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Durden LA. Ralph Peter Eckerlin, Ph.D. 10 February 1938-9 February 2024. J Parasitol 2024; 110:141-142. [PMID: 38629268 DOI: 10.1645/24-25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia 30458
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Kelly S, Dong Y, Wang W, Matthee S, Wentzel JM, Durden LA, Shao R. Mitochondrial genome sequence comparisons indicate that the elephant louse Haematomyzus elephantis (Piaget, 1869) contains cryptic species. Med Vet Entomol 2024; 38:112-117. [PMID: 37850372 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
The parvorder Rhynchopthirina contains three currently recognised species of lice that parasitize elephants (both African savanna elephant Loxodonta africana and Asian elephant Elephas maximus), desert warthogs (Phacochoerus aethiopicus) and Red River hogs (Potamochoerus porcus), respectively. The Asian elephant lice and the African savanna elephant lice are currently treated as the same species, Haematomyzus elephantis (Piaget, 1869), based on morphology despite the fact that their hosts diverged 8.4 million years ago. In the current study, we sequenced 23 mitochondrial (mt) genes of African savanna elephant lice collected in South Africa and analysed the sequence divergence between African savanna elephant lice and previously sequenced Asian elephant lice. Sequence comparisons revealed >23% divergence for the 23 mt genes as a whole and ~17% divergence for cox1 gene between African savanna and Asian elephant lice, which were far higher than the divergence expected within a species. Furthermore, the mt gene sequence divergences between these lice are 3.76-4.6 times higher than that between their hosts, the African savanna and Asian elephants, which are expected for the co-divergence and co-evolution between lice and their elephant hosts. We conclude that (1) H. elephantis (Piaget, 1869) contains cryptic species and (2) African savanna and Asian elephant lice are different species genetically that may have co-diverged and co-evolved with their hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Kelly
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
| | - Yalun Dong
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
| | - Wei Wang
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sonja Matthee
- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, South Africa
| | - Jeanette M Wentzel
- Hans Hoheisen Research Station, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Disease, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Research, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa
| | - Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia, USA
| | - Renfu Shao
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
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Nava S, Beati L, Venzal JM, Durden LA, Bermudez SE, Tarragona EL, Mangold AJ, Gleason D, Mastropaolo M, Guglielmone AA. Description of two new species in the Ixodes ricinus complex from the New World (Acari: Ixodidae), and redescription of Ixodes affinis Neumann, 1899. Zootaxa 2023; 5361:53-73. [PMID: 38220777 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5361.1.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Ixodes chacoensis n. sp. is described based on males, females, nymphs and larvae collected from vegetation, ungulates and passerine birds in northeastern Argentina. Ixodes affinis Neumann, 1899 is redescribed based on the original type specimens (females) from Leopardus pardalis, and from recently collected specimens from Costa Rica. Ixodes keiransi n. sp., previously treated as North American populations of Ixodes affinis, is described based on males and females from carnivores and ungulates from the southeastern United States. Concatenated total evidence phylogenetics based on combined DNA sequence analyses from mitochondrial genes (12SrDNA, 16SrDNA and COI) and a nuclear gene (ITS2) corroborate the recognition of these species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Nava
- Instituto de Investigacin de la Cdena Lctea (IDICAL; INTA-CONICET); Instituto Nacional de Tecnologa Agropecuaria; Estacin Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela (INTA E.E.A. Rafaela); Ruta 34 Km 227; Rafaela; Santa Fe; Argentina.
| | - Lorenza Beati
- United States National Tick Collection; Institute for Coastal Plain; Science; Georgia Southern University; Statesboro; GA 30460; USA.
| | - Jose M Venzal
- Laboratorio de Vectores y Enfermedades Transmitidas; Departamento de Ciencias Biolgicas; CENUR Litoral Norte; Universidad de la Repblica; Rivera 1350; 50000 Salto; CP; Uruguay.
| | - Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology; Georgia Southern University; Statesboro; GA 30460; USA.
| | | | - Evelina L Tarragona
- Instituto de Investigacin de la Cdena Lctea (IDICAL; INTA-CONICET); Instituto Nacional de Tecnologa Agropecuaria; Estacin Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela (INTA E.E.A. Rafaela); Ruta 34 Km 227; Rafaela; Santa Fe; Argentina.
| | - Atilio J Mangold
- Instituto de Investigacin de la Cdena Lctea (IDICAL; INTA-CONICET); Instituto Nacional de Tecnologa Agropecuaria; Estacin Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela (INTA E.E.A. Rafaela); Ruta 34 Km 227; Rafaela; Santa Fe; Argentina.
| | - Debbie Gleason
- Georgia Southern Museum; Georgia Southern University; Statesboro; GA 30460; USA.
| | | | - Alberto A Guglielmone
- Instituto de Investigacin de la Cdena Lctea (IDICAL; INTA-CONICET); Instituto Nacional de Tecnologa Agropecuaria; Estacin Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela (INTA E.E.A. Rafaela); Ruta 34 Km 227; Rafaela; Santa Fe; Argentina.
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Hahn MB, Hojgaard A, Disler G, George W, Droghini A, Schlaht R, Durden LA, Coburn S, Gerlach R, Eisen RJ. Ticks and tick-borne microbes identified through passive and active surveillance in Alaska. J Med Entomol 2023; 60:1099-1107. [PMID: 37348952 PMCID: PMC10496432 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjad078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Rapid environmental change in Alaska and other regions of the Arctic and sub-Arctic has raised concerns about increasing human exposure to ticks and the pathogens they carry. We tested a sample of ticks collected through a combination of passive and active surveillance from humans, domestic animals, and wildlife hosts in Alaska for a panel of the most common tick-borne pathogens in the contiguous United States to characterize the diversity of microbes present in this region. We tested 189 pooled tick samples collected in 2019-2020 for Borrelia spp., Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., and Babesia spp. using a multiplex PCR amplicon sequencing assay. We found established populations of Ixodes angustus Neumann (Acari: Ixodidae), Ixodes uriae White (Acari: Ixodidae), and Haemaphysalis leporispalustris Packard (Acari: Ixodidae) in Alaska, with I. angustus found on a variety of hosts including domestic companion animals (dogs and cats), small wild mammals, and humans. Ixodes angustus were active from April through October with peaks in adult and nymphal activity observed in summer months (mainly July). Although no known human pathogens were detected, Babesia microti-like parasites and candidatus Ehrlichia khabarensis were identified in ticks and small mammals. The only human pathogen detected (B. burgdorferi s.s.) was found in a tick associated with a dog that had recently traveled to New York, where Lyme disease is endemic. This study highlights the value of a combined passive and active tick surveillance system to detect introduced tick species and pathogens and to assess which tick species and microbes are locally established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micah B Hahn
- Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies, University of Alaska Anchorage, 3211 Providence Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA
| | - Andrias Hojgaard
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases National Center for Emerging Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3156 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
| | - Gale Disler
- Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies, University of Alaska Anchorage, 3211 Providence Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA
| | - William George
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alaska Anchorage, 3211 Providence Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA
| | - Amanda Droghini
- Alaska Center for Conservation Science, University of Alaska Anchorage, 3211 Providence Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA
| | - Renate Schlaht
- UAF/CSU 2 + 2 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program, Colorado State University, 1601 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-160, USA
| | - Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, 4324 Old Register Road, Statesboro, GA 30458, USA
| | - Sarah Coburn
- Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Office of the State Veterinarian, 5251 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99507, USA
| | - Robert Gerlach
- Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Office of the State Veterinarian, 5251 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99507, USA
| | - Rebecca J Eisen
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases National Center for Emerging Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3156 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
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Durden LA, Beati L. Obituary. James Edward Keirans (1935-2023). Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023:102228. [PMID: 37507245 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia 30460, USA.
