The nuclear 18S ribosomal DNAs of avian haemosporidian parasites

Abstract Characterizing the diversity and structure of host-parasite communities is crucial to understanding their eco-evolutionary dynamics. Malaria and related haemosporidian parasites are responsible for fitness loss and mortality in bird species worldwide. However, despite exhibiting the greatest ornithological biodiversity, avian haemosporidians from Neotropical regions are quite unexplored. Here, we analyse the genetic diversity of bird haemosporidian parasites (Plasmodium and Haemoproteus) in 1,336 individuals belonging to 206 bird species to explore for differences in diversity of parasite lineages and bird species across five well-differentiated Peruvian ecoregions. We detected 70 different haemosporidian lineages infecting 74 bird species. We showed that 25 out of the 70 haplotypes had not been previously recorded. Moreover, we also identified 81 new host – parasite interactions representing new host records for these haemosporidian parasites. Our outcomes revealed that the effective diversity (as well as the richness, abundance, and Shannon-Weaver index) for both birds and parasite lineages was higher in Amazon basin ecoregions. Furthermore, we also showed that ecoregions with greater diversity of bird species also had high parasite richness, hence suggesting that host community is crucial in explaining parasite richness. Generalist parasites were found in ecoregions with lower bird diversity, implying that the abundance and richness of hosts may shape the exploitation strategy followed by haemosporidian parasites. These outcomes reveal that Neotropical region is a major reservoir of unidentified haemosporidian lineages. Further studies analysing host distribution and specificity of these parasites in the tropics will provide important knowledge about phylogenetic relationships, phylogeography, and patterns of evolution and distribution of haemosporidian parasites.

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Prevalence and genetic diversity of avian haemosporidian parasites in wild bird species of the order Columbiformes

Parasitology Research ◽

10.1007/s00436-021-07053-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yvonne R. Schumm ◽

Dimitris Bakaloudis ◽

Christos Barboutis ◽

Jacopo G. Cecere ◽

Cyril Eraud ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Host Species ◽

Large Scale ◽

Phylogenetic Reconstruction ◽

Bird Species ◽

Avian Species ◽

Blood Parasites ◽

Migration Strategy ◽

Haemosporidian Parasites ◽

Multiplex Pcr Assay ◽

And Migration

AbstractDiseases can play a role in species decline. Among them, haemosporidian parasites, vector-transmitted protozoan parasites, are known to constitute a risk for different avian species. However, the magnitude of haemosporidian infection in wild columbiform birds, including strongly decreasing European turtle doves, is largely unknown. We examined the prevalence and diversity of haemosporidian parasites Plasmodium, Leucocytozoon and subgenera Haemoproteus and Parahaemoproteus in six species of the order Columbiformes during breeding season and migration by applying nested PCR, one-step multiplex PCR assay and microscopy. We detected infections in 109 of the 259 screened individuals (42%), including 15 distinct haemosporidian mitochondrial cytochrome b lineages, representing five H. (Haemoproteus), two H. (Parahaemoproteus), five Leucocytozoon and three Plasmodium lineages. Five of these lineages have never been described before. We discriminated between single and mixed infections and determined host species-specific prevalence for each parasite genus. Observed differences among sampled host species are discussed with reference to behavioural characteristics, including nesting and migration strategy. Our results support previous suggestions that migratory birds have a higher prevalence and diversity of blood parasites than resident or short-distance migratory species. A phylogenetic reconstruction provided evidence for H. (Haemoproteus) as well as H. (Parahaemoproteus) infections in columbiform birds. Based on microscopic examination, we quantified parasitemia, indicating the probability of negative effects on the host. This study provides a large-scale baseline description of haemosporidian infections of wild birds belonging to the order Columbiformes sampled in the northern hemisphere. The results enable the monitoring of future changes in parasite transmission areas, distribution and diversity associated with global change, posing a potential risk for declining avian species as the European turtle dove.

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Migratory birds have higher prevalence and richness of avian haemosporidian parasites than residents

International Journal for Parasitology ◽

10.1016/j.ijpara.2021.03.001 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Daniela de Angeli Dutra ◽

Alan Fecchio ◽

Érika Martins Braga ◽

Robert Poulin

Keyword(s):

Migratory Birds ◽

Haemosporidian Parasites

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Wide Distribution and Diversity of Malaria-Related Haemosporidian Parasites (Polychromophilus spp.) in Bats and Their Ectoparasites in Eastern Europe

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms9020230 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 230

Author(s):

Attila D. Sándor ◽

Áron Péter ◽

Alexandra Corduneanu ◽

Levente Barti ◽

István Csősz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Eastern Europe ◽

