A survey of biting midges of the genus Culicoides Latreille, 1809 (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in NE Bulgaria, with respect to transmission of avian haemosporidians

2013 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aneliya Bobeva ◽  
Pavel Zehtindjiev ◽  
Staffan Bensch ◽  
Jana Radrova
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Biting Midges ◽  
Field Station ◽  
Culicoides Obsoletus ◽  
Haemosporidian Parasites ◽  
Total Prevalence ◽  
Parasite Specificity ◽  
Avian Haemosporidians ◽  
Host Parasite ◽  
Common Parasite

AbstractThis study presents data from a molecular survey of the species of the genus Culicoides from the region of Kalimok Field Station (NE Bulgaria) and haemosporidian parasites occurring in them in order to investigate the host-parasite specificity of haemosporidians to their dipteran vectors. The identification of Culicoides spp. was carried out by morphological and molecular-genetic methods. We collected and analysed 230 individuals of the genus Culicoides. Nine species were found. Eight species were identified morphologically; Culicoides obsoletus, C. riethi, C. newsteadi, C. circumscriptus, C. festivipennis, C. punctatus, C. pictipennis and C. puncticollis. The ninth species might be classified as either of C. nubeculosus or C. riethi and its identification needs additional investigations. The total prevalence of Haemoproteus in the examined biting midges was 2.17%. Three individuals of C. pictipennis were infected with the Haemoproteus lineage TURDUS2 (prevalence 16.67%), a common parasite of thrushes (Turdidae). Two individuals of C. circumscriptus contained Haemoproteus lineages (prevalence 2.78%); these were the lineage HAWF2 (previously reported from Coccothraustes coccothraustes) and a new lineage CULCIR1 not previously reported in the literature.

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

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.

scholarly journals Haemosporidian taxonomic composition, network centrality and partner fidelity between resident and migratory avian hosts

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela de Angeli Dutra ◽  
Alan Fecchio ◽  
Erika Martins Braga ◽  
Robert Poulin
Keyword(s):  
Local Community ◽  
Taxonomic Composition ◽  
Network Centrality ◽  
Migratory Species ◽  
Haemosporidian Parasites ◽  
Host Parasite Interactions ◽  
Community Transmission ◽  
Avian Haemosporidians ◽  
Host Parasite

Migration can modify interaction dynamics between parasites and their hosts with migrant hosts able to disperse parasites and impact local community transmission. Thus, studying the relationships among migratory hosts and their parasites is fundamental to elucidate how migration shapes host-parasite interactions. Avian haemosporidian parasites are some of the most prevalent, diverse, and important wildlife parasites, and are also widely used as models in ecological and evolutionary research. Here, we contrast parasite taxonomic composition, network centrality and partner fidelity among resident and non-resident hosts using avian haemosporidians as study model. In order to evaluate parasite taxonomic composition, we performed permutational multivariate analyses of variance to quantify dissimilarity in haemosporidian lineages infecting different host migratory categories. Additionally, we ran multilevel Bayesian models to assess the role of migration in determining centrality and partner fidelity in host-parasite networks of avian hosts and their respective haemosporidian parasites. We observed similar parasite taxonomic composition and partner fidelity among resident and migratory hosts. Conversely, we demonstrate that migratory hosts play a more central role in host-parasite networks than residents. However, when evaluating partially and fully migratory hosts separately, we observed that only partially migratory species presented higher network centrality when compared to resident birds. Therefore, migration does not lead to differences in both parasite taxonomic composition and partner fidelity. However, migratory behavior is positively associated with network centrality, indicating migratory hosts play more important roles in shaping host-parasite interactions and influence local transmission.

scholarly journals How Does Circadian Rhythm Shape Host-Parasite Associations? A Comparative Study on Infection Patterns in Diurnal and Nocturnal Raptors

