Hemogregarine Diversity Infecting Brazilian Turtles with a Description of Six New Species of Haemogregarina (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina: Haemogregarinidae)

Author(s)

Ungari, Leticia Pereira ; Quagliatto Santos, Andre Luiz ; da Silva, Reinaldo Jose ; O'Dwyer, Lucia Helena

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: DIVERSITY-BASEL; v. 15, n. 2, p. 26-pg., 2023-02-01.

Abstract

(1) Background: Hemoparasites of the genus Haemogregarina (Haemogregarinidae) are commonly reported in freshwater turtles. However, in Brazil, only three species have currently been characterised using molecular methods. This study aimed to bring new insights on the diversity of species of Haemogregarina infecting Brazilian freshwater turtles from Mato Grosso and Goias states using molecular and morphological tools. (2) Methods: In total, 2 mL of blood was collected, with between two to five blood smears prepared, fixed with absolute methanol, and stained with a 10% Giemsa solution. Blood was stored at -20 degrees C for molecular analysis targeting the 18S rRNA gene. Fragments of the organs (liver, spleen, heart, and kidney) were separated and stained with hematoxylin-eosin. (3) Results: A total of 40 turtles were screened and hemogregarines were observed in 34 (85%) individuals (3 Podocnemis expansa and 31 Podocnemis unifilis). Haemogregarina embaubali and six new species of Haemogregarina were observed and formally described as follows: H. unifila n. sp., H. rubra n. sp., H. goianensis n. sp., H. araguaiensis n. sp., H. tigrina n. sp., and H. brasiliana n. sp. (4) Conclusions: This study contributes to the diversity and knowledge of Brazilian fresh-water turtle blood parasites, using integrative approaches for diagnosing and characterizing hemoparasites, with the identification of six undescribed species. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/09623-4 - BIODIVERSITY OF PARASITES ASSOCIATED WITH AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES FROM MIDWEST AND SOUTHEAST REGIONS OF BRAZIL
• Grantee: Lucia Helena O'Dwyer de Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 20/05412-9 - Diversity, taxonomy and systematic of fish parasites from Pardo River, Middle Paranapanema River, São Paulo State
• Grantee: Reinaldo José da Silva
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/00754-9 - Hemoparasites biodiversity from amphibians and reptiles of Brasil
• Grantee: Letícia Pereira Úngari
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 19/25223-9 - Knowledge of fish parasitic fauna and its use in the water resource management and environmental impact process
• Grantee: Reinaldo José da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants