Isospora juruviarae n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from chivi vireos Vireo chivi (Vieillot, 1817) (Passeriformes: Vireonidae) in South America.

Chivi vireos Vireo chivi (Vieillot, 1817) are passerine birds widely distributed throughout Brazil, but mainly observed in the Atlantic Forest of the South and Southeast regions of the country. In this context, the current study identifies a new species of Isospora Schneider, 1881 from V. chivi captured in the Marambaia Island, on the coast of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Brazil. The oocysts of Isospora juruviarae Andrade & Berto n. sp. are subspheroidal to ovoidal, measuring on average 26 by 24 µm. Micropyle is absent or inconspicuous. Oocyst residuum absent, but polar granules are present. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal with pointed posterior end, measuring on average 17 by × 11 µm. Stieda and Sub-Stieda bodies are present. Sporocyst residuum is present among the vermiform sporozoites, which have refractile bodies and nucleus. This morphology was different from the other Isospora spp. recorded in the same family, superfamily and parvorder as the host. Molecular identification was targeted by the amplification and sequencing of two different loci of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene and one locus of the 18S small subunit ribosomal RNA (18S) gene. Phylogenetic analyses were not very efficient in forming monophyletic groups associated with host taxon, zoogeographical region or taxonomic character; however, they confirmed the identification as a new species through comparison with sequences from Isospora spp. of wild passerines. Finally, based on the morphological and molecular analyses of the oocysts recovered from the chivi vireo V. chivi in the current work, I. juruviarae is considered new to science, being the second species recorded in the host family Vireonidae and the first to have a supplementation by molecular identification.

Worldwide Dispersion of Coccidia from Migratory Birds: First Report of Eimeria bazi Chauhan et Bhatia, 1970 (Eimeriidae) Outside Asia from Buff-Necked Ibises Theristicus caudatus (Boddaert, 1783) (Threskiornithidae) in South America.

BACKGROUND: Eimeria spp. are coccidian protozoan parasites of domestic and wild animals. Pelecaniform birds are hosts of some Eimeria spp., however, from the family Threskiornithidae only one eimerian species is recorded, Eimeria bazi Chauhan et Bhatia, 1970 which was described from red-naped ibises Pseudibis papillosa (Temminck, 1824) in India. In this study, in turn, this species is morphologically and molecularly identified from buff-necked ibises Theristicus caudatus (Boddaert, 1783) in Brazil. PURPOSE: This study aimed to report E. bazi from buff-necked ibises T. caudatus in southeastern Brazil, revealing the worldwide distribution of this coccidian species, in addition to providing preliminary genotypic identification via sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene. METHODS: A total of 73 fecal samples were collected from a flock of buff-necked ibises, which remained on the campus of the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro-UFRRJ) from March 2019 to August 2020. Fecal samples were processed by the Sheather's method to recover oocysts. The morphological and morphometrical studies of the oocysts were performed using an optical microscope and graphic editing software. Molecular analysis was performed by sequencing of the COI gene, and the phylogenetic analysis was based in the neighbor-joining and maximum likelihood estimates. RESULTS: Forty-five fecal samples were positive for oocysts identified as E. bazi. This oocysts are ovoidal, 26.2 × 18.9 µm, with smooth to slightly rough wall, c.1.7 µm thick. Micropyle robust and protruding, sometimes with a polar body attached. Oocyst residuum absent, but one or two small polar granules are present. Sporocysts ovoidal to lemon-shaped, 14.2 × 8.7 µm. The Stieda body is knob-like to rounded and sub-Stieda body is absent or vestigial. Sporocyst residuum is composed of granules often membrane-bound. Sporozoites are vermiform, with refractile bodies. This morphology was consistent with the original description of E. bazi from P. papillosa in India. Molecular analysis at the COI gene exhibited low similarity with coccidians sequenced for the same genic region deposited in GenBank, sitting E. bazi separately on the cladogram. CONCLUSIONS: The morphological and molecular studies support the identification of E. bazi from T. caudatus in South America, thus revealing the wide distribution of this eimerian species in the world provided by migratory birds and/or with intercontinental distribution.

Isospora leptopogoni n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the sepia-capped flycatcher Leptopogon amaurocephalus Tschudi, 1846 (Passeriformes: Rhynchocyclidae) in South America.

