Molecular characterisation and additional morphological descriptions of Eimeria spp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli Bartlett)

Abstract

Brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli Bartlett), a ratite endemic to New Zealand, is currently listed as “Vulnerable” under the IUCN classification system due to predation by introduced mammals. Operation Nest Egg (ONE) raises chicks and juveniles in predator-proof enclosures until they are large enough to defend themselves. These facilities experience an environmental accumulation of coccidial oocysts, which leads to severe morbidity and mortality of these kiwi. Four species of coccidia have been morphologically described from sporulated oocysts with additional opportunistic descriptions of endogenous stages. This research continues the morphological descriptions of these species of Eimeria with an additional novel morphotype also morphologically described. It also provides the first genetic characterisation targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene. Based on these findings, it was determined there are at least five morphotypes of Eimeria that infect brown kiwi and co-infections are common at the ONE facilities surveyed. The COI amplicon targeted for this study was sufficient to provide differentiation from other members of this genus. Sanger sequencing yielded ambiguous bases, indicating the need for more in-depth sequencing.

Morphological and molecular characterization of Eimeria haematopusi n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) in an Australian Pied Oystercatcher (Haematopus longirostris) (Aves: Charadriiformes)

“…Isospora spp. are also widely diverse, but are predominantly found in Passeriformes, but also in other orders such as Strigiformes and Struthioniformes (Berto et al, 2011 ; 2023 ; Medina et al, 2019 ; Woodyard et al, 2019 ; Coker et al, 2023 ). Within the Charadriiformes, fewer than 22 species of Eimeria (the largest of the Eimeriidae) have been documented to infect members of this order.…”