| | - Lorenza Beati
- U.S. National Tick Collection, Institute for Coastal Plain Science, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia 30460, USA
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Marquès Gomila C, Kiene F, Klein A, Kessler SE, Zohdy S, Rakotondravony R, Durden LA, Radespiel U. Host-related and environmental factors influence long-term ectoparasite infestation dynamics of mouse lemurs in northwestern Madagascar. Am J Primatol 2023; 85:e23494. [PMID: 37078629 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
Parasite infestations depend on multiple host-related and environmental factors. In the case of ectoparasites, which are exposed to the environment beyond the host, an impact of climate, expressed by seasonal or yearly variations, can be expected. However, long-term dynamics of ectoparasite infestations are rarely studied in nonhuman primates. We investigated the yearly variations in ectoparasite infestations of two small primates, the gray (Microcebus murinus) and the golden-brown (Microcebus ravelobensis) mouse lemur. For a more comprehensive evaluation, we also analyzed the potential effects of yearly and monthly climatic variation (temperature, rainfall) in addition to habitat, host sex, age, species, and body mass, on ectoparasite infestation. Individuals of both host species were sampled in two study sites within the Ankarafantsika National Park in northwestern Madagascar during several months (March-November) and across 4 years (2010, 2011, 2015, 2016). Our results show significant monthly and yearly variations in the infestation rates of three native ectoparasite taxa (Haemaphysalis spp. ticks, Schoutedenichia microcebi chigger mites, Lemurpediculus spp. sucking lice) and in ectoparasite species richness in both mouse lemur species. In addition, significant impacts of several host-related (species, sex, body mass) and environmental factors (habitat, temperature, rainfall) were found, but with differences in relevance for the different parasite taxa and partly deviating in their direction. Although some differences could be attributed to either permanent or temporary presence of the parasites on the host or to ecological differences between the host species, the lack of specific knowledge regarding the life cycle and microhabitat requirements of each parasite taxon precludes a complete understanding of the factors that determine their infestation dynamics. This study demonstrates the presence of yearly and monthly dynamics in lemur-parasite interactions in tropical, seasonal, dry deciduous forests in Madagascar, which call out for broad ecological long-term studies focusing both on primate hosts and their parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Frederik Kiene
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
- Institute of Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Annette Klein
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
- Institute of Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Sharon E Kessler
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, UK
- School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Sarah Zohdy
- College of Forestry, Wildlife, and Environment and College of Veterinary Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| | - Romule Rakotondravony
- Ecole Doctorale Ecosystèmes Naturels (EDEN), University of Mahajanga, Mahajanga, Madagascar
- Faculté des Sciences, de Technologies et de l'Environnement, University of Mahajanga, Mahajanga, Madagascar
| | - Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia, USA
| | - Ute Radespiel
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
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Eckerlin RP, Durden LA. A NEW SPECIES OF FLEA (SIPHONAPTERA: CTENOPHTHALMIDAE) PARASITIZING VOLES AT HIGH ELEVATIONS IN THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS OF TENNESSEE AND NORTH CAROLINA. J Parasitol 2023; 109:107-112. [PMID: 37058695 DOI: 10.1645/22-85] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Both sexes of Catallagia appalachiensis n. sp. are described from high elevation spruce-fir forests in Sevier County, Tennessee and adjoining Swain County, North Carolina in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The type host of the new flea is the southern red-backed vole, Myodes gapperi (Vigors) (25 flea specimens), although small numbers of specimens were also collected from a sympatric northern short-tailed shrew, Blarina brevicauda (Say) (2 fleas), a red squirrel, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus (Erxleben) (1 flea), and a North American deer mouse, Peromyscus maniculatus (Wagner) (1 flea). Infestation prevalences for these hosts are provided. The new species is compared morphologically with other known species of Catallagia, in particular with Catallagia borealis, the only other described congeneric flea in eastern North America. This is the first new species of flea to be described from the eastern United States since 1980.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralph P Eckerlin
- Mathematics, Science and Technology Division, Northern Virginia Community College, 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, Virginia 22003
| | - Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, 4324 Old Register Road, Statesboro, Georgia 30458
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Springer A, Durden LA, Kiene F, Klein A, Rakotondravony R, Ehlers J, Greiman SE, Blanco MB, Zohdy S, Kessler SE, Strube C, Radespiel U. Molecular phylogenetics of the sucking louse genus Lemurpediculus (Insecta: Phthiraptera), ectoparasites of lemurs, with descriptions of three new species. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2023; 20:138-152. [PMID: 36845223 PMCID: PMC9945782 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Sucking lice live in intimate association with their hosts and often display a high degree of host specificity. The present study investigated sucking lice of the genus Lemurpediculus from six mouse lemur (Microcebus) and two dwarf lemur (Cheirogaleus) species endemic to the island of Madagascar, considered a biodiversity hotspot. Louse phylogenetic trees were created based on cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI), elongation factor 1α (EF1α) and internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) sequences. While clustering according to host species was generally observed for COI and ITS1, suggesting high host specificity of the examined lice, EF1α sequences alone did not distinguish between lice of different Microcebus species, possibly due to rather recent divergence. As bootstrap support for basal tree structure was rather low, further data are necessary to resolve the evolutionary history of louse-mouse lemur associations. Three new species of sucking lice are described: Lemurpediculus zimmermanni sp. Nov. From Microcebus ravelobensis, Lemurpediculus gerpi sp.nov. from Microcebus gerpi, and Lemurpediculus tsimanampesotsae sp. nov. from Microcebus griseorufus. These new species are compared with all known congeneric species and identifying features are illustrated for all known species of Lemurpediculus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Springer
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany
| | - Lance A. Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, 4324 Old Register Road, Statesboro, GA, 30458, USA
| | - Frederik Kiene
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany,Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30173, Hannover, Germany
| | - Annette Klein
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Romule Rakotondravony
- École Doctorale Ecosystèmes Naturels (EDEN), University of Mahajanga, 5 Rue Georges V - Immeuble KAKAL, Mahajanga Be, B.P. 652, Mahajanga 401, Madagascar,Faculté des Sciences, de Technologies et de l’Environnement, University of Mahajanga, 5 Rue Georges V - Immeuble KAKAL, Mahajanga Be, B.P. 652. Mahajanga 401, Madagascar
| | - Julian Ehlers
- Animal Ecology and Conservation, Institute of Cell and Systems Biology of Animals, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stephen E. Greiman
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, 4324 Old Register Road, Statesboro, GA, 30458, USA
| | - Marina B. Blanco
- Duke Lemur Center, Durham, NC, 27705, USA,Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Sarah Zohdy
- School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| | - Sharon E. Kessler
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, Scotland, UK
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany,Corresponding author.
| | - Ute Radespiel
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany,Corresponding author.
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Ponnusamy L, Garshong R, McLean BS, Wasserberg G, Durden LA, Crossley D, Apperson CS, Roe RM. Rickettsia felis and Other Rickettsia Species in Chigger Mites Collected from Wild Rodents in North Carolina, USA. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10071342. [PMID: 35889061 PMCID: PMC9324336 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10071342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Chiggers are vectors of rickettsial pathogenic bacteria, Orientia spp., that cause the human disease, scrub typhus, in the Asian–Pacific area and northern Australia (known as the Tsutsugamushi Triangle). More recently, reports of scrub typhus in Africa, southern Chile, and the Middle East have reshaped our understanding of the epidemiology of this disease, indicating it has a broad geographical distribution. Despite the growing number of studies and discoveries of chigger-borne human disease outside of the Tsutsugamushi Triangle, rickettsial pathogens in chigger mites in the US are still undetermined. The aim of our study was to investigate possible Rickettsia DNA in chiggers collected from rodents in North Carolina, USA. Of 46 chiggers tested, 47.8% tested positive for amplicons of the 23S-5S gene, 36.9% tested positive for 17 kDa, and 15.2% tested positive for gltA. Nucleotide sequence analyses of the Rickettsia-specific 23S-5S intergenic spacer (IGS), 17 kDa, and gltA gene fragments indicated that the amplicons from these chiggers were closely related to those in R. felis, R. conorii, R. typhi, and unidentified Rickettsia species. In this study, we provide the first evidence of Rickettsia infection in chiggers collected from rodents within the continental USA. In North Carolina, a US state with the highest annual cases of spotted fever rickettsioses, these results suggest chigger bites could pose a risk to public health, warranting further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loganathan Ponnusamy
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; (C.S.A.); (R.M.R.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Reuben Garshong
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27402, USA; (R.G.); (B.S.M.); (G.W.)
| | - Bryan S. McLean
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27402, USA; (R.G.); (B.S.M.); (G.W.)
| | - Gideon Wasserberg
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27402, USA; (R.G.); (B.S.M.); (G.W.)
| | - Lance A. Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, 4324 Old Register Road Statesboro, Statesboro, GA 30458, USA;
| | - Dac Crossley
- Georgia Museum of Natural History, Natural History Building, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA;
| | - Charles S. Apperson
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; (C.S.A.); (R.M.R.)
| | - R. Michael Roe
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; (C.S.A.); (R.M.R.)
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Durden LA, Robinson C, Cook JA, Bell KC, Nyamsuren B, Greiman SE. SUCKING LICE (PHTHIRAPTERA: ANOPLURA) PARASITIZING MONGOLIAN RODENTS WITH THE DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF HOPLOPLEURA FROM MOUNTAIN VOLES (ALTICOLA SPP.). J Parasitol 2022; 108:353-365. [PMID: 35925594 DOI: 10.1645/22-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The sucking louse fauna associated with Mongolian mammals is inadequately known. We provide a list of 25 species of sucking lice recorded from Mongolian rodents including previously published records, and new records of specimens collected during an expedition to northwestern Mongolia in 2015. Hoplopleura inagakii Ono and Hasegawa and Polyplax cricetulis Chin are newly recorded from Mongolia and 2 new host associations in Mongolia are recorded for Hoplopleura acanthopus (Burmeister). We describe Hoplopleura altaiensis n. sp., from the Gobi Altai mountain vole, Alticola barakshin Bannikov (type host) with an additional specimen from Alticola strelzowi (Kastchenko) (Strelzow's mountain vole). Both sexes of the new species are illustrated with scanning electron micrographs and line drawings. We note small morphological differences in the shape of the female subgenital plate between specimens prepared for scanning electron microscopy versus those prepared for light microscopy following DNA extraction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia 30458
| | - Chase Robinson
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia 30458
| | - Joseph A Cook
- Museum of Southwestern Biology and Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131
| | - Kayce C Bell
- Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, California 90007
| | - Batsaikhan Nyamsuren
- Department of Biology, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia 11000
| | - Stephen E Greiman
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia 30458
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11
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Wang W, Durden LA, Shao R. A new species of sucking louse (Psocodea: Phthiraptera: Anoplura: Hoplopleuridae) from the pale field rat, Rattus tunneyi (Rodentia: Muridae), in Australia. Zootaxa 2022; 5091:477-486. [PMID: 35391235 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5091.3.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
We describe and illustrate a new species of sucking louse, Hoplopleura tunneya new species, from the Australian pale field rat, Rattus tunneyi Thomas (Rodentia: Muridae). Currently, 22 species of the genus Hoplopleura Enderlein, 1904 (Phthiraptera: Anoplura: Hoplopleuridae) are known from Australian endemic rodents. Among the seven new endemic rodent species of the genus Rattus in Australia, R. tunneyi is one of five hosts to Hoplopleura lice. In addition, we give a list of all the species of Hoplopleura known from Australian endemic rodents. Including the introduced species Polyplax spinulosa, the total number of sucking louse species known from Australian endemic rodents is now 24.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- GeneCology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, Queensland 4556, Australia. School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, Queensland 4556, Australia..
| | - Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30458, United States of America. .
| | - Renfu Shao
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, Queensland 4556, Australia.