Coccidian protozoan species recorded from flycatchers are few, but they have been described with a certain frequency in recent years. In this context, the present study describes a new Isospora sp. from sepia-capped flycatchers Leptopogon amaurocephalus Tschudi, 1846 captured in the Itatiaia National Park and in a reforestation area which is about 60 km away from the park boundaries, in addition to providing a molecular identification via sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene. Isospora leptopogoni n. sp. has oöcysts that are subspheroidal to ovoidal, measuring on average 22.0 × 19.7 µm, with a smooth, bi-layered wall, c.1.7 µm thick. The micropyle is delicate or inconspicuous. Oöcyst residuum is absent, but one to three polar granules are present. Sporocysts are lemon-shaped, measuring on average 14.7 × 9.3 µm, with a knob-like Stieda body and a rectangular to rounded sub-Stieda body. Sporocyst residuum is present, consisting of compactly bounded granules. Sporozoites are vermiform, with refractile bodies and nucleus. Isospora leptopogoni is different from other Isospora spp. mainly due to its lemon-shaped sporocysts, the presence of micropyle and details of Stieda and sub-Stieda bodies. Phylogenetic analysis placed I. leptopogoni close to other Isospora spp. recorded from phylogenetically related hosts and from the same biogeographic region. Finally, the recurrent finding of this coccidian species in the same L. amaurocephalus specimen in a specific locality in the Itatiaia National Park suggests that the dispersion of I. leptopogoni needs continuous transmissions between susceptible passerines as the area of movement of each L. amaurocephalus specimen appears to be quite small.

Isospora spp. (Eimeriidae) from green-winged saltators Saltator similis d'Orbigny & Lafresnaye, 1837 (Thraupidae) from captivity near the Conservation Unit of the Itatiaia National Park in Southeastern Brazil.

The present study identifies three Isospora spp. recorded from faecal samples of green-winged saltators Saltator similis d'Orbigny & Lafresnaye kept in captivity in the surroundings of the Itatiaia National Park, which is a Conservation Unit with a high degree of vulnerability located in the Serra da Mantiqueira on the border of the States of Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais. Isospora saltatori Berto, Balthazar, Flausino & Lopes, 2008, Isospora trincaferri Berto, Balthazar, Flausino & Lopes, 2008 and Isospora similisi Coelho, Berto, Neves, Oliveira, Flausino & Lopes, 2013 were compatible in all characteristic features with their respective original descriptions, despite some divergences that are discussed in this study. In addition to the preliminary morphological identification, this study provided a preliminary genotypic identification of these three Isospora spp. via sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene, which was suitable for the genotypic differentiation of these three coccidians, but was inconclusive in the phylogenetic analysis. Finally, this study discusses the environmental risks of these coccidians in captivity of green-winged saltators in the surroundings of the Itatiaia National Park.

Observations on an Eimeria sp. (Apicomplexa) from the green kingfisher Chloroceryle americana (Gmelin, 1788) (Coraciiformes) in Southeastern Brazil: an example of how the ecological aspects of the host can be essential for the identification of its coccidians.

Parasitism in kingfishers is very little reported and predominantly related to hemoparasites, helminths, and ectoparasites. The present study provided a morphological and genotypic study of an Eimeria sp. recovered from a green kingfisher Chloroceryle americana (Gmelin, 1788) captured in the Marambaia Island, on the coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Brazil. The coccidial density, some morphological aspects of its oocysts, the molecular results, and, mainly, the ecological niche of C. americana in the mangrove of the Marambaia Island suggest that this coccidian species is a pseudoparasite.

Morphological and molecular identification of Isospora massardi Lopes, Berto, Luz, Galvão, Ferreira & Lopes, 2014 (Chromista: Miozoa: Eimeriidae) from thrushes Turdus spp. (Passeriformes: Turdidae) in South America.

In the current work, Isospora massardi Lopes, Berto, Luz, Galvão, Ferreira & Lopes, [10] is identified from white-necked thrushes Turdus albicollis Vieillot, 1818, rufous-bellied thrushes Turdus rufiventris Vieillot, 1818 and from a new host, the yellow-legged thrush Turdus flavipes (Vieillot, 1818) in a new locality, the Itatiaia National Park, in Southeastern Brazil, providing a preliminary genotypic characterization via sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) and 18S small subunit ribosomal RNA genes. The oocysts and sporocysts of I. massardi of the current study are morphologically similar to the original description and are uniform in the proportionality of width on length, but exhibited different patterns of size associated with each host species. Furthermore, a genotypic difference of 3% was found in the COI sequences from T. flavipes and T. albicollis. Therefore, an ecological discussion is introduced aimed at associating these morphometric and genotypic differences with an ongoing speciation process.

