International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife最新文献

{"title":"Antigenic and genotypic relatedness of buffalo-derived Theileria parva from Zambia to cattle-derived parasites and vaccine stocks","authors":"Chimvwele Namantala Choopa ,&nbsp;Walter Muleya ,&nbsp;Lubembe Donald Mukolwe ,&nbsp;Paul Fandamu ,&nbsp;Kgomotso Penelope Sibeko-Matjila","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101176","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101176","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The African buffalo (<em>Syncerus caffer</em>) is the natural reservoir of <em>Theileria parva</em>, a tick-transmitted protozoan parasite that severely constrains cattle production across eastern, southern, and central Africa. While the antigenic and genetic diversity of cattle-derived <em>T. parva</em> (causing East Coast fever) is well characterized in Zambia, little is known about the buffalo-derived parasites. The latter cause the equally fatal Corridor disease and impact the epidemiology and control of bovine theileriosis, particularly where live vaccines are used. This study investigated antigenic and genotypic diversity of <em>T. parva</em> from three Zambian buffalo populations, in comparison with cattle-derived parasites and vaccine stocks (Katete and Chitongo). Analysis of Tp1 and Tp2 antigen genes revealed contrasting diversity. Tp1 epitopes showed limited variation, whereas Tp2 exhibited extensive polymorphism, especially among buffalo-derived sequences. None of the variations have been previously reported in Zambia, suggesting ongoing diversification. Phylogenetic analysis showed paraphyletic clustering of buffalo and cattle parasites. However, some buffalo genotypes grouped closely with vaccine strains, suggesting potential cross-protection. Only two Tp2 sequences from buffalo-derived parasites clustered with those from cattle or vaccines, highlighting a risk of vaccine break-through. Population genetic analysis using multilocus genotyping demonstrated higher allelic richness and diversity in buffalo-derived parasites compared to cattle-derived. Although buffalo parasites showed greater multiplicity of infection (MOI) and unique alleles, principal coordinate analysis revealed limited genetic sub-structuring and shared alleles across hosts. These results suggest a common ancestry and overlapping transmission cycles. The greater MOI in buffalo populations highlights higher genetic exchange and can complicate control efforts. Overall, the study demonstrates extensive antigenic and genetic diversity of buffalo-derived <em>T. parva</em> in Zambia. These findings have critical implications for current vaccine efficacy, emphasizing the need for continuous molecular surveillance, strict livestock movement control, and vaccine efficacy trials to ensure effective management of <em>T. parva</em> infections.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 101176"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145798248","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Systemic isosporosis (atoxoplasmosis) in American robins (Turdus migratorius) in the southeastern United States","authors":"C. Robert Stilz ,&nbsp;Michael J. Yabsley ,&nbsp;Maya S. Schlesinger ,&nbsp;Kayla B. Garrett ,&nbsp;Melanie R. Kunkel ,&nbsp;Alisia A.W. Weyna ,&nbsp;Kate Slankard ,&nbsp;Christine Casey ,&nbsp;David Hanni ,&nbsp;Nicole M. Nemeth","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2026.101189","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2026.101189","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Systemic isosporosis (atoxoplasmosis) is a common disease of passerines globally. In July 2021, two free-ranging juvenile American robins (<em>Turdus migratorius</em>) from Kentucky, USA and a third of unknown age from Tennessee, USA died and were submitted to the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study for postmortem evaluation. On histopathology, high numbers of intracellular protozoal merozoites often associated with necrosis and granulomatous inflammation were observed in the lung (n = 2), liver (n = 2), spleen (n = 2), heart (n = 1), kidney (n = 1), and brain (n = 1). <em>Isospora</em> (<em>Atoxoplasma</em>) spp. was subsequently detected in all three birds. Comorbidities included poor nutritional condition (n = 3), traumatic injury (n = 1), avian pox (n = 1), aspergillosis (n = 1), and endoparasite infection (n = 1). Disease development in young robins is likely due to a combination of factors, including incompletely developed immune systems, nutritional and/or environmental stress, coinfections, and anthropogenic influences. Continued monitoring of vector-borne and parasitic diseases in wildlife is important given rapidly changing landscapes and climatic conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 101189"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977660","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The