Studies on coccidian oocysts (Apicomplexa: Eucoccidiorida)

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Coccidia are protozoan parasites that are frequently observed in fecal samples from wild birds, and they are extremely important for biodiversity, host specificity and conservation. The aim of the present study was to identify and quantify the coccidian species from wild birds caught in a fragmented area of Atlantic Forest in the municipality of Guapimirim in the state of Rio de Janeiro, which is located around the Serra dos Órgãos National Park. A total of 101 birds were caught and identified. The highest prevalence and density were observed in the family Columbidae (Columbiformes). Among the families of Passeriformes, the highest prevalences and densities were of birds in the families Thraupidae and Turdidae. The majority of the positive samples and those with higher densities were collected in the afternoons. Eleven coccidian species of Isospora and Eimeria were identified. Seven of these species that were morphologically identified are undescribed in the scientific literature and are believed to be new species. The present study highlights the wide distribution and dispersion of coccidia of wild birds in southeastern Brazil, and records the municipality of Guapimirim, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, as a new locality for parasitism, along with the new hosts recorded.Keywords: Oocysts, morphology, taxonomy, prevalence, density, Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos. ResumoOs coccídios são protozoários parasitas frequentemente observados em amostras fecais de aves silvestres, os quais têm extrema importância para a biodiversidade, especificidade hospedeira e conservação. O presente estudo teve como objetivo identificar e quantificar as espécies de coccídios de aves silvestres capturadas em uma área fragmentada de Mata Atlântica no município de Guapimirim, Estado do Rio de Janeiro, que está localizada no entorno do Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos. Foram capturadas e identificadas 101 aves. A maior prevalência e densidades foram observadas na família Columbidae (Columbiformes). Nas famílias de Passeriformes, as maiores prevalências e densidades foram de aves das famílias Thraupidae e Turdidae. A maioria das amostras positivas e com maiores densidades foram coletadas no período da tarde. Foram identificadas onze espécies de Eimeria e Isospora. Sete dessas espécies morfologicamente identificadas não estão descritas na literatura científica e devem ser novas espécies. O presente trabalho expõe a ampla distribuição e dispersão de coccídios de aves silvestres no sudeste do Brasil e registra o município de Guapimirim, no estado do Rio de Janeiro, como uma nova localidade de parasitismo, além dos novos hospedeiros registrados.

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diversity and distribution of coccidia of wild birds in an Atlantic forest fragment area in southeastern Brazil

Oliveira

Ferreira

Silva

et al. 2017

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“…All measurements were made in micrometers and are given as the range followed by the mean in parentheses. The descriptions of oocysts and sporocysts followed the guidelines of Duszynski & Wilber (1997) and Berto et al (2014), as follows: oocyst (O) length (L) and width (W) and their ranges and ratios (L/W); micropyle (M), oocyst residuum (OR), polar granule (PG) and sporocyst (SP) length (L) and width (W) and their ranges and ratios (L/W); and Stieda body (SB), sub-Stieda body (SSB), para-Stieda body (PSB), sporocyst residuum (SR), sporozoite (SZ), refractile body (RB) and nucleus (N).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Genus Caryospora Leger, 1904, is occasionally reported in raptors and reptiles, which act as its definitive hosts, and in rodents, which act as its intermediate hosts (UPTON et al, 1990;BERTO et al, 2014). Caryospora is the third largest genus in the family Eimeriidae.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Caryospora peneireiroi n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) in the common kestrel, Falco tinnunculus (Falconiformes: Falconidae), in mainland Portugal

Cardozo

Berto

Caetano³

et al. 2016

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The common kestrel Falco tinnunculus Linnaeus, 1758, is a widespread raptor, native in Europe, Asia and Africa, and vagrant in the Americas. In the current work, 27 fecal samples were collected from common kestrels kept in the Lisbon Center for Wild Animal Recovery, located at Monsanto Forest Park, Lisbon, Portugal. Five (19%) of them were found to be passing an undescribed species of Caryospora in their feces. The oocysts of Caryospora peneireiroi n. sp. were ellipsoidal with a bilayered wall and measured 47.1 × 37.6 µm with a shape index of 1.25. No micropyle, oocyst residuum or polar granule was present. The sporocysts were subspherical, measuring 25.1 × 24.3 µm. Stieda, sub-Stieda and para-Stieda bodies were absent. The sporocyst residuum was composed of many homogenous globules scattered throughout the periphery of the sporocyst. This is the fourth caryosporan species reported from F. tinnunculus.

“…The genus Caryospora Leger, 1904, is traditionally recognized as one of the main genera of coccidian parasites of both raptors and reptiles (UPTON et al, 1990;BERTO et al, 2014). Hence, the species of Caryospora that have been recorded in raptors were recently taxonomically transferred to a new genus, termed Avispora Schuster, Woo, Poon, Lau, Sivakumar, Kinne, 2016.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This reclassification was based on the morphological, biological and, finally, molecular differences of Caryospora spp. found in raptors and reptiles (BERTO et al, 2014;SCHUSTER et al, 2016) In this context, the current study describes a new species of Avispora found in little owls (A. noctua) that were being kept for rehabilitation and reintroduction into the wild at the Lisbon Center for Wild Animal Recovery (Centro de Recuperação de Animais Silvestres de Lisboa, LxCRAS), in Monsanto Forest Park, Lisbon, Portugal.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Avispora mochogalegoi n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Sarcocystidae) in the little owl, Athene noctua (Strigiformes: Strigidae), in mainland Portugal

Cardozo

Berto

Caetano³

et al. 2017

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The little owl Athene noctua (Scopoli, 1769) is a small raptor that is widely distributed from northern to southern Portugal and several other countries in Europe, Asia and North Africa, and which has been introduced into New Zealand. In the current study, 18 fecal samples were collected from little owls kept at the Lisbon Center for Wild Animal Recovery, which is located in Monsanto Forest Park, Lisbon, Portugal. Twelve (67%) of them were found to be passing an undescribed species of Avispora in their feces. The oocysts of Avispora mochogalegoi n. sp. were ellipsoidal with a bilayered wall and measured 38.9 × 32.9 µm, with a shape index of 1.18. No micropyle, oocyst residuum or polar granule was present. The sporocysts were subspherical, measuring 21.1 × 20.1 µm. Stieda, sub-Stieda and para-Stieda bodies were absent. The sporocyst residuum was composed of a compact subspherical mass of granules. This is the fourth species of Avispora reported in Strigiformes.