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

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

10.21203/rs.2.22636/v2 ◽

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

10.21203/rs.2.22636/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Nayden Chakarov ◽

Helge Kampen ◽

Oliver Krüger ◽

Anja Wiegmann ◽

Doreen Werner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Forest Canopy ◽

Host Preference ◽

Habitat Preferences ◽

Blood Parasites ◽

Avian Host ◽

Haemosporidian Parasite ◽

Host Group ◽

Blood Sucking ◽

In The Wild ◽

Host Parasite

Abstract BackgroundThe behaviour of blood-sucking arthropods is a crucial determinant of blood protozoan distribution and hence host-parasite coevolution but 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. MethodsIn this study, we collected blackflies around nests of three raptor species in the upper forest canopy in Central Europe and examined their load of vertebrate DNA and haemosporidian parasites. We molecularly analysed 156 blackfly individuals, their vertebrate meals, and the haemosporidian parasite lineages they carried. ResultsWe identified eight 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, suggesting a previous blood meal on an avian host. Based on the known vertebrate hosts of the represented Leucocytozoon-lineages, we found 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 prefer particular host groups. ConclusionsThe lack of host preference by blackflies vectors can lead to common host switches of blood parasites, as becomes apparent in the Leucocytozoon clade infecting thrushes, crows, and pigeons. However, the abundance of 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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Atypical behavior of a black fly species connects cavity-nesting birds with generalist blood parasites in an arid area of Spain

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-021-04798-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Nayden Chakarov ◽

Jesús Veiga ◽

Ignacio Ruiz-Arrondo ◽

Francisco Valera

Keyword(s):

Driving Forces ◽

General Pattern ◽

Blood Parasites ◽

Black Flies ◽

Haemosporidian Parasite ◽

Black Fly ◽

Nest Boxes ◽

Cavity Nesting ◽

Infected Adult ◽

In The Wild

Abstract Background The feeding behavior of bloodsucking insects determines the transmission, distribution, host spectrum and evolution of blood parasites in the wild. Conventional wisdom suggests that some vector groups (e.g. black flies, family Simuliidae) are consistently exophagous daytime biters. We aimed to understand more about the exceptions to this pattern by combining targeted trapping and molecular identification of parasites in vectors. Methods In this study, we collected black flies in nest boxes used by European rollers Coracias garrulus in southeastern Spain. We molecularly analyzed 434 individual insects, identifying the black fly species caught in the nest boxes, their potential vertebrate blood meals, and the haemosporidian parasite lineages that they carried. Results Only one black fly species, Simulium rubzovianum, appeared to enter the nest boxes of rollers. Among the trapped specimens, 15% contained vertebrate DNA, which always belonged to rollers, even though only half of those specimens were visibly engorged. Furthermore, 15% of all black flies contained Leucocytozoon lineages, indicating previous feeding on avian hosts but probably not on infected adult rollers. The known vertebrate hosts of the recorded Leucocytozoon lineages suggested that large and/or abundant birds are their hosts. Particularly represented were cavity-nesting species breeding in the vicinity, such as pigeons, corvids and owls. Open-nesting species such as thrushes and birds of prey were also represented. Conclusions Our data strongly suggest that S. rubzovianum bites uninfected roller nestlings and infected individuals of other species, potentially incubating adults, inside nest boxes and natural cavities. This simuliid does not appear to have a strong preference for specific host clades. Contrary to the general pattern for the group, and possibly enhanced by the harsh environmental conditions in the study area, this black fly appeared to intensively use and may even have a preference for confined spaces such as cavities for feeding and resting. Preferences of vectors for atypical microhabitat niches where hosts are less mobile may enable social and within-family transmission and parasite speciation in the long term. At the same time, a lack of host preference in concentrated multispecies communities can lead to host switches. Both processes may be underappreciated driving forces in the evolution of avian blood parasites. Graphical abstract

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Description and Molecular Characterization of Two Species of Avian Blood Parasites, with Remarks on Circadian Rhythms of Avian Haematozoa Infections

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11123490 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. 3490

Author(s):

Carolina Romeiro Fernandes Chagas ◽

Rasa Binkienė ◽

Gediminas Valkiūnas

Keyword(s):

Circadian Rhythms ◽

Disease Transmission ◽

Blood Parasites ◽

Avian Host ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Host Parasite Interactions ◽

Avian Blood ◽

Avian Blood Parasites ◽

Host Parasite

Avian blood parasites are remarkably diverse and frequently occur in co-infections, which predominate in wildlife. This makes wildlife pathogen research challenging, particularly if they belong to closely related groups, resulting in diagnostic problems and poor knowledge about such infections as well as the patterns of their co-occurrence and interactions. This is particularly true due to the periodicity (circadian rhythms) of parasitemia, which means that different parasitemia and parasite stages might be found throughout the day. We analysed blood samples from a Eurasian blackbird (Turdus merula) and a Song thrush (Turdus philomelos). This study aimed to describe a new avian Lankesterella species and molecularly characterize and redescribe Splendidofilaria mavis, a common avian filarioid nematode. Additionally, it was possible to investigate the circadian rhythms of the avian blood parasites belonging to Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon, and Trypanosoma, which occurred in co-infection in the same avian host individuals. Different circadian rhythms were seen in different parasites, with Plasmodium sp. peaks occurring at midday, Leucocytozoon spp. peaks mainly during the evening and night, and Trypanosoma spp. and microfilariae peaks at midnight. No periodicity was seen in Haemoproteus and Lankesterella species infections. The time of parasitemia peaks most likely coincides with the time of vectors’ activity, and this should be beneficial for transmission. Knowledge about the circadian rhythms is needed for better understanding patterns in host-parasite interactions and disease transmission.

