Diversity of hemoparasites in reptiles and amphibians

• Grant number: 20/15589-3
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Regular Research Grants
• Start date: September 01, 2022
• End date: August 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Parasitology - Protozoology of Parasites
• Principal Investigator: Karin Kirchgatter Hildebrand
• Grantee: Karin Kirchgatter Hildebrand
• Host Institution: Instituto Pasteur (IP). Coordenadoria de Controle de Doenças (CCD). Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Alan Fecchio ; Alexander Welker Biondo ; Carolina Romeiro Fernandes Chagas ; Felipe Gobbi Grazziotin ; Nubia Estela Matta Camacho ; Pedro Ivo Simões ; Sergio Marcelo Rodríguez Málaga
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/22218-2 - DIVERSITY OF HEMOPARASITES IN REPTILES, BP.TT; 24/20470-6 - Molecular screening for trypanosomatids, BP.TT; 23/01269-5 - DIVERSITY OF HEMOPARASITES IN AMPHIBIANS, BP.TT; 23/01244-2 - DIVERSITY OF HEMOPARASITES IN REPTILES, BP.TT

Abstract

This project aims to establish a Colombia-Brazil collaboration network around the theme of the study of hemoparasites in herpetofauna, a diversified group recognized in both countries. Given the environmental conditions of the Colombian and Brazilian territories and the biodiversity of amphibians and reptiles that they shelter, we hope to discover a wide variety of molecular lineages, which we will seek to associate with morphological species. We hope to generate new information for the world associated with the parasites that infect these taxonomic groups. Among the pathogens of great scientific and clinical interest that infect reptiles and amphibians, are hemoparasites, such as Hemogreganina, Hepatozoon, Haemocystidium, Plasmodium, Dactylosoma, microfilariae and Trypanosoma. For that, sampling days will be carried out in populations in the wild fauna, through an active search in different microhabitats, as well as in samples from the São Paulo Zoo, in Brazil. In Colombia, samples from the GERPH Biological collection of the National University of Colombia will be analyzed. This project aims at an integrative approach to both classical microscopy and molecular analysis, which allows a better approach in the identification of hemoparasites present in the analyzed fauna. We seek to strengthen the collaboration network, exchanging methodologies, establishing discussion panels, internships for students and researchers. Generate knowledge of the regional and global impact. Finally, it should be noted that knowing the diversity of pathogens that infect a number of hosts is essential to clearly establish the transmission cycles, prevention measures, control measures and, ultimately, the conservation of the species in question. (AU)