RESUMO

Parasites of the genus Haemoproteus have been reported in almost all avian clades and zoogeographic regions, except Antarctica. However, despite the large number of reports worldwide, they are poorly studied in the Neotropical region, which includes the Atlantic Forest, a biodiversity hotspot with more than 890 bird species, of which 24% are endemic. Haemoproteus (Haemoproteus) paramultipigmentatus was described by morphological and molecular analyses in 2013 infecting Columbiform birds in Mexico. However, since the original description this parasite has not been studied in detail. Here, we investigate the prevalence of Haemoproteus spp. in Brazilian Columbiformes and conducted a taxonomic integrative study of the species Haemoproteus (Haemoproteus) paramultipigmentatus, including new morphological and molecular data from a Brazilian population. Moreover, we provide discussions about the geographic distribution and phylogenetic relationships between different lineages of this parasite. Our findings demonstrated a high prevalence of Haemoproteus spp. infection in Brazilian Columbiformes, which is in accordance with previous studies. Morphological characterization of H. paramultipigmentatus revealed minor differences from the original description. Through molecular and phylogenetic analyses we identified a new lineage of H. paramultipigmentatus that was added to the genetic databases. Our findings also suggest a new geographical distribution for this hemoparasite, including South American countries, and raise discussions about its current distribution.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Hippoboscid flies are potential ectoparasites of several avian orders, including birds of prey, a group formed by the orders Falconiformes, Strigiformes, Cathartiformes and Accipitriformes. In this study, we evaluated 155 birds of prey that were brought to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil, between the years 2016 and 2019. Two species of hippoboscid flies (Ornithoctona erythrocephala and Icosta americana) were found in five species of birds of prey (Megascops choliba, Asio stygius, Athene cunicularia, Asio clamator and Caracara plancus). The average intensity found was 1.4 hippoboscids/bird and Megascops choliba (tropical screech-owl) was the most parasitized bird. This is the first record of parasitism of Asio stygius (stygian owl) by Ornithoctona erythrocephala in Brazil and of Athene cunicularia (burrowing owl) and Asio clamator (striped owl) by Icosta americana. Ornithoctona erythrocephala is recorded here for the first time infesting birds of prey in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Haemoproteus syrnii is a haemosporidian parasite found in owls. Although morphological and molecular data on the species is available, its exo-erythrocytic development was never researched. In this study, we provide the morphological, morphometric, and molecular characterization of H. syrnii populations found in owl species from Minas Gerais, southeast Brazil. We also characterized the coalescent species delimitation based on the molecular and histopathology data. Samples from 54 owls from six different species were analyzed, generating 11 sequences of the cyt b gene, from which six were new sequences. The overall prevalence of infection was high (72.22%). The H. syrnii sequences were grouped into two well-supported independent clades, which included other Haemoproteus (Parahaemoproteus) species. This was supported by both the coalescent species delimitation analysis and by the genetic divergence between lineages of these distinct clades. There were small morphological and morphometric differences within the population presented in this study. However, when compared with other studies, the molecular analysis demonstrated considerable intraspecific variation and suggests potential cryptic species. The histopathological analysis revealed, for the first time, that lungs and skeletal muscle are exo-erythrocytic stage location of H. syrnii, and that the parasite is linked to the histopathological changes found in owls. This study brings new data from Haemoproteus species biology and host infection, and improves host-parasite relationship understanding under an owl conservation perspective.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Hippoboscid flies are potential ectoparasites of several avian orders, including birds of prey, a group formed by the orders Falconiformes, Strigiformes, Cathartiformes and Accipitriformes. In this study, we evaluated 155 birds of prey that were brought to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil, between the years 2016 and 2019. Two species of hippoboscid flies (Ornithoctona erythrocephala and Icosta americana) were found in five species of birds of prey (Megascops choliba, Asio stygius, Athene cunicularia, Asio clamator and Caracara plancus). The average intensity found was 1.4 hippoboscids/bird and Megascops choliba (tropical screech-owl) was the most parasitized bird. This is the first record of parasitism of Asio stygius (stygian owl) by Ornithoctona erythrocephala in Brazil and of Athene cunicularia (burrowing owl) and Asio clamator (striped owl) by Icosta americana. Ornithoctona erythrocephala is recorded here for the first time infesting birds of prey in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil.(AU)

