Diversity, distribution and biogeographical origins of Plasmodium parasites from the New Zealand bellbird (Anthornis melanura)

Parasitology ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 138 (14) ◽  
pp. 1843-1851 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. BAILLIE ◽  
D. H. BRUNTON

SUMMARYUnderstanding the origin of invasive parasites and ecological transmission barriers on the distribution of mosquito-borne pathogens is enriched by molecular phylogenetic approaches now that large databases are becoming available. Here we assess the biogeographical relationships among haemosporidian blood parasites and an avian host, the New Zealand bellbird (Meliphagidae, Anthornis melanura). Four Plasmodium haplotypes were identified among 93 infected bellbirds (693 screened) using nested PCR of a mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b gene fragment. The most common lineage, LIN1 (11%), is confined to northern New Zealand and falls within a known clade of Plasmodium (subgenus Novyella) sp. infecting Australian meliphagids. LIN1 differs within that clade by 4 9% sequence divergence suggestive of an endemic lineage to New Zealand. The most widespread lineage, LIN2 (2%), is an exact match with a global cosmopolitan (P. elongatum GRW06). Two rare lineages, LIN3 and LIN4 are less abundant, geographically restricted within New Zealand and have <1% sequence divergence with P. (Novyella) sp. (AFTRU08) and P. relictum (LINOLI01) documented from Africa. For the first time, we provide invaluable information on possible rates of entry of invading parasites in New Zealand and their distribution from temperate to cold environments.

2020 ◽  
Vol 190 (3) ◽  
pp. 1002-1019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald L J Quicke ◽  
Sergey A Belokobylskij ◽  
Yves Braet ◽  
Cornelis van Achterberg ◽  
Paul D N Hebert ◽  
...  

Abstract A new tribe of braconid wasps provisionally included in the Rhyssalinae, Laibaleini trib. nov., type genus Laibalea gen. nov. (type species Laibalea enigmatica sp. nov.), from Kenya and the Central African Republic, is described. A molecular dataset, with emphasis on basally derived taxa based on four gene fragments (28S D2–D3 expansion region, COI barcode, elongation factor 1-alpha and 16S ribosomal DNA), was analysed both alone and in combination with a morphological dataset. Molecular phylogenetic placement of the new species into an existing subfamily is complicated by the extreme sequence divergence of the three sequences obtained for Laibalea. In both the combined sequence analysis and the combined DNA plus morphological tree, Laibalea is recovered as a sister group to the Rhyssalinae plus all non-cyclostome lineage braconids excluding Mesostoinae, Maxfischeriinae and Aphidiinae. A consensus of morphological characters and molecular analyses suggests inclusion of Laibalea either in the otherwise principally Holarctic subfamily Rhyssalinae or perhap more basally, in the principally Gondwanan Mesostoinae s.l., although we cannot exclude the possibility that it might represent a separate basal lineage. We place Laibalea in its own tribe, provisionally included in Rhyssalinae. The DNA sequence data are presented for several genera for the first time. Avga, the type genus of Avgini, is shown not to belong to Mesostoinae s.l. or Hormiinae, but its exact relationships remain uncertain. The generic compositions of Rhyssalinae and Mesostoinae s.l. are revised. Anachyra, Apoavga, Neptihormius, Neoavga and Opiopterus are shown to belong to Mesostoinae s.s. A key to the tribes of Rhyssalinae is provided.


Zootaxa ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3277 (1) ◽  
pp. 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
JAGOBA MALUMBRES-OLARTE ◽  
COR J. VINK

The New Zealand spider Clubiona blesti Forster, 1979 is redescribed, with the male described for the first time, and a pre-liminary molecular phylogenetic analysis of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) mtDNA sequences for eight species ofNew Zealand Clubiona and an outgroup from Tasmania is presented.There is considerable intraspecific variation in C. blesti, both genetic and in the morphology of copulatory organs,which may be explained by its wide distribution. The lack of a geographic structure based on consistent differences be-tween populations may suggest great dispersal ability. Given the limited sample size, further sampling and data on addi-tional genetic markers will be necessary to confirm this.The phylogenetic analysis of seven more species indicated that Clubiona cambridgei is the sister species of C. blestiand confirmed the existence of at least two monophyletic groups among the New Zealand Clubiona: species with a striped abdomen and with a spotted abdomen.


