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Di Maggio M, Coltraro M, Tinacci L, Guardone L, Ricci E, Corradini C, Susini F, Armani A. Mapping the occurrence of Eustrongylides spp. in fish species caught from six lakes in Central Italy (Tuscany and Latium regions): Implications for local fishery supply chains. Heliyon 2024; 10:e30733. [PMID: 38765103 PMCID: PMC11101832 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
In the present study, in order to expand the knowledge on the distribution of parasites of the genus Eustrongylides in never investigated Italian lacustrine areas of Tuscany and Latium, fish specimens from four Tuscan lakes (Bilancino, Chiusi, Montedoglio and San Cipriano) and two Latium lakes (Bolsena and Bracciano) were collected and analyzed. The parasitological analysis, consisting of a visual inspection followed by a chloro-peptic digestion, was performed on 1650 specimens belonging to 17 species: European perch (Perca fluviatilis), Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus), Pike-perch (Sander lucioperca), Largemouth black bass (Micropterus salmoides), Pike (Esox lucius), Big-scale sand smelt (Atherina boyeri), Tench (Tinca), European Whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus), Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), Chub (Squalius cephalus), Rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus), Common bleak (Alburnus alborella), South European roach (Sarmarutilus rubilio), South European nase (Protochondrostoma genei), Italian riffle dace (Telestes muticellus), Goldfish (Carassius auratus), and Freshwater bream (Abramis brama). Eustrongylides spp. larvae were only found in one specimen of European perch caught in Bracciano Lake and purchased from a local fishmonger (P = 3.3%; MI = 1; MA = 0.03). The only isolated Eustrongylides spp. larva was submitted to molecular analysis of the ITS gene region and identified as E. excisus. This finding adds Bracciano Lake to the list of the several Italian lakes in which nematodes belonging to this genus have been reported. Even if the observed prevalence is currently low, the presence of the parasite in this local freshwater fish supply chain requires FBOs to adopt risk management measures to prevent contaminated products from reaching final consumer. Moreover, future investigations will show if the parasite expands in these areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Di Maggio
- FishLab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale Delle Piagge 2, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Miriana Coltraro
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Del Lazio e Della Toscana “M. Aleandri”, S.S. Dell’Abetone e Del Brennero 4, 56123, Pisa, Italy
| | - Lara Tinacci
- FishLab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale Delle Piagge 2, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Lisa Guardone
- FishLab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale Delle Piagge 2, 56124, Pisa, Italy
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle D’Aosta, SS Genova-Portualità, Piazza Borgo Pila 39/24, 16129, Genoa, Italy
| | - Enrica Ricci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Del Lazio e Della Toscana “M. Aleandri”, S.S. Dell’Abetone e Del Brennero 4, 56123, Pisa, Italy
| | - Carlo Corradini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Del Lazio e Della Toscana “M. Aleandri”, Via Appia Nuova, 1411 - 00178, Roma, RO, Italy
| | - Francesca Susini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Del Lazio e Della Toscana “M. Aleandri”, S.S. Dell’Abetone e Del Brennero 4, 56123, Pisa, Italy
| | - Andrea Armani
- FishLab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale Delle Piagge 2, 56124, Pisa, Italy
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Galen SC, Ray S, Henry M, Weckstein JD. Parasite-associated mortality in birds: the roles of specialist parasites and host evolutionary distance. Biol Lett 2022; 18:20210575. [PMID: 35414225 PMCID: PMC9006019 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2021.0575] [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: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The factors that influence whether a parasite is likely to cause death in a given host species are not well known. Generalist parasites with high local abundances, broad distributions and the ability to infect a wide phylogenetic diversity of hosts are often considered especially dangerous for host populations, though comparatively little research has been done on the potential for specialist parasites to cause host mortality. Here, using a novel database of avian mortality records, we tested whether phylogenetic host specialist or host generalist haemosporidian