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Description and molecular characterization of Plasmodium (Novyella) unalis sp. nov. from the Great Thrush (Turdus fuscater) in highland of Colombia

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Abstract

Plasmodium (Novyella) unalis sp. nov. was found in the Great Thrush, Turdus fuscater (Passeriformes, Turdidae) in Bogotá, Colombia, at 2,560 m above sea level where the active transmission occurs. This parasite is described based on the morphology of its blood stages and a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (lineage UN227). Illustrations of blood stages of new species are given, and the phylogenetic analysis identifies closely related species and lineages of avian malaria parasites. The new species is most similar to Plasmodium (Novyella) vaughani (lineage SYAT05), a cosmopolitan avian malaria parasite; these parasites are also closely related genetically, with a genetic difference of 3.2 % between them. P. unalis can be readily distinguished from the latter species morphologically, primarily due to the (1) presence of a single large, circular shaped pigment granule in the erythrocytic trophozoites and meronts; (2) presence of prominent vacuoles in trophozoites and growing meronts; and (3) presence of predominantly fan-like shaped erythrocytic meronts. Cytochrome b lineages with high similarity to the new species have been reported in Costa Rica, Brazil, Chile, and USA. It is probable that the new species of malaria parasite is widely distributed in the New World. This parasite has been reported only in the Great Thrush at the study site and might have a narrow range of avian hosts. Records of P. unalis are of particular theoretical interest due to its active transmission at highlands in Andes. Possible influence of urbanization on transmission of this malaria parasite in Bogotá is discussed.

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Acknowledgments

This study was partially supported by a Project Management Program of the Department of Welfare of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, project number UGP164. The authors wish to thank all the students belonging to the Host-Parasite Relationship Research Group: Avian Hemoparasites Model, especially to Ingrid Lotta for assistance to obtain the sequences. We thank A. Warren, the Natural History Museum, London, UK, for providing the type and voucher material of P. vaughani. Dr. Tatjana Iezhova is acknowledged for assistance during preparation of plates of the illustrations and Dr. C. E. Beard for his comments and suggestions on the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogota, Colombia

    Juan S. Mantilla, Angie D. González & Nubia E. Matta

  2. Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, Vilnius 21, Vilnius, 08412, Lithuania

    Gediminas Valkiūnas

  3. Departamento de Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogota, Colombia

    Ligia I. Moncada

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  1. Juan S. Mantilla
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Mantilla, J.S., González, A.D., Valkiūnas, G. et al. Description and molecular characterization of Plasmodium (Novyella) unalis sp. nov. from the Great Thrush (Turdus fuscater) in highland of Colombia. Parasitol Res 112, 4193–4204 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-013-3611-0

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