Developmental and Ultrastructural Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of Trypanosoma herthameyeri n. sp. of Brazilian Leptodactilydae Frogs

Abstract

We described the phylogenetic affiliation, development in cultures and ultrastructural features of a trypanosome of Leptodacylus chaquensis from the Pantanal biome of Brazil. In the inferred phylogeny, this trypanosome nested into the Anura clade of the basal Aquatic clade of Trypanosoma, but was separate from all known species within this clade. This finding enabled us to describe it as Trypanosoma herthameyeri n. sp., which also infects other Leptodacylus species from the Pantanal and Caatinga biomes. Trypanosoma herthameyeri multiplies as small rounded forms clumped together and evolving into multiple-fission forms and rosettes of epimastigotes released as long forms with long flagella; scarce trypomastigotes and glove-like forms are common in stationary-phase cultures. For the first time, a trypanosome from an amphibian was observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy, revealing a cytostome opening, well-developed flagellar lamella, and many grooves in pumpkin-like forms. Transmission electron microscopy showed highly developed Golgi complexes, relaxed catenation of KDNA, and a rich set of spongiome tubules in a regular parallel arrangement to the flagellar pocket as confirmed by electron tomography. Considering the basal position in the phylogenetic tree, developmental and ultrastructural data of T. herthameyeri are valuable for evolutionary studies of trypanosome architecture and cell biology.

In Vitro Cellular Division of Trypanosoma abeli Reveals Two Pathways for Organelle Replication

“…The "doublets" of parasites observed in this study were recorded for promastigotes of L. mexicana (Wheeler et al 2011). In trypanosomes, similar processes were reported as "multiple fission" for a trypanosome isolated from the blood of goldfish and other trypanosome species, such as T. phaleri (a fish trypanosome), Trypanosoma lewisi (a mammalian trypanosome), and Trypanosoma herthameyeri (an anuran trypanosome) (Attias et al 2016;Jones and Woo 1991a;Sousa 2014;Thomson 1908). However, in this study it was not possible to confirm whether the "doublets" eventually separated to form viable trypanosomes, characterizing the multiple fission process, or not.…”

“…phaleri (a fish trypanosome), Trypanosoma lewisi (a mammalian trypanosome), and Trypanosoma herthameyeri (an anuran trypanosome) (Attias et al. ; Jones and Woo ; Sousa ; Thomson ). However, in this study it was not possible to confirm whether the “doublets” eventually separated to form viable trypanosomes, characterizing the multiple fission process, or not.…”

18S rDNA Sequence-Structure Phylogeny of The Trypanosomatida (Kinetoplastea, Euglenozoa) with Special Reference on Trypanosoma

“…This positioning of T. chattoni was shown in a previous study using complete 18S rDNA sequences and nontrypanosomes as the outgroup [54]. However, recent trees using complete 18S rDNA sequences and concatenated analysis of v7v8 hypervariable region and gGAPDH rooted by other trypanosomes sustained a monophyletic anuran clade [39,40]. Thus, T. chattoni positioning in our tree can be related to the use of non-trypanosomes as the outgroup.…”

“…The trypanosomes of the Aquatic lineage branched together (Fig. 2) [14,15,39,40]. Interestingly, the anuran parasite, Trypanosoma chattoni Mathis & Leger, 1911, appears in our analysis more related to sh and platypus trypanosomes than to the anuran clade.…”

“…1) and selection of 43 different species (Fig. 2 [38]; the Trypanosoma theileri Laveran, 1902 clade, with T. theileri, a worldwide distributted cattle parasite, and the subclade representant Trypanosoma cyclops Weinman, 1972 [13,21]; and the Aquatic clade, harboring trypanosomes from sh, anurans and platypus [14,39,40]. Interestingly, the lizard/snake clade is also represented in our tree with Trypanosoma varani Wenyon, 1908, a snake trypanosome, branching together with the mammal parasite Trypanosoma freitasi Rego et al, 1957.…”