Molecular characterization of haemosporidian and haemogregarine diversity in southwestern Iberian amphibians and reptiles

Abstract

The knowledge of the diversity and geographic distribution of parasite species is the first step towards understanding processes of global epidemiology and species conservation. Despite recent increases in research on haemosporidian and haemogregarine parasites of reptiles and amphibians, we still know little about their diversity and parasite-host interactions, especially in the Iberian Peninsula, where a few studies have been conducted. In this study, the haemosporidian and haemogregarine diversity and phylogenetic relationships of the parasites in southwestern Iberian amphibians and reptiles were assessed using PCR approaches on blood samples of 145 individuals from five amphibian and 13 reptile species. The amphibians did not present any of both groups of parasites studied. Regarding reptiles, five Hepatozoon, one Haemogregarina, and one Haemocystidum haplotypes were found infecting four different species, revealing new host records for these parasites. Among them, we found one new Haemocystidium haplotype and three new and a previously reported Hepatozoon haplotype from a north African snake. The latter finding suggests that some Hepatozoon parasites may not be host-specific and have large geographic ranges even crossing geographical barriers. These results increased the knowledge about the geographic distribution and the number of known host species of some reptile apicomplexan parasites, highlighting the great unexplored diversity of them in this region.

Eight-Year Study of Haemogregarina stepanowi Infection in Poached European Pond Turtles (Emys orbicularis) Held in Belgrade Zoo Quarantine

“…The establishment of molecular techniques for the detection of blood parasites [20] increased the knowledge of apicomplexan parasite diversity in reptiles worldwide [7,21,22]. Molecular investigation in pond turtles from the Belgrade Zoo quarantine has confirmed the presence of Haemogregarina stepanowi (a member of the Family Haemogregarinidae, Phylum Apicomplexa).…”

“…The blood parasites of pond turtles are adapted to variations in reproductive and migratory habits, and infected turtles usually show poor health conditions and low motility [4]. Despite the initial importance of cytological diagnosis of hemogregarines, molecular methods enable the detection and identification of parasites in the sample and also an investigation of evolutionary relationships of parasites within the Apicomplexa [5][6][7]. Genus Haemogregarina Danilewsky, 1885 (Phylum Apicomplexa, Class Sporozoasida, Order Adeleina, Suborder Adeleorina, Family Haemogregarinidae), infects lower vertebrates as intermediate hosts and the leeches as definitive hosts.…”