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Morais RAPB, Rodrigues APD, Diniz JAP, Úngari LP, O'Dwyer LH, de Souza W, DaMatta RA, Silva EO. Description of an intramonocytic haemoparasite, Hepatozoon lainsoni sp. nov. (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina: Hepatozoidae), infecting Ameiva ameiva lizard (Reptilia: Squamata: Teiidae) in northern Brazil. Parasitology 2024; 151:468-477. [PMID: 38629122 PMCID: PMC11106504 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182024000180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Haemogregarine (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina) parasites are considered to be the most common and widespread haemoparasites in reptiles. The genus Hepatozoon (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina: Hepatozoidae) can be found parasitizing a broad range of species and, in reptiles, they infect mainly peripheral blood erythrocytes. The present study detected and characterized a haemogregarine isolated from the lizard species, Ameiva ameiva, collected from the municipality of Capanema, Pará state, north Brazil. Blood smears and imprints from lungs, brain, heart, kidney, liver, bone marrow and spleen were observed using light microscopy and the parasite was genetically identified by molecular analysis. Morphological, morphometric and molecular data were obtained. Parasite gamonts were found in 49.5% (55/111) of the blood smears from A. ameiva, and were characterized as oval, averaging 12.0 ± 0.8 × 5.9 ± 0.6 μm2 in size, which displaced the nuclei of parasitized monocytes laterally. Parasite forms resembling immature gamonts were observed in the spleen and bone marrow of the lizards. Furthermore, phylogenetic analyses of 18S rRNA sequences did not reveal gene similarity with other Hepatozoon spp. sequences from reptiles. Thus, morphological and molecular analyses have identified a new species of Hepatozoon parasite, Hepatozoon lainsoni sp. nov., which infects monocytes of the A. ameiva lizard.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafaela A. P. B. Morais
- Instituto Evandro Chagas, Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde, Ananindeua, Pará, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula D. Rodrigues
- Instituto Evandro Chagas, Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde, Ananindeua, Pará, Brazil
| | - José Antonio P. Diniz
- Instituto Evandro Chagas, Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde, Ananindeua, Pará, Brazil
| | - Letícia Pereira Úngari
- Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Setor de Parasitologia, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucia Helena O'Dwyer
- Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Setor de Parasitologia, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Wanderley de Souza
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Renato A. DaMatta
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Edilene O. Silva
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil
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Shangi NE, Gardner KM, Mennill DJ, Doucet SM. Is Color Related to Parasite Load in a Sexually Dichromatic Neotropical Toad? HERPETOLOGICA 2022. [DOI: 10.1655/herpetologica-d-22-00014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole E. Shangi
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, N9B3P4, Canada
| | - Katrina M. Gardner
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, N9B3P4, Canada
| | - Daniel J. Mennill
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, N9B3P4, Canada
| | - Stéphanie M. Doucet
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, N9B3P4, Canada
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Diversity of Haemogregarine Parasites Infecting Brazilian Anurans, with a Description of New Species of Dactylosoma (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina: Dactylosomatidae). Acta Parasitol 2022; 67:1740-1755. [PMID: 36264526 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-022-00624-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Brazilian anurans are considered the most diverse and species rich around the world. Although in recent years there has been a strong focus on research related to this group of animals, their parasites have not received the same attention. Thus, this study aimed to provide morphological and molecular data on haemogregarines biodiversity infecting Brazilian anurans. METHODS During 2020, 116 anurans were collected from four Brazilian States and their blood and fragment of organs were screened for haemogregarine parasites. RESULTS From the total, seven (6.03%) animals were found infected with species of Hepatozoon and Dactylosoma. Based on the morphological and molecular analysis, four anurans were found infected with Hepatozoon latrensis. The phylogenetic analysis has shown the isolates from this study grouping with the Brazilian anuran Hepatozoon clade, also with gene similarity ranging from 99.70 to 100% to H. latrensis isolates available on GenBank. Furthermore, three specimens (Trachycephalus typhonius, Leptodactylus latrans, and Rhinella diptycha) were infected with the same species of Dactylosoma (100% genetic similarity), with a genetic similarity of 98.56% to Dactylosoma piperis the only other species described in Brazil. In support of the molecular data, different morphological characters were observed in the blood smears as compared to D. piperis, suggesting that the species of Dactylosoma from the present study infecting three different species of Brazilian anurans is an undescribed species. CONCLUSION Thus, this study increases the knowledge of Brazilian anuran blood parasites and demonstrates the importance of using integrative approaches for the diagnosis of haemoparasites.
