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Molecular and morphological characterization of Haemoproteus (Parahaemoproteus) ptilotis, a parasite infecting Australian honeyeaters (Meliphagidae), with remarks on prevalence and potential cryptic speciation

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Abstract

Avian Haemoproteus (Haemosporida) parasites occur in birds on all continents apart from Antarctica. Molecular screening techniques have uncovered previously unforeseen levels of Haemoproteus lineage diversity; however, fewer than 20 % of genetic parasite lineages have been linked to morphological descriptions. The process of linking morphological descriptions to DNA barcodes for Haemoproteus spp. is important for the study of host-parasite interactions and the potential for cryptic speciation. Here, we describe cytochrome-b barcodes and morphological diagnostics for the identification of Haemoproteus (Parahaemoproteus) ptilotis, a systematically confusing parasite found in Australian honeyeaters (family Meliphagidae). We characterised infections from the original type host (Lichenostomus chrysops; Family Meliphagidae) as well as from four co-occurring meliphagid species in southeast Queensland, Australia, to investigate intraspecific variation in morphology and lineage identity. We recorded eight lineages that grouped into a well-supported monophyletic group, supporting the linkage of the described lineages to H. ptilotis. However, comparisons of diagnostics between the type host and co-occurring meliphagid hosts revealed high genetic diversity and variable morphology that could be indicative of cryptic speciation. This study highlights that morphological descriptions alongside molecular characterisation remain crucial if we are to gain an understanding of the true diversity and host specificity of protozoan parasites in Australia and elsewhere.

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Acknowledgments

We are thankful to S. Olsson-Pons and numerous volunteers for helping with field sampling. The project was supported by BirdLife and Birds Queensland grants to N. Clark and a Griffith University New Researcher Grant to S. M. Clegg. Fieldwork was completed under Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) permit WISP10823212, Griffith University Ethics Approval ENV/01/12/AEC and a project licence from the Australian Bird and Bat Banding Authority to S. M. Clegg.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Futures Research Institute and Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, QLD 4222, Australia

    Nicholas J. Clark & Sonya M. Clegg

  2. Natural Environments Program, Queensland Museum, PO Box 3300, South Brisbane, Queensland, 4101, Australia

    Nicholas J. Clark & Robert D. Adlard

  3. School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia

    Robert D. Adlard

  4. Edward Grey Institute, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK

    Sonya M. Clegg

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  1. Nicholas J. Clark
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  2. Robert D. Adlard
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Correspondence to Nicholas J. Clark.

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Clark, N.J., Adlard, R.D. & Clegg, S.M. Molecular and morphological characterization of Haemoproteus (Parahaemoproteus) ptilotis, a parasite infecting Australian honeyeaters (Meliphagidae), with remarks on prevalence and potential cryptic speciation. Parasitol Res 114, 1921–1928 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-015-4380-8

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