DOCSLIB.ORG

Downloaded From

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Downloaded From RESEARCH REPOSITORY This is the author’s final version of the work, as accepted for publication following peer review but without the publisher’s layout or pagination. The definitive version is available at: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182020001845 Austen, J.M., Van Kampen, E., Egan, S.L., O'Dea, M.A., Jackson, B., Ryan, U.M., Irwin, P.J. and Prada, D. (2020) First report of Trypanosoma dionisii (Trypanosomatidae) identified in Australia. Parasitology https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/58241 Copyright: © 2020 The Authors It is posted here for your personal use. No further distribution is permitted. First report of Trypanosoma dionisii (Trypanosomatidae) identified in Australia Jill M. Austen1, Esther Van Kampen2, Siobhon L. Egan1, Mark A. O‟Dea2, Bethany Jackson2, Una M. Ryan1, Peter J. Irwin1, Diana Prada2 Author affiliations 1Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth 6150, Australia 2School of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia Correspondence: Dr. Jill M. Austen; ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1826-1634 Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, College of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, 6150, Australia Email: [email protected] Tel: +61 8 9360 6314. Fax: +61 8 9310 4144. Running title: Trypanosoma dionisii identified and characterised in native Australian bats This is an Accepted Manuscript for Parasitology. This version may be subject to change during the production process. DOI: 10.1017/S0031182020001845 Downloaded from https://www.cambridge.org/core. Murdoch University, on 19 Oct 2020 at 05:31:09, subject to the Cambridge Core terms of use, available at https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182020001845 Abstract Trypanosomes are blood-borne parasites that can infect a variety of different vertebrates, including animals and humans. This study aims to broaden scientific knowledge about the presence and biodiversity of trypanosomes in Australian bats. Molecular and morphological analysis was performed on 86 blood samples collected from seven different species of microbats in Western Australia. Phylogenetic analysis on 18S rDNA and glycosomal glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase (gGAPDH) sequences identified Trypanosoma dionisii in five different Australian native species of microbats; Chalinolobus gouldii, Chalinolobus morio, Nyctophilus geoffroyi, Nyctophilus major and Scotorepens balstoni. In addition, two novel, genetically distinct T. dionisii genotypes were detected and named T. dionisii genotype Aus 1 and T. dionisii genotype Aus 2. Genotype Aus 2 was the most prevalent and infected 20.9% (18/86) of bats in the present study, while genotype Aus 1 was less prevalent and was identified in 5.8% (5/86) of Australian bats. Morphological analysis was conducted on trypomastigotes identified in blood films, with morphological parameters consistent with trypanosome species in the subgenus Schizotrypanum. This is the first report of T. dionisii in Australia and in Australian native bats, which further contributes to the global distribution of this cosmopolitan bat trypanosome. Key words Australia, Trypanosoma dionisii, microbats, Chalinolobus gouldii, Chalinolobus morio, Nyctophilus geoffroyi, Nyctophilus major, Scotorepens balstoni 1 Downloaded from https://www.cambridge.org/core. Murdoch University, on 19 Oct 2020 at 05:31:09, subject to the Cambridge Core terms of use, available at https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182020001845 Introduction Since the 1900s, numerous trypanosome species have been identified worldwide, infecting all classes of vertebrates, with the majority appearing to cause no disease to their hosts (Hoare, 1972; Tyler and Engman, 2001; Hamilton et al., 2007). Bats (order: Chiroptera) evolved ~50- 52 million years ago during the early Eocene period and comprise ~20% of extant mammals (Teeling et al., 2005). Bats are among the most common hosts of a large variety of trypanosome species worldwide, with the subgenus Schizotrypanum comprising the majority of the trypanosomes reported in bats throughout South America, Europe, Africa and Asia, (Hamilton et al., 2012b; Lima et al., 2013; Mafie et al., 2018; Wang et al., 2019). Trypanosomes in Chiroptera were first described in Miniopterus schreibersii from Italy by Dionisi in 1899 (Baker et al., 1972). Since then over 30 species of trypanosomes have been reported in more than 100 bat species, including well defined Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma vespertilionis, Trypanosoma rangeli and the globally distributed Trypanosoma dionisii (Beltz, 2017). Relatively little is known about Trypanosoma species in native Australian bat species. Trypanosoma pteropi was the first described trypanosome in Pteropus sp. from north Queensland (Breinl, 1913). Similar trypanosomes were characterised by Mackerras (1959) in Pteropus gouldii, however they were described as smaller in length, had a pointed anterior and a rounded kinetoplast, similar