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12
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Wang W, Durden LA, Shao R. Two New Species of Sucking Lice (Psocodea: Phthiraptera: Hoplopleuridae) from Chestnut Mice, Pseudomys gracilicaudatus and Pseudomys nanus (Rodentia: Muridae), in Australia. J Med Entomol 2021; 58:1157-1165. [PMID: 33576393 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
We describe two new species of sucking lice in the genus Hoplopleura Enderlein, 1904 (Psocodea: Phthiraptera: Hoplopleuridae) from Australia: Hoplopleura gracilicaudatusa n. sp. from the eastern chestnut mouse Pseudomys gracilicaudatus (Gould) (Rodentia: Muridae), and Hoplopleura nanusa n. sp. from the western chestnut mouse Pseudomys nanus (Gould) (Rodentia: Muridae). Pseudomys Gray is the most speciose genus of rodents endemic to Australia with 24 species; however, only two Pseudomys species have been reported previously to be hosts of sucking lice. The description of the new species in the present study doubles the number of sucking louse species known to parasitize Pseudomys mice and increases the total number of sucking louse species known from endemic Australian rodents from 21 to 23. Pseudomys gracilicaudatus and P. nanus are closely related murines that diverged ~1 MYA with distinct and widely separated extant geographic distributions. The two new Hoplopleura species described in the present study share some morphological characters and likely co-evolved and co-speciated with their chestnut mouse hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- GeneCology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
| | - Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
| | - Renfu Shao
- GeneCology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
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13
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Durden LA, Bermúdez S, Vargas GA, Sanjur BE, Gillen L, Brown LD, Greiman SE, Eremeeva ME. Fleas (Siphonaptera) Parasitizing Peridomestic and Indigenous Mammals in Panamá and Screening of Selected Fleas for Vector-Borne Bacterial Pathogens. J Med Entomol 2021; 58:1316-1321. [PMID: 33215205 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In total, 341 fleas belonging to 16 species were collected from 78 host mammals belonging to 10 species in Panamá from 2010 to 2016. The cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis (Bouché) predominated on domestic dogs and was also recorded from domestic cats, the raccoon, Procyon lotor (Linnaeus) and the common opossum, Didelphis marsupialis Linnaeus. The largest number of flea species (7) was recorded from D. marsupialis and the most common flea on that host was the ctenophthalmid, Adoratopsylla intermedia copha Jordan. One Oriental rat flea, Xenopsylla cheopis (Rothschild), was collected from D. marsupialis. Native rodents were parasitized by indigenous ceratophyllid, rhopalopsyllid, and stephanocircid fleas. The Mexican deermouse, Peromyscus mexicanus (Saussure), was parasitized by six species of ceratophyllids belonging to the mostly Central American genera, Baculomeris, Jellisonia, Kohlsia and Plusaetis. The long-tailed singing mouse, Scotinomys xerampelinus (Bangs), was parasitized by Plocopsylla scotinomi Tipton and Méndez, the only species of stephanocircid flea known from Central America. Twenty-six pools of extracted flea DNA representing 5 flea species (C. felis, Pulex echidnophagoides (Wagner), Pulex simulans Baker, A. intermedia copha, and P. scotinomi) and 79 individual fleas were all real-time polymerase chain reaction negative for Rickettsia felis, Rickettsia typhi, and Bartonella henselae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
| | | | - Géminis A Vargas
- Departmento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Exactes, Universidad de Chiriqui, University City, El Cabrero, David, Chiriqui, Panamá
| | - Boris E Sanjur
- Departmento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Exactes, Universidad de Chiriqui, University City, El Cabrero, David, Chiriqui, Panamá
| | - Laura Gillen
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
| | - Lisa D Brown
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
| | | | - Marina E Eremeeva
- Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
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14
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Durden LA, Kessler SE, Radespiel U, Hasiniaina AF, Stekolnikov AA, Chalkowski K, Zohdy S. Host Associations of Ectoparasites of the Gray Mouse Lemur, Microcebus murinus, in Northwestern Madagascar. J Parasitol 2021; 107:108-114. [PMID: 33567091 DOI: 10.1645/20-145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Eight species of ectoparasites were collected during 225 gray mouse lemur, Microcebus murinus (J. F. Miller), captures, in Ankarafantsika National Park, Madagascar, in 2010-2011. The ixodid tick, Haemaphysalis lemuris Hoogstraal, was the most common ectoparasite and was mostly represented by nymphs. Other ectoparasites recorded include the polyplacid sucking louse, Lemurpediculus madagascariensis Durden, Kessler, Radespiel, Zimmermann, Hasiniaina, and Zohdy; the ixodid tick, Haemaphysalis simplex Neumann; an undescribed laelapid mite in the genus Aetholaelaps; another laelapid belonging to the genus Androlaelaps; the chigger mite Schoutedenichia microcebi Stekolnikov; an undescribed species of atopomelid mite in the genus Listrophoroides; and an undescribed species of psoroptid mite in the genus Cheirogalalges. Except for the 2 species of ticks and 1 species of chigger, these ectoparasites may be host-specific to M. murinus. Total tick (H. lemuris and H. simplex) infestation was significantly greater in August than October, whereas louse (L. madagascariensis) infestation was significantly greater in October. There was no significant difference in tick infestations between male and female lemurs, but male lemurs had significantly more lice than female lemurs. Reproductive status was not a significant predictor of tick infestation in males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, 4324 Old Register Road, Statesboro, Georgia 30458
| | - Sharon E Kessler
- Department of Psychology, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, Scotland, United Kingdom.,Department of Anthropology, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
| | - Ute Radespiel
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Alida F Hasiniaina
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany.,Facultés des Sciences, Technologies et de l'Environnement, Université de Mahajanga, Rue Georges V - Immeuble KAKAL, Mahajanga Be, B.P. 652, Mahajanga 401, Madagascar
| | - Alexandr A Stekolnikov
- Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Universitetskaya embankment 1, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Kayleigh Chalkowski
- School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, College of Veterinary Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849
| | - Sarah Zohdy
- School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, College of Veterinary Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849
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15
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McAllister CT, Durden LA, Greiman SE. Euschoengastia pipistrelli (Acari: Trombiculidae) from American Perimyotis, Perimyotis subflavus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae): Novel Stereoscopic and Scanning Electron Microscopy. J Parasitol 2021; 107:125-128. [PMID: 33647984 DOI: 10.1645/20-139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The chigger, Euschoengastia pipistrelli Brennan, is a trombiculid mite that infests a variety of vespertilionid bats in North America. It has been reported from at least 9 species of bats from 18 U.S. states. However, nothing is available on the actual in situ infestation and ultrastructure of this chigger. Here we document some stereoscopic photographs of the infestation as well as a scanning electron micrograph of the mite from a common bat species. We also provide a summation of host and state records for this chigger.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris T McAllister
- Science and Mathematics Division, Eastern Oklahoma State College, Idabel, Oklahoma 74745
| | - Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia 30458
| | - Stephen E Greiman
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia 30458
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16
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McAllister CT, Kinsella JM, Durden LA, Greiman SE, Richardson DJ, Tkach VV. Parasites of Southern Short-Tailed Shrews, Blarina carolinensis (Mammalia: Eulipotyphla: Soricidae) from Arkansas and Oklahoma, U.S.A. COMP PARASITOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1654/1525-2647-88.1.22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chris T. McAllister
- Division of Science and Mathematics, Eastern Oklahoma State College, Idabel, Oklahoma 74745, U.S.A. (e-mail: )
| | - John M. Kinsella
- HelmWest Laboratory, 2108 Hilda Avenue, Missoula, Montana 59801, U.S.A. (e-mail: )
| | - Lance A. Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia 30458, U.S.A. (e-mail: ; )
| | - Stephen E. Greiman
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia 30458, U.S.A. (e-mail: ; )
| | - Dennis J. Richardson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Quinnipiac University, Hamden, Connecticut 06518, U.S.A (e-mail: )
| | - Vasyl V. Tkach
- Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202-9019, U.S.A. (e-mail: )
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17
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Reeves WK, Mans BJ, Durden LA, Miller MM, Gratton EM, Laverty TM. Rickettsia hoogstraalii and a Rickettsiella from the Bat Tick Argas transgariepinus, in Namibia. J Parasitol 2021; 106:663-669. [PMID: 33079998 DOI: 10.1645/20-46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Ectoparasites were collected from Eptesicus hottentotus, the long-tailed serotine bat, caught in Namibia as part of an ecological study. Larvae of Argas transgariepinus, a blood-feeding ectoparasite of bats in Africa, were removed from 3 of 18 bats. We present scanning electron microscope images of unengorged larvae. As with other ectoparasites, this bat tick might transmit pathogens such as Borrelia and Rickettsia to their hosts as has been reported for bat ticks in Europe and North America. We screened 3 pools (25 total) of larvae of A. transgariepinus removed from the long-tailed serotine bat Eptesicus hottentotus caught in Namibia. Two microbes of unknown pathogenicity, including Rickettsia hoogstraalii, a spotted fever group pathogen, and a Rickettsiella sp. were detected by molecular techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Will K Reeves
- C. P. Gillette Museum of Arthropod Diversity, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523
| | - Ben J Mans
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa.,The Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.,Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, University of South Africa, South Africa
| | - Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia 30458
| | - Myrna M Miller
- Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82070
| | - Elena M Gratton
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523
| | - Theresa M Laverty
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523
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18
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Wang W, Durden LA, Weaver H, Shao R. Eight New Species of Sucking Lice (Psocodea: Phthiraptera) From Endemic Murine Rodents in Australia and an Updated Identification Key. J Med Entomol 2021; 58:298-319. [PMID: 33237301 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Based on a comprehensive study of museum specimens, eight new species of sucking lice of the genus Hoplopleura Enderlein, 1904 (Psocodea: Phthiraptera: Hoplopleuridae), are described from six genera of Australian Old Endemic rodents: Conilurus Ogilby, 1838 (Rodentia: Muridae), Leggadina Thomas, 1910 (Rodentia: Muridae), Leporillus Thomas, 1906 (Rodentia: Muridae), Mesembriomys Palmer, 1906 (Rodentia: Muridae), Pogonomys Milne-Edwards, 1877 (Rodentia: Muridae), and Xeromys Thomas, 1889 (Rodentia: Muridae). The description of these new species increases the number of sucking louse species from endemic Australian rodents from 13 to 21 and extends the records of sucking lice to all of the 14 genera of endemic rodents in Australia. Our results show that sucking lice are much more diverse among rodents in Australia than previously known. Furthermore, the Australian Hoplopleura species are host specific-each Hoplopleura species, including the eight new species described in the present study, parasitizes only a single host species, except Hoplopleura irritans Kuhn and Ludwig, 1967 (Psocodea: Phthiraptera: Hoplopleuridae) and Hoplopleura melomydis Weaver, 2017 (Psocodea: Phthiraptera: Hoplopleuridae), each of which is found on two host species. An updated dichotomous key for identifying Australian Hoplopleura species is included.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- GeneCology Research Centre, School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
| | - Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
| | - Haylee Weaver
- Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Canberra ACT, Australia
| | - Renfu Shao
- GeneCology Research Centre, School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
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19
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Durden LA, Matthee S, Bothma JC, Greiman SE, Matthee CA. Two New Species of Sucking Lice (Phthiraptera: Anoplura: Hoplopleuridae and Polyplacidae) from Grant's Rock Mouse, Micaelamys granti, in South Africa. J Parasitol 2021; 106:478-489. [PMID: 32679590 DOI: 10.1645/19-187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Two new species of sucking lice (Phthiraptera: Anoplura), Hoplopleura granti n. sp. (Hoplopleuridae) and Polyplax megacephalus n. sp. (Polyplacidae), are described from Grant's rock mouse, Micaelamys granti (Wroughton), from Northern Cape Province, South Africa. Adults of both sexes are illustrated via line drawings and differential interference contrast microscopy images, and are compared with previously described related species that parasitize related hosts: Hoplopleura patersoni Johnson from Aethomys chrysophilus (de Winton) (red veld rat), Aethomys kaiseri (Noack) (Kaiser's aethomys), and Micaelamys namaquensis (A. Smith) (Namaqua rock mouse); Hoplopleura aethomydis Kleynhans from M. namaquensis; Polyplax praomydis Bedford from A. chrysophilus and M. namaquensis; and Polyplax solivaga Johnson from A. chrysophilus. It is not known if these new species of lice are vectors of any pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia 30458
| | - Sonja Matthee
- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Private Bag 1, Faculty of AgriSciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Johannes C Bothma
- Evolutionary Genomics Group, Department of Botany and Zoology, Private Bag 1, Faculty of Science, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Stephen E Greiman
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia 30458
| | - Conrad A Matthee
- Evolutionary Genomics Group, Department of Botany and Zoology, Private Bag 1, Faculty of Science, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
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20
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Hahn MB, Disler G, Durden LA, Coburn S, Witmer F, George W, Beckmen K, Gerlach R. Establishing a baseline for tick surveillance in Alaska: Tick collection records from 1909-2019. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 11:101495. [PMID: 32723642 PMCID: PMC7447289 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The expanding geographic ranges of tick species that are known pathogen vectors can have implications for human, domestic animal, and wildlife health. Although Alaska is home to several hard tick species, it has historically been outside of the range of the most common medically important ticks in the contiguous United States and western Canada. To assess the status of tick species establishment in the state and to provide a baseline for tracking future change in the distribution of ticks, we reviewed and compiled historical tick records and summarized recent tick occurrence records collected through the development of the Alaska Submit-A-Tick Program and through tick drag sampling at sentinel sites in southcentral Alaska. Between 1909-2019, there were 1190 tick records representing 4588 individual ticks across 15 species in Alaska. The majority of ticks were species historically found in Alaska: Haemaphysalis leporispalustris, Ixodes angustus, Ixodes auritulus, Ixodes howelli, Ixodes signatus, and Ixodes uriae. Over half of all tick records in the state were collected in the last 10 yr. During this time, the number of tick records and the number of tick species recorded in Alaska each year has increased substantially. Between 2010-2019, there were 611 tick records representing 1921 individual ticks. The most common hosts for reported ticks were domestic animals (n = 343, 56 %) followed by small wild mammals (n = 147, 24 %), humans (n = 49, 8%), and wild birds (n = 31, 5%). Less than 5% of records (n = 25) were of unattached ticks found in the environment. Since 2007, non-native tick species have been documented in the state every year, including Amblyomma americanum, Dermacentor andersoni, Dermacentor occidentalis, Dermacentor variabilis, Ixodes pacificus, Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes scapularis, Ixodes texanus, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.). Almost half of the records (n = 68, 48 %) of non-native tick species from 2010 to 2019 represented ticks found on a host (usually a dog or a human) that had traveled outside of Alaska in the two weeks prior to collection. However, A. americanum, D. variabilis, I. pacificus, I. texanus, and R. sanguineus s.l. have been found on humans and domestic animals in Alaska without reported recent travel. In particular, there is evidence to suggest that there is local establishment of R. sanguineus s.l. in Alaska. A tick species historically found in the state, I. angustus was frequently found on human and dogs, suggesting a potential role as a bridge vector of pathogens. Given the inconsistency of tick monitoring in Alaska over the past century, it is difficult to draw many conclusions from temporal trends in the data. Continued monitoring through the Alaska Submit-A-Tick Program will allow a more accurate assessment of the changing risk of ticks and tick-borne diseases in the state and provide information for setting clinical and public health guidelines for tick-borne disease prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micah B Hahn
- Institute for Circumpolar Health, University of Alaska-Anchorage, 3211 Providence Drive, BOC3 270, Anchorage, Alaska 99508, United States.
| | - Gale Disler
- Division of Population Health Sciences, University of Alaska-Anchorage, United States.
| | - Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, 4324 Old Register Road, Statesboro, GA 30458, United States.
| | - Sarah Coburn
- Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Office of the State Veterinarian, 5251 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave, Anchorage, AK 99507, United States.
| | - Frank Witmer
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Alaska-Anchorage, United States.
| | - William George
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alaska-Anchorage, United States.
| | - Kimberlee Beckmen
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, Wildlife Health and Disease, Surveillance Program, 1300 College Road, Fairbanks, Alaska 99701, United States.
| | - Robert Gerlach
- Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Office of the State Veterinarian, 5251 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave, Anchorage, AK 99507, United States.
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21
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Durden LA, Kessler SE, Boundenga L, Ngoubangoye B, Tsoumbou TA, Moussadji-Kinga CI, Halbwax M, Setchell JM, Nichols J, Greiman SE. A New Species of Sucking Louse from the Mandrill from Gabon with a Review of Host Associations and Geographical Distributions, and Identification Keys to Members of the Genus pedicinus (Phthiraptera: Anoplura: Pedicinidae). J Parasitol 2020; 106:221-232. [PMID: 32164028 DOI: 10.1645/19-170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Members of the sucking louse genus Pedicinus are ectoparasites of cercopithecid primates in Africa, Asia, and Gibraltar. Pedicinus gabonensis n. sp. is described on the basis of adult male and female specimens collected from the mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx) in Gabon. The new species is compared morphologically with other members of the genus Pedicinus, and a nuclear elongation factor 1 alpha gene sequence is provided. Host associations and geographical distributions of the 18 previously recognized species of the genus and of P. gabonensis n. sp. are reviewed. Updated identification keys are provided for males and females of all known valid species of Pedicinus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia 30458
| | - Sharon E Kessler
- University of Stirling, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Stirling FK9 4LA, Scotland.,Durham University, Department of Anthropology, Durham, DH1 3LE, U.K
| | - Larson Boundenga
- Centre de Primatologie, Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), B.P. 769 Franceville, Gabon
| | - Barthélemy Ngoubangoye
- Centre de Primatologie, Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), B.P. 769 Franceville, Gabon
| | - Thierry A Tsoumbou
- Centre de Primatologie, Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), B.P. 769 Franceville, Gabon
| | - Cyr I Moussadji-Kinga
- Centre de Primatologie, Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), B.P. 769 Franceville, Gabon
| | - Michel Halbwax
- Centre de Primatologie, Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), B.P. 769 Franceville, Gabon.,Agence Nationale des Parcs Nationaux, B.P. 20379, Libreville, Gabon
| | | | - Jennifer Nichols
- Durham University, Department of Anthropology, Durham, DH1 3LE, U.K
| | - Stephen E Greiman
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia 30458
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22
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Eremeeva ME, Capps D, McBride CL, Williams-Newkirk AJ, Dasch GA, Salzer JS, Beati L, Durden LA. Detection of Rickettsia asembonensis in Fleas (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae, Ceratophyllidae) Collected in Five Counties in Georgia, United States. J Med Entomol 2020; 57:1246-1253. [PMID: 32123904 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
We conducted a molecular survey of Rickettsia in fleas collected from opossums, road-killed and live-trapped in peridomestic and rural settings, state parks, and from pet cats and dogs in Georgia, United States during 1992-2014. The cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis (Bouché) was the predominant species collected from cats and among the archival specimens from opossums found in peridomestic settings. Polygenis gwyni (Fox) was more prevalent on opossums and a single cotton rat trapped in sylvatic settings. Trapped animals were infested infrequently with the squirrel flea, Orchopeas howardi (Baker) and C. felis. TaqMan assays targeting the BioB gene of Rickettsia felis and the OmpB gene of Rickettsia typhi were used to test 291 flea DNAs for Rickettsia. A subset of 53 C. felis collected from a cat in 2011 was tested in 18 pools which were all bioB TaqMan positive (34% minimum infection prevalence). Of 238 fleas tested individually, 140 (58.8%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 52.5-64.9%) DNAs were bioB positive. Detection of bioB was more prevalent in individual C. felis (91%) compared to P. gwyni (13.4%). Twenty-one (7.2%) were ompB TaqMan positive, including 18 C. felis (9.5%) and 3 P. gwyni (3.2%). Most of these fleas were also positive with bioB TaqMan; however, sequencing of gltA amplicons detected only DNA of Rickettsia asembonensis. Furthermore, only the R. asembonensis genotype was identified based on NlaIV restriction analysis of a larger ompB fragment. These findings contribute to understanding the diversity of Rickettsia associated with fleas in Georgia and emphasize the need for development of more specific molecular tools for detection and field research on rickettsial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina E Eremeeva
- Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
| | - Danielle Capps
- Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
| | - Cynthia Logan McBride
- Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
| | - Amanda J Williams-Newkirk
- Environmental Sciences Department, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
- Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
- Enteric Diseases Laboratory Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Gregory A Dasch
- Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Johanna S Salzer
- Environmental Sciences Department, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
- Poxvirus and Rabies Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
- Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Lorenza Beati
- U.S. National Tick Collection, Institute for Coastal Plain Science, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
| | - Lance A Durden
- College of Science and Mathematics, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
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Fedele K, Poh KC, Brown JE, Jones A, Durden LA, Tiffin HS, Pagac A, Li AY, Machtinger ET. Host distribution and pathogen infection of fleas (Siphonaptera) recovered from small mammals in Pennsylvania. J Vector Ecol 2020; 45:32-44. [PMID: 32492279 DOI: 10.1111/jvec.12371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The number of recognized flea-borne pathogens has increased over the past decade. However, the true number of infections related to all flea-borne pathogens remains unknown. To better understand the enzootic cycle of flea-borne pathogens, fleas were sampled from small mammals trapped in central Pennsylvania. A total of 541 small mammals were trapped, with white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) and southern red-backed voles (Myodes gapperi) accounting for over 94% of the captures. Only P. leucopus were positive for examined blood-borne pathogens, with 47 (18.1%) and ten (4.8%) positive for Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia microti, respectively. In addition, 61 fleas were collected from small mammals and tested for pathogens. Orchopeas leucopus was the most common flea and Bartonella vinsonii subspecies arupensis, B. microti, and a Rickettsia felis-like bacterium were detected in various flea samples. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of B. microti DNA detected from a flea and the first report of a R. felis-like bacterium from rodent fleas in eastern North America. This study provides evidence of emerging pathogens found in fleas, but further investigation is required to resolve the ecology of flea-borne disease transmission cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaila Fedele
