scholarly journals Prevalence and Genotypes of Cryptosporidium in Wildlife Populations Co-Located in a Protected Watershed in the Pacific Northwest, 2013 to 2016

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 914
Author(s):  
Xunde Li ◽  
Tran Nguyen ◽  
Chengling Xiao ◽  
Ann Levy ◽  
Yone Akagi ◽  
...  

Between October 2013 and May 2016, 506 scat samples were collected from 22 species of wildlife located in a protected watershed of a major municipal water supply in the Pacific Northwest, USA. Overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium in the wildlife scat was 13.8% (70/506), with 15 species of wildlife found positive for Cryptosporidium. Prevalence of Cryptosporidium varied among species of wildlife, with higher prevalences observed in cougars (50.0%), mountain beavers (40.0%), and bobcats (33.3%), but none of these species are riparian-dependent. Genotyping of Cryptosporidium by sequencing PCR amplicons from the 18S rRNA gene were successful for seven species of wildlife, including bobcat, unknown predator, black-tailed deer, deer mouse, snowshoe hare, mountain beaver, and western spotted skunk. BLAST and phylogenetic analyses indicated that multiple species and genotypes of Cryptosporidium were present, with some isolates possibly co-circulating within and between wildlife populations in this protected watershed. Evidence of oocyst exchange between infected prey and their predators was also found. During the study period, several zoonotic Cryptosporidium species and genotypes that are uncommon in humans were detected in bobcat (99.58% identical to Cryptosporidium felis), unknown predator (100% identical to Cryptosporidium canis), snowshoe hare (100% identical to Cryptosporidium sp. skunk genotype), and mountain beaver (100% identical to Cryptosporidium ubiquitum). Novel sequences were also found in mountain beaver. To our knowledge, this is the first published report of a unique genotype or species of Cryptosporidium in mountain beaver (Aplodontia rufa).

2010 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 127-135
Author(s):  
Wendy Arjo

Abstract Timber resources are a vital part of the economy in the Pacific Northwest, yet reforestation efforts are often hampered by animal damage. Understanding the factors that influence seedling damage can assist managers in implementing appropriate techniques to reduce species-specific damage. I radio-collared and monitored mountain beavers (Aplodontia rufa) from preharvest to seedling planting to determine the impacts of forest management practices on demographics. In addition, I monitored Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) seedlings on 28 plots on two harvest units (Vesta and Schoolhouse) to determine the effects of chemical site preparation on mountain beaver foraging and subsequent seedling damage. Mountain beaver densities differed between silvicultural treatments (F3,39 = 3.58, P < 0.02), although reproductive success did not (χ2 = 0.14, df = 1, P = 0.70). Larger mountain beaver home ranges were documented in the mature timber compared with those following harvest. Home ranges were also larger in the chemical site preparation portion of the unit (mean = 3.37 ± 0.9 ha) than in the nontreated portion of the unit (mean = 0.82 ± 0.17 ha) on Vesta. Herbicide treatment did not promote seedling damage on either unit. Vegetation does not appear to be the only factor influencing mountain beaver movements and seedling damage. Availability of water is very important for mountain beavers and may also influence their foraging choice, as well as contributing to their increased movements in mature timber (reduced groundwater) versus clearcut areas. Understanding the effects of vegetation on population demographics and subsequent seedling damage may allow for initiating a nonlethal management method using alternative forage.


Nematology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (7) ◽  
pp. 653-669 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oleg Gorgadze ◽  
Elena Fanelli ◽  
Manana Lortkhipanidze ◽  
Alberto Troccoli ◽  
Medea Burjanadze ◽  
...  

Summary A new species of entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema borjomiense n. sp., was isolated from the body of the host insect, Oryctes nasicornis (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), in Georgia, in the territory of Borjomi-Kharagauli. Morphological characters indicate that the new species is closely related to species of the feltiae-group. The infective juveniles are characterised by the following morphological characters: body length of 879 (777-989) μm, distance between the head and excretory pore = 72 (62-80) μm, pharynx length = 132 (122-142) μm, tail length = 70 (60-80) μm, ratio a = 26.3 (23.0-29.3), H% = 45 (40-51), D% = 54 (47-59), E% = 102 (95-115), and lateral fields consisting of seven ridges (eight incisures) at mid-body. Steinernema borjomiense n. sp. was molecularly characterised by sequencing three ribosomal regions (the ITS, the D2-D3 expansion domains and the 18S rRNA gene) and the mitochondrial COI gene. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that S. borjomiense n. sp. differs from all other known species of Steinernema and is a member of the monticolum-group.


Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4995 (2) ◽  
pp. 334-344
Author(s):  
QIAN ZHOU ◽  
FAHUI TANG ◽  
YUANJUN ZHAO

During a survey of parasitic ciliates in Chongqing, China, Trichodina matsu Basson & Van As, 1994 was isolated from gills of Tachysurus fulvidraco. Furthermore, the 18S rRNA gene and ITS-5.8S rRNA region of T. matsu were sequenced for the first time and applied for the species identification and comparison with similar species in the present study. Based on the morphological and molecular comparisons, the results indicate that T. matsu is an ectoparasite specific for the Siluriformes catfish. Based on the analyses of genetic distance, multiple sequence alignments, and phylogenetic analyses, no obvious differentiation within populations of T. matsu was found. In addition, the ‘Trichodina hyperparasitis’ (KX904933) in GenBank is a misidentification and appears to be conspecific with T. matsu according to the comparison of morphological and molecular data.  


Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1433
Author(s):  
Claire Bonsergent ◽  
Marie-Charlotte de Carné ◽  
Nathalie de la Cotte ◽  
François Moussel ◽  
Véronique Perronne ◽  
...  

In Europe, Babesia divergens is responsible for most of the severe cases of human babesiosis. In the present study, we describe a case of babesiosis in a splenectomized patient in France and report a detailed molecular characterization of the etiological agent, named Babesia sp. FR1, as well as of closely related Babesia divergens, Babesia capreoli and Babesia sp. MO1-like parasites. The analysis of the conserved 18S rRNA gene was supplemented with the analysis of more discriminant markers involved in the red blood cell invasion process: rap-1a (rhoptry-associated-protein 1) and ama-1 (apical-membrane-antigen 1). The rap-1a and ama-1 phylogenetic analyses were congruent, placing Babesia sp. FR1, the new European etiological agent, in the American cluster of Babesia sp. MO1-like parasites. Based on two additional markers, our analysis confirms the clear separation of B. divergens and B. capreoli. Babesia sp. MO1-like parasites should also be considered as a separate species, with the rabbit as its natural host, differing from those of B. divergens (cattle) and B. capreoli (roe deer). The natural host of Babesia sp. FR1 remains to be discovered.


2017 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Verma ◽  
A. Chaudhary ◽  
H. S. Singh

Summary Two species of Thaparocleidus Jain (1952a) were found harboring W. attu from the Ganga River at two localities, Meerut and Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, during the period of 2013-2015. Morphology and morphometric study of specimens identified as Thaparocleidus gomtius (Jain, 1952a) Lim, 1996 and T. sudhakari (Gusev, 1976) Lim, 1996. Molecular analyses using the 18S rRNA gene confirmed the validity of T. gomtius and T. sudhakari and demonstrated that both the species clustered with other Thaparocleidus species from different geographical regions. We aim at reassessing the taxonomy and establishing the phylogenetic relationships among these two redescribed species with other representatives of the genus Thaparocleidus.


2012 ◽  
Vol 102 (5) ◽  
pp. 547-553 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego F. Quito-Avila ◽  
Danielle Lightle ◽  
Jana Lee ◽  
Robert R. Martin

Raspberry latent virus (RpLV) is a newly characterized reovirus found in commercial raspberry fields in the Pacific Northwest (PNW). Thus far, all members of the plant reoviruses are transmitted in a replicative, persistent manner by several species of leafhoppers or planthoppers. After several failed attempts to transmit RpLV using leafhoppers, the large raspberry aphid, commonly found in the PNW, was tested as a vector of the virus. The virus was transmitted to new, healthy raspberry plants when inoculated with groups of at least 50 viruliferous aphids, suggesting that aphids are vectors of RpLV, albeit inefficient ones. Using absolute and relative quantification methods, it was shown that the virus titer in aphids continued to increase after the acquisition period even when aphids were serially transferred onto fresh, healthy plants on a daily basis. Transmission experiments determined that RpLV has a 6-day latent period in the aphid before it becomes transmissible; however, it was not transmitted transovarially to the next generation. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a plant reovirus transmitted by an aphid. Phylogenetic analyses showed that RpLV is related most closely to but distinct from Rice ragged stunt virus (RRSV), the type member of the genus Oryzavirus. Moreover, the conserved nucleotide termini of the genomic segments of RpLV did not match those of RRSV or other plant reoviruses, allowing us to suggest that RpLV is probably the type member of a new genus in the Reoviridae comprising aphid-transmitted reoviruses.