to T. vespertilionis from European bats, which shares biological characteristics with T. cruzi with both species having the ability to reproduce in organs (Mackerras, 1959). Mackerras (1959) also described a very tiny and slender trypanosome named Trypanosoma hipposideri from Hipposideros ater captured in northern Queensland. It was reported to be smaller than T. vespertilionis and T. pteropi, with a large distinctive kinetoplast and delicate short free flagellum. More recently, the first molecular 2 Downloaded from https://www.cambridge.org/core. Murdoch University, on 19 Oct 2020 at 05:31:09, subject to the Cambridge Core terms of use, available at https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182020001845 study identified a high prevalence of Trypanosoma vegrandis in two species of pteropid bats (Pteropus alecto and Pteropus scapulatus) and two species of microbats (Chalinolobus gouldii and Nyctophilus geoffroyi) from Western Australian (Austen et al., 2015). Trypanosoma teixeirae from a native Australian bat, P. scapulatus was also recently described by Mackie et al. (2017) and further characterized by Barbosa et al. (2016). This trypanosome is longer in length than both T. pteropi and T. hipposideri and genetically similar to Trypanosoma rangeli and Trypanosoma minasense (Mackie et al., 2017). Interestingly T. teixeirae is the first bat trypanosome in Australia to cause clinical disease in its host, with descriptions of icterus and anaemia (Mackie et al., 2017). The aim of the present study was to investigate trypanosome species in seven species of microbats from the South-West Botanical Province of Western Australia, to gain insight into the prevalence and genetic diversity of trypanosomes in these species. Methods Field sample collection Animal work was performed with approval from the Murdoch University Animal Ethics Committee under permit #R2882/16. Field work was conducted between the 30th of November to the 9th of December 2016 at Charles Darwin Reserve (-29.581817, 117.001820) and Mount Gibson Wildlife Sanctuary (-29.630577, 117.277211), located within the south- west region of Western Australia, a globally recognised biodiversity hotspot (Myers et al., 2000). Bats were caught using harp traps (Faunatech, Australia) and mist nets (Ecotone, Australia) set over water points at sunset. The mist nets were monitored constantly with bats removed from the nets immediately after capture. Harp traps were left unmonitored for approximately three hours and then checked for individuals captured in the protective 3 Downloaded from https://www.cambridge.org/core. Murdoch University, on 19 Oct 2020 at 05:31:09, subject to the Cambridge Core terms of use, available at https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182020001845 bagging. Sampling occurred at the capture site with no individuals being held for greater than two hours and handling limited to 5 minutes per individual to minimise stress. Palpably pregnant females were released without sampling. Bats were identified to species level using published keys (Churchill, 2008). Blood samples were collected from 86 microbats representing 7 known species; Chalinolobus gouldii (n=53), Chalinolobus morio (n=3), Nyctophilus geoffroyi (n=16), Nyctophilus major (n=1), Ozimops sp. (n=2), Scotorepens balstoni (n=7) and Vespadelus baverstocki (n=4). Ten microlitres of blood was collected from the uropatagial vein using a 25 gauge needle and a micropipette, and then diluted in sterile 1:10 phosphate buffered saline. Individual blood smears were made, air dried, and fixed in 100% methanol. Blood samples were stored at 4°C in the field and later stored at − 20 °C until use. DNA extraction and molecular analysis DNA was extracted from ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA)-preserved whole blood using a NucleoMag VET kit (Macherey-Nagel, Germany) on an automated MagMax 96 processor (Life Technologies Corporation, U.S.A.) according to the manufacturer‟s instructions. Partial fragments of Trypanosoma spp. DNA were amplified from the 18S rDNA and gGAPDH loci using primers previously described by Maslov et al. (1996) and McInnes et al. (2009), (Table 1). Initially, samples were screened using a single round PCR to amplify a small fragment (~350bp) of Trypanosoma DNA using the 18S rDNA primer set S825F and S662R. Once sequences were obtained, a subsample of positives representing different genotypes in the initial
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Insights Into Australian Bat Lyssavirus in Insectivorous Bats of Western Australia
    Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease Article Insights into Australian Bat Lyssavirus in Insectivorous Bats of Western Australia Diana Prada 1,*, Victoria Boyd 2, Michelle Baker 2, Bethany Jackson 1,† and Mark O’Dea 1,† 1 School of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia; [email protected] (B.J.); [email protected] (M.O.) 2 Australian Animal Health Laboratory, CSIRO, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia; [email protected] (V.B.); [email protected] (M.B.) * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +61-893607418 † These authors contributed equally. Received: 21 February 2019; Accepted: 7 March 2019; Published: 11 March 2019 Abstract: Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) is a known causative agent of neurological disease in bats, humans and horses. It has been isolated from four species of pteropid bats and a single microbat species (Saccolaimus flaviventris). To date, ABLV surveillance has primarily been passive, with active surveillance concentrating on eastern and northern Australian bat populations. As a result, there is scant regional ABLV information for large areas of the country. To better inform the local public health risks associated with human-bat interactions, this study describes the lyssavirus prevalence in microbat communities in the South West Botanical Province of Western Australia. We used targeted real-time PCR assays to detect viral RNA shedding in 839 oral swabs representing 12 species of microbats, which were sampled over two consecutive summers spanning 2016–2018. Additionally, we tested 649 serum samples via Luminex® assay for reactivity to lyssavirus antigens. Active lyssavirus infection was not detected in any of the samples.
    [Show full text]
  • Wildlife Parasitology in Australia: Past, Present and Future
    CSIRO PUBLISHING Australian Journal of Zoology, 2018, 66, 286–305 Review https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO19017 Wildlife parasitology in Australia: past, present and future David M. Spratt A,C and Ian Beveridge B AAustralian National Wildlife Collection, National Research Collections Australia, CSIRO, GPO Box 1700, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia. BVeterinary Clinical Centre, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Vic. 3030, Australia. CCorresponding author. Email: [email protected] Abstract. Wildlife parasitology is a highly diverse area of research encompassing many fields including taxonomy, ecology, pathology and epidemiology, and with participants from extremely disparate scientific fields. In addition, the organisms studied are highly dissimilar, ranging from platyhelminths, nematodes and acanthocephalans to insects, arachnids, crustaceans and protists. This review of the parasites of wildlife in Australia highlights the advances made to date, focussing on the work, interests and major findings of researchers over the years and identifies current significant gaps that exist in our understanding. The review is divided into three sections covering protist, helminth and arthropod parasites. The challenge to document the diversity of parasites in Australia continues at a traditional level but the advent of molecular methods has heightened the significance of this issue. Modern methods are providing an avenue for major advances in documenting and restructuring the phylogeny of protistan parasites in particular, while facilitating the recognition of species complexes in helminth taxa previously defined by traditional morphological methods. The life cycles, ecology and general biology of most parasites of wildlife in Australia are extremely poorly understood. While the phylogenetic origins of the Australian vertebrate fauna are complex, so too are the likely origins of their parasites, which do not necessarily mirror those of their hosts.
    [Show full text]
  • ABSTRACT Keys from Other Parts of Australia Provide a Good Basis for Making Identifications in Many Cases
    The current status of bats in Western Australia Kyle N. Armstrong Specialised Zoological; [email protected] Understanding of the distribution and ecology of some Western Australian bats has advanced considerably in the last ten years, while knowledge of others remains basic. The state has one species listed in the highest conservation level under state legislation (Rhinonicteris aurantia), and one population of this species is listed in a Threatened category under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Six other species are included on the Department of Environment and Conservation’s Priority Fauna Listing based on their known distribution and representation on conservation and threatened lands (Falsistrellus mackenziei, Hipposideros stenotis, Macroderma gigas, Mormopterus loriae cobourgiana, Nyctophilus major tor and Vespadelus douglasorum). These listings reflect mainly a lack of knowledge and perceived threat. Recent unpublished research on R. aurantia and M. gigas has provided much relevant information for assessing development proposals, mainly in the Pilbara where plans for iron and gold mines coincide Downloaded from http://meridian.allenpress.com/book/chapter-pdf/2647925/fs_2011_026.pdf by guest on 29 September 2021 with their habitat. There are several unresolved taxonomic issues in the fauna, and when these are resolved, the tally for the state might increase by up to two species from a total of 37. The impact of logging, mining and other disturbances involving forest clearing in the south west is largely unknown, but the first studies have been completed recently. The status of cave occupancy of bats in south west caves was recently assessed, and only five caves have persistent bat colonies of significant size.