blood parasites were associated with avian host deaths based on infection records from over 81 000 examined hosts. In support of the hypothesis that host specialist parasites can be highly virulent in novel hosts, we found that the parasites that were associated with avian host mortality predominantly infected more closely related host species than expected under a null model. Hosts that died tended to be distantly related to the host species that a parasite lineage typically infects, illustrating that specialist parasites can cause death outside of their limited host range. Overall, this study highlights the overlooked potential for host specialist parasites to cause host mortality despite their constrained ecological niches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spencer C Galen
- Biology Department, University of Scranton, Loyola Science Center, Scranton, PA 18510, USA.,Department of Ornithology, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
| | - Suravi Ray
- Department of Ornithology, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA.,Department of Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
| | - Marissa Henry
- Department of Ornithology, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA.,Department of Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
| | - Jason D Weckstein
- Department of Ornithology, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA.,Department of Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
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Nourani L, Baghkheirati AA, Zargar M, Karimi V, Djadid ND. Haemoproteosis and avian malaria in Columbidae and Corvidae from Iran. Vet Med Sci 2021; 7:2043-2050. [PMID: 34240581 PMCID: PMC8464302 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Avian malaria (Plasmodium) and related genera (Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon) are diverse and widespread parasites. Despite the extent of knowledge on avian haemosporidian parasites, information about domestic and wild bird's blood parasites is overall insufficient in Iran. Prevalence of the haemosporidian parasites’ and phylogenetic relationship of lineages are studied by using molecular and morphological results of 152 examined hosts belonging to 17 species. Molecular analysis for haemosporidian detections demonstrated overall prevalence 22.36%. Inspected hosts mostly belonging to Common Pigeons (Columba livia) parasitized by Haemoproteus spp., and Hooded Crows (Corvus cornix) and Carrion Crow (C. corone) were identified as hosting Plasmodium spp. Detected lineages COLIV03, COQUI05, LINN01, ROFI04 and SGS01 are identified as new reports from Iran. We detected no evidence of Leucocytozoon lineages, while the high prevalence of H. columbae was found in Common Pigeons. Such investigation on avian blood parasites contributes to providing new information on the prevalence, epidemiology and geographical distribution of haemosporidian parasites circulating in domestic, pets and wild birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Nourani
- Malaria and Vector Research Group, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Mostafa Zargar
- Malaria and Vector Research Group, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahid Karimi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Poultry Diseases, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Navid Dinparast Djadid
- Malaria and Vector Research Group, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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Ibrahim RM, Al-Rubaie HMA. Molecular Detection of Avian Malaria (Plasmodium gallinaceum) in Local Domesticated Breed Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) in Baghdad. THE IRAQI JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE 2020. [DOI: 10.30539/ijvm.v44i(e0).1025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of avian malaria (Plasmodium gallinaceum) in the local domesticated breed chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) that were purchased from the local markets in Baghdad city, using 100 blood samples which were collected from the wing vein, and kept in EDTA-K2 tubes for conventional PCR analysis during the period extended from 1 /10 / 2018 till 31/ 3 / 2019. Total infection rate was 18% (18/100), which were divided into males 20.00% and in females 16.00%. The eight isolates were recorded in the GenBank under accession numbers ID: MN082405.1, MN082406.1, MN082407.1, MN082408.1, MN082409.1, MN082410.1, MN082411.1, and MN082412.1 with identity 99.20 - 99.87% and with other isolates (United Kingdom and USA) 99.34 - 99.88 %. In conclusion, Plasmodium gallinaceum may have a moderate spread in local domesticated breed chicken at Baghdad.
