Opportunistic sampling of yellow canary (Crithagra flaviventris) has revealed a high genetic diversity of detected parvoviral sequences.

Parvoviruses are known to be significant viral pathogens that infect a wide range of species globally. However, little is known about the parvoviruses circulating in Australian birds, including yellow canaries. Here, we present four parvoviral sequences including three novel parvoviruses detected from 10 yellow canaries (Crithagra flaviventris), named canary chaphamaparvovirus 1 and -2 (CaChPV1 and CaChPV2), canary dependoparvovirus 1 and -2 (CaDePV1 and CaDePV2). The whole genome sequences of CaChPV1, CaChPV2, CaDePV1, and CaDePV2 showed the highest identity with other parvoviruses at 76.4%, 75.9%, 84.0%, and 59.1%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that CaChPV1 and CaChPV2 were clustered within the genus Chaphamaparvovirus. Meanwhile, CaDePV1 and CaDePV2 fall within the genus Dependoparvovirus and have the closest evolutionary relationship to the bird-associated dependoparvoviruses. Overall, this study enriched our understanding of the genetic diversity among avian parvoviruses within the Parvoviridae family.

Unravelling Bile Viromes of Free-Range Laying Chickens Clinically Diagnosed with Spotty Liver Disease: Emergence of Many Novel Chaphamaparvoviruses into Multiple Lineages.

Spotty liver disease (SLD) causes substantial egg production losses and chicken mortality; therefore, it is a disease that concerns Australian egg farmers. Over the last few decades, much research has been conducted to determine the etiologic agents of SLD and to develop potential therapeutics; however, SLD still remains a major issue for the chicken industries globally and remained without the elucidation of potentially multiple pathogens involved. To help fill this gap, this study was aimed at understanding the viral diversity of bile samples from which the SLD-causing bacterium, Campylobacter hepaticus, has been isolated and characterised. The collected samples were processed and sequenced using high-throughput next-generation sequencing. Remarkably, this study found 15 galliform chaphamaparvoviruses (GaChPVs), of which 14 are novel under the genus Chaphamaparvovirus. Among them, nine were complete genomes that showed between 41.7% and 78.3% genome-wide pairwise similarities to one another. Subsequent phylogenetic analysis using the NS1 gene exhibited a multiple incursion of chaphamaparvovirus lineages, including a novel lineage of unknown ancestral history in free-range laying chickens in Australia. This is the first evidence of circulating many parvoviruses in chickens in Australia, which has increased our knowledge of the pathogen diversity that may have an association with SLD in chickens.

Complete Mitochondrial Genome Sequence of a Seabird, Wedge-Tailed Shearwater (Ardenna pacifica).

Here, we report the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of a seabird, wedge-tailed shearwater (Ardenna pacifica). The circular genome has a size of 16,434 bp and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, and 2 rRNA genes. The study provides a reference mitochondrial genome of wedge-tailed shearwater for further molecular studies.

Complete Mitochondrial Genome Sequence of the Magpie-Lark (Grallina cyanoleuca).

Here, we report the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of an Australian passerine bird, magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca). The circular genome has a size of 16,933 bp and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, and 2 rRNA genes. This study provides a reference mitochondrial genome of magpie-lark for further molecular studies.

Phylogenetic analyses to uncover the evolutionary relationship of a newly sequenced mitochondrial genome from an Eastern spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris).

The Eastern spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris), a passerine bird in the family Meliphagidae (honeyeaters), a dominant group of birds in Australia and New Guinea. The aim of this study was to sequence the complete mitochondrial genome of the Eastern spinebill and use its sequence to better define the phylogeny of this species. The complete mitogenome sequence of A. tenuirostris was circular and 16,614 bp in length, and its architecture was conserved in comparison to other mitogenome sequences under the family Meliphagidae. The Eastern spinebill mitogenome had the highest sequence identity with mitogenome sequences of two other honeyeaters, the white eared honeyeater, Nesoptilotis leucotis, (84.9%) and the white-plumed honeyeater, Ptilotula penicillata (85.5%). The maximum-likelihood topology distinctly discriminated the Eastern spinebill sequence against all other species of the Meliphagidae with significant bootstrap supports. We suggest the widespread sampling and complete mitogenome sequencing would be valuable in establishing the most accurate phylogenetic taxonomy of the family Meliphagidae.

