Comparative genomics of Leishmania (Sauroleishmania) tarentolae and Trypanosoma platydactyli from reptile hosts
Trypanosomatids such as Leishmania and Trypanosoma species are parasitic protozoa with diverse transmission strategies and complex ecological dynamics. In this study, we provide an integrated genomic and ecological investigation of Leishmania (S.) tarentolae and Trypanosoma platydactyli, two reptile-associated trypanosomatids found in lizards and sand flies in southern Italy. We describe their co-infection patterns, isolate new strains, develop a novel conventional PCR assay to detect single and mixed infections, and analyze their genomes, providing a valuable resource for future studies on trypanosomatid biology and host–parasite interactions. Our results highlight differences in parasitemia, infectivity, and culture profiles between the two species. We also show that with K2P divergence profiles no recent mobilome was detected in T. platydactyli (K2P), while L. (S.) tarentolae showed a small set of low-divergence elements. Our results contribute to the understanding of trypanosomatids biology by combining field parasitology, diagnostic innovation, and comparative genomics.