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, U.S.A
| | - Karen C Poh
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, U.S.A
| | - Jessica E Brown
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, U.S.A
| | - Amanda Jones
- Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, 20902, U.S.A
| | - Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, 30458, U.S.A
| | - Hannah S Tiffin
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, U.S.A
| | - Alexandra Pagac
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, U.S.A
| | - Andrew Y Li
- USDA, ARS, Invasive Insect Biocontrol and Behavior Laboratory, 10300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD, 20705, U.S.A
| | - Erika T Machtinger
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, U.S.A
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Affiliation(s)
- Lance A. Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30458
| | | | | | - James K. Adams
- School of Sciences and Mathematics, Dalton State College, Dalton, GA 30720
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Wang W, Durden LA, Shao R. Rapid host expansion of an introduced parasite, the spiny rat louse Polyplax spinulosa (Psocodea: Phthiraptera: Polyplacidae), among endemic rodents in Australia. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:83. [PMID: 32070404 PMCID: PMC7029564 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-3957-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Historical European exploration and colonization resulted in the introduction of four species of rodents to the Australian continent from Eurasia: the brown rat, Rattus norvegicus, the black rat, R. rattus, the Pacific rat, R. exulans, and the house mouse, Mus musculus. The spread of these rodents created opportunities for their co-introduced sucking lice to parasitize and adapt to endemic rodents in Australia. METHODS We collected sucking lice from rodent specimens in seven museums across Australia. We identified the spiny rat louse, Polyplax spinulosa, based on morphology. We sequenced the mitochondrial cox1 and rrnL genes of P. spinulosa specimens and constructed a phylogenetic tree with rrnL sequences. RESULTS We examined 989 rodent specimens of 54 species and collected 2111 adult sucking lice and 1064 nymphal sucking lice. We found that P. spinulosa had nearly doubled its host range by parasitizing at least six endemic rodent species in Australia. The other two introduced lice, P. serrata and Hoplopleura pacifica, however, have apparently failed to expand to any endemic rodents in Australia. Our analysis of mitochondrial rrnL gene sequences divided P. spinulosa into two genotypes (European vs Southeast Asian), which differ by 7.5%; both genotypes were introduced into Australia and then expanded their host ranges to include endemic rodents. CONCLUSIONS The earliest record of a European ship landing in Australia was in 1606, followed by British settlement in 1788. The expansion of P. spinulosa to at least six endemic rodent species in Australia has therefore occurred in the time frame of 200 to 400 years, which is extremely rapid relative to its host expansion to eight native rat species in Eurasia in ~ 16 million years since it diverged from P. serrata. The host expansion of P. spinulosa is remarkable for a blood-sucking louse and is in stark contrast to the absence of host expansion by P. serrata and H. pacifica. Comparison among these three introduced sucking lice indicated that both louse-specific factors and host-specific factors can contribute to the success or failure of host expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- GeneCology Research Centre, School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD, 4556, Australia
| | - Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, 30458, USA
| | - Renfu Shao
- GeneCology Research Centre, School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD, 4556, Australia.
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Eremeeva ME, Warang SS, Anderson ML, Capps D, Zohdy S, Durden LA. Molecular Survey for Pathogens and Markers of Permethrin Resistance in Human Head Lice (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae) from Madagascar. J Parasitol 2019. [DOI: 10.1645/18-146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marina E. Eremeeva
- Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, 501 Forest Drive, P.O. Box 8015, Statesboro, Georgia 30458
| | - Shamta S. Warang
- Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, 501 Forest Drive, P.O. Box 8015, Statesboro, Georgia 30458
| | - Matthew L. Anderson
- Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, 501 Forest Drive, P.O. Box 8015, Statesboro, Georgia 30458
| | - Danielle Capps
- Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, 501 Forest Drive, P.O. Box 8015, Statesboro, Georgia 30458
| | - Sarah Zohdy
- School of Forestry & Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849
| | - Lance A. Durden
- College of Science and Mathematics, Georgia Southern University, P.O. Box 8042-1, Statesboro, Georgia 30458
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Durden LA, Robinson C, Cook JA, McLean BS, Nyamsuren B, Greiman SE. A New Species of Sucking Louse from the Long-Tailed Ground Squirrel, Urocitellus undulatus, from Mongolia, with a Key to Species, and a Review of Host Associations and Geographical Distributions of Members of the Genus Linognathoides (Psocodea: Anoplura: Polyplacidae). J Parasitol 2019. [DOI: 10.1645/18-198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lance A. Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia 30458
| | - Chase Robinson
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia 30458
| | - Joseph A. Cook
- Museum of Southwestern Biology and Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131
| | - Bryan S. McLean
- Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611
| | - Batsaikhan Nyamsuren
- Department of Biology, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia 11000
| | - Stephen E. Greiman
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia 30458
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Durden LA, Robinson C, Cook JA, McLean BS, Nyamsuren B, Greiman SE. A New Species of Sucking Louse from the Long-tailed Ground Squirrel, Urocitellus undulatus, from Mongolia, with a Key to Species, and a Review of Host Associations and Geographical Distributions of Members of the Genus Linognathoides (Psocodea: Anoplura: Polyplacidae). J Parasitol 2019; 105:469-479. [PMID: 31251703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Members of the genus Linognathoides are ectoparasites of ground squirrels and marmots (Rodentia: Sciuridae) in the Nearctic, Palearctic, and Afrotropical regions. Linognathoides urocitelli n. sp. is described based on adult male and female and third-instar nymphal specimens collected from the long-tailed ground squirrel (Urocitellus undulatus) in Mongolia. The new species is compared morphologically to other members of the genus Linognathoides. Additionally, DNA sequences of a 610-base pair (bp) fragment of the nuclear 18S rDNA gene, a 452-bp fragment of the mitochondrial 12S rrnS gene, and a 363-bp fragment of the mitochondrial 16S rrnL gene are provided. Host associations and geographical distributions of the 11 previously recognized species of the genus, and of Linognathoides urocitelli n. sp., are reviewed. A dichotomous identification key to adults of all known species in the genus Linognathoides is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lance A Durden
- 1 Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia 30458
| | - Chase Robinson
- 1 Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia 30458
| | - Joseph A Cook
- 2 Museum of Southwestern Biology and Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131
| | - Bryan S McLean
- 3 Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611
| | - Batsaikhan Nyamsuren
- 4 Department of Biology, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia 11000
| | - Stephen E Greiman
- 1 Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia 30458
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Eremeeva ME, Warang SS, Anderson ML, Capps D, Zohdy S, Durden LA. Molecular Survey for Pathogens and Markers of Permethrin Resistance in Human Head Lice (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae) from Madagascar. J Parasitol 2019; 105:459-468. [PMID: 31251702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Human infestation with head lice, Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer, is the most prevalent ectoparasitic condition in the modern world. The purpose of this study was to test human head lice from Madagascar for infection with 2 louse-borne bacteria, Bartonella quintana and Acinetobacter spp. including Acinetobacter baumannii, to assess the potential risk of exposure to these pathogens in rural populations experiencing head-louse pediculosis. A second aim was to determine the occurrence of a biomarker for permethrin resistance in head lice from 6 isolated human communities in Madagascar. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of B. quintana was detected using species-specific Fab3 gene TaqMan in 12.6% of lice from 4 villages. DNA of Acinetobacter spp. was detected using rpoB TaqMan in 42.1% of lice collected from all locations; 58.3% of rpoB-positive lice had the blaOXA51-like enzyme gene specific for A. baumannii. The kdr-resistant allele was detected in 70% of lice tested and was found in lice from each location. These results provide the first information regarding these combined characteristics of head-louse infestations in Madagascar. This approach can be applied to larger and broader surveys of lice from pediculosis capitis occurring in other geographic locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina E Eremeeva
- 1 Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, 501 Forest Drive, P.O. Box 8015, Statesboro, Georgia 30458
| | - Shamta S Warang
- 1 Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, 501 Forest Drive, P.O. Box 8015, Statesboro, Georgia 30458
| | - Matthew L Anderson
- 1 Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, 501 Forest Drive, P.O. Box 8015, Statesboro, Georgia 30458
| | - Danielle Capps
- 1 Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, 501 Forest Drive, P.O. Box 8015, Statesboro, Georgia 30458
| | - Sarah Zohdy
- 2 School of Forestry & Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849
| | - Lance A Durden
- 3 College of Science and Mathematics, Georgia Southern University, P.O. Box 8042-1, Statesboro, Georgia 30458
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Scott JD, Clark KL, Durden LA. Presence of Babesia odocoilei and Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Stricto in a Tick and Dual Parasitism of Amblyomma inornatum and Ixodes scapularis on a Bird in Canada. Healthcare (Basel) 2019; 7:healthcare7010046. [PMID: 30897803 PMCID: PMC6473902 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare7010046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Wild birds transport ticks into Canada that harbor a diversity of zoonotic pathogens. However, medical practitioners often question how these zoonotic pathogens are present in their locality. In this study, we provide the first report of an Amblyomma inornatum tick cofeeding with a blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis, which parasitized a Veery, Catharus fuscescens—a neotropical songbird. Using the flagellin (flaB) gene of the Lyme disease bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, and the 18S rRNA gene of the Babesia piroplasm, a malaria-like microorganism, we detected Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto and Babesia odocoilei, respectively, in an I. scapularis nymph. After the molt, these ticks can bite humans. Furthermore, this is the first documentation of B. odocoilei in a tick parasitizing a bird. Our findings substantiate the fact that migratory songbirds transport neotropical ticks long distances, and import them into Canada during northward spring migration. Health care practitioners need to be aware that migratory songbirds transport pathogen-laden ticks into Canada annually, and pose an unforeseen health risk to Canadians.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D Scott
- International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society, 2 Wisconsin Circle, Suite 700, Chevy Chase, MD 20185-7007, USA.
| | - Kerry L Clark
- Environmental Epidemiology Research Laboratory, Department of Public Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA.
| | - Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30458, USA.
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Lado P, Nava S, Mendoza-Uribe L, Caceres AG, Delgado-de la Mora J, Licona-Enriquez JD, Delgado-de la Mora D, Labruna MB, Durden LA, Allerdice MEJ, Paddock CD, Szabó MPJ, Venzal JM, Guglielmone AA, Beati L. The Amblyomma maculatum Koch, 1844 (Acari: Ixodidae) group of ticks: phenotypic plasticity or incipient speciation? Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:610. [PMID: 30497533 PMCID: PMC6267817 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3186-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The goal of this study was to reassess the taxonomic status of A. maculatum, A. triste and A. tigrinum by phylogenetic analysis of five molecular markers [four mitochondrial: 12S rDNA, 16S rDNA, the control region (DL) and cytochrome c oxidase 1 (cox1), and one nuclear: ribosomal intergenic transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2)]. In addition, the phenotypic diversity of adult ticks identified as A. maculatum and A. triste from geographically distinct populations was thoroughly re-examined. RESULTS Microscopic examination identified four putative morphotypes distinguishable by disjunct geographical ranges, but very scant fixed characters. Analysis of the separated mitochondrial datasets mostly resulted in conflicting tree topologies. Nuclear gene sequences were almost identical throughout the geographical ranges of the two species, suggesting a very recent, almost explosive radiation of the terminal operational taxonomic units. Analysis of concatenated molecular datasets was more informative and indicated that, although genetically very close to the A. maculatum - A. triste lineage, A. tigrinum was a monophyletic separate entity. Within the A. maculatum - A. triste cluster, three main clades were supported. The two morphotypes, corresponding to the western North American and eastern North American populations, consistently grouped in a single monophyletic clade with many shared mitochondrial sequences among ticks of the two areas. Ticks from the two remaining morphotypes, south-eastern South America and Peruvian, corresponded to two distinct clades. CONCLUSIONS Given the paucity of morphological characters, the minimal genetic distance separating morphotypes, and more importantly the fact that two morphotypes are genetically indistinguishable, our data suggest that A. maculatum and A. triste should be synonymized and that morphological differences merely reflect very recent local adaptation to distinct environments in taxa that might be undergoing the first steps of speciation but have yet to complete lineage sorting. Nonetheless, future investigations using more sensitive nuclear markers and/or crossbreeding experiments might reveal the occurrence of very rapid speciation events in this group of taxa. Tentative node dating revealed that the A. tigrinum and A. maculatum - A. triste clades split about 2 Mya, while the A. maculatum - A.triste cluster radiated no earlier than 700,000 years ago.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Lado
- U. S. National Tick Collection, Institute for Coastal Plain Science, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30460 USA
- Present address: Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43212 USA
| | - Santiago Nava
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | | | - Abraham G. Caceres
- Departamento Académico de Microbiologia Médica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
- Laboratorio de Entomología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Lima, Peru
| | | | | | - David Delgado-de la Mora
- Department of Agronomic and Veterinary Sciences, Technologic Institute of Sonora, Ciudad Obregón, Sonora Mexico
| | - Marcelo B. Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lance A. Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30460 USA
| | - Michelle E. J. Allerdice
- Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Christopher D. Paddock
- Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Matias P. J. Szabó
- Laboratório de Ixodologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - José M. Venzal
- Departamento de Parasitología Veterinaria, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la República, Regional Norte - Salto, Rivera 1350, 50000 Salto, CP Uruguay
| | - Alberto A. Guglielmone
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Lorenza Beati
- U. S. National Tick Collection, Institute for Coastal Plain Science, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30460 USA
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Scott JD, Clark KL, Foley JE, Anderson JF, Bierman BC, Durden LA. Extensive Distribution of the Lyme Disease Bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato, in Multiple Tick Species Parasitizing Avian and Mammalian Hosts across Canada. Healthcare (Basel) 2018; 6:healthcare6040131. [PMID: 30424543 PMCID: PMC6315338 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare6040131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Revised: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Lyme disease, caused by the spirochetal bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl), is typically transmitted by hard-bodied ticks (Acari: Ixodidae). Whenever this tick-borne zoonosis is mentioned in medical clinics and emergency rooms, it sparks a firestorm of controversy. Denial often sets in, and healthcare practitioners dismiss the fact that this pathogenic spirochetosis is present in their area. For distribution of Bbsl across Canada, we conducted a 4-year, tick–host study (2013–2016), and collected ticks from avian and mammalian hosts from Atlantic Canada to the West Coast. Overall, 1265 ticks representing 27 tick species belonging to four genera were collected. Of the 18 tick species tested, 15 species (83%) were positive for Bbsl and, of these infected ticks, 6 species bite humans. Overall, 13 of 18 tick species tested are human-biting ticks. Our data suggest that a 6-tick, enzootic maintenance cycle of Bbsl is present in southwestern B.C., and five of these tick species bite humans. Biogeographically, the groundhog tick, Ixodes cookei, has extended its home range from central and eastern Canada to southwestern British Columbia (B.C.). We posit that the Fox Sparrow, Passerella iliaca, is a reservoir-competent host for Bbsl. The Bay-breasted Warbler, Setophaga castanea, and the Tennessee Warbler, Vermivora peregrina, are new host records for the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis. We provide the first report of a Bbsl-positive Amblyomma longirostre larva parasitizing a bird; this bird parasitism suggests that a Willow Flycatcher is a competent reservoir of Bbsl. Our findings show that Bbsl is present in all provinces, and that multiple tick species are implicated in the enzootic maintenance cycle of this pathogen. Ultimately, Bbsl poses a serious public health contagion Canada-wide.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D Scott
- International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society, Bethesda, MD 20827, USA.
| | - Kerry L Clark
- Environmental Epidemiology Research Laboratory, Department of Public Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA.
| | - Janet E Foley
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - John F Anderson
- Department of Entomology, Center for Vector Ecology and Zoonotic Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT 06504, USA.
| | - Bradley C Bierman
- Environmental Epidemiology Research Laboratory, Department of Public Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA.
| | - Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30458, USA.
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Wang W, Weaver HJ, Song F, Durden LA, Shao R. A new species of sucking louse Hoplopleura villosissima n. sp. (Psocodea: Phthiraptera: Hoplopleuridae) and a new host record of the spiny rat louse Polyplax spinulosa Burmeister, 1839 (Psocodea: Phthiraptera: Polyplacidae) from the long-haired rat Rattus villosissimus Waite (Rodentia: Muridae) in Australia. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:476. [PMID: 30139365 PMCID: PMC6108133 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3037-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The sucking louse fauna of endemic Australian rodents has been under-studied for decades. Sixty-five species of native rodents have been recorded in Australia. However, only 11 species of lice have been reported from 11 species of endemic Australian rodents. RESULTS We describe a new species of sucking louse, Hoplopleura villosissima Wang (Psocodea: Phthiraptera: Hoplopleuridae), and report a new host record of the spiny rat louse, Polyplax spinulosa Burmeister, 1839 (Psocodea: Phthiraptera: Polyplacidae), from the long-haired rat, Rattus villosissimus Waite (Rodentia: Muridae), which is endemic to Australia. CONCLUSIONS This study is the first record of sucking louse from R. villosissimus and the first record of a species of Polyplax Enderlein, 1904 from an endemic Australian rodent. This study brings the total number of sucking louse species in endemic Australian rodents from 11 to 13. Previously, only the introduced brown rat, Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout and the black rat, Rattus rattus Linnaeus were recorded as the hosts of P. spinulosa in Australia. Because R. villosissimus overlaps with R. rattus in distribution but not with R. norvegicus, we propose that P. spinulosa transferred to R. villosissimus from R. rattus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- GeneCology Research Centre, Centre for Animal Health Innovation, School of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Queensland 4556 Australia
| | - Haylee J. Weaver
- GeneCology Research Centre, Centre for Animal Health Innovation, School of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Queensland 4556 Australia
- Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of the Environment and Energy, GPO Box 787, Canberra, ACT 2601 Australia
| | - Fan Song
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193 China
| | - Lance A. Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia 30458 USA
| | - Renfu Shao
- GeneCology Research Centre, Centre for Animal Health Innovation, School of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Queensland 4556 Australia
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Scott JD, Clark KL, Foley JE, Bierman BC, Durden LA. Far-Reaching Dispersal of Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato-Infected Blacklegged Ticks by Migratory Songbirds in Canada. Healthcare (Basel) 2018; 6:E89. [PMID: 30044388 PMCID: PMC6164468 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare6030089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Lyme disease has been documented in northern areas of Canada, but the source of the etiological bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl) has been in doubt. We collected 87 ticks from 44 songbirds during 2017, and 24 (39%) of 62 nymphs of the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis, were positive for Bbsl. We provide the first report of Bbsl-infected, songbird-transported I. scapularis in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia; Newfoundland and Labrador; north-central Manitoba, and Alberta. Notably, we report the northernmost account of Bbsl-infected ticks parasitizing a bird in Canada. DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and DNA sequencing reveal that these Bbsl amplicons belong to Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (Bbss), which is pathogenic to humans. Based on our findings, health-care providers should be aware that migratory songbirds widely disperse B. burgdorferi-infected I. scapularis in Canada's North, and local residents do not have to visit an endemic area to contract Lyme disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D Scott
- International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society, Bethesda, MD 20827, USA.
| | - Kerry L Clark
- Epidemiology & Environmental Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA.
| | - Janet E Foley
- Vector-borne Disease Epidemiology and Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Bradley C Bierman
- Epidemiology & Environmental Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA.
| | - Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30458, USA.