    [Show full text]
  • Trypanosomes of Australian Mammals: a Review ⇑ Craig K
    International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife 3 (2014) 57–66 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/ijppaw Review Trypanosomes of Australian mammals: A review ⇑ Craig K. Thompson , Stephanie S. Godfrey, R.C. Andrew Thompson School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, South Street, Western Australia 6150, Australia article info abstract Article history: Approximately 306 species of terrestrial and arboreal mammals are known to have inhabited the main- Received 19 November 2013 land and coastal islands of Australia at the time of European settlement in 1788. The exotic Trypanosoma Revised 27 February 2014 lewisi was the first mammalian trypanosome identified in Australia in 1888, while the first native species, Accepted 28 February 2014 Trypanosoma pteropi, was taxonomically described in 1913. Since these discoveries, about 22% of the indigenous mammalian fauna have been examined during the surveillance of trypanosome biodiversity in Australia, including 46 species of marsupials, 9 rodents, 9 bats and both monotremes. Of those Keywords: mammals examined, trypanosomes have been identified from 28 host species, with eight native species Trypanosoma spp. of Trypanosoma taxonomically described. These native trypanosomes include T. pteropi, Trypanosoma Marsupial Rodent thylacis, Trypanosoma hipposideri, Trypanosoma binneyi, Trypanosoma irwini, Trypanosoma copemani, Woylie Trypanosoma gilletti and Trypanosoma vegrandis. Exotic trypanosomes have also been identified from Surveillance the introduced mammalian fauna of Australia, and include T. lewisi, Trypanosoma melophagium, Trypanosoma Biodiversity theileri, Trypanosoma nabiasi and Trypanosoma evansi. Fortunately, T. evansi was eradicated soon after its introduction and did not establish in Australia. Of these exotic trypanosomes, T.
    [Show full text]
  • Index of Handbook of the Mammals of the World. Vol. 9. Bats
    Index of Handbook of the Mammals of the World. Vol. 9. Bats A agnella, Kerivoula 901 Anchieta’s Bat 814 aquilus, Glischropus 763 Aba Leaf-nosed Bat 247 aladdin, Pipistrellus pipistrellus 771 Anchieta’s Broad-faced Fruit Bat 94 aquilus, Platyrrhinus 567 Aba Roundleaf Bat 247 alascensis, Myotis lucifugus 927 Anchieta’s Pipistrelle 814 Arabian Barbastelle 861 abae, Hipposideros 247 alaschanicus, Hypsugo 810 anchietae, Plerotes 94 Arabian Horseshoe Bat 296 abae, Rhinolophus fumigatus 290 Alashanian Pipistrelle 810 ancricola, Myotis 957 Arabian Mouse-tailed Bat 164, 170, 176 abbotti, Myotis hasseltii 970 alba, Ectophylla 466, 480, 569 Andaman Horseshoe Bat 314 Arabian Pipistrelle 810 abditum, Megaderma spasma 191 albatus, Myopterus daubentonii 663 Andaman Intermediate Horseshoe Arabian Trident Bat 229 Abo Bat 725, 832 Alberico’s Broad-nosed Bat 565 Bat 321 Arabian Trident Leaf-nosed Bat 229 Abo Butterfly Bat 725, 832 albericoi, Platyrrhinus 565 andamanensis, Rhinolophus 321 arabica, Asellia 229 abramus, Pipistrellus 777 albescens, Myotis 940 Andean Fruit Bat 547 arabicus, Hypsugo 810 abrasus, Cynomops 604, 640 albicollis, Megaerops 64 Andersen’s Bare-backed Fruit Bat 109 arabicus, Rousettus aegyptiacus 87 Abruzzi’s Wrinkle-lipped Bat 645 albipinnis, Taphozous longimanus 353 Andersen’s Flying Fox 158 arabium, Rhinopoma cystops 176 Abyssinian Horseshoe Bat 290 albiventer, Nyctimene 36, 118 Andersen’s Fruit-eating Bat 578 Arafura Large-footed Bat 969 Acerodon albiventris, Noctilio 405, 411 Andersen’s Leaf-nosed Bat 254 Arata Yellow-shouldered Bat 543 Sulawesi 134 albofuscus, Scotoecus 762 Andersen’s Little Fruit-eating Bat 578 Arata-Thomas Yellow-shouldered Talaud 134 alboguttata, Glauconycteris 833 Andersen’s Naked-backed Fruit Bat 109 Bat 543 Acerodon 134 albus, Diclidurus 339, 367 Andersen’s Roundleaf Bat 254 aratathomasi, Sturnira 543 Acerodon mackloti (see A.