Nematology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 953-966 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Troccoli ◽  
Monica Oreste ◽  
Eustachio Tarasco ◽  
Elena Fanelli ◽  
Francesca De Luca

Several juvenile and adult nematodes were isolated after dissection of pupae and adults of the red palm weevil,Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, recovered from an infestedPhoenix canariensisChabaud exemplar in Bari, Italy. Two species of nematodes were recovered,Teratorhabditis synpapillataandMononchoides macrospiculumn. sp. which is described herein. The mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI), the ITS-containing region, the 18S rRNA gene (SSU) and the D2-D3 expansion domains of the 28S rRNA gene (LSU) were amplified and sequenced. The new species,M. macrospiculumn. sp., is described at morphological and molecular level. Phylogenetic analyses using SSU and LSU sequences placedM. macrospiculumn. sp. together withM. composticolaandM. striatus. The sequences of the Italian population ofT. synpapillataare identical to those ofT. synpapillatafrom Japan. This is the first report on the association ofM. macrospiculumn. sp. andT. synpapillatawith the red palm weevil in Europe.


2006 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 913-922 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabio Rindi ◽  
Juan M. López-Bautista ◽  
Alison R. Sherwood ◽  
Michael D. Guiry

Spongiochrysis hawaiiensis gen. et sp. nov. is described from material collected at two sites on O'ahu, Hawaiian Islands. This alga produced golden-yellow crusts on the bark of Casuarina trees and consisted of globular cells with an axial stellate chloroplast. The only form of reproduction was a specialized type of autosporulation in which a budding-like division of the mother cell produced daughter cells of different sizes. Phylogenetic analyses of the 18S rRNA gene showed that Spongiochrysis hawaiiensis is a member of the freshwater clade of the Cladophorales/Siphonocladales lineage in the green algal class Ulvophyceae. On the basis of its unicellular habit and terrestrial habitat, this species is well differentiated from all other members of the same lineage and can be considered as the first known successful step of a member of the order Cladophorales into terrestrial habitats. The implications of the description of this species with regard to both green algal evolution and conservation of little-known tropical habitats are discussed. The holotype specimen of Spongiochrysis hawaiiensis is GALW015489 and isotype specimens have also been deposited in the BISH and BM herbaria.


2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sándor Hornok ◽  
Alexandra Corduneanu ◽  
Jenő Kontschán ◽  
Katinka Bekő ◽  
Krisztina Szőke ◽  
...  

Babesia vesperuginis is the only piroplasm known to infect bats. Unlike most members of the genus Babesia, it is probably transmitted by a soft tick species (i.e. Argas vespertilionis). Recently, two studies have been conducted to clarify the phylogenetic status of this species, and both agreed on placing it into a basal position among Babesia sensu stricto (s.s.). However, several important groups of piroplasms were not included in the already reported phylogenetic trees of B. vesperuginis isolates. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to amplify an approx. 950-bp fragment of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene of B. vesperuginis from A. vespertilionis specimens, and to compare its sequences with those from other piroplasmid groups in a broader phylogenetic context. Sequence comparisons focusing on either 18S rRNA or cox1 genes, as well as phylogenetic analyses involving separate and concatenated 18S rRNA and cox1 sequences indicate that B. vesperuginis is more closely related to the phylogenetic group of Theileriidae than to Babesia s.s. In particular, B. vesperuginis clustered closest to Cytauxzoon felis and the ‘prototheilerid’ B. conradae. The results of this study highlight that B. vesperuginis is a unique and taxonomically important species, which should be included in future studies aimed at resolving the comprehensive phylogeny of Piroplasmida.


2019 ◽  
Vol 186 (4) ◽  
pp. 892-914 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Delicado ◽  
Beatriz Arconada ◽  
Amanda Aguado ◽  
Marian A Ramos

Abstract Valvatiform gastropods of the family Hydrobiidae are frequently found in European spring-fed systems. Their simplified and sometimes convergent morphological structures and restricted geographical ranges make the description and identification of valvatiform species challenging. In the Iberian Peninsula, to date, 20 valvatiform species have been described morphologically. To test morphological species delimitations and to evaluate the role of physical geography on their evolutionary history, we analysed two mitochondrial (COI and 16S rRNA) and two nuclear (28S rRNA and 18S rRNA) gene fragments of 16 valvatiform species from the Iberian Peninsula. Molecular species delimitation methods consistently inferred 11 of the nominal species. Our phylogenetic analyses recovered the species Islamia azarum as an independent lineage, distantly related to other genera, which we place in the new genus Deganta. Furthermore, Iberian valvatiform hydrobiids do not form a monophyletic subunit, but they are included in two distinct clades of Hydrobiidae. Divergence times indicate that speciation in these clades is likely to have coincided with the formation of major Iberian mountain ranges and river basins. Similarities of geographical subdivision and divergent times between this assemblage and the non-valvatiform genus Corrosella provide strong evidence for the role of the Iberian geographical barriers in shaping the biogeography of these springsnails.


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