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Nourani L, Aliabadian M, Mirshamsi O, Dinparast Djadid N. Molecular detection and genetic diversity of avian haemosporidian parasites in Iran. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0206638. [PMID: 30412593 PMCID: PMC6226148 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The mobility of birds across or between continents exposes them to numerous vectors that have the potential to transmit pathogens and spread them into new regions. A combination of rich species diversity of birds along with the small amount of molecular studies in Iran makes observing the blood parasite distribution in wild avian populations indispensable for further estimation and administration of blood parasites. Methodology/Principal findings In order to evaluate the infection rate and molecular context of avian blood parasites, bird samples were collected (passerine = 316 and non-passerine = 14) in eight provinces of northern Iran between June to September 2015 and 2016. All bird samples were examined for haematoprotozoan infections by morphological screening using light microscope and mtDNA cytb gene amplification. A total of 115 birds were positive for blood parasites by molecular approach (34.84% overall infection). The infection rate of Haemoproteus, Plasmodium, and Leucocytozoon were 33.03%, 1.21%, and 0.6%, respectively. Sequences analysis has detected 43 lineages in Iranian birds’ hosts. Lineages were attributed to three genera Haemoproteus (n = 37), Plasmodium (n = 4), and Leucocytozoon (n = 2), of which 23 lineages fully matched previously recorded sequences in GenBank and MalAvi data reciprocities. Five lineages of ACDUM1, ACDUM2, PARUS1, PYERY01, and SISKIN1 were detected in multiple hosts’ species from dissimilar families. In Bayesian tree, all sequences were clustered in three main monophyletic clades as Haemoproteus, Plasmodium, and Leucocytozoon genera. Conclusions/Significance As the first study outlining the molecular detection of hematozoa of passerines from Iran, the current study has recorded 20 new lineages for three genera of Haemoproteus, Plasmodium, and Leucocytozoon. Additional investigations into these taxa in the avifauna for the other parts of Iran may provide extra information on blood parasites, hosts relationships and distribution patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Nourani
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
- * E-mail: (MA); (LN)
| | - Mansour Aliabadian
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
- Research Department of Zoological Innovations, Institute of Applied Zoology, Faculty of Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
- * E-mail: (MA); (LN)
| | - Omid Mirshamsi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
- Research Department of Zoological Innovations, Institute of Applied Zoology, Faculty of Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Navid Dinparast Djadid
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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Multidisciplinary re-description of Plasmodium (Novyella) paranucleophilum in Brazilian wild birds of the Atlantic Forest kept in captivity. Parasitol Res 2017; 116:1887-1897. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5465-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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Levin II, Colborn RE, Kim D, Perlut NG, Renfrew RB, Parker PG. Local parasite lineage sharing in temperate grassland birds provides clues about potential origins of Galapagos avian Plasmodium. Ecol Evol 2016; 6:716-26. [PMID: 26865960 PMCID: PMC4739572 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2015] [Revised: 11/19/2015] [Accepted: 11/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Oceanic archipelagos are vulnerable to natural introduction of parasites via migratory birds. Our aim was to characterize the geographic origins of two Plasmodium parasite lineages detected in the Galapagos Islands and in North American breeding bobolinks (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) that regularly stop in Galapagos during migration to their South American overwintering sites. We used samples from a grassland breeding bird assemblage in Nebraska, United States, and parasite DNA sequences from the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, to compare to global data in a DNA sequence registry. Homologous DNA sequences from parasites detected in bobolinks and more sedentary birds (e.g., brown‐headed cowbirds Molothrus ater, and other co‐occurring bird species resident on the North American breeding grounds) were compared to those recovered in previous studies from global sites. One parasite lineage that matched between Galapagos birds and the migratory bobolink, Plasmodium lineage B, was the most common lineage detected in the global MalAvi database, matching 49 sequences from unique host/site combinations, 41 of which were of South American origin. We did not detect lineage B in brown‐headed cowbirds. The other Galapagos‐bobolink match, Plasmodium lineage C, was identical to two other sequences from birds sampled in California. We detected a close variant of lineage C in brown‐headed cowbirds. Taken together, this pattern suggests that bobolinks became infected with lineage B on the South American end of their migratory range, and with lineage C on the North American breeding grounds. Overall, we detected more parasite lineages in bobolinks than in cowbirds. Galapagos Plasmodium had similar host breadth compared to the non‐Galapagos haemosporidian lineages detected in bobolinks, brown‐headed cowbirds, and other grassland species. This study highlights the utility of global haemosporidian data in the context of migratory bird–parasite connectivity. It is possible that migratory bobolinks bring parasites to the Galapagos and that these parasites originate from different biogeographic regions representing both their breeding and overwintering sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris I Levin
- Department of Biology University of Missouri - St. Louis One University Blvd.St. Louis Missouri 63121; Whitney R. Harris World Ecology Center University of Missouri - St. Louis One University Blvd.St. Louis Missouri 63121; Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute One Government Dr.St. Louis Missouri 63110