first record of the ectoparasite fly Carnus hemapterus for the Southern Hemisphere","authors":"Paula Maiten Orozco-Valor ,&nbsp;Luciano Damián Patitucci ,&nbsp;José Hernán Sarasola","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2026.101194","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2026.101194","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The genus <em>Carnus</em> (family Carnidae, Order Diptera) comprises five species of small-bodied and blood-sucking flies that parasitize nestlings of wild bird species. Almost all species in this genus are restrictely distributed across different continents in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly <em>Carnus hemapterus</em>, which is a widespread ectoparasite of many bird species. Here, we report <em>C. hemapterus</em> parasitizing wild birds in central Argentina, resulting in the first record for the species in the entire Southern Hemisphere. Individual flies of <em>C. hemapterus</em> were found in nestlings of two bird of prey species, the American kestrel, already recorded as a host of <em>C. hemapterus</em> in North America, and the Chimango caracara, a new host species for this ectoparasite. Consistent with the species’ life cycle, flies were observed only in nestlings but not in adult individuals captured in the same breeding areas. Besides the plausible reasons that could explain this new report, it significantly updates the global distribution for this ectoparasite taxon. Therefore, this record should draw the attention to ornithologists and parasitologists from large regions of the global South, which include some of the most important avian biodiversity host-spots, to this new ectoparasite-host interaction, which may affect a significant number of bird species and warrants investigation of its physiological and ecological impacts. Furthermore, beyond its role as an avian ectoparasite, <em>C</em>. <em>hemapterus</em> is involved in complex interespecific interactions, serving as a host for parasitoids and participating in multitrophic food webs within bird nests, which clearly warrant further research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 101194"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146038104","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Drivers of tick community structure in a rhinoceros meta-population in Kenya","authors":"Edward M. King'ori ,&nbsp;Patrick I. Chiyo ,&nbsp;Olgabeth N. Gitau ,&nbsp;Fredrick Lala ,&nbsp;Olivia Wesula Lwande","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2026.101191","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2026.101191","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding the structure and drivers of parasite communities including species assembly patterns, diversity, abundance, and aggregation is crucial in assessing the health of wild populations and the dynamics of host-parasite interactions within ecosystems. This study analyzed tick communities parasitizing the critically endangered black rhinoceros and the near threatened white rhinoceros metapopulation in twelve sanctuaries in Kenya. A total of 14,302 ticks from 20 tick species across four genera, <em>Dermacentor</em> (1 species), <em>Rhipicephalus</em> (8 species), <em>Amblyomma</em> (8 species) and <em>Hyalomma</em> (3 species) were sampled from 372 rhinoceroses. The most dominant species included <em>Amblyomma gemma</em> (23.28 %), <em>Amblyomma sparsum</em> (22.28 %) and <em>Rhipicephalus pulchellus</em> (18.94 %). Six tick communities were identified based on similarity in relative tick species composition. Mean NDVI and temperature were the major drivers of tick communities. Asymptotic Hill-Shannon and Hill-Simpson tick diversity metrics were 8.12 and 6.26 respectively for the Kenyan rhinoceros metapopulation. Species diversity varied between sanctuaries with Nairobi National Park (NNP) having the highest diversity (Hill-Shannon: 6.35, Hill-Simpson: 5.8) and Sera Rhinoceros Sanctuary (SER) the lowest diversity, (1.83, 1.69). The Intensive Protection Zone (IPZ) and Nairobi National Park had the greatest species richness (14 and 13 respectively), while Sera Rhinoceros Sanctuary had the lowest (2). Spatial heterogeneity in NDVI and species abundance were major drivers of species richness and Hill-Shannon species diversity. The number of ticks per rhinoceros was highly variable with a mean (SD) of 38.53 + 40.59 ticks per host, indicating strong tick aggregation among hosts. Significant positive interspecies correlations suggest a great role of host factors in tick infestation. Environmental factors, including temperature, NDVI, and rainfall, influenced tick abundance. Host-related factors, such as age, and sex, also played critical roles. This research improves our understanding of rhinoceros tick communities, diversity, and abundance patterns, with implications for tick control, tick-borne disease surveillance and rhino conservation in Kenya.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 101191"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146038099","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Complete mitochondrial genome pathological characteristics and scanning electron microscopic observations of Armillifer moniliformis isolated from Manis javanica","authors":"Xianghe Wang ,&nbsp;Sitong Chen ,&nbsp;Fuyu An ,&nbsp;Xinyu Liu ,&nbsp;Hongmei Yan ,&nbsp;Zhenquan Zhang ,&nbsp;Zi-Guo Yuan ,&nbsp;Yan Hua","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101183","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101183","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Armillifer moniliformis</em> is a multi-host parasite, with previous studies documenting various wild animals as well as humans serving as its intermediate hosts. However, to date, there have been no reports of pangolins being infected with this parasite. Necropsy revealed <em>Armillifer moniliformis</em> formed cysts on the abdominal greater omentum and multiple organs (lungs, liver, etc.). Scanning electron microscopy showed its typical structures (oral hooks, abdominal annuli), while histopathological examination indicated infected organs exhibited congestion, inflammatory infiltration, and calcification. At the molecular level, identification based on the 18S rRNA sequence demonstrated that this parasite shares 99.89 % homology with <em>Armillifer moniliformis</em> and has a close phylogenetic relationship with it. In addition, <em>Armillifer moniliformis</em> parasites were isolated from the host, and their DNA was extracted for Illumina and HiFi sequencing, resulting in the assembly of the complete mitochondrial genome of <em>Armillifer moniliformis.</em> The assembled circular mitochondrial genome had a total length of 16516 bp and comprised 13 unique protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, and 2 rRNA genes. The overall nucleotide composition of <em>Armillifer moniliformis</em> was 62 % A + T and 38 % G + C. The protein-coding genes of the parasite encode a total of 3538 amino acids, utilizing four types of initiation codons (ATA, ATC, ATT, and ATG) and three types of termination codons (TAA, TAG, and T). The genome contained 4 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and 158 dispersed repeats (≥20 bp). Phylogenetic trees based on 13 protein-coding genes showed <em>Armillifer</em> and <em>Linguatula</em> formed a Pentastomida clade (100 % bootstrap support), which together with Branchiura and Ostracoda constitutes Oligostraca; Crustacea and Hexapoda form a monophyletic Pancrustacea clade. In this study, an <em>Armillifer moniliformis</em> parasite was isolated and identified from the Malayan pangolin. This work not only expands our understanding of <em>Armillifer moniliformis</em> species but also provides a crucial foundation for further investigations into their taxonomy, diagnostics, and biological characteristics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 101183"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146038103","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Parasite genotype is a risk factor for Sarcocystis neurona-associated mortality in southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis)","authors":"Devinn M. Sinnott ,&nbsp;Melissa A. Miller ,&nbsp;Elizabeth VanWormer ,&nbsp;Francesca Batac ,&nbsp;Katherine Greenwald ,&nbsp;Colleen Young ,&nbsp;Pádraig J. Duignan ,&nbsp;Margaret E. Martinez ,&nbsp;Cara L. Field ,&nbsp;Michael D. Harris ,&nbsp;Heather Harris ,&nbsp;Mary E. Gomes ,&nbsp;Michael J. Murray ,&nbsp;Karen Shapiro","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101174","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101174","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The protozoal parasites <em>Sarcocystis neurona</em> and <em>Toxoplasma gondii</em> are important causes of mortality for threatened southern sea otters (<em>Enhydra lutris nereis</em>) in California. <em>Sarcocystis neurona</em> causes more sea otter deaths than <em>T. gondii</em> and has caused two mortality events, yet <em>S. neurona</em> is comparatively understudied. Little is known about the role of parasite genotype on the outcome of infection (fatal versus non-fatal) for <em>S. neurona</em>-infected sea otters. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of parasite genotype in addition to host and environmental factors (animal age, sex, location, and season of stranding) on disease outcome in <em>S. neurona</em>-infected sea otters. A multilocus sequence typing (MLST) approach was used to characterize the <em>S. neurona</em> genotype in fatal (n = 92) and non-fatal (n = 33) sea otter infections. In the northern study region, the IIg/j genotype was more likely to result in fatal infections. In the southern study region, the Ia and Ib/c/d/gg genotypes were the dominant genotypes implicated in fatal infections and were responsible for mortality events that occurred in 2004 (Ib/c/d/gg) and 2021 (Ia). Subadult sea otters were more likely to die from <em>S. neurona</em> than adults. Stranding during the California wet season during peak rainfall events that facilitate land-to-sea flow of infective sporocysts may also play a role in fatal infection outcomes. These findings suggest that parasite genotype, as well as certain host and environmental factors, all contribute to disease outcome following <em>S. neurona</em> infection in southern sea otters.