    [Show full text]
  • Bat Community Structure and Habitat Use Across Disturbance Regimes
    Bat community structure and habitat use across logging regimes in jarrah eucalypt forests of south-western Australia Paul W. Webala School of Biological Sciences Faculty of Sustainability, Environment and Life Sciences Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy August 2010 i Abstract In many parts of the world, the increasing demand for timber and other forest products has led to loss, fragmentation, degradation or modification of natural forest habitats. The consequences of such habitat changes have been well studied for some animal groups, however not much is known of their effects on bats. In Australia, logging of native forests is a major threat to the continent‘s biodiversity and while logging practices have undergone great changes in the past three decades to selective logging (including ecologically sustainable forest management), which is more sympathetic to wildlife, there is still concern about the effects of logging on the habitat of many forest-dwelling animals. The goal of this thesis was to investigate the effects of logging on the bat species assemblages at both community and individual species levels in terms of their foraging and roosting ecology in jarrah forests of south-western Australia. This information is necessary to strengthen the scientific basis for ecologically sustainable forest management in production forests. The outcome of this research may help in the formulation of policy and management decisions to ensure the long-term maintenance and survival of viable populations of forest-dwelling bats in these altered environments. Bats were selected because they comprise more than 25% of Australia‘s mammal species and constitute a major component of Australia‘s biodiversity.
    [Show full text]
  • Molecular Detection, Genetic and Phylogenetic Analysis of Trypanosome Species in Umkhanyakude District of Kwazulu-Natal Province, South Africa
    MOLECULAR DETECTION, GENETIC AND PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF TRYPANOSOME SPECIES IN UMKHANYAKUDE DISTRICT OF KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA By Moeti Oriel Taioe (Student no. 2005162918) Dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Magister Scientiae in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of the Free State Supervisors: Prof. O. M. M. Thekisoe & Dr. M. Y. Motloang December 2013 i SUPERVISORS Prof. Oriel M.M. Thekisoe Parasitology Research Program Department of Zoology and Entomology University of the Free State Qwaqwa Campus Private Bag X13 Phuthaditjhaba 9866 Dr. Makhosazana Y. Motloang Parasites, Vectors and Vector-borne Diseases Programme ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute Private Bag X05 Onderstepoort 0110 ii DECLARATION I, the undersigned, hereby declare that the work contained in this dissertation is my original work and that it has not, previously in its entirety or in part, been submitted at any university for a degree. I therefore cede copyright of this dissertation in favour of the University of the Free State. Signature:…………………….. Date :……………………… iii DEDICATION ‘To my nephews and nieces to inspire them in reaching their dreams and goals’ iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS To begin with I thank the ‘All Mighty God’ for giving me the strength and courage to wake up every day. My deepest gratitude goes to my supervisors Prof. Oriel Thekisoe and Dr. Makhosazana Motloang for the opportunity and guidance throughout the course of my study. I am thankful to my second father ‘Ntate Thekisoe’ Prof. Oriel Thekisoe, for his words of encouragement and support he has given me during hard times when everything seemed to go wrong.
