Molecular detection of Wolbachia endosymbiont in reptiles and their ectoparasites

Abstract

Wolbachia, a maternally transmitted Gram-negative endosymbiont of onchocercid nematodes and arthropods, has a role in the biology of their host; thus it has been exploited for the filariasis treatment in humans. To assess the presence and prevalence of this endosymbiont in reptiles and their ectoparasites, blood and tail tissue as well as ticks and mites collected from them were molecularly screened for Wolbachia DNA using two sets of primers targeting partial 16S rRNA and Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) genes. Positive samples were screened for the partial 12S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) genes for filarioids. Of the different species of lizards (Podarcis siculus, Podarcis muralis and Lacerta bilineata) and snakes (Elaphe quatuorlineata and Boa constrictor constrictor) screened from three collection sites, only P. siculus scored positive for Wolbachia 16S rRNA. Among ectoparasites collected from reptiles (Ixodes ricinus ticks and Neotrombicula autumnalis, Ophionyssus sauracum and Ophionyssus natricis mites), I. ricinus (n = 4; 2.8%; 95% CI, 0.9-7) from P. siculus, N. autumnalis (n = 2 each; 2.8%; 95% CI, 0.9-6.5) from P. siculus and P. muralis and O. natricis (n = 1; 14.3%; 95% CI, 0.7-55.4) from Boa constrictor constrictor scored positive for Wolbachia DNA. None of the positive Wolbachia samples scored positive for filarioids. This represents the first report of Wolbachia in reptilian hosts and their ectoparasites, which follows a single identification in the intestinal cells of a filarioid associated with a gecko. This data could contribute to better understand the reptile filarioid-Wolbachia association and to unveil the evolutionary pattern of Wolbachia in its filarial host.

Parasites and microorganisms associated with the snakes collected for the “festa Dei serpari” in Cocullo, Italy

“…supports a previous finding in O . natricis from captive Boa constrictor [ 24 ], as well as in Ornithonyssus bursa [ 71 ]. The finding of Wolbachia in female mites, but not males, may be due to the role this endosymbiont bacterium displays in the reproduction of mites, through male-killing, feminization, and parthenogenesis [ 72 , 73 ].…”

“…In Italy, most parasitological studies on snakes have been focused on Cryptosporidium , helminths and ectoparasites in exotic/pet snakes [ 22 – 24 ], with few investigations focused on wild species [ 25 ]. In the same context, the introduction of exotic parasites (e.g., Renifer aniarum ) in grass snakes ( Natrix natrix ) and of snake fungal disease (SFD) caused by O .…”

“…In Italy, most parasitological studies on snakes have been focused on Cryptosporidium, helminths and ectoparasites in exotic/pet snakes [22][23][24], with few investigations focused on wild species [25]. In the same context, the introduction of exotic parasites (e.g., Renifer aniarum) in grass snakes (Natrix natrix) and of snake fungal disease (SFD) caused by O. ophidiicola in dice snakes (Natrix tessellata) stresses the importance of monitoring the health status of wild populations of animals by accurate risk assessment [26][27][28].…”