Haemosporidians from a neglected group of terrestrial wild birds in the Peruvian Amazonia

González-Olvera, M., Hernandez-Colina, A., Pérez, J. , Ulloa, G. M., Montero, S., Maguiña, J. L., G. Lescano, A., Santolalla, M. L., Baylis, M. and Mayor, P. (2022) Haemosporidians from a neglected group of terrestrial wild birds in the Peruvian Amazonia. EcoHealth, 19, pp. 402-416. (doi: 10.1007/s10393-022-01612-9) (PMID:36030330) (PMCID:PMC9573858)

Abstract

Haemosporidians are a widespread group of blood parasites transmitted by vectors. Despite their relevance for bird conservation, few studies have been conducted in the Amazonia and even less in terrestrial wild birds. We analysed blood samples from 168 game birds, collected from 2008 to 2015 by subsistence hunters of an indigenous rural community in the Peruvian Amazonia. DNA was tested for Haemoproteus spp., Plasmodium spp. and Leucocytozoon spp. and positive amplicons were sequenced and curated for phylogenetic analysis. Haemosporidian prevalence was 72% overall, 66.7% for Haemoproteus spp. and 5.4% for Plasmodium spp. and respectively by bird species: Spix’s Guan (Penelope jacquacu, n = 72) 87.5% and 0%, Razor-billed Curassow (Mitu tuberosum, n = 45) 77.8% and 6.7%, White-winged Trumpeter (Psophia leucoptera, n = 20) 6.3% and 12.5%, Blue-throated Piping-guan (Pipile cumanensis, n = 16) 73.3% and 6.7%, and Great Tinamou (Tinamus major, n = 15) 10% and 15%. Leucocytozoon spp. was not found. P. leucoptera and T. major were less likely to be infected with Haemoproteus spp. Fruit abundance had a negative association with Haemoproteus spp. prevalence and precipitation was negatively associated with Plasmodium spp. prevalence. The 106 sequences examined represented 29 lineages, 82.8% of them were new lineages (Plasmodium n = 3, Haemoproteus n = 21). Novel host-parasite associations and lineages were unveiled, including probably new species of Plasmodium spp. Our results highlight the scientific value of alternative sampling methods and the collaboration with local communities.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Funding. MGO and AHC were supported by CONACYT (National Science and Technology Council, Mexico) to perform their PhD studies from which this work derives. This research was supported by CONCYTEC-FONDECYT within the framework E035-2017-01, ERANet-LAC (ERANet17/HLH-0271), research projects (Contract N° 136-2018-FONDECYT; AC18/00054 Instituto de Salud Carlos III) and NIH/FIC Training Grant D43 TW007393. JGP was supported by FONDECYT-CONCYTEC (Grant Contract Number 100-2016-FONDECYT).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Perez Lazo, Dr Jocelyn
• Authors: González-Olvera, M., Hernandez-Colina, A., Pérez, J., Ulloa, G. M., Montero, S., Maguiña, J. L., G. Lescano, A., Santolalla, M. L., Baylis, M., and Mayor, P.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: EcoHealth
• Publisher: Springer
• ISSN: 1612-9202
• ISSN (Online): 1612-9210
• Published Online: 27 August 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 The Author(s)
• First Published: First published in EcoHealth 19:402–416
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a creative commons licence