title: Morphological and Phylogenetic Description of Trypanosoma noyesi sp. nov.: An Australian Wildlife Trypanosome within the T. cruzi Clade.
abstract: A number of trypanosome isolates from Australian marsupials are within the clade containing the human pathogen Trypanosoma cruzi. Trypanosomes within this clade are thought to have diverged from a common ancestral bat trypanosome. Here, we characterise Trypanosoma noyesi sp. nov. isolated from the critically endangered woylie (Bettongia pencillata) using phylogenetic inferences from three gene regions (18S rDNA, gGAPDH, and CytB) coupled with morphological and behavioural observations in vitro. We also investigated potential vectors and the presence of T. noyesi in the grey-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus). Phylogenetic analysis revealed T. noyesi and similar genotypes grouped at the periphery of the T. cruzi clade. T. noyesi is morphologically distinct both from other species of Australian trypanosomes and those within the T. cruzi clade. Although trypanosomes were not observed in the digestive tract of ectoparasites and biting flies collected from T. noyesi infected marsupials, tabanid and biting midges tested positive for T. noyesi DNA, indicating they are vector candidates. Tissues from flying foxes were negative for T. noyesi. This study provides novel information on the morphology and genetic variability of an Australian trypanosome within the T. cruzi clade.
authors: School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia 2009, Australia.
authors: Adriana
authors: A
authors: Botero
authors: Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6150, Australia. Electronic address: crystal.cooper@research.uwa.edu.au.
authors: Crystal
authors: C
authors: Cooper
authors: School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia 2009, Australia.
authors: Craig K
authors: CK
authors: Thompson
authors: Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6150, Australia.
authors: Peta L
authors: PL
authors: Clode
authors: Australian Registry of Wildlife Health, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman, New South Wales 2088, Australia.
authors: Karrie
authors: K
authors: Rose
authors: School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia 2009, Australia.
authors: R C Andrew
authors: RC
authors: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001179:Arthropod Vectors; D002685:Chiroptera; D004175:Diptera / Q000469:parasitology; D048328:Potoroidae; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D016053:RNA, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / Q000235:genetics; D014345:Trypanosoma / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D014352:Trypanosomiasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014904:Western Australia
chemical_list: D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D016053:RNA, Protozoan; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S
keywords: 18S rDNA; Bettongia pencillata.; Cytochrome B; Trypanosoma; Trypanosoma noyesi; gGAPDH