title: Parasites in a biodiversity hotspot: a survey of hematozoa and a molecular phylogenetic analysis of Plasmodium in New Guinea skinks.
abstract: A sample of 204 skinks (Squamata: Scincidae) from 10 genera representing 24 species were collected from 10 different localities in New Guinea and examined for blood parasites. Hemogregarines, trypanosomes, microfilarial worms, and 8 infections showing 2 distinct morphological types of malaria parasites (Plasmodium sp.) were observed. Molecular sequence data, in the form of mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences from the Plasmodium infections, showed 2 distinct clades of parasites, 1 in Sphenomorphus jobiense hosts and 1 in Emoia spp., which correspond to the 2 morphotypes. There was substantial genetic variation between the 2 clades, as well as within the clade of Emoia parasites. Nearly half of the skinks sampled had green blood pigmentation, resulting from the presence of biliverdin in the plasma; however, only 1 of these lizards was infected with Plasmodium sp. and only 2 had any blood parasites. These preliminary results suggest a high degree of phylogenetic diversity but a very low prevalence of Plasmodium spp. infections in the skinks of this globally important biodiversity hot spot.
authors.affiliation: Museum of Natural Science, Louisiana State University, 119 Foster Hall, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803, USA. ccaustin@isu.edu
authors.forename: Christopher C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Austin
authors.forename: Susan L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Perkins
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001664:Biliverdine / Q000097:blood; D044822:Biodiversity; D045303:Cytochromes b / Q000235:genetics; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000737:chemistry; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000737:chemistry; D050259:Genes, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics; D014644:Genetic Variation; D008116:Lizards / Q000097:blood / Q000469:parasitology*; D008288:Malaria / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010219:Papua New Guinea / Q000453:epidemiology; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary; D010802:Phylogeny; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D045303:Cytochromes b; D001664:Biliverdine