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Durden LA, Kessler SE, Radespiel U, Zimmermann E, Hasiniaina AF, Zohdy S. A New Species of Sucking Louse (Phthiraptera: Anoplura: Polyplacidae) From the Gray Mouse Lemur, Microcebus murinus (Primates: Cheirogaleidae), in Madagascar. J Med Entomol 2018; 55:910-914. [PMID: 29659934 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjy046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Lemurpediculus madagascariensis sp. nov. (Phthiraptera: Anoplura: Polyplacidae) is described from the Gray Mouse lemur, Microcebus murinus (J. F. Miller) (Primates: Cheirogaleidae), from Ankarafantsika National Park, Madagascar. Lemurs were trapped using Sherman Live Traps and visually inspected for lice, which were preserved in 90% ethanol. Adults of both sexes and the third-instar nymph of the new species are illustrated and distinguished from the four previously known species of Lemurpediculus: L. verruculosus (Ward); L. petterorum Paulian; L. claytoni Durden, Blanco, and Seabolt; and L. robbinsi Durden, Blanco, and Seabolt. It is not known if the new species of louse is a vector of any pathogens or parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
| | - Sharon E Kessler
- Department of Anthropology, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
- School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
| | - Ute Radespiel
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg, Hannover, Germany
| | - Elke Zimmermann
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg, Hannover, Germany
| | - Alida F Hasiniaina
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg, Hannover, Germany
- Facultés des Sciences, Technologies et de l'Environnement, Université de Mahajanga, Madagascar
| | - Sarah Zohdy
- School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, College of Veterinary Sciences, Auburn University, AL
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Durden LA, Gerlach RF, Beckmen KB, Greiman SE. Hyperparasitism and Non-Nidicolous Mating by Male Ixodes angustus Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae). J Med Entomol 2018; 55:766-768. [PMID: 29471532 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjy012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Ixodes angustus (Neumann) (Acari: Ixodidae) is considered to be a nidicolous tick in that the entire life cycle can be completed in the host nest. Males of this tick have been reported to be rare on hosts because most mating occurs in the host nest and males typically do not feed on hosts. Collections of I. angustus in Alaska departed slightly from this paradigm in that nine males were collected from hosts, mostly in copulation with females that were attached to mammalian hosts. Non-nidicolous mating was therefore more common in I. angustus collected in this study than has been reported previously. A hyperparasitic male I. angustus was found firmly attached via its hypostome and chelicerae to the ventral idiosoma of a partially engorged female I. angustus that was attached to, and feeding on, an American red squirrel, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus (Erxleben). This hyperparasitic interaction is discussed and illustrated with a Scanning Electron Micrograph.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
| | - Robert F Gerlach
- Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Environmental Health, Anchorage, AK
| | - Kimberlee B Beckmen
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Wildlife Health and Disease Surveillance Program, Division of Wildlife Conservation, Fairbanks, AK
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Nelson SL, Durden LA, Reuter JD. Rhipicephalus microplus and Dermacentor nitens (Acari: Ixodidae) Coparasitize White-Tailed Deer on St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. J Med Entomol 2017; 54:1440-1443. [PMID: 28591859 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjx112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Ticks parasitizing introduced white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmermann), on St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, were recorded during and after drought conditions. Tick infestation prevalences were 22% at the start of the drought (July 2015), 66% at the height of the drought (March 2016), and 35% after the drought had ended (July 2016; n = 67 deer). Samples of ticks from 22 tranquilized deer in July 2016 revealed the presence of two species, the southern cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini), and the tropical horse tick, Dermacentor (Anocentor) nitens Neumann. Both tick species have considerable veterinary importance, especially for cattle and horses, respectively, as nuisance biters and also as vectors of parasitic piroplasms or of Anaplasma marginale Theiler. All 22 deer examined were infested by R. microplus, whereas 14 (64%) of the samples also included specimens of D. nitens. Because of the large numbers of ticks recorded, wild deer on St. John could develop associated health problems (pruritis, alopecia, anemia, low weight gain, tick-borne pathogens and parasites) and could also serve as a source of these ticks for cattle and horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne L Nelson
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado at Boulder, 354 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0354
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 510 Desmond Drive SE, Lacey, WA 98503
| | - Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, 4324 Old Register Rd., Statesboro, GA 30458
| | - Jon D Reuter
- Office of Animal Resources, University of Colorado at Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Place, Boulder, CO 80301
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Eremeeva ME, Capps D, Winful EB, Warang SS, Braswell SE, Tokarevich NK, Bonilla DL, Durden LA. Molecular Markers of Pesticide Resistance and Pathogens in Human Head Lice (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae) From Rural Georgia, USA. J Med Entomol 2017; 54:1067-1072. [PMID: 28399311 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjx039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2016] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Although the head louse, Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer, and body louse, Pediculus humanus humanus L., both have a worldwide distribution, the occurrence of head louse pediculosis appears to be more prevalent in modern societies despite systematic use of various pediculicides. This study tested head lice collected in rural Georgia and body lice collected in Russia for the prevalence of a kdr-biomarker that is associated with permethrin resistance. This study also screened lice for the presence of DNA from Bartonella quintana and Acinetobacter species. The kdr-permethrin resistance biomarker for the T917I mutation was detected by RFLP and PCR in 99.9% of head lice tested from Georgia, whereas only 2.9% of body lice from Russia tested positive for this kdr biomarker. DNA of B. quintana was detected in 10.3% of head lice from Georgia, whereas 84.8% of body lice from Russia tested positive. Acinetobacter DNA was detected in 80.8% (95% CI, 68-89%) of head lice from Georgia and all body lice from Russia tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina E Eremeeva
- Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30458
| | - Danielle Capps
- Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30458
| | - Emmanuel B Winful
- Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30458
| | - Shamta S Warang
- Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30458
| | - Sarah E Braswell
- Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30458
| | | | | | - Lance A Durden
- College of Science and Mathematics, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30458
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Durden LA, Blanco MB, Seabolt MH. Two New Species of Sucking Lice (Phthiraptera: Anoplura: Polyplacidae) From Endangered, Hibernating Lemurs (Primates: Cheirogaleidae). J Med Entomol 2017; 54:568-575. [PMID: 28399297 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjw185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 10/05/2016] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Lemurpediculus robbinsi sp. nov. is described from Crossley's dwarf lemur, Cheirogaleus crossleyi A. Grandidier, and Lemurpediculus claytoni sp. nov. is described from Sibree's dwarf lemur, Cheirogaleus sibreei Forsyth Major, from Madagascar. Both sexes of each new louse species are illustrated and distinguished from the two previously known species of Lemurpediculus: L. verruculosus (Ward) and L. petterorum Paulian. With the addition of two new species to the genus, an amended description of Lemurpediculus is provided. The two hosts of the new louse species are morphologically similar, endangered, obligately hibernating lemurs. These two species of lemurs are sometimes sympatric in rainforests in eastern Madagascar. Despite the morphological similarity of the two host species, their lice are morphologically distinct and are easiest to identify based on the shape of the subgenital plate of the female and the shape of the genitalia in the male. Both new species of lice should be considered to be endangered because their hosts are endangered. It is not known if either of the new species of lice are vectors of pathogens or parasites to their hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, 4324 Old Register Rd., Statesboro, GA 30458 (; )
| | | | - Matthew H Seabolt
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, 4324 Old Register Rd., Statesboro, GA 30458 (; )
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Connior MB, Durden LA, McAllister CT, Seville RS, Bursey CR, Robison HW. New Records of Parasites (Apicomplexa, Nematoda, Acari, Anoplura) from Rodents in Arkansas. J Ark Acad Sci 2017; 71:211-214. [PMID: 30148287 PMCID: PMC6105290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- M B Connior
- Life Sciences, Northwest Arkansas Community College, Bentonville, AR 72712
| | - L A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30458
| | - C T McAllister
- Science and Mathematics Division, Eastern Oklahoma State College, Idabel, OK 74745
| | - R S Seville
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Casper, WY 82601
| | - C R Bursey
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University-Shenango Campus, Sharon, PA 16146
| | - H W Robison
- 9717 Wild Mountain Drive, Sherwood, AR 72120
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Scott JD, Foley JE, Anderson JF, Clark KL, Durden LA. Detection of Lyme Disease Bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, in Blacklegged Ticks Collected in the Grand River Valley, Ontario, Canada. Int J Med Sci 2017; 14:150-158. [PMID: 28260991 PMCID: PMC5332844 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.17763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
We document the presence of blacklegged ticks, Ixodes scapularis, in the Grand River valley, Centre Wellington, Ontario. Overall, 15 (36%) of 42 I. scapularis adults collected from 41 mammalian hosts (dogs, cats, humans) were positive for the Lyme disease bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.). Using real-time PCR testing and DNA sequencing of the flagellin (fla) gene, we determined that Borrelia amplicons extracted from I. scapularis adults belonged to B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.), which is pathogenic to humans and certain domestic animals. Based on the distribution of I. scapularis adults within the river basin, it appears likely that migratory birds provide an annual influx of I. scapularis immatures during northward spring migration. Health-care providers need to be aware that local residents can present with Lyme disease symptoms anytime during the year.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D Scott
- Research Division, Lyme Ontario, Fergus, Ontario Canada N1M 2L7
| | - Janet E Foley
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA 95616
| | - John F Anderson
- Department of Entomology and Center for Vector Ecology and Zoonotic Diseases. The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, Connecticut, USA 06504
| | - Kerry L Clark
- Epidemiology & Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, USA 32224
| | - Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia 30458, USA