Plasmodium Species ◽

Wide Distribution ◽

Parasite Diversity ◽

Haemosporidian Parasite ◽

High Genetic Diversity ◽

Haemosporidian Parasites ◽

Host Ecology ◽

Wildlife Populations ◽

Pcr Targeting

Malaria is responsible for major diseases of humans, while associated haemosporidians are important factors in regulating wildlife populations. Polychromophilus, a haemosporidian parasite of bats, is phylogenetically close to human-pathogenic Plasmodium species, and their study may provide further clues for understanding the evolutionary relationships between vertebrates and malarial parasites. Our aim was to investigate the distribution of Polychromophilus spp. in Eastern Europe and test the importance of host ecology and roost site on haemosporidian parasite infection of bats. We sampled bats and their ectoparasites at eight locations in Romania and Bulgaria. DNA was extracted from blood samples and ectoparasites and tested individually for the presence of DNA of Polychromophilus spp. using a nested PCR targeting a 705 bp fragment of cytB. Two species of Polychromophilus were identified: Po. melanipherus in Miniopterus schreibersii and associated ectoparasites and Po. murinus in rhinolophid and vespertilionid bats (6 species) and their ticks and nycteribiid flies. Only cave-dwelling bat species (and their ectoparasites) showed infections, and we found a strong correlation between infections with Polychromophilus parasites and Nycteribiidae prevalence. We report the high genetic diversity of Polychromophilus spp. in Eastern Europe, suggesting that the simultaneous presence of varied host and vector assemblages enhances bat haemosporidian parasite diversity.

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Molecular characterization of Polychromophilus parasites of Scotophilus kuhlii bats in Thailand

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s003118202000222x ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

Chatree Chumnandee ◽

Nawarat Pha-obnga ◽

Oskar Werb ◽

Kai Matuschewski ◽

Juliane Schaer

Keyword(s):

Blood Cells ◽

Clinical Symptoms ◽

Temperate Climate ◽

Diverse Group ◽

Malaria Parasites ◽

Climate Zones ◽

Haemosporidian Parasites ◽

South And Southeast Asia ◽

Molecular Investigation

Abstract Parasites of the haemosporidian genus Polychromophilus have exclusively been described in bats. These parasites belong to the diverse group of malaria parasites, and Polychromophilus presents the only haemosporidian taxon that infects mammalian hosts in tropical as well as in temperate climate zones. This study provides the first information of Polychromophilus parasites in the lesser Asiatic yellow bat (Scotophilus kuhlii) in Thailand, a common vespertilionid bat species distributed in South and Southeast Asia. The gametocyte blood stages of the parasites could not be assigned to a described morphospecies and molecular analysis revealed that these parasites might represent a distinct Polychromophilus species. In contrast to Plasmodium species, Polychromophilus parasites do not multiply in red blood cells and, thus, do not cause the clinical symptoms of malaria. Parasitological and molecular investigation of haemosporidian parasites of wildlife, such as the neglected genus Polychromophilus, will contribute to a better understanding of the evolution of malaria parasites.

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Environmental determinants of haemosporidian parasite prevalence in a declining population of Tree swallows

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182017002128 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 145 (7) ◽

pp. 961-970 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Audrey Turcotte ◽

Marc Bélisle ◽

Fanie Pelletier ◽

Dany Garant

Keyword(s):

Forest Cover ◽

Agricultural Landscape ◽

Parasite Prevalence ◽

Landscape Composition ◽

Breeding Period ◽

Tree Swallows ◽

Environmental Determinants ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Haemosporidian Parasite ◽

Haemosporidian Parasites

AbstractThe prevalence of vector-borne parasites such as haemosporidian species is influenced by several environmental factors. While the negative effects of parasitism on hosts are well documented, these can also be amplified by interactions with environmental stressors, many of which are anthropogenic. Yet, we know little about the possible effects of anthropogenic perturbations on parasite prevalence. The goals of this study were to assess the prevalence and environmental determinants of haemosporidian parasites in a declining population of Tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) living in an agricultural landscape in southern Québec, Canada. Overall, a low prevalence and a moderate lineage diversity were identified in both adults and nestlings, confirming that transmission can occur during the breeding period. Anthropic areas, extensive cultures (hayfields and pastures) and forest cover within 500 km of nest boxes, as well as daily temperature fluctuations, were all related to infection by haemosporidian parasites. These findings suggest that anthropogenic alterations of landscape composition can modulate the prevalence of haemosporidian parasites in Tree swallows. Our results represent a baseline for future comparative studies assessing haemosporidian parasite prevalence in human-modified landscapes.