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 101174"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145697907","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Occurrence and molecular characterization of Giardia duodenalis in domestic and wild mesocarnivores in Bosnia and Herzegovina","authors":"Azra Bačić ,&nbsp;Naida Kapo ,&nbsp;Jasmin Omeragić ,&nbsp;Šejla Goletić Imamović ,&nbsp;Toni Eterović ,&nbsp;Ilma Terzić ,&nbsp;Adis Softić ,&nbsp;Vedad Škapur ,&nbsp;Teufik Goletić","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2026.101197","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2026.101197","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Giardia duodenalis</em> is a protozoan parasite with worldwide distribution and recognized zoonotic potential. Data on its molecular epidemiology in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) are scarce, particularly in wild mesocarnivores. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence and genetic characterization of <em>G. duodenalis</em> in domestic and wild mesocarnivores across BiH. A total of 520 fecal samples were collected between 2023 and 2025, including dogs (<em>Canis lupus familiaris</em>, n = 433), cats (<em>Felis catus</em>, n = 21), red foxes (<em>Vulpes vulpes</em>, n = 39), golden jackals (<em>Canis aureus</em>, n = 17), European pine martens (<em>Martes martes</em>, n = 5), grey wolves (<em>Canis lupus</em>, n = 1), European badgers (<em>Meles meles</em>, n = 2), and European wildcats (<em>Felis silvestris</em>, n = 1). Screening was performed using fecal flotation and immunofluorescence assay (IFAT), with selected samples further analyzed by high-resolution melting (HRM) real-time PCR (qPCR-HRM) and targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS).</div><div>Overall, <em>G. duodenalis</em> was detected in 20.96 % (109/520) of samples by flotation and IFAT. Cats showed the highest positivity rate (71.43 %), followed by dogs (21.02 %), whereas wild mesocarnivores exhibited substantially lower detection rates (5.13 % in red foxes and 5.88 % in golden jackals). Among dog subpopulations, hunting dogs showed the highest positivity (49.52 %) compared with shelter dogs (6.72 %). Molecular typing revealed assemblage D as predominant (65.91 %), followed by assemblages B (18.18 %), C (6.82 %), and F (4.55 %), with occasional mixed profiles. Assemblage D occurred across multiple hosts, while the zoonotic assemblage B was detected exclusively in wild canids.</div><div>This study provides the first molecular epidemiological evidence of <em>G. duodenalis</em> assemblage circulation among domestic and wild mesocarnivores in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The findings identify cats and hunting dogs as key hosts contributing to parasite circulation and demonstrate limited but epidemiologically meaningful involvement of wild mesocarnivores, underscoring the importance of integrated One Health surveillance to assess transmission risks at the domestic-wildlife-human interface.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 101197"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146038102","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Morphological and molecular characterisation of Henneguya pallida n. sp. from the gills of the pale catfish, Rhamdia guatemalensis (Günther, 1864), in southern Mexico","authors":"Graciela Colunga-Ramírez ,&nbsp;Gábor Cech ,&nbsp;M. Leopoldina Aguirre-Macedo ,&nbsp;Kálmán Molnár ,&nbsp;Csaba Székely ,&nbsp;Boglárka Sellyei","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2026.101186","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2026.101186","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>During a survey on myxozoan parasites in fish from southern Mexico, myxospores from the genera <em>Henneguya</em> and <em>Myxobolus</em> were detected in the gills and mesentery of the pale catfish (<em>Rhamdia guatemalensis</em>). Identification of a <em>Henneguya</em> sp. in the gills was supported by histology, myxospore morphology, and molecular analyses of the 18S rDNA and 28S gene sequences. Histopathological examination revealed that the myxospore-forming plasmodia of <em>Henneguya</em> sp. were associated with the gill filaments. Phylogenetic analyses placed this species within a clade of <em>Henneguya</em> species infecting Siluriformes. In contrast, scattered myxospore aggregates found in the mesentery were examined solely through morphological criteria. Four different myxospore morphotypes belonging to the family Myxobolidae were identified in a single specimen of <em>R</em>. <em>guatemalensis</em>; however, molecular identification was unsuccessful; therefore, only brief taxonomic descriptions are provided. Based on morphological and molecular evidence, the <em>Henneguya</em> sp. from the gills is described as a new species, <em>Henneguya pallida</em> n. sp. Further samplings are needed to fully characterise the myxospores found in the mesentery.