Parasitaemia data and molecular characterization of Haemoproteus catharti from New World vultures (Cathartidae) reveals a novel clade of Haemosporida

Authors

Michael J. Yabsley, The University of GeorgiaFollow
Ralph E.T. Vanstreels, Nelson Mandela University
Ellen S. Martinsen, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute & University of Vermont
Alexandra G. Wickson, The University of Georgia
Amanda E. Holland, The University of Georgia
Sonia M. Hernandez, The University of Georgia
Alec T. Thompson, The University of Georgia
Susan L. Perkins, Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics
Christopher A. Lawrence Bryan, The University of Georgia
Christopher A. Cleveland, The University of Georgia
Emily Jolly, The University of Georgia
Justin D. Brown, Pennsylvania Game Commission
Dave McRuer, Wildlife Center of Virginia
Shannon Behmke, West Virginia University
James C. Beasley, The University of Georgia

Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2452-5015

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Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2018

College/Unit

Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design

Department/Program/Center

Division of Forestry and Natural Resources

Abstract

Background: New World vultures (Cathartiformes: Cathartidae) are obligate scavengers comprised of seven species in five genera throughout the Americas. Of these, turkey vultures (Cathartes aura) and black vultures (Coragyps atratus) are the most widespread and, although ecologically similar, have evolved differences in morphology, physiology, and behaviour. Three species of haemosporidians have been reported in New World vultures to date: Haemoproteus catharti, Leucocytozoon toddi and Plasmodium elongatum, although few studies have investigated haemosporidian parasites in this important group of species. In this study, morphological and molecular methods were used to investi- gate the epidemiology and molecular biology of haemosporidian parasites of New World vultures in North America.

Methods: Blood and/or tissue samples were obtained from 162 turkey vultures and 95 black vultures in six states of the USA. Parasites were identified based on their morphology in blood smears, and sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b and nuclear adenylosuccinate lyase genes were obtained for molecular characterization.

Results: No parasites were detected in black vultures, whereas 24% of turkey vultures across all sampling locations were positive for H. catharti by blood smear analysis and/or PCR testing. The phylogenetic analysis of cytochrome b gene sequences revealed that H. catharti is closely related to MYCAMH1, a yet unidentified haemosporidian from wood storks (Mycteria americana) in southeastern USA and northern Brazil. Haemoproteus catharti and MYCAMH1 rep- resent a clade that is unmistakably separate from all other Haemoproteus spp., being most closely related to Haemo- cystidium spp. from reptiles and to Plasmodium spp. from birds and reptiles.

Conclusions: Haemoproteus catharti is a widely-distributed parasite of turkey vultures in North America that is evo- lutionarily distinct from other haemosporidian parasites. These results reveal that the genetic diversity and evolution- ary relationships of avian haemosporidians are still being uncovered, and future studies combining a comprehensive evaluation of morphological and life cycle characteristics with the analysis of multiple nuclear and mitochondrial genes will be useful to redefine the genus boundaries of these parasites and to re-evaluate the relationships amongst haemosporidians of birds, reptiles and mammals.

Digital Commons Citation

Yabsley, Michael J.; Vanstreels, Ralph E.T.; Martinsen, Ellen S.; Wickson, Alexandra G.; Holland, Amanda E.; Hernandez, Sonia M.; Thompson, Alec T.; Perkins, Susan L.; Lawrence Bryan, Christopher A.; Cleveland, Christopher A.; Jolly, Emily; Brown, Justin D.; McRuer, Dave; Behmke, Shannon; and Beasley, James C., "Parasitaemia data and molecular characterization of Haemoproteus catharti from New World vultures (Cathartidae) reveals a novel clade of Haemosporida" (2018). Faculty & Staff Scholarship. 1892.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/faculty_publications/1892

Source Citation

Yabsley, M. J., Vanstreels, R. E. T., Martinsen, E. S., Wickson, A. G., Holland, A. E., Hernandez, S. M., Thompson, A. T., Perkins, S. L., West, C. J., Bryan, A. L., Cleveland, C. A., Jolly, E., Brown, J. D., McRuer, D., Behmke, S., & Beasley, J. C. (2018). Parasitaemia data and molecular characterization of Haemoproteus catharti from New World vultures (Cathartidae) reveals a novel clade of Haemosporida. Malaria Journal, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-017-2165-5

Comments

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