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Zechmeisterová K, Javanbakht H, Kvičerová J, Široký P. Against growing synonymy: Identification pitfalls of Hepatozoon and Schellackia demonstrated on North Iranian reptiles. Eur J Protistol 2021; 79:125780. [PMID: 34020115 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejop.2021.125780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The analyses of molecular data represent an effective tool for increasing the credibility of taxonomy and facilitate the description of species. Nevertheless, in haemoprotozoa, the growing amount of available sequential data is not matched by the still limited number of well-defined species. We identified four protistan haemoparasites in North Iranian reptiles: two Hepatozoon and two Schellackia species. Hepatozoon colubri and Hepatozoon ophisauri were morphologically identified in their type hosts, their partial 18S rDNA was analyzed, and thorough literature data were included in their redescription. The scarce data on the detected Schellackia spp. did not allow for their formal species description. Using an integrative approach, including morphological and geographical features, host specificity, molecular data, and the data published thus far, we face the following main difficulties hindering reliable diagnosis. (1) The lack of molecular data on well-described and named species. (2) The insufficiency of using only morphological and biological features, or only sequential data without morphology, to perform an absolutely reliable species diagnosis. (3) Typical morphological features are more substantial than metric means. (4) High risk of synonymy is present in taxonomy of blood Protista. (5) Artefacts caused by blood smear processing further complicate the correct morphological determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristína Zechmeisterová
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackého 1946/1, Brno 612 42, Czech Republic
| | - Hossein Javanbakht
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
| | - Jana Kvičerová
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Branišovská 1760, 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 1946/1, Brno 612 42, Czech Republic; CEITEC-Central European Institute of Technology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackého 1946/1, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic.
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Úngari LP, Netherlands EC, Quagliatto Santos AL, Paulino de Alcantara E, Emmerich E, da Silva RJ, O'Dwyer LH. New insights on the diversity of Brazilian anuran blood parasites: With the description of three new species of Hepatozoon (Apicomplexa: Hepatozoidae) from Leptodactylidae anurans. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2021; 14:190-201. [PMID: 33898220 PMCID: PMC8056137 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2021.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The Amphibia are considered the most threatened vertebrate class globally, yet in Brazil they are also one of the more diverse and species rich groups. Although, in recent years there has been strong focus on amphibian related research, their parasites have not received the same attention. In Brazil, only a single species of Hepatozoon, namely H. leptodactyli (Lesage, 1908) Pessoa, 1970, has been described from anuran hosts. The present study aimed to describe three new species of Hepatozoon parasitising Leptodactylus labyrinthicus and Leptodactylus latrans from Mato Grosso State, Brazil. From 66 anurans screened for haemogregarines, four belonging to the Leptodactylidae were found positive for species of Hepatozoon. Based on the morphological analysis of peripheral blood gamonts and spleen and liver tissue meronts, three different morphotypes of Hepatozoon spp. were identified. Morphotype 1 (M1) and morphotype 2 (M2) in L. labyrinthicus and morphotype 3 (M3) in L. latrans. Molecular data based on partial 18S rDNA sequences revealed an interspecific divergence, between the species ranging from 0.43% to 1.16%. Phylogenetic analysis recovered isolates from the present study monophyletic with other isolates from Brazilian reptile and anuran hosts, sister to a clade comprising species isolated from African, North American and European reptile and anuran host species. Thus, using morphological and molecular analysis three new species infecting Brazilian Leptodactylidae anurans were identified and described. This study increases the knowledge of Brazilian anurans blood parasites and demonstrates the importance of using integrative approaches for diagnosis of hemoparasites. Diversity and phylogenetic relationship of haemogregarines from Brazilian anurans. Description of a three new species of Hepatozoon from Brazilian anurans. First report of species of Hepatozoon descriptions using both morphological and molecular approaches from Brazilian anurans. Merogonic data of Hepatozoon spp. infection on Brazilian anurans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letícia Pereira Úngari
- Setor de Parasitologia, DBBVPZ, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista- UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Junior, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Edward C Netherlands
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
| | - André Luiz Quagliatto Santos
- Laboratório de Ensino e Pesquisa em Animais Silvestres, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Edna Paulino de Alcantara
- Setor de Parasitologia, DBBVPZ, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista- UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Junior, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Enzo Emmerich
- Setor de Parasitologia, DBBVPZ, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista- UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Junior, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Reinaldo José da Silva
- Setor de Parasitologia, DBBVPZ, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista- UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Junior, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucia Helena O'Dwyer
- Setor de Parasitologia, DBBVPZ, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista- UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Junior, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
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Úngari LP, Netherlands EC, Quagliatto Santos AL, de Alcantara EP, Emmerich E, da Silva RJ, O’Dwyer LH. A new species, Dactylosoma piperis n. sp. (Apicomplexa, Dactylosomatidae), from the pepper frog Leptodactylus labyrinthicus (Anura, Leptodactylidae) from Mato Grosso State, Brazil. Parasite 2020; 27:73. [PMID: 33332263 PMCID: PMC7746082 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2020070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The Dactylosomatidae Jakowska and Negrelli, 1955 are one of four families belonging to adeleorinid coccidia and comprise the genera Babesiosoma Jakowska and Nigrelli, 1956 and Dactylosoma Labbé, 1894. These blood protozoa occur in peripheral blood of lower vertebrates, and are commonly reported parasitising amphibians. The present study describes Dactylosoma piperis n. sp. from the pepper frog Leptodactylus labyrinthicus (Spix, 1824) (Anura: Leptodactylidae), collected in 2018 at the municipality of Araguaiana, Mato Grosso State, Brazil, based on morphology of intra-erythrocytic trophozoite, primary and secondary merogonic stages and a molecular analysis (partial 18S rDNA). Dactylosoma piperis n. sp. forms a well-supported clade with other Dactylosomatidae. This is the first molecular characterization of a species of Dactylosoma from a Brazilian anuran.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letícia Pereira Úngari
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Setor de Parasitologia, DBBVPZ, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Junior Botucatu CEP 18.618-970 São Paulo Brazil
| | - Edward Charles Netherlands
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Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University Private Bag X6001 Potchefstroom 2520 South Africa
| | - André Luiz Quagliatto Santos
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Laboratório de Ensino e Pesquisa em Animais Silvestres, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia CEP 38.400-902 Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - Edna Paulino de Alcantara
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Setor de Parasitologia, DBBVPZ, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Junior Botucatu CEP 18.618-970 São Paulo Brazil
| | - Enzo Emmerich
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Setor de Parasitologia, DBBVPZ, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Junior Botucatu CEP 18.618-970 São Paulo Brazil
| | - Reinaldo José da Silva
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Setor de Parasitologia, DBBVPZ, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Junior Botucatu CEP 18.618-970 São Paulo Brazil
| | - Lucia Helena O’Dwyer
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Setor de Parasitologia, DBBVPZ, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Junior Botucatu CEP 18.618-970 São Paulo Brazil
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Molecular detection of Apicomplexan hemoparasites in anurans from Brazil. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:3469-3479. [PMID: 32827104 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06835-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Amphibians are among the most threatened vertebrate groups in the world, and the main causes include climate change, habitat destruction, and emerging diseases. Herein, we investigated the occurrence and characterized molecularly Apicomplexa in anurans from southeastern Brazil. Forty individuals from seven anuran species were sampled in São Paulo state. In the molecular analyses, one Leptodactylus latrans and one Rhinella diptycha were positive in PCR assays for species of Hepatozoon. Two L. latrans were also positive for coccidian infections (Lankesterella sp. and an unidentified coccidian species). Phylogenetic analysis based on 18S rDNA clustered the sequences detected in anurans from the present study with Hepatozoon spp. detected in reptiles and other anurans from Brazil, albeit they were separate from Hepatozoon haplotypes detected in frogs from Africa and North America. Our study showed, for the first time, the molecular detection of Lankesterella sp. and another coccidian in L. latrans. Additionally, co-infection by different species of Hepatozoon haplotypes and an unidentified coccidian in anurans from Brazil was documented.