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Geographic and host distribution of haemosporidian parasite lineages from birds of the family Turdidae

Malaria Journal ◽

10.1186/s12936-020-03408-0 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Josef Harl ◽

Tanja Himmel ◽

Gediminas Valkiūnas ◽

Mikas Ilgūnas ◽

Támas Bakonyi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Geographic Distribution ◽

Sequence Data ◽

Haemosporidian Parasite ◽

Host Group ◽

Host Genus ◽

Haplotype Networks ◽

Blood Sucking ◽

The Family ◽

Avian Haemosporidians ◽

Original Species

Abstract Background Haemosporidians (Apicomplexa, Protista) are obligate heteroxenous parasites of vertebrates and blood-sucking dipteran insects. Avian haemosporidians comprise more than 250 species traditionally classified into four genera, Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon, and Fallisia. However, analyses of the mitochondrial CytB gene revealed a vast variety of lineages not yet linked to morphospecies. This study aimed to analyse and discuss the data of haemosporidian lineages isolated from birds of the family Turdidae, to visualise host and geographic distribution using DNA haplotype networks and to suggest directions for taxonomy research on parasite species. Methods Haemosporidian CytB sequence data from 350 thrushes were analysed for the present study and complemented with CytB data of avian haemosporidians gathered from Genbank and MalAvi database. Maximum Likelihood trees were calculated to identify clades featuring lineages isolated from Turdidae species. For each clade, DNA haplotype networks were calculated and provided with information on host and geographic distribution. Results In species of the Turdidae, this study identified 82 Plasmodium, 37 Haemoproteus, and 119 Leucocytozoon lineages, 68, 28, and 112 of which are mainly found in this host group. Most of these lineages cluster in the clades, which are shown as DNA haplotype networks. The lineages of the Leucocytozoon clades were almost exclusively isolated from thrushes and usually were restricted to one host genus, whereas the Plasmodium and Haemoproteus networks featured multiple lineages also recovered from other passeriform and non-passeriform birds. Conclusion This study represents the first attempt to summarise information on the haemosporidian parasite lineages of a whole bird family. The analyses allowed the identification of numerous groups of related lineages, which have not been linked to morphologically defined species yet, and they revealed several cases in which CytB lineages were probably assigned to the wrong morphospecies. These taxonomic issues are addressed by comparing distributional patterns of the CytB lineages with data from the original species descriptions and further literature. The authors also discuss the availability of sequence data and emphasise that MalAvi database should be considered an extremely valuable addition to GenBank, but not a replacement.

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Diversity and host assemblage of avian haemosporidians in different terrestrial ecoregions of Peru

Current Zoology ◽

10.1093/cz/zoab030 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Luz Garcia-Longoria ◽

Jaime Muriel ◽

Sergio Magallanes ◽

Zaira Hellen Villa-Galarce ◽

Leonila Ricopa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Amazon Basin ◽

Evolutionary Dynamics ◽

Bird Species ◽

Host Community ◽

Bird Diversity ◽

New Host ◽

Parasite Richness ◽

Haemosporidian Parasites ◽

Avian Haemosporidians ◽

Host Parasite

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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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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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 checklist of bat-associated macronyssid mites (Acari: Gamasina: Macronyssidae) of Russia, with new host and geographical records

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.4974.3.4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4974 (3) ◽

pp. 537-564

Author(s):

M.V. ORLOVA ◽

P.B. KLIMOV ◽

O.L. ORLOV ◽

D.G. SMIRNOV ◽

A.V. ZHIGALIN ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Russian Federation ◽

Small Mammals ◽

Mite Species ◽

Russian Regions ◽

New Host ◽

Extensive Survey ◽

Blood Sucking ◽

The Family ◽

The Russian Federation ◽

Host Parasite

The family Macronyssidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) comprises mostly obligate blood-sucking ectoparasites of bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) and some other animals, such as small mammals, reptiles and birds. Here, we document and curate previously known data, and, based on our extensive survey, provide this article of bat-associated macronyssid mites of the Russian Federation. We record a total of 24 mite species belonging to 4 genera (Ichoronyssus, Macronyssus, Steatonyssus, and Cryptonyssus). Twenty-seven new host-parasite associations are reported. In addition, were provide data on five major Russian regions, for which bat-associated mite records were lacking.

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