Isospora albicollis (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) in thrushes Turdus spp. (Passeriformes: Turdidae), in southeastern Brazil / Isospora albicollis (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) em sabiás Turdus spp. (Passeriformes: Turdidae), no sudeste Brasileiro

Abstract The aim of the present study was to report and describe Isospora albicollis Lainson and Shaw, 1989 parasitizing a white-necked thrush Turdus albicollis Vieillot, 1818 and a pale-breasted thrush Turdus leucomelas Vieillot, 1818 in two different localities: the Itatiaia National Park and Cacaria, in southeastern Brazil. The oocysts identified were ovoidal, 24.4 × 19.7 μm, with a smooth, bilayered wall, around 1.4 μm thick. Oocyst residuum was absent, but a micropyle and a polar granule were present. The sporocysts were ellipsoidal, 15.4 × 10.1 μm. The Stieda body was knob-like to rounded and the sub-Stieda body was prominent and wide. Sporocyst residuum was present, usually as a cluster of granules that appear to be membrane-bounded. The sporozoites were vermiform with one posterior refractile body and a centrally located nucleus. Besides recording the new host T. leucomelas, the identification of I. albicollis in the Itatiaia National Park and Cacaria, in southeastern Brazil, provide records of new localities for its parasitism, and reveals the wide distribution and dispersion of this coccidium in Brazil.

Resumo O objetivo do presente estudo foi relatar e descrever Isospora albicollis Lainson e Shaw, 1989, parasitando um sabiá-coleira Turdus albicollis Vieillot, 1818 e um sabiá-barranco Turdus leucomelas Vieillot 1818, em duas localidades diferentes: Parque Nacional do Itatiaia e Cacaria, no Sudeste do Brasil. Os oocistos identificados foram ovóides, 24,4 × 19,7 μm, com uma parede lisa e dupla, com cerca de 1,4 μm de espessura. Resíduo do oocisto foi ausente, mas uma micrópila e um grânulo polar foram presentes. Esporocistos elipsoidais, 15,4 × 10,1 μm, corpo de Stieda em forma de botão a arredondado e corpo de sub-Stieda proeminente e largo. Resíduo do esporocisto presente, usualmente como um aglomerado de grânulos que parecem estar envolvidos por uma membrana. Esporozoítos vermiformes com um corpo refráctil posterior e um núcleo centralizado. Além de registrar o novo hospedeiro T. leucomelas, a identificação de I. albicollis no Parque Nacional de Itatiaia e Cacaria, no Sudeste do Brasil, fornece registros de novas localidades para seu parasitismo e revela a ampla distribuição e dispersão desse coccídio no Brasil.

Isospora albicollis (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) in thrushes Turdus spp. (Passeriformes: Turdidae), in southeastern Brazil.

The aim of the present study was to report and describe Isospora albicollis Lainson and Shaw, 1989 parasitizing a white-necked thrush Turdus albicollis Vieillot, 1818 and a pale-breasted thrush Turdus leucomelas Vieillot, 1818 in two different localities: the Itatiaia National Park and Cacaria, in southeastern Brazil. The oocysts identified were ovoidal, 24.4 × 19.7 µm, with a smooth, bilayered wall, around 1.4 µm thick. Oocyst residuum was absent, but a micropyle and a polar granule were present. The sporocysts were ellipsoidal, 15.4 × 10.1 µm. The Stieda body was knob-like to rounded and the sub-Stieda body was prominent and wide. Sporocyst residuum was present, usually as a cluster of granules that appear to be membrane-bounded. The sporozoites were vermiform with one posterior refractile body and a centrally located nucleus. Besides recording the new host T. leucomelas, the identification of I. albicollis in the Itatiaia National Park and Cacaria, in southeastern Brazil, provide records of new localities for its parasitism, and reveals the wide distribution and dispersion of this coccidium in Brazil.