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Isaak-Delgado AB, López-Díaz O, Romero-Callejas E, Martínez-Hernández F, Muñoz-García CI, Villalobos G, Rendón-Franco E. Morphological and molecular characteristics of hemoparasites in vaillant's frogs (Lithobates vaillanti). Parasitol Res 2020; 119:1891-1901. [PMID: 32382990 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06689-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Amphibian populations are declining around the world, and the main reasons are the environmental changes and pathogens. However, there are few studies addressing the interaction and impact of the different pathogens that affect amphibians, such as hemoparasites. These parasites had been described as common in some amphibian species, but unfortunately, their description and characterization are unclear and scarcely spread. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the morphological and molecular characterization of hemoparasites present in vaillant's frogs. Seven frogs of Lithobates vaillanti were captured at the biological station La Florida in Tabasco, Mexico. Blood smears were performed, and results show that 100% of the animals have hemoparasites. Three types of hemoparasites were found. Eighty-five percent of the frogs were positive to Hepatozoon sp., 57% to Lankesterella sp., and 28% to Trypanosoma sp. According to the molecular analysis of the obtained sequences of Trypanosoma sp. and Hepatozoon sp., both protozoans were positioned in between the clusters of parasites of different geographical regions. Nevertheless, no species names were assigned to any of these parasites because more sequences and analysis are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Belem Isaak-Delgado
- Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Osvaldo López-Díaz
- Departamento de Producción Agrícola y Animal, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Unidad Xochimilco, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Evangelina Romero-Callejas
- Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
| | | | - Claudia I Muñoz-García
- Departamento de Producción Agrícola y Animal, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Unidad Xochimilco, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Guiehdani Villalobos
- Departamento de Agentes Patógenos, Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea González, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico.
| | - Emilio Rendón-Franco
- Departamento de Producción Agrícola y Animal, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Unidad Xochimilco, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico.
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Netherlands EC, Cook CA, Du Preez LH, Vanhove MP, Brendonck L, Smit NJ. An overview of the Dactylosomatidae (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina: Dactylosomatidae), with the description of Dactylosoma kermiti n. sp. parasitising Ptychadena anchietae and Sclerophrys gutturalis from South Africa. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2020; 11:246-260. [PMID: 32195110 PMCID: PMC7078462 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Revised: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Haemogregarine (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina) blood parasites are commonly reported from anuran hosts. Dactylosomatidae (Jakowska and Nigrelli, 1955) is a group of haemogregarines comprising Dactylosoma Labbé, 1894 and Babesiosoma Jakowska and Nigrelli, 1956. Currently Dactylosoma and Babesiosoma contain five recognised species each. In the current study, a total of 643 anurans, comprising 38 species, 20 genera, and 13 families were collected from South Africa (n = 618) and Belgium (n = 25), and their blood screened for the presence of dactylosomatid parasites. Three anuran species were found infected namely, Ptychadena anchietae (Bocage, 1868) and Sclerophrys gutturalis (Power, 1927) from South Africa, and Pelophylax lessonae (Camerano, 1882) from Belgium. Based on morphological characteristics, morphometrics and molecular results a new dactylosomatid, Dactylosoma kermiti n. sp. is described form Pty. anchietae and Scl. gutturalis. The species of Dactylosoma isolated from Pel. lessonae could not, based on morphological or molecular analysis, be identified to species level. Phylogenetic analysis shows species of Dactylosoma infecting anurans as a monophyletic group separate from the other haemogregarine groups. Additionally, the mosquitoes Uranotaenia (Pseudoficalbia) mashonaensis Theobald, 1901 and U. (Pfc.) montana Ingram and De Meillon, 1927 were observed feeding on Scl. gutturalis in situ and possible dividing stages of this new parasite were observed in the mosquitoes. This study is the first to describe a dactylosomatid parasite based on morphological and molecular data from Africa as well as observe potential stages in possible dipteran vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward C. Netherlands
- Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
- African Amphibian Conservation Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
- Animal Ecology, Global Change and Sustainable Development, University of Leuven, Charles Debériotstraat 32, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Courtney A. Cook
- Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
| | - Louis H. Du Preez
- African Amphibian Conservation Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
- South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Somerset Street, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa
| | - Maarten P.M. Vanhove
- Hasselt University, Centre for Environmental Sciences, Research Group Zoology: Biodiversity & Toxicology, Agoralaan Gebouw D, B-3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, CZ-611 37, Brno, Czech Republic
- Zoology Unit, Finnish Museum of Natural History, P.O.Box 17, FI-00014, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Genomics, University of Leuven, Charles Debériotstraat 32, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Luc Brendonck
- Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
- Animal Ecology, Global Change and Sustainable Development, University of Leuven, Charles Debériotstraat 32, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nico J. Smit
- Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
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Neofoleyellides boerewors n. gen. n. sp. (Nematoda: Onchocercidae) parasitising common toads and mosquito vectors: morphology, life history, experimental transmission and host-vector interaction in situ. Int J Parasitol 2020; 50:177-194. [PMID: 32087248 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2019.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 11/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Anuran filarial nematodes are restricted to two comparatively small subfamilies (Icosiellinae and Waltonellinae) of the filariae that currently comprise six genera and 41 recognised species. However, the life histories of only five anuran filarial nematodes, proposed as an ancestral group based on molecular phylogenetic studies, have been elucidated. Furthermore, data on the natural vectors (in situ) and parasite transmission is limited. In the current study we elucidate the life history of Neofoleyellides boerewors n. gen. n. sp. parasitising the guttural toad, Sclerophrys gutturalis and the mosquito vectors Uranotaenia (Pseudoficalbia) mashonaensis and Uranotaenia (Pseudoficalbia) montana. Additionally, we report on the unique host-seeking behaviour of the mosquito vectors which locate their toad hosts using their calls. The complex host-vector relationship and specialised host-seeking behaviour by these mosquitoes indicate biases towards host species and male toad infections.