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 338
Author(s):  
Kai Gao ◽  
Bing Zhou ◽  
Li-Xing Yang ◽  
Lu Dong ◽  
Xi Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Circadian Rhythm ◽  
Classical Model ◽  
Parasite Infection ◽  
Haemosporidian Parasites ◽  
Rescue Center ◽  
Avian Haemosporidians ◽  
Vertebrate Hosts ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Host Parasite ◽  
Insight Into

Infection patterns of parasites, including their prevalence, diversity and host specificity, can be impacted by many biological and environmental factors, but no study has focused on the circadian rhythms of vertebrate hosts, which may affect susceptibilities and encounter rates between hosts and vectors and further shape host-parasite associations. In this study, we focused on avian haemosporidians, a classical model in studies of host-parasite associations, and investigated the infection patterns in rescued raptors brought to the Beijing Raptor Rescue Center during 2007–2020. We first assessed the association between prevalence and host biotic traits; haemosporidian prevalence was higher in the nocturnal raptors than in the diurnal raptors, and the prevalence of Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon in the nocturnal raptors was significantly higher than that in the diurnal raptors. Furthermore, we analysed the phylogenetic relationship and host-parasite network-level differences of haemosporidian parasites in diurnal and nocturnal raptors, and demonstrated that the lineages infecting the diurnal and nocturnal raptors were not clearly separated, but the nocturnal lifestyle led to a more specialized host-parasite network structure. These variations in host-parasite associations may be driven by different susceptibilities of the hosts and the diversity or abundance of vectors during the day and night. Our study provides new insight into host-parasite associations shaped by circadian rhythm and calls for more studies on the underlying mechanisms of parasite infection.

scholarly journals Culicoides biting midges involved in transmission of haemoproteids

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita Žiegytė ◽  
Elena Platonova ◽  
Egidijus Kinderis ◽  
Andrey Mukhin ◽  
Vaidas Palinauskas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biting Midges ◽  
Bird Nest ◽  
Genetic Lineages ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Culicoides Obsoletus ◽  
Haemosporidian Parasites ◽  
Natural Vector ◽  
Parasite Biology ◽  
Culicoides Biting Midges

Abstract Background Culicoides biting midges (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae) are known vectors of avian Haemoproteus parasites. These parasites cause diseases, pathology and even mortality in birds. The diversity of biting midges in Europe is great, but only four Culicoides species are known to be vectors of avian Haemoproteus parasites. In general, our knowledge about the role of the particular Culicoides species in the transmission of Haemoproteus parasites remains insufficient. Information gaps hinder a better understanding of parasite biology and the epizootiology of parasite-caused diseases. The aim of this study was to determine new Culicoides species involved in the transmission of Haemoproteus parasites. Methods Biting midges were collected using a UV trap as well as sticky traps installed in bird nest boxes. Individual parous females were diagnosed for the presence of haemoproteids using both PCR-based and microscopic methods. Results We collected and dissected 232 parous Culicoides females from 9 species using a UV trap and 293 females from 11 species from bird nest boxes. Culicoides obsoletus was the dominant species collected using a UV trap, and Culicoides kibunensis dominated among midges collected in nest boxes. PCR-based screening showed that 5.2% of parous biting midges collected using a UV trap and 4.4% of midges collected from nest boxes were infected with avian haemosporidian parasites. Haemoproteid DNA was detected in C. kibunensis, Culicoides pictipennis, Culicoides punctatus, Culicoides segnis and Culicoides impunctatus females. The sporozoites of Haemoproteus minutus (genetic lineages hTURDUS2 and hTUPHI01) were detected in the salivary glands of two C. kibunensis females using microscopy, and this finding was confirmed by PCR. Conclusions Culicoides kibunensis was detected as a new natural vector of Haemoproteus minutus (hTURDUS2 and hTUPHI01). Haemoproteid DNA was detected in females from five Culicoides species. This study contributes to the epizootiology of avian Haemoproteus infections by specifying Culicoides species as vectors and species that are likely to be responsible for the transmission of haemoproteids in Europe.

scholarly journals Preliminary results on species composition of the biting midges-fauna (Culicoides) in a wetland on Lower Danube Flow, Bulgaria