Molecular characterisation of a novel pathogenic avipoxvirus from the Australian magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen).

Avipoxviruses are significant pathogens infecting a wide range of wild and domestic bird species globally. Here, we describe a novel genome sequence of magpiepox virus (MPPV) isolated from an Australian magpie. In the present study, histopathologically confirmed cutaneous pox lesions were used for transmission electron microscopic analysis, which demonstrated brick-shaped virions with regular spaced thread-like ridges, indicative of likely infectious particles. Subsequent analysis of the recovered MPPV genome positioned phylogenetically to a distinct sub-clade with the recently isolated avipoxvirus genome sequences from shearwater and canary bird species, and demonstrates a high degree of sequence similarity with CNPV (96.14%) and SWPV-2 (95.87%). The novel MPPV complete genome is missing 19 genes with a further 41 genes being truncated/fragmented compared to SWPV-2 and contains nine predicted unique genes. This is the first avipoxvirus complete genome sequence that infects Australian magpie.

The first complete mitogenome of Indian ringneck (Psittacula krameri) demonstrates close phylogenetic relationship with Eclectus parrot.

This study was aimed to sequence the first complete mitochondrial genome from an Indian ringneck parrot (Psittacula krameri). The mitogenome sequence was circular and 16,413 bp in length. In comparison to other available mitogenome sequences belonging to Psittacidae species, this mitogenome encoded a conserved structure consisting of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two rRNA genes, 21 tRNA genes and a control region; however, this mitogenome missing a tRNA-Glu. The lengths of 12S and 16S ribosomal RNA were 975 bp and 1582 bp, respectively. The overall base composition of the mitogenome of P. krameri was dominated by higher AT (53.5%) than GC (46.5%) content. The complete mitogenome sequence determined in this study would be useful to track the more profound evolutionary history and the conservation of P. krameri.

Characterization of the first mitochondrial genome of a little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea) and its phylogenetic implications.

This study was designed to sequence the first complete mitochondrial genome from a little corella (Cacatua sanguinea). The mitogenome sequence was circular and 16,695 bp in length. In comparison to other available mitogenome sequences belongs to Psittacidae species, this mitogenome encoded a conserved structure consisting of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes. The lengths of 12S and 16S ribosomal RNA were 975 bp and 1582 bp, respectively. The overall base composition of the mitogenome of C. sanguinea was dominated by higher AT (53.0%) than GC (47.0%) content. The complete mitogenome sequence determined in this study is useful for understanding the more profound evolutionary history and the conservation of C. sanguinea.

Assessment of oxidative stress biomarkers in exhaled breath condensate and blood of dairy heifer calves from birth to weaning.

The balance between oxidants and antioxidants may be impaired in neonatal calves but only limited information is available on physiological changes in oxidative biomarkers in healthy calves. The aim of this study was to measure biomarkers of oxidative stress (OS) in calves from birth to weaning. Eighteen, healthy, female Holstein-Friesian calves were used in the study. Blood and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) samples were taken on the day of birth (Week 0) and then at Weeks 6, 12 and 18. Reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP) were determined on fresh blood and the degree of OS was expressed as an oxidative stress index (OSI), where OSI = ROMs/BAP × 100. Plasma concentrations of antioxidant barrier (OXY), thiol antioxidant barrier (SH), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), albumin, and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were also measured, as was hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration in EBC. Plasma concentrations of ROMs were relatively stable during the trial; AOPP concentration progressively decreased reaching its lowest values on Week 18. Albumin, SH and OXY concentrations progressively increased from birth to weaning. Concentrations of NEFA in plasma and H2O2 in EBC were relatively stable but peaked in Week 18. The results indicate that antioxidative defence not only increases with time in the plasma of new-born calves but also that it is related to protein oxidation processes. Furthermore, the data support the use EBC H2O2 as a novel biomarker to assess respiratory OS in calves.