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 101186"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146038097","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A novel Eimeria species found in the marbled polecat (Vormela peregusna)","authors":"Nannan Cui ,&nbsp;Ziqi Wang ,&nbsp;Jia Zhang ,&nbsp;Sándor Hornok ,&nbsp;Yujiang Zhang ,&nbsp;Guoyu Zhao ,&nbsp;Wenbo Tan ,&nbsp;Yuanzhi Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2026.101188","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2026.101188","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>There are no known coccidian parasites reported from the marbled polecat (<em>Vormela peregusna</em>; IUCN Vulnerable), a mustelid found in southeastern Europe and western Asia. There are eleven <em>Eimeria</em> species documented in other mustelids. This study reports a complete mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) from <em>Eimeria</em> species found in marbled polecat. Intestinal samples from seven nature-killed or road-killed individuals (collected 2020–2023 in Xinjiang, China) were subjected to genomic DNA extraction. <em>cox1</em> nested PCR screening revealed <em>Eimeria</em> infection in 3/7 hosts. Full mitochondrial genome amplification using five overlapping primer pairs yielded a 6179 bp sequence (GenBank PV393175). This mtDNA exhibits classic apicomplexan features: three protein-coding genes (<em>cytb</em>, <em>cox1</em>and <em>cox3</em>), fragmented rRNAs, and no tRNAs. The mtDNA shows high A + T bias (64.49 %). Phylogenetically, <em>Eimeria</em> isolate in marbled polecat was clustered with <em>Eimeria mephitidis</em> (bootstrap = 100 %) yet displayed significant mitogenomic divergence (only 97.65 % sequence identity), particularly in <em>cox3</em> (95.11 % <em>vs.</em> intraspecific minimum identity 95.50 %). Combined with mtDNA arrangement, significant genetic divergence and host association, we characterized a novel mitochondrial genome from an <em>Eimeria</em> species.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 101188"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145926428","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Life in cold blood: Exploring the cryptic diversity of species of Haemogregarina in Southern Africa's terrapins","authors":"Monique Barnard ,&nbsp;Daryl Codron ,&nbsp;Haley R. Dutton ,&nbsp;Stephen A. Bullard ,&nbsp;Louis H. du Preez ,&nbsp;Edward C. Netherlands","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101179","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101179","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Species of <em>Haemogregarina</em> (Apicomplexa: Haemogregarinidae) are among the most common and widely distributed obligate apicomplexan blood parasites of primarily aquatic ectothermic vertebrates. Several species of <em>Haemogregarina</em> have been described infecting terrapin species globally, only two of which, <em>Haemogregarina maputensis</em> and <em>Haemogregarina pelusiensi,</em> have been described from <em>Pelusios sinuatus</em>, in Southern Africa. Several initial descriptions of species of <em>Haemogregarina,</em> including <em>H. maputensis</em> and <em>H. pelusiensi</em>, were based on the morphological analysis of erythrocytic parasite life stages. As species of <em>Haemogregarina</em> display high morphological similarity in the peripheral blood gamont stages, the integration of morphological and molecular techniques is essential in the study of these parasites today. Herein, the diversity of <em>Haemogregarina</em> species in freshwater terrapin hosts from Southern Africa is assessed using morphological and molecular techniques. Three genotypes were identified, two of which conform morphologically to <em>H. maputensis</em> and <em>H. pelusiensi</em>, warranting the supplemental description and molecular characterisation of these species. The third appears to represent a cryptic sister species of <em>H. pelusiensi</em>, exhibiting some variation in early developmental stages, warranting the description of a new species, <em>Haemogregarina afrolatens</em> n. sp.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 101179"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145926425","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}