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aneliуa Bobeva ◽  
Bruno Mathieu
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Basic Knowledge ◽  
Hemorrhagic Disease ◽  
Biting Midges ◽  
Field Station ◽  
Potential Vector ◽  
Molecular Approaches ◽  
Veterinary Importance ◽  
Avian Haemosporidians ◽  
The Impact

Biting midges of the genus Culicoides Latreille, 1809 (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are competent vectors of various pathogens in Europe with veterinary importance such as: Bluetongue virus, Schmallenberg virus, Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus and avian haemosporidians. In order to reveal the potential role that they may play in spreading diseases in wildlife and thus the impact on ecosystems which they render, a reliable estimation of their faunistic diversity is required. Previous surveys conducted in the region of Kalimok Biological Station – a wetland on Lower Danube flow – were focused mainly on the ornithophilic species acting as vectors of avian haemosporidians, and thus leaving out the whole Culicoides diversity in the area underestimated (Bobeva et al. 2013, Bobeva et al. 2014, Bobeva et al. 2015). In the present study, we combined morphological and molecular approaches for species identification of the biting midges collected in the region of the field station in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2018 years. Out of the 37 Culicoides species reported previously as national fauna (Nedelchev 2013, Pudar et al. 2018), we recorded 13 species in the studied area. In addition, three species namely, Culicoides duddingstoni, C. griseidorsum and C. кibunensis were newly recorded for the Bulgarian fauna, which raises the number of species of national fauna to 40. Interesting specimens affiliated to C. pseudopallidus have been collected in Kalimok. This latter species has not been reported in Central and Eastern Europe so far and therefore further attention is required prior being considered as a new record. Regarding the potential vectors of avian haemosporidians in the studied area, the present investigation raised the list of species suspected for spreading this disease in wildlife from three to six, namely: C. alazanicus, C. circumscriptus, C. duddingstoni, C. griseidorsum, C. kibunensis and C. pictipennis. The current study of the biting midges’ biodiversity improved the knowledge about the Bulgarian Culicoides fauna including the list of the potential vector species of avian malaria. However, faunistic studies on Culicoides in Europe remain sparse and such data serves as a basic knowledge for a better understanding of the Culicoides-borne diseases.

Molecular characterization of Haemoproteus sacharovi (Haemosporida, Haemoproteidae), a common parasite of columbiform birds, with remarks on classification of haemoproteids of doves and pigeons

Zootaxa ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 3616 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
ASTA KRIŽANAUSKIENĖ ◽  
TATJANA A. IEZHOVA ◽  
RAVINDER N. M. SEHGAL ◽  
JENNY S. CARLSON ◽  
VAIDAS PALINAUSKAS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Cytochrome ◽  
Cyt B ◽  
Wide Spread ◽  
Biting Midges ◽  
Anal Ysis ◽  
Haemosporidian Parasites ◽  
Mitochondrial Cytochrome B ◽  
Common Parasite

Haemoproteus (Haemosporida, Haemoproteidae) is the largest genus of avian haemosporidian parasites, some species of which cause lethal diseases in birds. Subgenera Parahaemoproteus and Haemoproteus are usually accepted in this genus; these parasites are transmitted by biting midges (Ceratopogonidae) and hippoboscid flies (Hippoboscidae), respectively. As of yet, species of Parahaemoproteus have not been reported to infect doves and pigeons (Columbiformes), parasites of these birds have not been reported to be transmitted by biting midges (Ceratopogonidae). Applying microscopy and PCR based methods, we identified mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) sequences of Haemoproteus sacharovi, a wide-spread parasite of doves and pigeons. Phylogenetic relationships of dove haemoproteids, which traditionally have been classified in the subgenus Haemoproteus, showed that H. sacharovi and H. turtur, common parasites of doves, branch in the clade with Parahaemoproteus species, indicating that these haemoproteids may belong to this subgenus and are likely transmitted by biting midges. This study provides barcodes for H. sacharovi, clarifies the taxonomic positions of H. sa-charovi and H. turtur, and indicates directions for development of classification of avian haemoproteid species. Our anal-ysis shows that the current subgeneric classification of avian haemoproteids is generally effective, but the position of some species may need to be revised.

