Prevalence of avian haemosporidia among injured wild birds in Tokyo and environs, Japan

Avian haemosporidia have been reported in various birds of Japan, which is part of the East Asian-Australian flyway and is an important stopover site for migratory birds potentially carrying new pathogens from other areas. We investigated the prevalence of avian malaria in injured wild birds, rescued in Tokyo and surrounding areas. We also evaluated the effects of migration by examining the prevalence of avian malaria for each migratory status. 475 birds of 80 species were sampled from four facilities. All samples were examined for haemosporidian infection via nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the cytochrome b (cytb) gene. 100 birds (21.1%) of 43 species were PCR positive for avian haemosporidia. Prevalence in wintering birds, migratory breeders, and resident birds was 46.0%, 19.3%, 17.3% respectively. There was a bias in wintering birds due to Eurasian coot (Fulica atra) and Anseriformes. In wintering birds, lineages which are likely to be transmitted by Culiseta sp. in Northern Japan and lineages from resident species of Northern Japan or continental Asia were found, suggesting that wintering birds are mainly infected at their breeding sites. Meanwhile, there were numerous lineages found from resident and migratory breeders, suggesting that they are transmitted in Japan, some possibly unique to Japan. Although there are limits in studying rescued birds, rehabilitation facilities make sampling of difficult-to-catch migratory species possible and also allow for long-term monitoring within areas. Keywords: Avian haemosporidia, Japan, Rescued wild birds, Migratory birds, Parasite diversity, Cytochrome

Complete mitochondrial genome of a subspecies of the great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo hanedae (Kuroda, 1925) (Suliformes: Phalacrocoracidae)

We determined the complete mitochondrial DNA sequence of a subspecies of the great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo hanedae (Kuroda, 1925) using long PCR and primer walking methods. The mitochondrial genome was 19,020 bp in length and contained 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and two control regions. It is basically consistent with the characteristics of the mitochondrial genomes of other Suliformes species. Phylogenetic analysis using 12 species of Suliformes based on the sequences of 13 concatenated protein-coding genes confirmed the monophyly of P. carbo ssp

Complete mitochondrial genome of the Japanese Cormorant Phalacrocorax capillatus (Temminck & Schlegel, 1850) (Suliformes: Phalacrocoracidae)

The complete sequencing of mitochondrial DNA of the Japanese Cormorant Phalacrocorax capillatus was performed using long PCR and primer walking methods. The assembled genome was 19,105 bp in length. It contained 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and two control regions. The phylogenetic analysis using the obtained sequence showed that P. capillatus is closest to P. carbo

Detection of avian haemosporidia from captive musophagid birds at a zoological garden in Japan

One captive musophagid bird at a zoological garden in Japan showed clinical symptoms and was found to be infected with avian haemosporidia. We subsequently collected blood from all musophagid birds kept in the garden and examined for avian haemosporidia using both microscopic and molecular examination. Only Haemoproteus gametocytes were observed in the blood of two Guinea turaco (Tauraco persa). Three genetic lineages of Haemoproteus were identified from three Guinea turacos and one genetic lineage of Leucocytozoon was identified from a grey plantain-eater (Crinifer piscator). Detected Haemoproteus lineages were all identical and completely different from those previously reported in Japan, suggesting that these birds were infected in their original habitat. This is the first record of Haemoproteus infection in Guinea turacos

Complete mitochondrial genome of a subspecies of the great cormorant, <i>Phalacrocorax carbo hanedae</i> (Kuroda, 1925) (Suliformes: Phalacrocoracidae)

We determined the complete mitochondrial DNA sequence of a subspecies of the great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo hanedae (Kuroda, 1925) using long PCR and primer walking methods. The mitochondrial genome was 19,020 bp in length and contained 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and two control regions. It is basically consistent with the characteristics of the mitochondrial genomes of other Suliformes species. Phylogenetic analysis using 12 species of Suliformes based on the sequences of 13 concatenated protein-coding genes confirmed the monophyly of P. carbo ssp.</p

Complete mitochondrial genome of the Japanese Cormorant <i>Phalacrocorax capillatus</i> (Temminck & Schlegel, 1850) (Suliformes: Phalacrocoracidae)