2006 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin A. Parker ◽  
Dianne H. Brunton ◽  
Richard Jakob-Hoff

There is little published information on the pathogens present in New Zealand passerines. We report here on a preliminary survey of selected pathogens and haematology profiles for seven species in the Auckland region. Avian translocations are commonly used for the recovery of threatened species. Translocations may increase the risk of spreading disease to immunologically na�ve populations. It is therefore important to take every opportuntty to gather baseline disease data and test hypotheses associated with disease. Blood, cloacal and faecal samples were collected from Fernbird Bowdleria punctata, Tui Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae, Bellbird Anthornis melanura, Tomtit Petroica macrocephala, New Zealand Robin Petroica australis, Whitehead Mohua albicilla and Starling Sturnus vulgaris during four translocations to and from Tiritiri Matangi Island. Birds (n = 137) were also examined for external lesions typical of avian pox. Blood samples (n = 40) were screened by microscopy for Plasmodium spp., Atoxoplasma spp. and other blood parasites and a differential white blood cell count was made. Cloacal swabs (n = 38) were cultured for Yersinia spp., Salmonella spp. and Campyobaeter spp. Faecal samples were screened for coccidia spp. (n = 28). An unidentified coccidian sp. and a Haemoproteus sp. were detected in one Fembird and one robin respectively. No other organisms with the potential to cause disease were detected. Despite the effort required to complete disease screening, we argue that disease samples and baseline haematology normal values should be collected at an opportunities. We make recommendations for future disease screening, and discuss the importance and potential significance of disease to the conservation of New Zealand's biodiversity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-101
Author(s):  
Gintaras Kantvilas

AbstractThe lichen genus Lecanactis Körb. in Tasmania comprises six species: L. abietina (Ach.) Körb., which is widespread and pan-temperate; L. latispora Egea & Torrente and L. neozelandica Egea & Torrente, both shared with New Zealand and with the former recorded here from the Auckland Islands for the first time; L. mollis (Stirt.) Frisch & Ertz, shared with Victoria and New Zealand; L. aff. dilleniana (Ach.) Körb., a European species recorded provisionally for Tasmania on the basis of several sterile collections; L. scopulicola Kantvilas, which is described here as new to science and apparently a Tasmanian endemic. This new taxon occurs in rocky underhangs and is characterized by a thick, leprose thallus containing schizopeltic acid, and 3-septate ascospores, 19–30 × 4.5–6 μm. Short descriptions and a discussion of distribution and ecology are given for all species. A key for all 11 Australian species of the genus is provided, including L. subfarinosa (C. Knight) Hellb. and L. tibelliana Egea & Torrente, which are recorded for Australia for the first time, and L. platygraphoides (Müll.Arg.) Zahlbr., a first record for New South Wales. Lecanactis spermatospora Egea & Torrente and L. sulphurea Egea & Torrente are also included.


Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4272 (4) ◽  
pp. 451 ◽  
Author(s):  
SERGEY V. MIRONOV ◽  
RAINER EHRNSBERGER ◽  
JACEK DABERT

This paper gives a systematic revision of feather mites of the genera Dubininia Vassilev, 1958 and Cacatualges Dabert, Badek and Skoracki, 2007 (Xolalgidae: Ingrassiinae) associated with parrots (Aves: Psittaciformes) of the Old World. Five new species are described: Cacatualges probosciger sp. n. from Probosciger aterrimus (Gmelin) (Cacatuidae) from New Guinea, Dubininia charmosynae sp. n. from Charmosyna pulchella Gray GR (Psittaculidae) from New Guinea, D. micropsittae sp. n. from Micropsitta pusio pusio (Scaltter) (Psittaculidae) from New Guinea, D. nestori sp. n. from Nestor notabilis Gould (Strigopidae) from New Zealand, and D. pezopori sp. n. from Pezoporus wallicus (Kerr) (Psittaculidae) from Tasmania, Australia. Four previously described species of Dubininia are redescribed based on material from type hosts: D. curta (Trouessart, 1885) from Platycercus elegans (Gmelin) (Psittaculidae), D. lorina (Trouessart, 1885) from Lorius domicella (Linnaeus) (Psittaculidae), D. melopsittaci Atyeo and Gaud, 1987 from Melopsittacus undulatus (Shaw) (Psittaculidae), and D. psittacina (Trouessart, 1885) from Strigops harboptilus Gray GR (Strigopidae) from New Zealand. A new diagnosis for the genus Dubininia is provided. A key to all presently known Dubininia species is provided for the first time. 


2021 ◽  
Vol 166 (4) ◽  
pp. 1103-1112
Author(s):  
Eun-Ha Hwang ◽  
Green Kim ◽  
Hoyin Chung ◽  
Hanseul Oh ◽  
Jong-Hwan Park ◽  
...  

