Assessing the diversity, host-specificity and infection patterns of apicomplexan parasites in reptiles from Oman, Arabia.
Understanding the processes that shape parasite diversification, their distribution and abundance provides valuable information on the dynamics and evolution of disease. In this study, we assessed the diversity, distribution, host-specificity and infection patterns of apicomplexan parasites in amphibians and reptiles from Oman, Arabia. Using a quantitative PCR approach we detected three apicomplexan parasites (haemogregarines, lankesterellids and sarcocystids). A total of 13 haemogregarine haplotypes were identified, which fell into four main clades in a phylogenetic framework. Phylogenetic analysis of six new lankesterellid haplotypes revealed that these parasites were distinct from, but phylogenetically related to, known Lankesterella species and might represent new taxa. The percentage of infected hosts (prevalence) and the number of haemogregarines in the blood (parasitaemia) varied significantly between gecko species. We also found significant differences in parasitaemia between haemogregarine parasite lineages (defined by phylogenetic clustering of haplotypes), suggesting differences in host-parasite compatibility between these lineages. For Pristurus rupestris, we found significant differences in haemogregarine prevalence between geographical areas. Our results suggest that host ecology and host relatedness may influence haemogregarine distributions and, more generally, highlight the importance of screening wild hosts from remote regions to provide new insights into parasite diversity.
CIBIO Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources,InBIO,Universidade do Porto,Campus Agrário de Vairão,Rua Padre Armando Quintas,N°7,4485-661 Vairão,Vila do Conde,Portugal.
João P
0000-0002-0235-1651
JP
Maia
CIBIO Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources,InBIO,Universidade do Porto,Campus Agrário de Vairão,Rua Padre Armando Quintas,N°7,4485-661 Vairão,Vila do Conde,Portugal.
D James
DJ
Harris
Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra).Passeig Maritim de la Barceloneta,37-49. 08003 Barcelona,Spain.
Salvador
S
Carranza
Department of Wetland Ecology,Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC),41080 Sevilla,Spain.
Elena
E
Goméz-Díaz
D000818:Animals; D016782:Apicomplexa / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D044822:Biodiversity; D058507:Host Specificity; D009850:Oman; D059208:Parasite Load; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010802:Phylogeny; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012104:Reptiles / Q000469:parasitology*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
Haemogregarine; altitude; amphibian; ecology; eimeriorina; host relatedness; host–parasite associations; intensity; parasitaemia; prevalence