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James Harris D, Halajian A, Santos JL, Swanepoel LH, Taylor PJ, Xavier R. Diversity of haemoprotozoan parasites infecting the wildlife of South Africa. Folia Parasitol (Praha) 2018; 65. [PMID: 30348909 DOI: 10.14411/fp.2018.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Tissue samples from wildlife from South Africa were opportunistically collected and screened for haemoprotozoan parasites using nonspecific PCR primers. Samples of 127 individuals were tested, comprising over 50 different species. Haemogregarines were the most commonly identified parasites, but sarcocystids and piroplasmids were also detected. Phylogenetic analyses estimated from the 18S rDNA marker highlighted the occurrence of several novel parasite forms and the detection of parasites in novel hosts. Phylogenetic relationships, which have been recently reviewed, appear to be much more complex than previously considered. Our study highlights the high diversity of parasites circulating in wildlife in this biodiverse region, and the need for further studies to resolve taxonomic issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- D James Harris
- CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigacao em Biodiversidade e Recursos Geneticos, Campus Agrario de Vairao, Vairao, Portugal.,Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciencias da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ali Halajian
- Department of Biodiversity, University of Limpopo, South Africa
| | - Joana L Santos
- CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigacao em Biodiversidade e Recursos Geneticos, Campus Agrario de Vairao, Vairao, Portugal
| | - Lourens H Swanepoel
- Department of Zoology, School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
| | - Peter John Taylor
- NRF/DET SARCHI Chair on Biodiversity Value and Change, School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa.,Core Team Member, Centre for Invasion Biology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, Republic of South Africa.,Honorary Research Associate, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, Republic of South Africa
| | - Raquel Xavier
- CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigacao em Biodiversidade e Recursos Geneticos, Campus Agrario de Vairao, Vairao, Portugal
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12
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Cook CA, Netherlands EC, As JV, Jacobus Smit N. Two new species of Hepatozoon (Apicomplexa: Hepatozoidae) parasitising species of Philothamnus (Ophidia: Colubridae) from South Africa. Folia Parasitol (Praha) 2018; 65. [DOI: 10.14411/fp.2018.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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13
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Monophyly of the species of Hepatozoon (Adeleorina: Hepatozoidae) parasitizing (African) anurans, with the description of three new species from hyperoliid frogs in South Africa. Parasitology 2017; 145:1039-1050. [PMID: 29198245 PMCID: PMC6084435 DOI: 10.1017/s003118201700213x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Haemogregarines (Apicomplexa: Adeleiorina) are a diverse group of haemoparasites reported from almost all vertebrate classes. The most commonly recorded haemogregarines to parasitize anurans are species of Hepatozoon Miller, 1908. To date 16 Hepatozoon species have been described from anurans in Africa, with only a single species, Hepatozoon hyperolli (Hoare, 1932), infecting a member of the Hyperoliidae. Furthermore, only two Hepatozoon species are known from South African anurans, namely Hepatozoon theileri (Laveran, 1905) and Hepatozoon ixoxo Netherlands, Cook and Smit, 2014, from Amietia delalandii (syn. Amietia quecketti) and three Sclerophrys species, respectively. Blood samples were collected from a total of 225 individuals representing nine hyperoliid species from several localities throughout northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Twenty frogs from three species were found positive for haemogregarines, namely Afrixalus fornasinii (6/14), Hyperolius argus (2/39), and Hyperolius marmoratus (12/74). Based on morphological characteristics, morphometrics and molecular findings three new haemogregarine species, Hepatozoon involucrum Netherlands, Cook and Smit n. sp., Hepatozoon tenuis Netherlands, Cook and Smit n. sp. and Hepatozoon thori Netherlands, Cook and Smit n. sp., are described from hyperoliid hosts. Furthermore, molecular analyses show anuran Hepatozoon species to be a separate monophyletic group, with species isolated from African hosts forming a monophyletic clade within this cluster.