AbstractDengue virus (DV) is a mosquito-borne virus that is endemic to many tropical and subtropical areas. Recently, the annual incidence of DV infection has increased worldwide, including in Korea, due to global warming and increased global travel. We therefore sought to characterize the molecular and evolutionary features of DV-1 and DV-4 isolated from Korean overseas travelers. We used phylogenetic analysis based on the full coding region to classify isolates of DV-1 in Korea into genotype I (43251, KP406802), genotype IV (KP406803), and genotype V (KP406801). In addition, we found that strains of DV-4 belonged to genotype I (KP406806) and genotype II (43257). Evidence of positive selection in DV-1 strains was identified in the C, prM, NS2A, and NS5 proteins, whereas DV-4 showed positive selection only in the non-structural proteins NS2A, NS3, and NS5. The substitution rates per site per year were 5.58 × 10-4 and 6.72 × 10-4 for DV-1 and DV-4, respectively, and the time of the most recent common ancestor was determined using the Bayesian skyline coalescent method. In this study, the molecular, phylogenetic, and evolutionary characteristics of Korean DV-1 and DV-4 isolates were evaluated for the first time.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 497 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-137
Author(s):  
XIAN-LIN GUO ◽  
MEGAN PRICE ◽  
WEI GOU ◽  
SONG-DONG ZHOU ◽  
XIN-FEN GAO ◽  
...  

The genus Similisinocarum Cauwet & Farille (Apiaceae, Apioideae), was first described by Cauwet & Farille in 1984, but it has been considered as a synonym of Sinocarum H.Wolff ex R.H. Shan & F.T. Pu. In this study, Simlisinocarum normanianum, the type species of Similisinocarum was found in China for the first time, and the molecular phylogenetic evidence based on ITS sequences reveals that Similisinocarum normanianum occupies an individual clade, which is sister to the clade comprising seven species of Acronema, Sinocarum, and Oreocomopsis in Acronema clade, the values of genetic distances (ITS) between Similisinocarum and Acronema, Similisinocarum and Oreocomopsis, Similisinocarum and Pternopetalum, Similisinocarum and Sinocarum are close (≥0.0916), while deviated from the values within Acronema, Sinocarum and Pternopetalum (≤0.0580). Morphologically, we found Similisinocarum normanianum develops reflex bracteoles with white membranous margin, petals with an entire margin and incurved apex, and mericarps with many vittae in the furrow (≥ 3) and commissure (6), which are distinguishable from other species of the Acronema clade. Consequently, results manifested in molecular and morphological analyses indicate that Similisinocarum should be treated as an independent genus distinct from Sinocarum.


2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (11) ◽  
pp. 2269
Author(s):  
Sergey G. Ermilov ◽  
Maria Minor

The otocepheid oribatid mite genus Leptotocepheus Balogh, 1961 is recorded in the Australasian region for the first time. The taxonomic status of the genera Leptotocepheus Balogh, 1961 and Longocepheus Balogh & Mahunka,1966 is discussed, resulting in the recognition of Longocepheus as a subgenus (stat. nov.) of Leptotocepheus and the following recombinations: Leptotocepheus (Longocepheus) australis (Balogh & Mahunka, 1966) comb. nov., Leptotocepheus (Longocepheus) globosus (Grobler, 1995) comb. nov., Leptotocepheus (Longocepheus) longus (Balogh, 1961) comb. nov., Leptotocepheus (Longocepheus) youngai (Mahunka, 1984) comb. nov. A new species of Leptotocepheus (Longocepheus) is described from New Zealand, Leptotocepheus (Longocepheus) neozealandicus sp. nov., which differs from other species of the subgenus by the presence of short, slightly developed prodorsal costulae. Revised generic and subgeneric diagnoses, an identification key and distributions for the known taxa of Leptotocepheus are presented.


1964 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 282 ◽  
Author(s):  
SI Ali

Reasons for the retention of the name Senecio lautus Forst. f. ex Willd. for both New Zealand and Australian forms are advanced. It is concluded that the New Zealand population should be given the status of a subspecies. Synonymy of S. lautus subsp. lautus and typification of various names involved are discussed. S. glaucophyllus subsp. discoideus (T. Kirk) Ornd. is reported for the first time from Tasmania.


2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Driskell ◽  
Les Christidis ◽  
B. J. Gill ◽  
Walter E. Boles ◽  
F. Keith Barker ◽  
...  

The results of phylogenetic analysis of two molecular datasets sampling all three endemic New Zealand ‘honeyeaters’ (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae, Anthornis melanura and Notiomystis cincta) are reported. The undisputed relatedness of the first two species to other honeyeaters (Meliphagidae), and a close relationship between them, are demonstrated. However, our results confirm that Notiomystis is not a honeyeater, but is instead most closely related to the Callaeidae (New Zealand wattlebirds) represented by Philesturnus carunculatus in our study. An estimated divergence time for Notiomystis and Philesturnus of 33.8 mya (Oligocene) suggests a very long evolutionary history of this clade in New Zealand. As a taxonomic interpretation of these data we place Notiomystis in a new family of its own which takes the name Notiomystidae. We expect this new phylogenetic and taxonomic information to assist policy decisions for the conservation of this rare bird.


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