Moscas hipoboscídeas são ectoparasitos potenciais de diversas ordens aviárias, incluindo as aves de rapina, grupo formado pelas ordens Falconiformes, Strigiformes, Cathartiformes e Accipitriformes. Neste estudo foram avaliadas 155 aves de rapina que chegaram ao Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres de Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brasil, entre os anos 2016 e 2019. Foram encontradas duas espécies de hipoboscídeos (Ornithoctona erythrocephala e Icosta americana) em cinco espécies de aves de rapina (Megascops choliba, Asio stygius, Athene cunicularia, Asio clamator e Caracara plancus). A intensidade média encontrada foi de 1,4 hipoboscídeo/ave e a espécie de coruja Megascops choliba (corujinha-do-mato) foi a mais parasitada. Este é o primeiro registro do parasitismo da coruja Asio stygius (mocho-diabo) por Ornithoctona erythrocephala, em território brasileiro, e das corujas Athene cunicularia (coruja-buraqueira) e Asio clamator (coruja-orelhuda), sendo parasitadas por Icosta americana. Ornithoctona erythrocephala é aqui registrada pela primeira vez infestando aves de rapina no estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil.(AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

Haemoproteus spp. are protozoan parasites found in birds around the world. These parasites are identified through the morphology of gametocytes, phylogenetic analysis based on the mitochondrial cytb gene, and the parasite's geographic distribution. The absence of erythrocytic merogony, high intraspecific genetic variation and low parasitemia in wild birds makes it essential to use integrative approaches that assist in the identification of these parasites. Thus, microscopic and molecular analyses, combined with spatial distribution, were carried out to verify the presence of Haemoproteus spp. in wild birds in Brazil. Light microscopy revealed one Tangara sayaca bird was parasitized by Haemoproteus coatneyi and, two specimens of Zonotrichia capensis presented Haemoproteus erythrogravidus. The morphology of the gametocytes of these two parasitic species showed high similarity. The molecular analysis revealed the presence of one lineage of H. coatneyi and two lineages of H. erythrogravidus, one of which is considered a new lineage. These lineages were grouped phylogenetically in separate clades, with low genetic divergence, and the H. erythrogravidus lineage emerged as an internal group of the lineages of H. coatneyi. The geographic distribution demonstrated that the two species occur in the American continent. This is the first report of H. erythrogravidus in Brazil.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Haemoproteus spp. are protozoan parasites found in birds around the world. These parasites are identified through the morphology of gametocytes, phylogenetic analysis based on the mitochondrial cytb gene, and the parasites geographic distribution. The absence of erythrocytic merogony, high intraspecific genetic variation and low parasitemia in wild birds makes it essential to use integrative approaches that assist in the identification of these parasites. Thus, microscopic and molecular analyses, combined with spatial distribution, were carried out to verify the presence of Haemoproteus spp. in wild birds in Brazil. Light microscopy revealed one Tangara sayaca bird was parasitized by Haemoproteus coatneyi and, two specimens of Zonotrichia capensis presented Haemoproteus erythrogravidus. The morphology of the gametocytes of these two parasitic species showed high similarity. The molecular analysis revealed the presence of one lineage of H. coatneyi and two lineages of H. erythrogravidus, one of which is considered a new lineage. These lineages were grouped phylogenetically in separate clades, with low genetic divergence, and the H. erythrogravidus lineage emerged as an internal group of the lineages of H. coatneyi. The geographic distribution demonstrated that the two species occur in the American continent. This is the first report of H. erythrogravidus in Brazil.(AU)

Haemoproteus spp. são protozoários parasitos encontrados em aves de todo o mundo. A identificação desses parasitos é realizada por meio da morfologia dos gametócitos, da análise filogenética, baseada no gene mitoncodrial cytb e na distribuição geográfica do parasito. A ausência de merogonia eritrocítica, a alta variação genética intraespecífica e a baixa parasitemia em aves silvestres, tornam essencial a utilização de abordagens integrativas que auxiliem na identificação desses parasitos. Assim, análises microscópicas e moleculares, aliadas à distribuição espacial, foram realizadas para verificar a presença de Haemoproteus spp. em aves silvestres no Brasil. A microscopia óptica demonstrou que uma ave Tangara sayaca estava parasitada por Haemoproteus coatneyi, e dois espécimes de Zonotrichia capensis apresentavam Haemoproteus erythrogravidus, cujas morfologias dos gametócitos apresentaram alta similaridade. A análise molecular recuperou uma linhagem de H. coatneyi e duas linhagens de H. erythrogravidus, sendo uma dessas considerada nova linhagem. Essas linhagens se agruparam filogeneticamente em clados separados, apresentando baixa divergência genética, sendo que as linhagens de H. erythrogravidus emergiram como grupo interno às linhagens de H. coatneyi. A distribuição geográfica demonstrou que as duas espécies estão ocorrendo no continente americano. Este é o primeiro relato de H. erythrogravidus no Brasil.(AU)

Assuntos