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14
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Renoux LP, Dolan MC, Cook CA, Smit NJ, Sikkel PC. Developing an Apicomplexan DNA Barcoding System to Detect Blood Parasites of Small Coral Reef Fishes. J Parasitol 2017; 103:366-376. [PMID: 28395577 DOI: 10.1645/16-93] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites are obligate parasites of many species of vertebrates. To date, there is very limited understanding of these parasites in the most-diverse group of vertebrates, actinopterygian fishes. While DNA barcoding targeting the eukaryotic 18S small subunit rRNA gene sequence has been useful in identifying apicomplexans in tetrapods, identification of apicomplexans infecting fishes has relied solely on morphological identification by microscopy. In this study, a DNA barcoding method was developed that targets the 18S rRNA gene primers for identifying apicomplexans parasitizing certain actinopterygian fishes. A lead primer set was selected showing no cross-reactivity to the overwhelming abundant host DNA and successfully confirmed 37 of the 41 (90.2%) microscopically verified parasitized fish blood samples analyzed in this study. Furthermore, this DNA barcoding method identified 4 additional samples that screened negative for parasitemia, suggesting this molecular method may provide improved sensitivity over morphological characterization by microscopy. In addition, this PCR screening method for fish apicomplexans, using Whatman FTA preserved DNA, was tested in efforts leading to a more simplified field collection, transport, and sample storage method as well as a streamlining sample processing important for DNA barcoding of large sample sets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lance P Renoux
- Department of Biological Sciences, Room 202-Lab Science East, P.O. Box 599, State University, Arkansas 72467
| | - Maureen C Dolan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Room 202-Lab Science East, P.O. Box 599, State University, Arkansas 72467
| | | | | | - Paul C Sikkel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Room 202-Lab Science East, P.O. Box 599, State University, Arkansas 72467
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15
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Conradie R, Cook CA, du Preez LH, Jordaan A, Netherlands EC. Ultrastructural Comparison of Hepatozoon ixoxo and Hepatozoon theileri (Adeleorina: Hepatozoidae), Parasitising South African Anurans. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2016; 64:193-203. [PMID: 27480595 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Revised: 07/11/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
To date, only two haemogregarine parasite species have been described from South African anurans: Hepatozoon ixoxo, infecting toads of the genus Sclerophrys (syn. Amietophrynus); and Hepatozoon theileri, parasitising the common river frog, Amietia quecketti. Both species have been characterised using limited morphology, and molecular data from PCR amplified fragments of the 18S rRNA gene. However, no ultrastructural work has been performed thus far. The aim of this study was to add descriptive information on the two species by studying their ultrastructural morphology. Mature gamont stages, common in the peripheral blood of infected frogs, were examined by transmission electron microscopy. Results indicate that H. ixoxo and H. theileri share typical apicomplexan characteristics, but differ markedly in their external cellular structure. Hepatozoon ixoxo is an encapsulated parasite presenting a prominent cap at the truncate pole, and shows no visible modifications to the host cell membrane. In comparison, H. theileri does not present a capsule or cap, and produces marked morphological changes to its host cell. Scanning electron microscopy was performed to further examine the cytopathological effects of H. theileri, and results revealed small, knob-like protrusions on the erythrocyte surface, as well as notable distortion of the overall shape of the host cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxanne Conradie
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
| | - Courtney A Cook
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
| | - Louis H du Preez
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa.,South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Private Bag 1015, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa
| | - Anine Jordaan
- Laboratory for Electron Microscopy, Chemical Resource Beneficiation, North-West University, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
| | - Edward C Netherlands
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa.,Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology, Evolution and Conservation, University of Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