| | - Rachel E Colborn
- Department of Biology University of Missouri - St. Louis One University Blvd. St. Louis Missouri 63121
| | - Daniel Kim
- Platte River Whooping Crane Maintenance Trust 6611 W. Whooping Crane Dr. Wood River Nebraska 68883
| | - Noah G Perlut
- Department of Environmental Studies University of New England 11 Hills Beach Road Biddeford Maine 04005
| | | | - Patricia G Parker
- Department of Biology University of Missouri - St. Louis One University Blvd.St. Louis Missouri 63121; Whitney R. Harris World Ecology Center University of Missouri - St. Louis One University Blvd.St. Louis Missouri 63121; Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute One Government Dr.St. Louis Missouri 63110
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Moens MAJ, Pérez-Tris J. Discovering potential sources of emerging pathogens: South America is a reservoir of generalist avian blood parasites. Int J Parasitol 2015; 46:41-9. [PMID: 26348660 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2015.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2015] [Revised: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 08/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Generalist pathogens are capable of infecting a wide range of host species, and may pose serious disease emergence threats if accidentally moved outside their native areas. To date little effort has been devoted to identifying geographic areas that may act as reservoirs of generalist pathogens. According to current theory, where host diversity is high, parasite specialisation in one host species may be penalised by reduced host availability, while generalist parasites may benefit from the exploitation of various host species. Therefore natural selection could favor generalist parasites where host diversity is high. Here we explored if, in a highly diverse bird community in Ecuador, a generalist strategy is promoted among local Haemoproteus and Plasmodium blood-borne parasites compared with similar parasite communities throughout the world. We reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships of every parasite lineage in order to understand the evolution of host specificity in this megadiverse area. We found high levels of host generalisation for both parasite genera, and the mean host range of the Haemoproteus community in Ecuador was significantly higher than other parasite communities in other areas outside the Neotropics. Generalist Haemoproteus parasites in this bird community had diverse phylogenetic ancestry, were closely related to specialist parasites and were apparently endemic to the Amazon, showing that different parasites have independently evolved into host generalists in this region. Finally we show that Haemoproteus communities in Ecuador and South America are more generalist than in temperate areas, making this continent a hotspot of generalist Haemoproteus parasites for wild birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaël A J Moens
- Department of Zoology and Physical Anthropology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Calle José Antonio Novais 12, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Javier Pérez-Tris
- Department of Zoology and Physical Anthropology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Calle José Antonio Novais 12, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Kistler WM, Hernandez SM, Gibbs SEJ, Ballard JR, Arnold SL, Johnson T, Yabsley MJ. Evaluation of a Restriction Fragment Length Enzyme Assay for Differentiation ofHaemoproteusandPlasmodiumAcross a Standard Region of the Mitochondrial Genome. J Parasitol 2013; 99:1133-6. [DOI: 10.1645/13-211.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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Levin II, Zwiers P, Deem SL, Geest EA, Higashiguchi JM, Iezhova TA, Jiménez-Uzcátegui G, Kim DH, Morton JP, Perlut NG, Renfrew RB, Sari EHR, Valkiunas G, Parker PG. Multiple lineages of Avian malaria parasites (Plasmodium) in the Galapagos Islands and evidence for arrival via migratory birds. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2013; 27:1366-1377. [PMID: 24033638 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.12127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2013] [Accepted: 04/06/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Haemosporidian parasites in the genus Plasmodium were recently detected through molecular screening in the Galapagos Penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus). We summarized results of an archipelago-wide screen of 3726 endemic birds representing 22 species for Plasmodium spp. through a combination of molecular and microscopy techniques. Three additional Plasmodium lineages were present in Galapagos. Lineage A-infected penguins, Yellow Warblers (Setophaga petechia aureola), and one Medium Ground Finch (Geospiza fortis) and was detected at multiple sites in multiple years [corrected]. The other 3 lineages were each detected at one site and at one time; apparently, they were transient infections of parasites not established on the archipelago. No gametocytes were found in blood smears of infected individuals; thus, endemic Galapagos birds may be dead-end hosts for these Plasmodium lineages. Determining when and how parasites and pathogens arrive in Galapagos is key to developing conservation strategies to prevent and mitigate the effects of introduced diseases. To assess the potential for Plasmodium parasites to arrive via migratory birds, we analyzed blood samples from 438 North American breeding Bobolinks (Dolichonyx oryzivorus), the only songbird that regularly migrates through Galapagos. Two of the ephemeral Plasmodium lineages (B and C) found in Galapagos birds matched parasite sequences from Bobolinks. Although this is not confirmation that Bobolinks are responsible for introducing these lineages, evidence points to higher potential arrival rates of avian pathogens than previously thought. Linajes Múltiples de Parásitos de Malaria Aviar (Plasmodium) en las Islas Galápagos y Evidencia de su Arribo por Medio de Aves Migratorias.