    [Show full text]
  • Biting Midges (Ceratopogonidae) As Vectors of Avian Trypanosomes Milena Svobodová1*, Olga V
    Svobodová et al. Parasites & Vectors (2017) 10:224 DOI 10.1186/s13071-017-2158-9 RESEARCH Open Access Biting midges (Ceratopogonidae) as vectors of avian trypanosomes Milena Svobodová1*, Olga V. Dolnik1, Ivan Čepička2 and Jana Rádrová1 Abstract Background: Although avian trypanosomes are widespread parasites, the knowledge of their vectors is still incomplete. Despite biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are considered as potential vectors of avian trypanosomes, their role in transmission has not been satisfactorily elucidated. Our aim was to clarify the potential of biting midges to sustain the development of avian trypanosomes by testing their susceptibility to different strains of avian trypanosomes experimentally. Moreover, we screened biting midges for natural infections in the wild. Results: Laboratory-bred biting midges Culicoides nubeculosus were highly susceptible to trypanosomes from the Trypanosoma bennetti and T. avium clades. Infection rates reached 100%, heavy infections developed in 55–87% of blood-fed females. Parasite stages from the insect gut were infective for birds. Moreover, midges could be infected after feeding on a trypanosome-positive bird. Avian trypanosomes can thus complete their cycle in birds and biting midges. Furthermore, we succeeded to find infected blood meal-free biting midges in the wild. Conclusions: Biting midges are probable vectors of avian trypanosomes belonging to T. bennetti group. Midges are highly susceptible to artificial infections, can be infected after feeding on birds, and T. bennetti-infected biting midges (Culicoides spp.) have been found in nature. Moreover, midges can be used as model hosts producing metacyclic avian trypanosome stages infective for avian hosts. Keywords: Culicoides nubeculosus, Trypanosoma bennetti, Trypanosoma avium, Trypanosoma culicavium,Life-cycle, Transmission, Host specificity, Avian parasite Background and localisation in the gut.
    [Show full text]
  • Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases 11 (2020) 101501
    Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases 11 (2020) 101501 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/ttbdis Original article Isolation and partial characterisation of a novel Trypanosoma from the tick Ixodes ricinus T Lisa Luua, Kevin J. Bownb, Ana M. Palomarc, Mária Kazimírovád, Lesley Bell-Sakyia,e,* a Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK b School of Science, Engineering and Environment, G32 Peel Building, University of Salford, Salford M5 4WT, UK c Centre of Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-borne Diseases, CIBIR, C/ Piqueras, 98, Logroño 26006, La Rioja, Spain d Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, SK-84506 Bratislava, Slovakia e The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, Surrey GU24 0NF, UK ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Keywords: Trypanosomes have long been recognised as being amongst the most important protozoan parasites of verte- Ixodes ricinus brates, from both medical and veterinary perspectives. Whilst numerous insect species have been identified as Tick cell line vectors, the role of ticks is less well understood. Here we report the isolation and partial molecular character- Trypanosome isation of a novel trypanosome from questing Ixodes ricinus ticks collected in Slovakia. The trypanosome was Slovakia isolated in tick cell culture and then partially characterised by microscopy and amplification of fragments of the 18S rRNA and 24Sα rDNA genes. Analysis of the resultant sequences suggests that the trypanosome designated as Trypanosoma sp. Bratislava1 may be a new species closely related to several species or strains of trypanosomes isolated from, or detected in, ticks in South America and Asia, and to Trypanosoma caninum isolated from dogs in Brazil.
    [Show full text]
  • Metabolic Physiology of Euthermic and Torpid Lesser Long-Eared Bats, Nyctophilus Geoffroyi (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)
    Zurich Open Repository and Archive University of Zurich Main Library Strickhofstrasse 39 CH-8057 Zurich www.zora.uzh.ch Year: 1999 Metabolic physiology of euthermic and torpid lesser long-eared bats, nyctophilus geoffroyi (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) Hosken, D J ; Withers, P C Abstract: Thermal and metabolic physiology of the Australian lesser long-eared bat, Nyctophilias geo- jfroyi, a small (ca. 8 g) gleaning insectivore, was studied using flow-through respirometry. Basal metabolic rate of N. geojfroyi (1.42 ml O2 g−1 h−1) was 70% of that predicted for an 8-g mammal but fell within the range for vespertilionid bats. N. geoffroyi was thermally labile, like other vespertilionid bats from the temperate zone, with clear patterns of euthermy (body temperature >32°C) and torpor. It was torpid at temperatures ฀25°C, and spontaneously aroused from torpor at ambient temperatures ฀5°C. Torpor provided significant savings of energy and water, with substantially reduced rates of oxygen consumption and evaporative water loss. Minimum wet conductance (0.39 ml O2 g−1 h−1 °C−1) of euthermic bats was 108% of predicted, and euthermic dry conductance was 7.2 J g−1 h−1 °C−1 from 5-25°C. Minimum wet and dry conductances of bats that were torpid at an ambient temperature of 15-20°C (0.06 ml O2 g−1 h−1 °C−1 and 0.60 J g−1 h−1 °C−1) were substantially less than euthermic values, but conductance of some torpid bats increased at lower ambient temperatures and approached values for euthermic bats.
