Taxonomia e ecologia de coccídios de aves silvestres do sudeste brasileiro: identificação molecular de Isospora spp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) no Parque Nacional do Itatiaia, RJ

Abstract

Coccidia (Apicomplexa: Eucoccidiorida) are parasitic protozoa frequently observed in wild bird slices, which are extremely important for biodiversity, specifically housing and conservation. This study aimed to identify morphologically and molecularly wild bird coccidia captured in Itatiaia National Park, which is a highly vulnerable protected area in the interior of Rio de Janeiro State. 76 members from 2 different families were captured and identified. Two species of coccidia were identified: Isospora sepetibensis Berto, Flausino, Luz, Ferreira, Lopes, 2008 of the new host Trichothraupis melanops (Vieillot, 1818) (Passeriformes: Thraupidae) and Isospora massardi Lopes, Berto, Luz, Galvao, Ferreira, Lopes, 2014 from new hosts Turdus spp. (Vieillot, 1818) (Passeriformes: Turdidae). The cysts of these species were morphologically similar to the original description; however, in I. massardi, the cysts exhibited different size patterns associated with each hosted Turdus spp. Molecular analysis was performed on the cytochrome c oxidase (COI) subunit 1 gene and the nuclear ribosome minor subunit (18S) RNA gene. Isospora sepetibensis is the first coccidial parasite of a New World traupid to have a molecular identification of the COI gene. Isospora Massardi exhibited a 3% genetic difference in COI sequences between Turdus spp., wich is an ecological discussion that associates morphometric and genotypic differences with a parasite-host co-specification process.