title: Intercontinental distribution of a new trypanosome species from Australian endemic Regent Honeyeater (Anthochaera phrygia).
abstract: Establishing a health screening protocol is fundamental for successful captive breeding and release of wildlife. The aim of this study was to undertake a parasitological survey focusing on the presence of trypanosomes in a cohort of Regent Honeyeaters, Anthochaera phrygia, syn. Xanthomyza phrygia (Aves: Passeriformes) that are part of the breeding and reintroduction programme carried out in Australia. We describe a new blood parasite, Trypanosoma thomasbancrofti sp. n. (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) with prevalence of 24·4% (20/81) in a captive population in 2015. The sequence of the small subunit rRNA gene (SSU rDNA) and kinetoplast ultrastructure of T. thomasbancrofti sp. n. are the key differentiating characteristics from other Trypanosoma spp. T. thomasbancrofti sp. n. is distinct from Trypanosoma cf. avium found in sympatric Noisy Miners (Manorina melanocephala). The SSU rDNA comparison suggests an intercontinental distribution of T. thomasbancrofti sp. n. and Culex mosquitoes as a suspected vector. Currently, no information exists on the effect of T. thomasbancrofti sp. n. on its hosts; however, all trypanosome-positive birds remain clinically healthy. This information is useful in establishing baseline health data and screening protocols, particularly prior to release to the wild.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Science,School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney,New South Wales 2006,Australia.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Šlapeta
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Science,The University of Sydney,New South Wales 2006,Australia.
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Morin-Adeline
authors.affiliation: Taronga Zoo, Taronga Conservation Society Australia,Bradleys Head Road,Mosman,New South Wales 2088,Australia.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Science,The University of Sydney,New South Wales 2006,Australia.
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McDonell
authors.affiliation: Taronga Zoo, Taronga Conservation Society Australia,Bradleys Head Road,Mosman,New South Wales 2088,Australia.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shiels
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Science,The University of Sydney,New South Wales 2006,Australia.
authors.forename: Katrina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gilchrist
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology,Faculty of Science,Charles University in Prague,Prague,Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Votýpka
authors.affiliation: Taronga Zoo, Taronga Conservation Society Australia,Bradleys Head Road,Mosman,New South Wales 2088,Australia.
authors.forename: Larry
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vogelnest
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D046109:Passeriformes / Q000469:parasitology*; D010802:Phylogeny; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA / Q000662:veterinary; D014345:Trypanosoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal
keywords: Trypanosoma; avian host; conservation; distribution; reintroduction