The complete sequencing of mitochondrial DNA of the Japanese Cormorant Phalacrocorax capillatus was performed using long PCR and primer walking methods. The assembled genome was 19,105 bp in length. It contained 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and two control regions. The phylogenetic analysis using the obtained sequence showed that P. capillatus is closest to P. carbo.</p

Penguins are competent hosts of Haemoproteus parasites: The first detection of gametocytes, with molecular characterization of Haemoproteus larae

Background: The majority of penguins (Sphenisciformes) have evolved in areas with weak or absent transmission of haemosporidian parasites and are usually naïve to avian haemosporidian infections. Plasmodium parasites are transmitted by mosquitoes, and lethal avian malaria has been often reported in captive penguins in many countries. The related haemosporidian parasites belonging to Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon have also been detected in penguins but less often than Plasmodium infections. The majority of Haemoproteus infection reports in penguins are based solely on PCR-based diagnostics. It remains unclear if haemoproteids can complete their life-cycle and produce infective stages (gametocytes) in penguins or whether these infections are abortive in penguins, and thus dead ends for transmission. In other words, it remains unknown if penguins are competent hosts for Haemoproteus parasites, which cause disease in non-adapted birds. Methods: Two captive African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) and two Magellanic penguins (S. magellanicus) were found to be positive for Haemoproteus infection in two open-air aquariums in Japan, and the parasites were investigated using both PCR-based testing and microscopical examination of blood films. Samples from a black-tailed gull (Larus crassirostris) and previously tested gulls were used for comparison. Results: The lineage hSPMAG12 was detected, and gametocytes of Haemoproteus sp. were seen in the examined penguins and gull. Observed gametocytes were indistinguishable from those of Haemoproteus larae, which naturally parasitize birds of the genus Larus (Laridae). The detected sequence information and Bayesian phylogenetic analysis supported this conclusion. Additionally, morphologically similar gametocytes and closely related DNA sequences were also found in other gull species in Japan. Phylogenetic analysis based on partial cytb sequences placed the lineage hSPMAG12 of H. larae within the clade of avian haemoproteids which belong to the subgenus Parahaemoproteus, indicating that Culicoides biting midges likely transmit the parasites between penguins and gulls. Conclusions: This study shows that some species of Haemoproteus parasites complete their development and produce gametocytes in penguins, which may be source of infection for biting midges transmitting haemoproteosis. To prevent haemosporidiosis in zoos, we call for control not only of mosquitoes, but also biting midges.[Figure not available: see fulltext.

Global drivers of avian haemosporidian infections vary across zoogeographical regions