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A new one-step multiplex PCR assay for simultaneous detection and identification of avian haemosporidian parasites

Parasitology Research ◽

10.1007/s00436-018-6153-7 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 118 (1) ◽

pp. 191-201 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Arif Ciloglu ◽

Vincenzo A. Ellis ◽

Rasa Bernotienė ◽

Gediminas Valkiūnas ◽

Staffan Bensch

Keyword(s):

Multiplex Pcr ◽

Simultaneous Detection ◽

Pcr Assay ◽

Haemosporidian Parasites ◽

Multiplex Pcr Assay ◽

Detection And Identification ◽

One Step

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Low diversity and high intra-island variation in prevalence of avian Haemoproteus parasites on Barbados, Lesser Antilles

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182009990497 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 136 (10) ◽

pp. 1121-1131 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

L. MARIA ◽

E. SVENSSON ◽

ROBERT E. RICKLEFS

Keyword(s):

Bird Species ◽

Host Population ◽

Genetic Differences ◽

Haemosporidian Parasite ◽

Pcr Screening ◽

Limited Sampling ◽

Haemosporidian Parasites ◽

Free Region ◽

Host Genetic ◽

Coereba Flaveola

SUMMARYCommon bird species were screened during May and June 2007 on Barbados for haemosporidian parasites (Haemosporida) of the genera Haemoproteus and Plasmodium to determine whether the low parasite diversity reported in previous studies might have reflected limited sampling. PCR screening and DNA sequencing revealed a single predominant lineage of Haemoproteus identified as H. coatneyi. Sixty-two out of 257 birds were infected with Haemoproteus spp. on Barbados in 2007. Fifty-nine of the infections were identified as H. coatneyi (lineage HC), the only lineage recovered in the previous study in 1993. Two of the infections recovered from the bananaquit (Coereba flaveola) were identified as Haemoproteus spp. (lineage HD), which is the prevalent haemosporidian parasite in C. flaveola on Grenada. We discuss the possibility of infrequent colonization events and absence of vectors as explanations for Barbados's low avian haemosporidian diversity. In our study, the parasites were absent from the southeast of the island, whereas they were abundant in several host species in the northwest. Accordingly, environmental and host population genetic differences were also investigated between the areas with and without parasites. No host genetic differences were found between the parasite-free and the parasite-afflicted regions. However, the parasite-free region is slightly warmer and drier, and it supports less vegetation than the parasite-afflicted region. The influence that this harsher environment may have on vector survival is discussed.

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Prevalence and seasonal distribution of haemosporidian parasites in pigeons of Mymensingh and Rangpur districts, Bangladesh

Eurasian Journal of Veterinary Sciences ◽

10.15312/eurasianjvetsci.2018.189 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 34 (2) ◽

pp. 117-122

Author(s):

Md . Tanvick Zahan ◽

Md. Shahadat Hossain ◽

Anita Rani Dey ◽

Mohammad Zahangir Alam

Keyword(s):

Seasonal Distribution ◽

Haemosporidian Parasites

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Blood parasites in vectors reveal a united blackfly community in the upper canopy

10.21203/rs.2.22636/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Nayden Chakarov ◽

Helge Kampen ◽

Anja Wiegmann ◽

Doreen Werner ◽

Staffan Bensch

Keyword(s):

Forest Canopy ◽

Habitat Preferences ◽

Blood Parasites ◽

Avian Host ◽

Haemosporidian Parasite ◽

Host Group ◽

Haemosporidian Parasites ◽

Blood Sucking ◽

In The Wild ◽

Host Parasite

Abstract Background: The behaviour of blood-sucking arthropods is a crucial determinant of blood protozoan distribution and hence of host-parasite coevolution, but it is very challenging to study in the wild. The molecular identification of parasite lineages in vectors can be a useful key to understand the behaviour and transmission patterns realised by these vectors. Methods: In this study, we collected blackflies around nests of three raptor species in the upper forest canopy in central Europe and examined the presence of vertebrate DNA and haemosporidian parasites in them. We molecularly analysed 156 blackfly individuals, their vertebrate blood meals, and the haemosporidian parasite lineages they carried. Results: We identified nine species of Simulium blackflies, largely belonging to the subgenera Nevermannia and Eusimulium. Only 1% of the collected specimens was visibly engorged, and only 4% contained remains of host DNA. However, in 29% of the blackflies Leucocytozoon lineages were identified, which is evidence of a previous blood meal on an avian host. Based on the known vertebrate hosts of the recorded Leucocytozoon lineages, we can infer that large and/or abundant birds, such as thrushes, crows, pigeons, birds of prey, owls and tits are the main targets of ornithophilic blackflies in the canopy. Blackfly species contained similar proportions of host group-specific parasite lineages and thus do not appear to be associated with particular host groups. Conclusions: The Leucocytozoon clade infecting thrushes, crows, and pigeons present in most represented blackfly species suggests a lack of association between hosts and blackflies, which can increase the probability of host switches of blood parasites. However, the composition of the simuliid species differed between nests of common buzzards, goshawks and red kites. This segregation can be explained by coinciding habitat preferences between host and vector, and may lead to the fast speciation of Leucocytozoon parasites. Thus, subtle ecological preferences and lack of host preference of vectors in the canopy may enable both parasite diversification and host switches, and enforce a habitat-dependent evolution of avian malaria parasites and related haemosporidia.

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