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van As J, Cook CA, Netherlands EC, Smit NJ. A new lizard malaria parasite Plasmodium intabazwe n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Haemospororida: Plasmodiidae) in the Afromontane Pseudocordylus melanotus (Sauria: Cordylidae) with a review of African saurian malaria parasites. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:437. [PMID: 27502045 PMCID: PMC4977684 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1702-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2016] [Accepted: 07/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Saurian malaria parasites are diverse apicomplexan blood parasites including the family Plasmodiidae Mesnil, 1903, and have been studied since the early 1900s. Currently, at least 27 species of Plasmodium are recorded in African lizards, and to date only two species, Plasmodium zonuriae (Pienaar, 1962) and Plasmodium cordyli Telford, 1987, have been reported from the African endemic family Cordylidae. This paper presents a description of a new malaria parasite in a cordylid lizard and provides a phylogenetic hypothesis for saurian Plasmodium species from South Africa. Furthermore, it provides a tabular review of the Plasmodium species that to date have been formally described infecting species of African lizards. Methods Blood samples were collected from 77 specimens of Pseudocordylus melanotus (A. Smith, 1838) from Platberg reserve in the Eastern Free State, and two specimens of Cordylus vittifer (Reichenow, 1887) from the Roodewalshoek conservancy in Mpumalanga (South Africa). Blood smears were Giemsa-stained, screened for haematozoa, specifically saurian malaria parasites, parasite stages were photographed and measured. A small volume was also preserved for TEM studies. Plasmodium and Haemoproteus primer sets, with a nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol, were employed to target a fragment of the cytochrome-b (cyt-b) gene region. Resulting sequences of the saurian Plasmodium species’ isolates were compared with each other and to other known Plasmodium spp. sequences in the GenBank database. Results The presence of P. zonuriae in both specimens of the type lizard host C. vittifer was confirmed using morphological characteristics, which subsequently allowed for the species’ molecular characterisation. Of the 77 P. melanotus, 44 were parasitised by a Plasmodium species, which when compared morphologically to other African saurian Plasmodium spp. and molecularly to P. zonuriae, supported its description as a new species Plasmodium intabazwe n. sp. Conclusions This is the first morphological and molecular account of Plasmodium species within the African endemic family Cordylidae from South Africa. The study highlights the need for molecular analysis of other cordylid Plasmodium species within Africa. Future studies should also include elucidating of the life-cycles of these species, thus promoting the use of both morphological and molecular characteristics in species descriptions of saurian malaria parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johann van As
- Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of the Free State, QwaQwa campus, Free State, South Africa
| | - Courtney A Cook
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
| | - Edward C Netherlands
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.,Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology, Evolution and Conservation, University of Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nico J Smit
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
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Cook CA, Netherlands EC, Smit NJ. Redescription, molecular characterisation and taxonomic re-evaluation of a unique African monitor lizard haemogregarine Karyolysus paradoxa (Dias, 1954) n. comb. (Karyolysidae). Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:347. [PMID: 27305899 PMCID: PMC4910240 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1600-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Within the African monitor lizard family Varanidae, two haemogregarine genera have been reported. These comprise five species of Hepatozoon Miller, 1908 and a species of Haemogregarina Danilewsky, 1885. Even though other haemogregarine genera such as Hemolivia Petit, Landau, Baccam & Lainson, 1990 and Karyolysus Labbé, 1894 have been reported parasitising other lizard families, these have not been found infecting the Varanidae. The genus Karyolysus has to date been formally described and named only from lizards of the family Lacertidae and to the authors' knowledge, this includes only nine species. Molecular characterisation using fragments of the 18S gene has only recently been completed for but two of these species. To date, three Hepatozoon species are known from southern African varanids, one of these Hepatozoon paradoxa (Dias, 1954) shares morphological characteristics alike to species of the family Karyolysidae. Thus, this study aimed to morphologically redescribe and characterise H. paradoxa molecularly, so as to determine its taxonomic placement. METHODS Specimens of Varanus albigularis albigularis Daudin, 1802 (Rock monitor) and Varanus niloticus (Linnaeus in Hasselquist, 1762) (Nile monitor) were collected from the Ndumo Game Reserve, South Africa. Upon capture animals were examined for haematophagous arthropods. Blood was collected, thin blood smears prepared, stained with Giemsa, screened and micrographs of parasites captured. Haemogregarine morphometric data were compared with the data for named haemogregarines of African varanids. Primer set HepF300 and HepR900 was employed to target a fragment of the 18S rRNA gene and resulting sequences compared with other known haemogregarine sequences selected from the GenBank database. RESULTS Hepatozoon paradoxa was identified infecting two out of eight (25 %) V. a. albigularis and a single (100 %) V. niloticus examined. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that H. paradoxa clustered with the 'Karyolysus' clade, and not with those of reptilian Hepatozoon spp. CONCLUSIONS In addition to this being the first morphological and molecular characterisation of a haemogregarine within the African Varanidae, it is the first report of a species of Karyolysus infecting the monitor lizard family. Furthermore, this constitutes now only the third described and named Karyolysus species for which there is a nucleotide sequence available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney A Cook
