First detection and molecular identification of Babesia sp. from the giant panda, Ailuropoda melanoleuca, in China

Yue, Chanjuan; Deng, Zeshuai; Qi, Dunwu; Li, Yun-Li; Bi, Wenlei; Ma, Rui; Yang, Guangyou; Luo, Xue; Hou, Rong; Liu, Songrui

doi:10.1186/s13071-020-04412-8

Cited by 9 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…Ticks can cause even more damage by spreading pathogens, such as protozoans and viruses. The Babesia sp., one of the most widespread tick-borne protozoan parasites that can cause Babesiosis, is detected in the blood of giant panda [ 18 ]. Thirty-two viral species are detected in the giant panda-infesting ticks, half of which show homology to viruses carried by giant pandas and their associated host species [ 19 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complete Mitogenomes of Ticks Ixodes acutitarsus and Ixodes ovatus Parasitizing Giant Panda: Deep Insights into the Comparative Mitogenomic and Phylogenetic Relationship of Ixodidae Species

Liu

et al. 2022

Genes

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Ticks rank second in the world as vectors of disease. Tick infestation is one of the factors threatening the health and survival of giant pandas. Here, we describe the mitogenomes of Ixodes acutitarsus and Ixodes ovatus parasitizing giant pandas, and perform comparative and phylogenetic genomic analyses on the newly sequenced and other available mitogenomes of hard ticks. All six newly determined mitogenomes contain a typical gene component and share an ancient Arthropoda gene arrangement pattern. Our study suggests that I. ovatus is a species complex with high genetic divergence, indicating that different clades of I. ovatus represent distinct species. Comparative mitogenomic analyses show that the average A + T content of Ixodidae mitogenomes is 78.08%, their GC-skews are strongly negative, while AT-skews fluctuate around 0. A large number of microsatellites are detected in Ixodidae mitogenomes, and the main microsatellite motifs are mononucleotide A and trinucleotide AAT. We summarize five gene arrangement types, and identify the trnY-COX1-trnS1-COX2-trnK-ATP8-ATP6-COX3-trnG fragment is the most conserved region, whereas the region near the control region is the rearrangement hotspot in Ixodidae mitogenomes. The phylogenetic trees based on 15 genes provide a very convincing relationship (Ixodes + (Robertsicus + ((Bothriocroton + Haemaphysalis) + (Amblyomma + (Dermacentor + (Rhipicentor + (Hyalomma + Rhipicephalus))))))) with very strong supports. Remarkably, Archaeocroton sphenodonti is embedded in the Haemaphysalis clade with strong supports, resulting in paraphyly of the Haemaphysalis genus, so in-depth morphological and molecular studies are essential to determine the taxonomic status of A. sphenodonti and its closely related species. Our results provide new insights into the molecular phylogeny and evolution of hard ticks, as well as basic data for population genetics assessment and efficient surveillance and control for the giant panda-infesting ticks.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complete Mitogenomes of Ticks Ixodes acutitarsus and Ixodes ovatus Parasitizing Giant Panda: Deep Insights into the Comparative Mitogenomic and Phylogenetic Relationship of Ixodidae Species

Liu

et al. 2022

Genes

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“…In the past, clinical symptoms like anemia, inflammation, and exhaustion were considered the result of tick infestations ( Li et al, 2020 ). Recently, Babesia sp., a blood parasite that is transmitted by ticks, was reported on a giant panda, which caused a series of symptoms ( Yue et al, 2020 ). Because of the rarity of this species, it is difficult to investigate tick infestation pattern directly from wild pandas.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A snapshot of climate drivers and temporal variation of Ixodes ovatus abundance from a giant panda living in the wild

Fan¹,

Ma²,

Yue³

et al. 2023

International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife

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“…However, most of previous studies on ticks have relied primarily on the investigation of sick or dead giant pandas. Recently, Babesia sp., a blood parasite that are considered to be transmitted by ticks, was reported on a giant panda, which caused a series of symptoms [17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate drivers and temporal variation of Ixode ovatus abundance on a giant panda living in the wild

Fan

Yue

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Background Ticks and tick-borne diseases have negative impacts on the health of wild animals including endangered and vulnerable species. The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), one of the iconic flagship species, is threatened by tick infestation as well. Ticks can not only cause anemia and immunosuppression, but also bacterial and viral disease of giant pandas. However, many previous studies about ticks on giant pandas were only limited in scope as case reports of ill or dead animals. Methods In this study, an investigation about ticks on a reintroduced giant panda at Daxiangling Reintroduction Base in Sichuan of China was conducted. Ticks were collected daily and identified from the ears of the giant panda from March to September in 2021. A linear model was used to test the correlation between daily tick abundance and climate factors. Result All ticks were identified as Ixodes ovatus. The daily average of tick population was 6.78 (95% CI: 6.17–7.39) including 1.79 daily males (95% CI: 1.61–1.98) and 4.99 for females (95% CI: 4.53–5.44). Tick abundance was significantly different among months. Tick abundance increased from March and reached the highest point in June and July, then it decreased until September. Results from linear model showed that the temperature positively correlated to tick abundance while air pressure had a negative correlation with tick abundance. Conclusions This study investigated tick species and abundance on a giant panda living in the natural environment for the first time, which provided important information for the conservation of giant pandas and other species sharing the same environment.

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First detection and molecular identification of Babesia sp. from the giant panda, Ailuropoda melanoleuca, in China

Cited by 9 publications

References 47 publications

Complete Mitogenomes of Ticks Ixodes acutitarsus and Ixodes ovatus Parasitizing Giant Panda: Deep Insights into the Comparative Mitogenomic and Phylogenetic Relationship of Ixodidae Species

Complete Mitogenomes of Ticks Ixodes acutitarsus and Ixodes ovatus Parasitizing Giant Panda: Deep Insights into the Comparative Mitogenomic and Phylogenetic Relationship of Ixodidae Species

A snapshot of climate drivers and temporal variation of Ixodes ovatus abundance from a giant panda living in the wild

Climate drivers and temporal variation of Ixode ovatus abundance on a giant panda living in the wild

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