Molecular characterization of Babesia peircei and Babesia ugwidiensis provides insight into the evolution and host specificity of avian piroplasmids

Abstract

There are 16 recognized species of avian-infecting Babesia spp. (Piroplasmida: Babesiidae). While the classification of piroplasmids has been historically based on morphological differences, geographic isolation and presumed host and/or vector specificities, recent studies employing gene sequence analysis have provided insight into their phylogenetic relationships and host distribution and specificity. In this study, we analyzed the sequences of the 18S rRNA gene and ITS-1 and ITS-2 regions of two Babesia species from South African seabirds: Babesia peircei from African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) and Babesia ugwidiensis from Bank and Cape cormorants (Phalacrocorax neglectus and P. capensis, respectively). Our results show that avian Babesia spp. are not monophyletic, with at least three distinct phylogenetic groups. B. peircei and B. ugwidiensis are closely related, and fall within the same phylogenetic group as B. ardeae (from herons Ardea cinerea), B. poelea (from boobies Sula spp.) and B. uriae (from murres Uria aalge). The validity of B. peircei and B. ugwidiensis as separate species is corroborated by both morphological and genetic evidence. On the other hand, our results indicate that B. poelea might be a synonym of B. peircei, which in turn would be a host generalist that infects seabirds from multiple orders. Further studies combining morphological and molecular methods are warranted to clarify the taxonomy, phylogeny and host distribution of avian piroplasmids.

Three Babesia species in Ixodes ricinus ticks from migratory birds in Sweden

“…More than 100 species of Babesia have been described. The majority have been recorded in mammals, and 16 species have so far been described from avian hosts [6,7]. In Europe, the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) is considered the main vertebrate host of both Babesia capreoli and Babesia venatorum [8,9], while Babesia divergens is prevalent in cattle in southern Sweden [10,11].…”

Cysteine Proteinase C1A Paralog Profiles Correspond with Phylogenetic Lineages of Pathogenic Piroplasmids

“…group can be distinguished into at least two genera (Clade I and Clade II as defined by Schnittger et al [ 2 ], Lack et al [ 20 ], Schreeg et al [ 22 ]). Meanwhile, it is worth noting that additional piroplasmid genera have been identified that are not considered in the present study as no genome sequences are available from species pertaining to these groups [ 23 , 24 ].…”

Investigation ofBabesiasp. in pygoscelid penguins at the South Shetland Islands

“…Despite their inherent limitations in terms of specificity, the primers targeting the 18S rRNA gene employed in this study have been successfully employed in other studies to detect Babesia spp. in birds (Yabsley et al 2006;Yabsley et al 2009), including penguins (Vanstreels et al 2015;Yabsley et al 2017). Unfortunately, the 18S rRNA gene sequence produced by Montero et al (2016) for Babesia sp.…”