A new blood parasite of the accentor birds: description, molecular characterization, phylogenetic relationships and distribution

Valkiūnas, Gediminas; Iezhova, Tatjana A.; Duc, Mélanie; Dunn, Jenny C; Bensch, Staffan

Abstract

Haemoproteus bobricklefsi sp. nov. (Haemosporida, Haemoproteidae) was found in the dunnock Prunella modularis and represents the first blood parasite described in accentor birds of the Prunellidae. The description is based on the morphology of blood stages and includes information about a barcoding segment of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (lineage hDUNNO01) and the full mitochondrial genome, which can be used for identification and diagnosis of this infection. The new parasite can be readily distinguished from described species of haemoproteids parasitizing passeriform birds due to markedly variable position of nuclei in advanced and fully grown macrogametocytes. Illustrations of blood stages of the new species are given, and phylogenetic analyses based on partial mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequences and the full mitochondrial genome identified the closely related lineages. DNA haplotype networks showed that transmission occurs in Europe and North America. This parasite was found in the dunnock in Europe and several species of the Passerellidae in North America. It is probably of Holarctic distribution, with the highest reported prevalence in the United Kingdom. The parasite distribution seems to be geographically patchy, with preference for areas of relatively cool climates. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that H. bobricklefsi sp. nov. belongs to the Parahaemoproteus subgenus and is probably transmitted by biting midges belonging to Culicoides (Ceratopogonidae). The available data on molecular occurrence indicate that this pathogen is prone to abortive development, so worth attention in regard of consequences for bird health.

Citation

Valkiūnas, G., Iezhova, T. A., Duc, M., Dunn, J. C., & Bensch, S. (2024). A new blood parasite of the accentor birds: description, molecular characterization, phylogenetic relationships and distribution. Parasitology, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182024000878

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 1, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Nov 15, 2024
• Publication Date: Nov 15, 2024
• Deposit Date: Sep 9, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 10, 2024
• Journal: Parasitology
• Print ISSN: 0031-1820
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Pages: 1-11
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182024000878
• Keywords: Haemosporidian parasites, full mitochondrial genome, geographical and host distribution, Haemoproteus bobricklefsi sp. nov, phylogenetic relationships
• Public URL: https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/918842