    [Show full text]
  • A Review of Existing Ecological Information for the Proposed Geographe Bay-Capes-Hardy Inlet Marine Conservation Reserve
    MARINE RESERVE IMPLEMENTATION: CENTRAL FOREST A REVIEW OF EXISTING ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION FOR THE PROPOSED GEOGRAPHE BAY-CAPES-HARDY INLET MARINE CONSERVATION RESERVE Literature Review: MRI/CF/GBC-19/1999 Prepared by S V Elscot & K P Bancroft December 1998 Marine Conservation Branch Department of Conservation and Land Management 47 Henry Street Fremantle, Western Australia, 6160 Marine Conservation Branch CALM MARINE RESERVES IMPLEMENTATION: CENTRAL FOREST A REVIEW OF EXISTING ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION FOR THE PROPOSED GEOGRAPHE BAY-CAPES-HARDY INLET MARINE CONSERVATION RESERVE Literature Review: MRI/CF/GBC-19/1999 A collaborative project between CALM’s Marine Conservation Branch and South West Capes District Office A project funded through the Natural Heritage Trust’s Coast and Clean Seas Marine Protected Area Program Project No: WA9703 Prepared by S V Elscot & K P Bancroft Marine Conservation Branch December 1998 Marine Conservation Branch Department of Conservation and Land Management 47 Henry St Fremantle, Western Australia, 6160 T:\REPORTS\MRI\mri_1999\mri_1999.doc 10:14 18/12/99 Marine Conservation Branch CALM T:\REPORTS\MRI\mri_1999\mri_1999.doc 10:14 18/12/99 Marine Conservation Branch CALM ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Many thanks are due to many people who provided information: Dr Nick Gales, Doug Coughran and Dr Bob Prince of CALM Wildlife; Assoc. Prof. Di Walker and Dr Charitha Pattiaratchi of University of WA; Prof. Ron Wooller, Murdoch University; Geordie Chaplin, CSIRO; Justine Boouw and Rob Conneelley of Margaret River Surfriders; Robin Juniper, Cape to Cape Alliance; Jacq Willbond, Naturaliste Charters; Ross Payhen, RAOU Seabird Observer; David Deeley, Acacia Springs Environmental; Margaret Scott, Bunnings Water Care Coordinator; Andew Webb and Greg Voight of CALM South West Capes Office; Lisa Wright, Librarian Calm Woodvale, and; lastly to Dr Jeremy Colman, Woodside, for reviewing drafts of the manuscript.
    [Show full text]
  • Trypanosomes Genetic Diversity, Polyparasitism and the Population
    International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife 2 (2013) 77–89 Contents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirect International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/ijppaw Invited Article Trypanosomes genetic diversity, polyparasitism and the population decline of the critically endangered Australian marsupial, the brush tailed bettong or woylie (Bettongia penicillata) ⇑ Adriana Botero a, , Craig K. Thompson a, Christopher S. Peacock b,c, Peta L. Clode d, Philip K. Nicholls a, Adrian F. Wayne e, Alan J. Lymbery f, R.C. Andrew Thompson a a School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia b School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia c Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, 100 Roberts Road, Subiaco, WA 6008, Australia d Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, University of Western Australia, Stirling HWY, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia e Department of Environment and Conservation, Science Division, Manjimup, WA, Australia f Fish Health Unit, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia article info abstract Article history: While much is known of the impact of trypanosomes on human and livestock health, trypanosomes in wild- Received 28 January 2013 life, although ubiquitous, have largely been considered to be non-pathogenic. We describe the genetic Revised 13 March 2013 diversity, tissue tropism and potential pathogenicity of trypanosomes naturally infecting Western Austra- Accepted 14 March 2013 lian marsupials. Blood samples collected from 554 live-animals and 250 tissue samples extracted from 50 carcasses of sick-euthanized or road-killed animals, belonging to 10 species of marsupials, were screened for the presence of trypanosomes using a PCR of the 18S rDNA gene.
    [Show full text]