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Affiliation(s)
- I I Levin
- Department of Biology, University of Missouri-St. Louis, One University Blvd, St. Louis, MO, 63121, U.S.A.; Whitney R. Harris World Ecology Center, University of Missouri-St. Louis, One University Blvd, St. Louis, MO, 63121, U.S.A.; WildCare Institute, Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis, MO, 63110, U.S.A..
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Braga EM, Silveira P, Belo NO, Valkiūnas G. Recent advances in the study of avian malaria: an overview with an emphasis on the distribution of Plasmodium spp in Brazil. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2012; 106 Suppl 1:3-11. [PMID: 21881752 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762011000900002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2011] [Accepted: 06/07/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Avian malaria parasites (Plasmodium) have a worldwide distribution except for Antarctica. They are transmitted exclusively by mosquito vectors (Diptera: Culicidae) and are of particular interest to health care research due to their phylogenetic relationship with human plasmodia and their ability to cause avian malaria, which is frequently lethal in non-adapted avian hosts. However, different features of avian Plasmodium spp, including their taxonomy and aspects of their life-history traits, need to be examined in more detail. Over the last 10 years, ecologists, evolutionary biologists and wildlife researchers have recognized the importance of studying avian malaria parasites and other related haemosporidians, which are the largest group of the order Haemosporida by number of species. These studies have included understanding the ecological, behavioral and evolutionary aspects that arise in this wildlife host-parasite system. Molecular tools have provided new and exiting opportunities for such research. This review discusses several emerging topics related to the current research of avian Plasmodium spp and some related avian haemosporidians. We also summarize some important discoveries in this field and emphasize the value of using both polymerase chain reaction-based and microscopy-based methods in parallel for wildlife studies. We will focus on the genus Plasmodium, with an emphasis on the distribution and pathogenicity of these parasites in wild birds in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Martins Braga
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
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Ortiz-Catedral L, Prada D, Gleeson D, Brunton DH. Avian malaria in a remnant population of red-fronted parakeets on Little Barrier Island, New Zealand. NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY 2011. [DOI: 10.1080/03014223.2011.584540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Belo NO, Passos LF, Júnior LMC, Goulart CE, Sherlock TM, Braga EM. Avian malaria in captive psittacine birds: detection by microscopy and 18S rRNA gene amplification. Prev Vet Med 2008; 88:220-4. [PMID: 18937986 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2008.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2007] [Revised: 07/21/2008] [Accepted: 09/03/2008] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
A cross-sectional survey was conducted to estimate the occurrence of malaria infection among captive psittacine birds (n=127) from three zoological gardens in Brazil. Malaria infection was evaluated by the association of direct examination of blood smears with amplification of the 18SSU rRNA gene of the Plasmodium genus, demonstrating an overall occurrence of 36%. Most infected bird species were Amazona aestiva (28/73), Ara ararauna (6/10), and Amazona amazonica (3/10). The low parasitemias observed among the infected birds suggest a chronic infection. The sequence analyses of 10 isolates indicate a potential occurrence of four distinct Plasmodium lineages. These findings provide new data on malarial infection in captive psittacine birds, and emphasize the need for better control of importation and exportation of these birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- N O Belo
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, 30123-970 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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Donovan TA, Schrenzel M, Tucker TA, Pessier AP, Stalis IH. Hepatic Hemorrhage, Hemocoelom, and Sudden Death due to Haemoproteus Infection in Passerine Birds: Eleven Cases. J Vet Diagn Invest 2008; 20:304-13. [DOI: 10.1177/104063870802000307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Haemoproteus spp. are ancient apicomplexan hemoparasites that have undergone extensive coevolution with their natural hosts and are typically species specific, with inapparent or minimal pathogenicity. A promiscuous genotype of Haemoproteus capable of undergoing host switching on a familial level was identified. This protozoan caused severe disease with high mortality in 6 species of exotic passerine birds housed in California at the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park: Surinam crested oropendola ( Psarocolius decumanus decumanus), Guianan turquoise tanager ( Tangara mexicana mexicana), blue-necked tanager ( Tangara cyanicollis caeruleocephala, Guianan red-capped cardinal ( Paroaria gularis gularis), magnificent bird of paradise ( Diphyllodes magnificus hunsteini), and superb