Experimental study of newly described avian malaria parasite Plasmodium (Novyella) collidatum n. sp., genetic lineage pFANTAIL01 obtained from South Asian migrant bird

Background Avian malaria parasites are microorganisms parasitizing erythrocytes and various tissues of the birds; they are common and distributed worldwide. These parasites are known to infect birds of different taxa and be the cause of the deaths of birds in the wild and in captivity. The species of parasites with the ability to colonize new territories and infect local non-migratory birds are of particular interest. This scenario is likely in temperate zones of Europe, because of climate change and its contribution in spreading vectors of southern origin, which can be involved in the transmission of malaria parasites. In the present study, a tropical Plasmodium parasite from a naturally infected long-distance migrant bird was isolated and tested for its ability to develop in common species of mosquitoes and European short-distance migrant birds. Methods Plasmodium sp. (pFANTAIL01) was isolated on the Curonian spit of the Baltic sea coast from the naturally infected Common rosefinch, Carpodacus erythrinus in June 2019. The parasite was described based on the morphological features of its blood stages, the partial mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and development after experimental infection of birds and mosquitoes. The parasite was inoculated into Eurasian siskins, Carduelis spinus. Parasitaemia, haematocrit and weight of birds were monitored. At the end of the survey, internal organs were collected to study exoerythrocytic stages of this parasite. Experimental infection of mosquitoes Culex pipiens form molestus and Culex quinquefasciatus was applied to study sporogonic development of the parasite. Results Based on morphological features, the parasite was described as a new species, Plasmodium collidatum n. sp., and attributed to subgenus Novyella. It was revealed that the obtained pFANTAIL01 lineage is a generalist parasite infecting a wide range of avian hosts and most likely is transmitted in South and Southeast (SE) Asia and Oceania. In Europe, this strain was recorded only in adult migratory birds wintering in South Asia. This parasite developed high parasitaemia in experimentally infected siskins and caused 25 % mortality. Exoerythrocytic stages of pFANTAIL01 were found in the lungs, liver, spleen and kidney of the deceased birds. Sporogonic development did not occur in Cx. pipiens form molestus and Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes. Conclusions Plasmodium collidatum is a highly virulent for Eurasian siskin and completes its development in these birds, which can be considered as a potential vertebrate host if the transmission of the infection starts occurring in Europe and temperate zones.

Experimental study of newly described avian malaria parasite Plasmodium (Novyella) collidatum n. sp., genetic lineage pFANTAIL01 obtained from South Asian migrant bird

BackgroundAvian malaria parasites are common and worldwide distributed microorganisms parasitizing erythrocytes and various tissues of the birds. These parasites are known to infect birds of different taxa and be the cause of the bird’s deaths in wildlife and captivity. A particular interest possesses the species of parasites with the ability to colonize new territories and infect local non-migratory birds. This scenario is likely in temperate zones of Europe because of the present climate change and its contribution to the spreading of southern origin vectors which can be involved in the transmission of malaria parasites. In the present study, a tropical Plasmodium parasite from a naturally infected long-distance migrant bird was isolated and tested for its ability to develop in common species of mosquitoes and European short-distance migrant bird. MethodsPlasmodium sp. (pFANTAIL01) was isolated from the naturally infected Common rosefinch, Carpodacus erythrinus. The parasite was described based on the morphological features of its blood stages, the partial mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and development after experimental infection of birds and mosquitoes. The parasite was inoculated into Eurasian siskins, Carduelis spinus. Parasitemia, hematocrit value and weight of birds were monitored. At the end of the survey, internal organs were collected to study exoerythrocytic stages of this parasite. Experimental infection of mosquitoes Culex pipiens pipiens form molestus and C. quinquefasciatus was applied to study sporogonic development of the parasite.ResultsBased on morphological features, the new parasite was described as Plasmodium collidatum n. sp. and attributed to subgenus Novyella. It was revealed that the obtained pFANTAIL01 lineage is a generalist parasite infecting a wide range of avian hosts and most likely is transmitted in South and Southeast (SE) Asia and Oceania. In Europe this strain was recorded only in adult migratory birds wintering in South Asia. This parasite developed high parasitemia in experimentally infected siskins and caused 25% mortality. Exoerythrocytic stages of pFANTAIL01 were found in the lungs, liver, spleen and kidney of the deceased birds. Sporogonic development did not occur in C. p. p. f. molestus and C. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes.ConclusionPlasmodium collidatum is a highly virulent for Eurasian siskin and completes its development in these birds, which can be considered as a potential vertebrate host if the transmission of the infection starts occurring in Europe and temperate zones.

Avifaunal diversity of Tilyar Lake, Rohtak, Haryana, India

Avian diversity of Tilyar Lake (28.883–28.879 0N & 76.637 –76.634 0E) located on the eastern outskirts of Rohtak, Haryana was conducted from May 2017 to April 2018. A total of 73 avian species belonging to 62 genera and 31 families under 15 orders was observed. Order Passeriformes with 21 species in 12 families dominated the avifauna whereas orders Bucerotiformes, Podicipediformes, and Psittaciformes were poorly represented with a single species each. Family Anatidae was the most dominant representing 13.89% (n=10) of the total species recorded. Among the reported species 75% (n=54) were resident while 25% (n=18) were migrant. Common Pochard Aythya ferina assessed globally as Vulnerable, while Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala, Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster and Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus are assessed as Near Threatened, whereas the rest of the species were in the Least Concern category of the IUCN Red List 2019. The omnivorous feeding habit was shown by the maximum number of species while frugivorous and granivorous bird species were in the least numbers. The rich avifaunal diversity of the Tilyar Lake confirms it as a suitable habitat for both resident and migrant bird species. Therefore, the present study suggests the need for incorporation of appropriate protective measures for conservation of the avian heritage of Tilyar Lake, Rohtak.