Aim: Macroecological analyses provide valuable insights into factors that influence how parasites are distributed across space and among hosts. Amid large uncertainties that arise when generalizing from local and regional findings, hierarchical approaches applied to global datasets are required to determine whether drivers of parasite infection patterns vary across scales. We assessed global patterns of haemosporidian infections across a broad diversity of avian host clades and zoogeographical realms to depict hotspots of prevalence and to identify possible underlying drivers. Location: Global. Time period: 1994–2019. Major taxa studied: Avian haemosporidian parasites (genera Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon and Parahaemoproteus). Methods: We amalgamated infection data from 53,669 individual birds representing 2,445 species world-wide. Spatio-phylogenetic hierarchical Bayesian models were built to disentangle potential landscape, climatic and biotic drivers of infection probability while accounting for spatial context and avian host phylogenetic relationships. Results: Idiosyncratic responses of the three most common haemosporidian genera to climate, habitat, host relatedness and host ecological traits indicated marked variation in host infection rates from local to global scales. Notably, host ecological drivers, such as migration distance for Plasmodium and Parahaemoproteus, exhibited predominantly varying or even opposite effects on infection rates across regions, whereas climatic effects on infection rates were more consistent across realms. Moreover, infections in some low-prevalence realms were disproportionately concentrated in a few local hotspots, suggesting that regional-scale variation in habitat and microclimate might influence transmission, in addition to global drivers. Main conclusions: Our hierarchical global analysis supports regional-scale findings showing the synergistic effects of landscape, climate and host ecological traits on parasite transmission for a cosmopolitan and diverse group of avian parasites. Our results underscore the need to account for such interactions, in addition to possible variation in drivers across regions, to produce the robust inference required to predict changes in infection risk under future scenarios.Fil: Fecchio, Alan. Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul; BrasilFil: Clark, Nicholas J.. University of Queensland; Australia. The University of Queensland; AustraliaFil: Bell, Jeffrey A.. University Of North Dakota; Estados UnidosFil: Skeen, Heather R.. Field Museum Of Natural History; Estados Unidos. University of Chicago; Estados UnidosFil: Lutz, Holly L.. Field Museum Of Natural History; Estados Unidos. University of Chicago; Estados UnidosFil: De La Torre, Gabriel M.. Universidade Federal do Paraná; BrasilFil: Vaughan, Jefferson A.. University Of North Dakota; Estados UnidosFil: Tkach, Vasyl V.. University Of North Dakota; Estados UnidosFil: Schunck, Fabio. Comitê Brasileiro de Registros Ornitológicos; BrasilFil: Ferreira, Francisco C.. Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute; Estados UnidosFil: Braga, Érika M.. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; BrasilFil: Lugarini, Camile. Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservacao Da Biodiversidade; BrasilFil: Wamiti, Wanyoike. National Museums Of Kenya; KeniaFil: Dispoto, Janice H.. Drexel University; Estados UnidosFil: Galen, Spencer C.. The University Of Scranton; Estados UnidosFil: Kirchgatter, Karin. Superintendencia de Controle de Endemias; Brasil. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Sagario, Maria Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina. Provincia del Neuquén. Subsecretaría de Producción y Recursos Naturales. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Neuquén; ArgentinaFil: Cueto, Víctor. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; ArgentinaFil: González Acuña, Daniel. Universidad de Concepción; ChileFil: Inumaru, Mizue. Nihon University; JapónFil: Sato, Yukita. Nihon University; JapónFil: Schumm, Yvonne R.. Justus Liebig Universitat Giessen; AlemaniaFil: Quillfeldt, Petra. Justus Liebig Universitat Giessen; AlemaniaFil: Pellegrino, Irene. Università Degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale "Amedeo Avogadro"; ItaliaFil: Dharmarajan, Guha. University of Georgia; Estados UnidosFil: Gupta, Pooja. University of Georgia; Estados UnidosFil: Robin, V. V.. Indian Institute Of Science Education And Research; IndiaFil: Ciloglu, Arif. Erciyes Üniversitesi; TurquíaFil: Yildirim, Alparslan. Erciyes Üniversitesi; TurquíaFil: Huang, Xi. Beijing Normal University; Chin

Global drivers of avian haemosporidian infections vary across zoogeographical regions

Aim Macroecological analyses provide valuable insights into factors that influence how parasites are distributed across space and among hosts. Amid large uncertainties that arise when generalizing from local and regional findings, hierarchical approaches applied to global datasets are required to determine whether drivers of parasite infection patterns vary across scales. We assessed global patterns of haemosporidian infections across a broad diversity of avian host clades and zoogeographical realms to depict hotspots of prevalence and to identify possible underlying drivers. Location Global. Time period 1994-2019. Major taxa studied Avian haemosporidian parasites (genera Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon and Parahaemoproteus). Methods We amalgamated infection data from 53,669 individual birds representing 2,445 species world-wide. Spatio-phylogenetic hierarchical Bayesian models were built to disentangle potential landscape, climatic and biotic drivers of infection probability while accounting for spatial context and avian host phylogenetic relationships. Results Idiosyncratic responses of the three most common haemosporidian genera to climate, habitat, host relatedness and host ecological traits indicated marked variation in host infection rates from local to global scales. Notably, host ecological drivers, such as migration distance for Plasmodium and Parahaemoproteus, exhibited predominantly varying or even opposite effects on infection rates across regions, whereas climatic effects on infection rates were more consistent across realms. Moreover, infections in some low-prevalence realms were disproportionately concentrated in a few local hotspots, suggesting that regional-scale variation in habitat and microclimate might influence transmission, in addition to global drivers. Main conclusions Our hierarchical global analysis supports regional-scale findings showing the synergistic effects of landscape, climate and host ecological traits on parasite transmission for a cosmopolitan and diverse group of avian parasites. Our results underscore the need to account for such interactions, in addition to possible variation in drivers across regions, to produce the robust inference required to predict changes in infection risk under future scenarios