bird of paradise ( Lophorina superba). The birds had few or no clinical signs. Necropsy findings consisted of hemocoelom and irregularly scattered areas of hemorrhage and hepatocellular necrosis. Affected areas of liver contained solitary protozoal megaloschizonts in varied states of degeneration and peripheral nonsuppurative inflammation. No other parasite life stages were found in parenchymal organs or blood smears. Polymerase chain reaction using consensus primers for an avian malarial mitochondrial cytochrome B gene segment was positive in all cases. Sequencing and BLAST analysis identified the protozoan as a Haemoproteus sp. related to Haemoproteus spp. found in asymptomatic passerine birds native to North America. In situ hybridization was performed in 3 animals with a mitochondrial cytochrome B probe and was positive only in megaloschizonts. These findings suggest the recognition of a genotype of Haemoproteus that exhibits high levels of host infidelity and causes severe disease in captive birds exotic to North America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taryn A. Donovan
- From the Zoological Society of San Diego, Wildlife Disease Laboratories, San Diego, CA
| | - Mark Schrenzel
- From the Zoological Society of San Diego, Wildlife Disease Laboratories, San Diego, CA
| | - Tammy A. Tucker
- From the Zoological Society of San Diego, Wildlife Disease Laboratories, San Diego, CA
| | - Allan P. Pessier
- From the Zoological Society of San Diego, Wildlife Disease Laboratories, San Diego, CA
| | - Ilse H. Stalis
- From the Zoological Society of San Diego, Wildlife Disease Laboratories, San Diego, CA
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15
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Beadell JS, Ishtiaq F, Covas R, Melo M, Warren BH, Atkinson CT, Bensch S, Graves GR, Jhala YV, Peirce MA, Rahmani AR, Fonseca DM, Fleischer RC. Global phylogeographic limits of Hawaii's avian malaria. Proc Biol Sci 2007; 273:2935-44. [PMID: 17015360 PMCID: PMC1639517 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2006.3671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The introduction of avian malaria (Plasmodium relictum) to Hawaii has provided a model system for studying the influence of exotic disease on naive host populations. Little is known, however, about the origin or the genetic variation of Hawaii's malaria and traditional classification methods have confounded attempts to place the parasite within a global ecological and evolutionary context. Using fragments of the parasite mitochondrial gene cytochrome b and the nuclear gene dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase obtained from a global survey of greater than 13000 avian samples, we show that Hawaii's avian malaria, which can cause high mortality and is a major limiting factor for many species of native passerines, represents just one of the numerous lineages composing the morphological parasite species. The single parasite lineage detected in Hawaii exhibits a broad host distribution worldwide and is dominant on several other remote oceanic islands, including Bermuda and Moorea, French Polynesia. The rarity of this lineage in the continental New World and the restriction of closely related lineages to the Old World suggest limitations to the transmission of reproductively isolated parasite groups within the morphological species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon S Beadell
- Genetics Program, National Zoological Park and National Museum of Natural HistoryWashington, DC 20008, USA
- Department of Biology, University of MarylandCollege Park, MD 20742, USA
- Authors for correspondence (), ()
| | - Farah Ishtiaq
- Genetics Program, National Zoological Park and National Museum of Natural HistoryWashington, DC 20008, USA
| | - Rita Covas
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of EdinburghEdinburgh EH9 3JT, UK
| | - Martim Melo
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of EdinburghEdinburgh EH9 3JT, UK
| | - Ben H Warren
- School of Plant Sciences, University of ReadingReading, Berkshire RG6 6AS, UK
| | - Carter T Atkinson
- US Geological Survey—Biological Resources Discipline, Pacific Island Ecosystems Research CenterHawaii National Park, HI 96718, USA
| | - Staffan Bensch
- Department of Animal Ecology, Lund UniversitySölvegatan 37, 22362 Lund, Sweden
| | - Gary R Graves
- National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian InstitutionWashington, DC 20560, USA
| | | | - Mike A Peirce
- MP International Consultancy, Normandale, Bexhill-on-SeaEast Sussex TN39 3NZ, UK
| | | | | | - Robert C Fleischer
- Genetics Program, National Zoological Park and National Museum of Natural HistoryWashington, DC 20008, USA
- Authors for correspondence (), ()
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16
