomas (n = 354), Hipposideros caffer Sundevall complex (n = 285), Hipposideros gigas Wagner (n = 317), Rousettus aegyptiacus Geoffroy (n = 157, and Coleura afra Peters (n = 41), 439 (38.0 %) were infested by bat flies. The 1,063 bat flies recovered from bats belonged to five taxa: Nycteribia schmidlii scotti Falcoz, Eucampsipoda africana Theodor, Penicillidia fulvida Bigot, Brachytarsina allaudi Falcoz and Raymondia huberi Frauenfeld group. The mean infestation rate varied significantly according to the bat species (ANOVA, F(4,75) = 13.15, P < 0.001) and a strong association effect between bat fly species and host bat species was observed. Polychromophilus melanipherus Dionisi was mainly detected in N. s. scotti and P. fulvida and less frequently in E. africana, R. huberi group and B. allaudi bat flies. These results suggest that N. s. scotti and P. fulvida could potentially be involved in P. melanipherus transmission among cave-dwelling bats. Sequence analysis revealed eight haplotypes of P. melanipherus. Conclusions This work represents the first documented record of the cave-dwelling bat fly fauna in Gabon and significantly contributes to our understanding of bat fly host-feeding behavior and their respective roles in Polychromophilus transmission. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1625-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judicaël Obame-Nkoghe
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC, UMR 224-5290 CNRS-IRD-UM, IRD Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon
| | - Nil Rahola
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC, UMR 224-5290 CNRS-IRD-UM, IRD Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon
| | - Mathieu Bourgarel
- Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon.,Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement (CIRAD), UPR AGIRS, F-34398, Montpellier, France
| | - Patrick Yangari
- Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon
| | - Franck Prugnolle
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC, UMR 224-5290 CNRS-IRD-UM, IRD Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon
| | - Gael Darren Maganga
- Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon
| | - Eric-Maurice Leroy
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC, UMR 224-5290 CNRS-IRD-UM, IRD Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon
| | - Didier Fontenille
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC, UMR 224-5290 CNRS-IRD-UM, IRD Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Diego Ayala
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC, UMR 224-5290 CNRS-IRD-UM, IRD Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon
| | - Christophe Paupy
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC, UMR 224-5290 CNRS-IRD-UM, IRD Montpellier, Montpellier, France. .,Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon.
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Leung TLF. Fossils of parasites: what can the fossil record tell us about the evolution of parasitism? Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2015; 92:410-430. [PMID: 26538112 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2015] [Revised: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Parasites are common in many ecosystems, yet because of their nature, they do not fossilise readily and are very rare in the geological record. This makes it challenging to study the evolutionary transition that led to the evolution of parasitism in different taxa. Most studies on the evolution of parasites are based on phylogenies of extant species that were constructed based on morphological and molecular data, but they give us an incomplete picture and offer little information on many important details of parasite-host interactions. The lack of fossil parasites also means we know very little about the roles that parasites played in ecosystems of the past even though it is known that parasites have significant influences on many ecosystems. The goal of this review is to bring attention to known fossils of parasites and parasitism, and provide a conceptual framework for how research on fossil parasites can develop in the future. Despite their rarity, there are some fossil parasites which have been described from different geological eras. These fossils include the free-living stage of parasites, parasites which became fossilised with their hosts, parasite eggs and propagules in coprolites, and traces of pathology inflicted by parasites on the host's body. Judging from the fossil record, while there were some parasite-host relationships which no longer exist in the present day, many parasite taxa which are known from the fossil record seem to have remained relatively unchanged in their general morphology and their patterns of host association over tens or even hundreds of millions of years. It also appears that major evolutionary and ecological transitions throughout the history of life on Earth coincided with the appearance of certain parasite taxa, as the appearance of new host groups also provided new niches for potential parasites. As such, fossil parasites can provide additional data regarding the ecology of their extinct hosts, since many parasites have specific life cycles and transmission modes which reflect certain aspects of the host's ecology. The study of fossil parasites can be conducted using existing techniques in palaeontology and palaeoecology, and microscopic examination of potential material such as coprolites may uncover more fossil evidence of parasitism. However, I also urge caution when interpreting fossils as examples of parasites or parasitism-induced traces. I point out a number of cases where parasitism has been spuriously attributed to some fossil specimens which, upon re-examination, display traits which are just as (if not more) likely to be found in free-living taxa. The study of parasite fossils can provide a more complete picture of the ecosystems and evolution of life throughout Earth's history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommy L F Leung
- Department of Zoology Centre for Behavioural and Physiological Ecology, Zoology, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales 2351, Australia
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11
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Nagler C, Haug JT. From Fossil Parasitoids to Vectors: Insects as Parasites and Hosts. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2015; 90:137-200. [PMID: 26597067 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2015.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Within Metazoa, it has been proposed that as many as two-thirds of all species are parasitic. This propensity towards parasitism is also reflected within insects, where several lineages independently evolved a parasitic lifestyle. Parasitic behaviour ranges from parasitic habits in the strict sense, but also includes parasitoid, phoretic or kleptoparasitic behaviour. Numerous insects are also the host for other parasitic insects or metazoans. Insects can also serve as vectors for numerous metazoan, protistan, bacterial and viral diseases. The fossil record can report this behaviour with direct (parasite associated with its host) or indirect evidence (insect with parasitic larva, isolated parasitic insect, pathological changes of host). The high abundance of parasitism in the fossil record of insects can reveal important aspects of parasitic lifestyles in various evolutionary lineages. For a comprehensive view on fossil parasitic insects, we discuss here different aspects, including phylogenetic systematics, functional morphology and a direct comparison of fossil and extant species.
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De Baets K, Littlewood DTJ. The Importance of Fossils in Understanding the Evolution of Parasites and Their Vectors. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2015; 90:1-51. [PMID: 26597064 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2015.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Knowledge concerning the diversity of parasitism and its reach across our current understanding of the tree of life has benefitted considerably from novel molecular phylogenetic methods. However, the timing of events and the resolution of the nature of the intimate relationships between parasites and their hosts in deep time remain problematic. Despite its vagaries, the fossil record provides the only direct evidence of parasites and parasitism in the fossil record of extant and extinct lineages. Here, we demonstrate the potential of the fossil record and other lines of geological evidence to calibrate the origin and evolution of parasitism by combining different kinds of dating evidence with novel molecular clock methodologies. Other novel methods promise to provide additional evidence for the presence or the life habit of pathogens and their vectors, including the discovery and analysis of ancient DNA and other biomolecules, as well as computed tomographic methods.
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Evolutionary History of Terrestrial Pathogens and Endoparasites as Revealed in Fossils and Subfossils. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1155/2014/181353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The present work uses fossils and subfossils to decipher the origin and evolution of terrestrial pathogens and endoparasites. Fossils, as interpreted by morphology or specific features of their hosts, furnish minimum dates for the origin of infectious agents, coevolution with hosts, and geographical locations. Subfossils, those that can be C14 dated (roughly under 50,000 years) and are identified by morphology as well as molecular and immunological techniques, provide time periods when humans became infected with various diseases. The pathogen groups surveyed include viruses, bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and select multicellular endoparasites including nematodes, trematodes, cestodes, and insect parasitoids in the terrestrial environment.
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