Molecular characterization of Babesia peircei and Babesia ugwidiensis provides insight into the evolution and host specificity of avian piroplasmids
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 an...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2017-12-01
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| Series: | International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213224417300706 |
| _version_ | 1811233972734132224 |
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| author | Michael J. Yabsley Ralph E.T. Vanstreels Barbara C. Shock Michaelle Purdee Elizabeth C. Horne Michael A. Peirce Nola J. Parsons |
| author_facet | Michael J. Yabsley Ralph E.T. Vanstreels Barbara C. Shock Michaelle Purdee Elizabeth C. Horne Michael A. Peirce Nola J. Parsons |
| author_sort | Michael J. Yabsley |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. Keywords: Africa, Babesia, Piroplasmida, Phalacrocoracidae, Spheniscidae, Tick-borne pathogen |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T11:28:56Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a943f3d536ff46e1aa6d54e5515e033b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2213-2244 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T11:28:56Z |
| publishDate | 2017-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife |
| spelling | doaj.art-a943f3d536ff46e1aa6d54e5515e033b2022-12-22T03:35:07ZengElsevierInternational Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife2213-22442017-12-0163257264Molecular characterization of Babesia peircei and Babesia ugwidiensis provides insight into the evolution and host specificity of avian piroplasmidsMichael J. Yabsley0Ralph E.T. Vanstreels1Barbara C. Shock2Michaelle Purdee3Elizabeth C. Horne4Michael A. Peirce5Nola J. Parsons6Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA; Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA; Corresponding author. Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, Wildlife Health Building, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.Marine Apex Predator Research Unit, Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South AfricaDaniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA; Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USASoutheastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USAPenguins Eastern Cape Marine Bird Rehabilitation Center, Cape St. Francis, South AfricaMP International Consultancy, Normandale, Bexhill-on-Sea, United Kingdom; International Reference Centre for Avian Haematozoa, Queensland Museum, South Brisbane, Queensland, AustraliaSouthern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds, Cape Town, South AfricaThere 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. Keywords: Africa, Babesia, Piroplasmida, Phalacrocoracidae, Spheniscidae, Tick-borne pathogenhttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213224417300706 |
| spellingShingle | Michael J. Yabsley Ralph E.T. Vanstreels Barbara C. Shock Michaelle Purdee Elizabeth C. Horne Michael A. Peirce Nola J. Parsons Molecular characterization of Babesia peircei and Babesia ugwidiensis provides insight into the evolution and host specificity of avian piroplasmids International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife |
| title | Molecular characterization of Babesia peircei and Babesia ugwidiensis provides insight into the evolution and host specificity of avian piroplasmids |
| title_full | Molecular characterization of Babesia peircei and Babesia ugwidiensis provides insight into the evolution and host specificity of avian piroplasmids |
| title_fullStr | Molecular characterization of Babesia peircei and Babesia ugwidiensis provides insight into the evolution and host specificity of avian piroplasmids |
| title_full_unstemmed | Molecular characterization of Babesia peircei and Babesia ugwidiensis provides insight into the evolution and host specificity of avian piroplasmids |
| title_short | Molecular characterization of Babesia peircei and Babesia ugwidiensis provides insight into the evolution and host specificity of avian piroplasmids |
| title_sort | molecular characterization of babesia peircei and babesia ugwidiensis provides insight into the evolution and host specificity of avian piroplasmids |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213224417300706 |
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