scholarly journals Avian Haemosporidian Diversity on Sardinia: A First General Assessment for the Insular Mediterranean

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 75
Author(s):  
Irene Pellegrino ◽  
Luca Ilahiane ◽  
Giovanni Boano ◽  
Marco Cucco ◽  
Marco Pavia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Linear Models ◽  
Parasite Community ◽  
Breeding Birds ◽  
Lower Probability ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Breeding Bird ◽  
Bird Populations ◽  
Total Prevalence ◽  
Western Palearctic ◽  
Host Parasite

The Western Palearctic is one of the most investigated regions for avian haemosporidian parasites (Haemoproteus, Plasmodium and Leucocytozoon), yet geographic gaps in our regional knowledge remain. Here, we report the first haemosporidian screening of the breeding birds from Sardinia (the second-largest Mediterranean Island and a biodiversity hotspot), and the first for the insular Mediterranean in general. We examined the occurrence of haemosporidians by amplifying their mtDNA cytb gene in 217 breeding birds, belonging to 32 species. The total prevalence of infected birds was 55.3%, and of the 116 haplotypes recovered, 84 were novel. Despite the high number of novel lineages, phylogenetic analysis did not highlight Sardinia-specific clades; instead, some Sardinian lineages were more closely related to lineages previously recovered from continental Europe. Host-parasite network analysis indicated a specialized host-parasite community. Binomial generalized linear models (GLMs), performed at the community level, suggested an elevational effect on haemosporidian occurrence probability (negative for Haemoproteus; positive for Leucocytozoon) likely due to differences in the abundance of insect vectors at different elevations. Furthermore, a GLM revealed that sedentary birds showed a higher probability of being infected by novel haplotypes and long-distance migrants showed a lower probability of novel haplotype infection. We hypothesize that the high diversity of haemosporidians is linked to the isolation of breeding bird populations on Sardinia. This study adds to the growing knowledge on haemosporidians lineage diversity and distribution in insular environments and presents new insights on potential host-parasite associations.

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

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.

scholarly journals Dolops carvalhoi as a vector of Epistylis sp. between cultivated and wild specimens of Oreochromis niloticus in Brazil

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-329
Author(s):  
Cibele Diogo Pagliarini ◽  
Lidiane Franceschini ◽  
Cristiéle da Silva Ribeiro ◽  
Rosilene Luciana Delariva ◽  
João Paulo de Arruda Amorim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Oreochromis Niloticus ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Preventive Measure ◽  
Fish Farms ◽  
Accidental Release ◽  
Parasite Specificity ◽  
Etiological Agents ◽  
Host Parasite ◽  
Cage Fish

Abstract Epistyliasis has been characterized as an emergent disease which has a great impact on fish farms, especially on Oreochromis niloticus production systems. Although epidemiological important, information about the dispersion of these parasites and their mechanical vectors is scarce. The present study reported the cooccurrence of Epistylis sp. as an epibiont of Dolops carvalhoi, a parasitic crustacean of cultivated/wild specimens (from accidental release) of O. niloticus from a cage fish farm area in the Ilha Solteira Reservoir, Grande River, SP, Brazil. The co-occurrence of Epistylis sp. and D. carvalhoi, and their epibiont relationship registered in this study suppose that the Epistylis may use the crustaceans for dispersion and as mechanical vectors for the dissemination of diseases in wild and cultivated hosts. Moreover, exchange of parasites between wild and cultivated hosts is possible, considering both organisms (protozoan and argulid). Furthermore, the results of the present study demonstrate the need to monitor the areas adjacent to cage fish farms as a preventive measure for the dispersion of pathogens. This is the first report of epibiosis between Epistylis sp. and argulid parasites of cultivated and wild O. niloticus, contributing to knowledge about host-parasite specificity, geographical distribution, dispersion of etiological agents and epidemiology in aquaculture.

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