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D Scott J, L Clark K, F Anderson J, E Foley J, R Young M, A Durden L. Lyme Disease Bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato, Detected in Multiple Tick Species at Kenora, Ontario, Canada. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.4172/2155-9597.1000304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Scott JD, Clark KL, Foley JE, Anderson JF, Durden LA, Manord JM, Smith ML. Detection of Borrelia Genomospecies 2 in Ixodes spinipalpis Ticks Collected from a Rabbit in Canada. J Parasitol 2016; 103:38-46. [PMID: 27835071 DOI: 10.1645/16-127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Lyme disease is a serious health problem, with many patients requiring in-depth clinical assessment and extended treatment. In the present study, we provide the first records of the western blacklegged tick, Ixodes pacificus , and Ixodes spinipalpis parasitizing eastern cottontails, Sylvilagus floridanus . We also documented a triple co-infestation of 3 tick species (Ixodes angustus, I. pacificus , I. spinipalpis) feeding on an eastern cottontail. Notably, we discovered a unique member of the Lyme disease bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) in Canada. Ixodes spinipalpis ticks, which were collected from an eastern cottontail on Vancouver Island, British Columbia (BC), were positive for B. burgdorferi s.l. With the use of polymerase chain reaction amplification on the tick extracts and DNA sequencing on the borrelial amplicons, we detected Borrelia genomospecies 2, a novel subgroup of the B. burgdorferi s.l. complex. Based on 416 nucleotides of the flagellin B (flaB) gene, our amplicons are identical to the Borrelia genomospecies 2 type strain CA28. Borrelia genomospecies 2 is closely related genetically to other B. burgdorferi s.l. genospecies, namely Borrelia americana, Borrelia andersonii, and B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.) that cause Lyme disease. Like some other borrelial strains, Borrelia genomospecies 2 can be missed by current Lyme disease serology. Health-care providers must be aware that Borrelia genomospecies 2 is present in I. pacificus and I. spinipalpis ticks in far-western North America, and patients with clinical symptoms of Lyme disease need to be assessed for potential infection with this pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D Scott
- Research Division, Lyme Ontario, 365 St. David Street South, Fergus, Ontario, Canada N1M 2L7
| | - Kerry L Clark
- Research Division, Lyme Ontario, 365 St. David Street South, Fergus, Ontario, Canada N1M 2L7
| | - Janet E Foley
- Research Division, Lyme Ontario, 365 St. David Street South, Fergus, Ontario, Canada N1M 2L7
| | - John F Anderson
- Research Division, Lyme Ontario, 365 St. David Street South, Fergus, Ontario, Canada N1M 2L7
| | - Lance A Durden
- Research Division, Lyme Ontario, 365 St. David Street South, Fergus, Ontario, Canada N1M 2L7
| | - Jodi M Manord
- Research Division, Lyme Ontario, 365 St. David Street South, Fergus, Ontario, Canada N1M 2L7
| | - Morgan L Smith
- Research Division, Lyme Ontario, 365 St. David Street South, Fergus, Ontario, Canada N1M 2L7
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Durden LA, Beckmen KB, Gerlach RF. New Records of Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) From Dogs, Cats, Humans, and Some Wild Vertebrates in Alaska: Invasion Potential. J Med Entomol 2016; 53:1391-1395. [PMID: 27524823 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjw128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
During 2010-2016, tick specimens were solicited from veterinarians, biologists, and members of the public in Alaska. Eight species of ticks were recorded from domestic dogs. Some ticks were collected from dogs with recent travel histories to other countries or other U.S. states, which appears to explain records of ticks not native to Alaska such as Amblyomma americanum (L.) (lone star tick), Ixodes scapularis (Say) (blacklegged tick), and Ixodes ricinus (L.). However, we recorded Dermacentor variabilis (Say) (American dog tick) from dogs (and humans) both with and without travel history, suggesting that this nonindigenous tick could be establishing populations in Alaska. Other ticks commonly recorded from dogs included the indigenous Ixodes angustus Neumann and the invasive Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille) (brown dog tick). Domestic cats were only parasitized by one tick species, the native I. angustus Six species of ticks were recorded from humans: A. americanum (with and without travel history), Dermacentor andersoni Stiles (Rocky Mountain wood tick; travel associated), D. variabilis (with and without travel history), Haemaphysalis leporispalustris (Packard) (rabbit tick, native to Alaska), I. angustus, and R. sanguineus. Ixodes angustus predominated among tick collections from native mammals. Also, Ixodes texanus Banks (first record from Alaska) was collected from an American marten, Martes americana (Turton), H. leporispalustris was recorded from a snowshoe hare, Lepus americanus Erxleben, and Ixodes auritulus Neumann was collected from a Northwestern crow, Corvus caurinus Baird. The establishment of D. variabilis, D. andersoni, A. americanum, and/or I. scapularis in Alaska would have strong implications for animal and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, 4324 Old Register Rd., Statesboro, GA 30458
| | | | - Robert F Gerlach
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Wildlife Health and Disease Surveillance Program, Division of Wildlife Conservation, 1300 College Rd., Fairbanks, AK 99701
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Durden LA, Campbell DC. Fleas, Lice, and Epifaunistic Pseudoscorpions of Some Native Mammals in Northwestern Costa Rica. COMP PARASITOL 2016. [DOI: 10.1654/4823s.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Guerra AS, Eckerlin RP, Dowling APG, Durden LA, Robbins RG, Dittmar K, Helgen KM, Agwanda B, Allan BF, Hedlund T, Young HS. Host-Parasite Associations in Small Mammal Communities in Semiarid Savanna Ecosystems of East Africa. J Med Entomol 2016; 53:851-860. [PMID: 27113102 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjw048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2015] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Despite the established importance of rodents as reservoirs of vector-borne zoonoses in East Africa, there is relatively limited information regarding the infestation parameters and host associations of ectoparasites that vector many such pathogens among small mammals in this region. Between 2009 and 2013, small mammals were live-trapped in the semiarid savanna of Kenya. A subset of these individual hosts, including 20 distinct host taxa, was examined for ectoparasites, which were identified to species. Species of fleas, ticks, mites, and sucking lice were recorded. Based on these data, we calculated host-specific infestation parameters, documented host preferences among ectoparasites, conducted a rarefaction analysis and extrapolation to determine if ectoparasites were adequately sampled, and assessed nestedness for fleas to understand how pathogens might spread in this system. We found that the flea community structure was significantly nested. Understanding the ectoparasite network structure may have significant human relevance, as at least seven of the ectoparasite species collected are known vectors of pathogens of medical importance in the region, including Yersinia pestis, Rickettsia spp., and Theileria parva, the causative agents of plague, spotted fevers and other rickettsial illnesses in humans, and theileriosis, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Sofia Guerra
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA (; ),
| | - Ralph P Eckerlin
- Natural Sciences Division, Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale, VA
| | | | - Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
| | - Richard G Robbins
- Armed Forces Pest Management Board, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations and Environment, Silver Spring, MD
| | | | - Kristofer M Helgen
- Division of Mammals, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC
| | - Bernard Agwanda
- Mammal Section, National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya , and
| | - Brian F Allan
- Department of Entomology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL (; )
| | - Tyler Hedlund
- Department of Entomology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL (; )
| | - Hillary S Young
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA (; )
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Mardon DK, Durden LA. Musserellus gen. nov., and Five New Species of Fleas (Siphonaptera: Stivaliidae) From Murid Rodents in Sulawesi and West Papua, Indonesia. J Med Entomol 2016; 53:541-552. [PMID: 27073227 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjw012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2015] [Accepted: 01/29/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
A new stivaliid flea genus, Musserellus, and five new species are described. The new genus is compared with its closest morphological relatives, the genera Rectidigitus Holland and Metastivalius Holland. Musserellus vanpeeneni sp. nov., Musserellus wattsi sp. nov., Musserellus whitei sp. nov., and Musserellus marshalli sp. nov. are described from endemic murid rodents in Sulawesi, Indonesia, while Musserellus dunneti sp. nov. is described from Rattus rattus in West Papua, Indonesia. Host associations and the biogeographical relevance of the faunal connection between Sulawesi and New Guinea shown by Musserellus are briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- David K Mardon
- Fagus, Manse Road, Killin, Perthshire, Scotland, FK21 8UY, United Kingdom
| | - Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, 4324 Old Register Rd., Statesboro, GA 30458 , and
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Lado P, Nava S, Labruna MB, Szabo MPJ, Durden LA, Bermudez S, Montagna M, Sánchez Quirós AC, Beati L. Amblyomma parvum Aragão, 1908 (Acari: Ixodidae): Phylogeography and systematic considerations. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2016; 7:817-827. [PMID: 27062445 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2015] [Revised: 02/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/30/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The geographical distribution of Amblyomma parvum Aragão 1908 in the New World is disjunct, with two main clusters separated from each other by the Amazon basin. The main objectives of this study were to further investigate the systematic relationships within A. parvum, to determine whether or not populations from different geographical areas might represent cryptic species, and to reconstruct the phylogeographical evolutionary history of the species. The genetic diversity of A. parvum collected throughout its distributional range was analyzed by using 6 molecular markers: 5 mitochondrial [the small and the large ribosomal subunits 12rDNA and 16SrDNA, the cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and II (COII) and the control region or d-loop (DL)], and one nuclear (ITS2, Inter transcribed spacer 2). Phylogenetic trees were inferred by using maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses. In addition, node dating was attempted for the main lineages identified phylogenetically. Although mitochondrial and nuclear topologies were not totally congruent, they all identified at least two main supported clusters, a Central American lineage, and a Brazilian-Argentinian lineage. Clade support and divergence values strongly suggest that the two lineages correspond to different taxonomic entities. Node dating placed the split between the Central American and the Brazilian-Argentinian lineages at approximately 5.8-4.9 Mya, just after the progressive replacement of the dry areas that occupied the northern part of South America by the Amazon Basin in the early-mid Miocene. This event might be the cause of fragmentation and putative speciation within the ancestral relatively xerophilic A. parvum population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Lado
- Institute for Coastal Plain Science, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30460, USA.
| | - Santiago Nava
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Marcelo B Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Matias P J Szabo
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, P.O. 8042, Statesboro, GA 30460, USA
| | - Sergio Bermudez
- Departamento de Investigación en Entomología Médica, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Panama, Panama
| | - Matteo Montagna
- Dipartamento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Lorenza Beati
- Institute for Coastal Plain Science, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30460, USA
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