Description and molecular characterization of a new Leucocytozoon parasite (Haemosporida: Leucocytozoidae), Leucocytozoon californicus sp. nov., found in American kestrels (Falco sparverius sparverius)

Abstract

Diurnal raptors in the order Accipitriformes are commonly parasitized with Leucocytozoon spp., and the prevalence and intensity of parasitemia are often high. However, for raptors in Falconiformes, several studies have reported relatively low prevalences (1 % or less) of Leucocytozoon spp. Leucocytozoon parasite pathogenicity has been documented in falcons, but little is known about the diversity, prevalence, and phylogenetic relationships among Leucocytozoon species in these predatory birds. The research reported here combines molecular and microscopic techniques to identify and describe Leucocytozoon parasites in Falco sparverius sparverius, the American kestrel, and place those parasites into a phylogenetic context with leucocytozoids previously found in other diurnal raptors (Accipitriformes), owls (Strigiformes), passerines (Passeriformes), and other bird species. Of 35 American kestrels sampled, 13 birds (37.1 %) were found by PCR to harbor the DNA lineage of a novel species, Leucocytozoon californicus. No other Leucocytozoon parasite lineages were identified in our sample. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that this parasite clusters more closely with leucocytozoids found in owls and passerines than it does with leucocytozoids found in birds of the genera Buteo and Accipiter of the order Accipitriformes. This is the first described species of Leucocytozoon that parasitizes diurnal raptors in which gametocytes develop exclusively in roundish host blood cells. It is also the first Leucocytozoon species that is described and named in birds of the Falconiformes, in which, for unclear reasons, leucocytozoids are significantly less prevalent and less diverse than in raptors with a similar behavioral ecology belonging to the Accipitriformes.

Haemoproteus spp. and Leucocytozoon californicus Coinfection in a Merlin (Falco colombarius)

“…Leucocytozoon gametocytes, whose size was comparable to that described in kestrel by Sacchi and Prigioni [14]. However, parasite width and area agreed with the description reported by Walther et al [15].…”

Prevalence and diversity of haemosporidian parasites in the yellow‐rumped warbler hybrid zone

“…In addition, the haemosporidian lineages found in the sampled yellow‐rumped warblers are relatively generalist and have been found in other species in the MalAvi database (Bensch et al., ). For example, hDENPEN02 has been found in at least seven other species of Passeriformes in North America and lCNEORN01 in ten (Oakgrove et al., ; Outlaw & Ricklefs, ; Ricklefs & Fallon, ; Walther et al., ). Given these results, we suggest that it is unlikely that these parasites specialize and thereby exert differential levels of selection between myrtle and Audubon's warblers.…”

Avian haemosporidians in the cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) from central-western and southern Africa: High diversity and prevalence

“…The group of seven Leucocytozoon lineages were identified in a distinct phylogenetic tree (S1 Fig) using Plasmodium juxtanucleare as the outgroup. Seven Leucocytozoon lineages joined in a clade with Leucocytozoon californicus described in the American kestrel ( Falco sparverius sparverius ) using molecular and microscopic approaches [50]. Among the 82 lineages described, the BULIBH1, BULIBP5, BULIBP13, BULIBP15, BULIBP42, and BULIBL77 lineages are classified as generalists, since they have been found in other avian genera and families (S2 Table).…”

“…The Leucocytozoon phylogenetic tree showed that cattle egret lineages (BULIBL76 to BULIBL82) joined with the L . californicus lineage in a cluster that is more closely related to leucocytozoid lineages found in owls (families Tytonidae and Strigidae) and passerines (families Fringillidae and Emberizidae) [50].…”