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Sato Y, Hagihara M, Yamaguchi T, Yukawa M, Murata K. Phylogenetic comparison of Leucocytozoon spp. from wild birds of Japan. J Vet Med Sci 2007; 69:55-9. [PMID: 17283401 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.69.55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Eight species of Japanese birds were found to be infected with Leucocytozoon species using microscopic analysis. We used PCR and sequence analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (cyt b) to compare the genetic background among these detected protozoa species. In 20 individuals of 22 samples, a single amplified band was detected from 6 of 8 bird species; 9 Japanese rock ptarmigans (Lagopus mutus japonicus), 4 large-billed crows (Corvus macrorhynchos), 2 carrion crows (C. corone), 2 scops owls (Otus scops), 1 Japanese grosbeak (Eophona personata), and 2 brown-eared bulbuls (Hypsipetes amaurotis), respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on the partial cyt b sequences revealed that all Leucocytozoon isolates in Japan closely grouped with other Leucocytozoon species previously reported in the literature. Among the Japanese isolates, the phylogenetic tree suggested that L. lovati from the Japanese rock ptarmigan may be basal to the parasites found in other bird species. Our study is the first to identify the molecular relationships among Leucocytozoon parasites in the avifauna of Japan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukita Sato
- Laboratory of Biomedical Science, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Japan
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17
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Valkiūnas G, Zehtindjiev P, Hellgren O, Ilieva M, Iezhova TA, Bensch S. Linkage between mitochondrial cytochrome b lineages and morphospecies of two avian malaria parasites, with a description of Plasmodium (Novyella) ashfordi sp. nov. Parasitol Res 2007; 100:1311-22. [PMID: 17235548 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-006-0409-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2006] [Accepted: 11/23/2006] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Numerous lineages of avian malaria parasites of the genus Plasmodium have been deposited in GenBank. However, only seven morphospecies have been linked to these lineages. This study linked two molecular sequences with morphospecies of malaria parasites. Two species of Plasmodium (mitochondrial cytochrome b gene lineages P-GRW2 and P-GRW4) were isolated from naturally infected adult great reed warblers (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) and inoculated to naive juvenile individuals of the same host species. Heavy parasitemia developed in the subinoculated birds, which enable identification of the species and deposition of their voucher specimens. Parasites of the lineage P-GRW2 were described as a new species, Plasmodium (Novyella) ashfordi, which is characterized primarily by the fan-like mature erythrocytic meronts containing seven to eight merozoites and the terminal position of clumped pigment granules in the gametocytes. Illustrations of the blood stages of the new species and Plasmodium (Haemamoeba) relictum (lineage P-GRW4) are given. The parasites of both lineages are transmitted in Africa and probably not in northern Europe. Other lineages closely related to P. ashfordi and P. relictum are identified. This study establishes the value of PCR-based identification of avian malaria parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gediminas Valkiūnas
- Institute of Ecology, Vilnius University, Akademijos 2, Vilnius 21, LT-08412, Lithuania.
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18
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Yotoko KSC, Elisei C. Malaria parasites (Apicomplexa, Haematozoea) and their relationships with their hosts: is there an evolutionary cost for the specialization? J ZOOL SYST EVOL RES 2006. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0469.2006.00377.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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19
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Martinsen ES, Paperna I, Schall JJ. Morphological versus molecular identification of avian Haemosporidia: an exploration of three species concepts. Parasitology 2006; 133:279-88. [PMID: 16740182 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182006000424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2006] [Revised: 03/29/2006] [Accepted: 04/08/2006] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
More than 200 species of avian Haemosporidia (genera Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, and Leucocytozoon) have been described based primarily on morphological characters seen in blood smears. Recent molecular studies, however, suggest that such methods may mask a substantial cryptic diversity of avian haemosporidians. We surveyed the haemosporidians of birds sampled at 1 site in Israel. Parasites were identified to species based on morphology, and a segment of the parasite's cytochrome b gene was sequenced. We compared 3 species concepts: morphological, genetic, and phylogenetic. Fifteen morphological species were present. Morphological species that occurred once within our dataset were associated with a unique gene sequence, displayed large genetic divergence from other morphological species, and were not contained within clades of morphological species that occurred more than once. With only 1 exception, morphological species that were identified from multiple bird hosts presented identical sequences for all infections, or differed by few synonymous substitutions, and were monophyletic for all phylogenetic analyses. Only the morphological species Haemoproteus belopolskyi did not follow this trend, falling instead into at least 2 genetically distant clades. Thus, except for H. belopolskyi, parasites identified to species by morphology were supported by both the genetic and phylogenetic species concepts.