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
| | - Edward C Netherlands
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
- Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology, Evolution and Conservation, University of Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nico J Smit
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
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Karadjian G, Chavatte JM, Landau I. Systematic revision of the adeleid haemogregarines, with creation of Bartazoon n. g., reassignment of Hepatozoon argantis Garnham, 1954 to Hemolivia, and molecular data on Hemolivia stellata. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 22:31. [PMID: 26551414 PMCID: PMC4639712 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2015031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2015] [Accepted: 10/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Life cycles and molecular data for terrestrial haemogregarines are reviewed in this article. Collection material was re-examined: Hepatozoon argantis Garnham, 1954 in Argas brumpti was reassigned to Hemolivia as Hemolivia argantis (Garnham, 1954) n. comb.; parasite DNA was extracted from a tick crush on smear of an archived slide of Hemolivia stellata in Amblyomma rotondatum, then the 18S ssrRNA gene was amplified by PCR. A systematic revision of the group is proposed, based on biological life cycles and phylogenetic reconstruction. Four types of life cycles, based on parasite vector, vertebrate host and the characteristics of their development, are defined. We propose combining species, based on their biology, into four groups (types I, II, III and IV). The characters of each type are defined and associated with a type genus and a type species. The biological characters of each type are associated with a different genus and a type species. The phylogenetic reconstruction with sequences deposited in the databases and our own new sequence of Hemolivia stellata is consistent with this classification. The classification is as follows: Type I, Hepatozoon Miller, 1908, type species H. perniciosum Miller, 1908; Type II, Karyolysus Labbé, 1894, type species K. lacertae (Danilewsky, 1886) Reichenow, 1913; Type III Hemolivia Petit et al., 1990, type species H. stellata, Petit et al., 1990; and Type IV: Bartazoon n. g., type species B. breinli (Mackerras, 1960).
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Affiliation(s)
- Grégory Karadjian
- UMR 7245 MCAM MNHN CNRS, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 61 rue Buffon, CP 52, 75231 Paris Cedex 05, France
| | - Jean-Marc Chavatte
- Malaria Reference Centre - National Public Health Laboratory, Ministry of Health, 3 Biopolis Drive, Synapse #05-14/16, Singapore 138623
| | - Irène Landau
- UMR 7245 MCAM MNHN CNRS, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 61 rue Buffon, CP 52, 75231 Paris Cedex 05, France
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Biodiversity of frog haemoparasites from sub-tropical northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2015; 4:135-41. [PMID: 25830113 PMCID: PMC4356870 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2015.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2014] [Revised: 01/13/2015] [Accepted: 01/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Since South Africa boasts a high biodiversity of frog species, a multispecies haemoparasite survey was conducted by screening the blood from 29 species and 436 individual frogs. Frogs were collected at three localities in sub-tropical KwaZulu-Natal, a hotspot for frog diversity. Twenty per cent of the frogs were infected with at least one of five groups of parasites recorded. Intraerythrocytic parasites comprising Hepatozoon, Dactylosoma, and viral or bacterial organisms, as well as extracellular parasites including trypanosomes and microfilarid nematodes were found. A significant difference (P < 0.01) in the prevalence of parasitaemia was found across species, those semi-aquatic species demonstrating the highest, followed by semi-terrestrial frog species. None of those species described as purely terrestrial and aquatic were infected. Hepatozoon and Trypanosoma species accounted for most of the infections, the former demonstrating significant differences in intensity of infection across species, families and habitat types (P = 0.028; P = 0.006; P = 0.007 respectively). Per locality, the first, the formally protected Ndumo Game Reserve, had the highest biodiversity of haemoparasite infections, with all five groups of parasites recorded. The other two sites, that is the area bordering the reserve and the Kwa Nyamazane Conservancy, had a lower diversity with no parasite infections recorded and only Hepatozoon species recorded respectively. Such findings could be ascribed to the anthropogenic impact on the latter two sites, the first by the rural village activities, and the second by the bordering commercial sugar cane agriculture. Future studies should include both morphological and molecular descriptions of the above parasites, as well as the identification of potential vectors, possibly clarifying the effects human activities may have on frog haemoparasite life cycles and as such their biodiversity.
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