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Affiliation(s)
- E S Martinsen
- Department of Biology, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405, USA.
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20
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Padilla LR, Whiteman NK, Merkel J, Huyvaert KP, Parker PG. Health Assessment of Seabirds on Isla Genovesa, Galápagos Islands. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006. [DOI: 10.2307/40166830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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21
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Beadell JS, Fleischer RC. A Restriction Enzyme–Based Assay to Distinguish Between Avian Hemosporidians. J Parasitol 2005; 91:683-5. [PMID: 16108566 DOI: 10.1645/ge-3412rn] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe a reliable and relatively inexpensive method for detecting and differentiating between the commonly studied avian blood parasite genera Haemoproteus, Plasmodium, and Leucocytozoon. The assay takes advantage of a Haemoproteus-specific restriction site identified by sequencing full mitochondrial genomes from two Haemoproteus and three Plasmodium lineages and an adjacent, genus-specific restriction site identified in Leucocytozoon spp. The assay was sensitive to simulated parasitemias of approximately 8 x 10(-6) per erythrocyte and was 100% accurate in differentiating between parasite genera isolated from a broad geographical and taxonomic sampling of infected hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon S Beadell
- Genetics Program, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA.
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22
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Wiersch SC, Maier WA, Kampen H. Plasmodium (Haemamoeba) cathemerium gene sequences for phylogenetic analysis of malaria parasites. Parasitol Res 2005; 96:90-4. [PMID: 15812672 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-005-1324-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2005] [Accepted: 02/09/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The DNA sequence information on avian malaria parasites of the genus Plasmodium is quite limited. At present, sequences of only 6 out of 34 valid species are available. However, sequence data of avian malaria parasites are particularly important with regard to the resolution of the phylogenetic relationships of the most virulent human malaria agent, Plasmodium falciparum. The question as to whether P. falciparum originates from avian or from mammalian parasites would contribute to our understanding of its biology and would probably facilitate the interpretation of experimental results. To add to the body of molecular data, we sequenced three genes (cytochrome b, 18 SSU rRNA, caseinolytic protease C) of different organellar origin of one of the most widespread avian malaria parasites, Plasmodium (Haemamoeba) cathemerium, which once used to be an important laboratory in vivo model in human malaria research. The analysis of the new P. cathemerium sequences in direct comparison with the rodent parasite P. berghei and the four human malaria parasites by pairwise distance calculation do not suggest a closer relationship of P. cathemerium to P. falciparum than to the other species involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- S C Wiersch
- Institute for Medical Parasitology, Sigmund-Freud-Str, 25, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
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23
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Beadell JS, Gering E, Austin J, Dumbacher JP, Peirce MA, Pratt TK, Atkinson CT, Fleischer RC. Prevalence and differential host-specificity of two avian blood parasite genera in the Australo-Papuan region. Mol Ecol 2005; 13:3829-44. [PMID: 15548295 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294x.2004.02363.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The degree to which widespread avian blood parasites in the genera Plasmodium and Haemoproteus pose a threat to novel hosts depends in part on the degree to which they are constrained to a particular host or host family. We examined the host distribution and host-specificity of these parasites in birds from two relatively understudied and isolated locations: Australia and Papua New Guinea. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we detected infection in 69 of 105 species, representing 44% of individuals surveyed (n = 428). Across host families, prevalence of Haemoproteus ranged from 13% (Acanthizidae) to 56% (Petroicidae) while prevalence of Plasmodium ranged from 3% (Petroicidae) to 47% (Ptilonorhynchidae). We recovered 78 unique mitochondrial lineages from 155 sequences. Related lineages of Haemoproteus were more likely to derive from the same host family than predicted by chance at shallow (average LogDet genetic distance = 0, n = 12, P = 0.001) and greater depths (average distance = 0.014, n = 11, P < 0.001) within the parasite phylogeny. Within two major Haemoproteus subclades identified in a maximum likelihood phylogeny, host-specificity was evident up to parasite genetic distances of 0.029 and 0.007 based on logistic regression. We found no significant host relationship among lineages of Plasmodium by any method of analysis. These results support previous evidence of strong host-family specificity in Haemoproteus and suggest that lineages of Plasmodium are more likely to form evolutionarily-stable associations with novel hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon S Beadell
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, USA.
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