Toxoplasma gondii and related Sarcocystidae parasites in harvested caribou from Nunavik, Canada.

Caribou are keystone species important for human harvest and of conservation concern; even so, much is unknown about the impact of parasites on caribou health and ecology. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence, tissue prevalence, and diversity of tissue-dwelling coccidian parasites (including Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and Sarcocystis spp.) in 88 migratory caribou (Rangifer tarandus) harvested for human consumption in two communities in Nunavik, Québec, Canada. Both T. gondii and N. caninum have potential to cause abortions and neurological disease in caribou. Seroprevalence for antibodies to T. gondii using ELISA on fluid from thawed hearts was 18% overall, and no DNA of T. gondii was detected in tissues, which has positive implications for food safety since this parasite is zoonotic. Seroprevalence for antibodies to N. caninum using competitive ELISA was 5%, and DNA of N. caninum was detected in only one heart sample. DNA of Sarcocystis, a non-zoonotic, related coccidian, was detected in tissue samples from 85% of caribou, with higher prevalence in heart (82%) than skeletal muscle (47%). This is the first time that Sarcocystis spp. from caribou in Canada have been identified to species level, many of which have been described in reindeer from Fennoscandia. The high prevalence and diversity of Sarcocystis spp. suggests intact trophic relationships between canids and caribou in Nunavik. Besnoitia spp. was serendipitously detected in three muscle samples, a parasite previously associated with skin lesions in caribou in Nunavik. Community-level differences in T. gondii exposure and prevalence of Sarcocystis spp. in skeletal muscle tissues may reflect differences in hunter selection of individual animals and muscles, or possibly regional differences in the ecology of carnivore definitive hosts for these parasites. Further work is needed to explore effects of tissue coccidians in caribou, their taxonomic classifications, and community level differences in parasite prevalence and diversity.

California Serogroup Viruses in a Changing Canadian Arctic: A Review.

The Arctic is warming at four times the global rate, changing the diversity, activity and distribution of vectors and associated pathogens. While the Arctic is not often considered a hotbed of vector-borne diseases, Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV) and Snowshoe Hare virus (SSHV) are mosquito-borne zoonotic viruses of the California serogroup endemic to the Canadian North. The viruses are maintained by transovarial transmission in vectors and circulate among vertebrate hosts, both of which are not well characterized in Arctic regions. While most human infections are subclinical or mild, serious cases occur, and both JCV and SSHV have recently been identified as leading causes of arbovirus-associated neurological diseases in North America. Consequently, both viruses are currently recognised as neglected and emerging viruses of public health concern. This review aims to summarise previous findings in the region regarding the enzootic transmission cycle of both viruses. We identify key gaps and approaches needed to critically evaluate, detect, and model the effects of climate change on these uniquely northern viruses. Based on limited data, we predict that (1) these northern adapted viruses will increase their range northwards, but not lose range at their southern limits, (2) undergo more rapid amplification and amplified transmission in endemic regions for longer vector-biting seasons, (3) take advantage of northward shifts of hosts and vectors, and (4) increase bite rates following an increase in the availability of breeding sites, along with phenological synchrony between the reproduction cycle of theorized reservoirs (such as caribou calving) and mosquito emergence.

In support of morphology: Molecular analysis successfully delineates the Afrotropical genus Atylotus (Diptera: Tabanidae) into species.

Previous studies of the horse fly genus Atylotus in the Afrotropics has shown little to no differentiation into species based on the barcoding region of cytochrome oxidase I (COI), largely due to morphological misidentifications. Using field caught specimens and a museum reference collection together with type comparisons, COI and 16S ribosomal RNA sequences were generated from two specimens of Atylotus agrestis, two A. albipalpus, four A fuscipes and one A. nigromaculatus. Phylogenetic analysis of these sequences produced four separate species clades with strong support. The results showed that COI does delineate the species of Afrotropical Atylotus and that misidentifications of specimens is a common problem. Additionally, Atylotus fuscipes is revived from synonymy and given full species status. Finally, a comprehensive review of the COI barcodes, publicly available on GenBank and BOLD is included that highlights some problems with using sequences from public databases.

The first reported case of accidental intestinal myiasis in a domestic dog by the flesh fly, Sarcophaga africa (Wiedeman, 1824).

Myiasis occurs when fly larvae, or maggots, feed on the tissue, secretions or digestive content of a live vertebrate. Here, a rare case of accidental intestinal or enteric myiasis is reported in a domestic dog. The species of fly is molecularly identified as Sarcophaga africa (Wiedeman, 1824) using the barcoding region of cytochrome oxidase I (COI). A brief critique on the usage of the term "pseudomyiasis" is provided and the complex taxonomy of S. africa is briefly summarised in order to shed light on the erroneous use of S. cruenata and S. haemorrhoidalis with obvious downstream effects. Finally, a comparative assessment to the limited cases in the literature is provided. These few cases are however highly fragmented and our understanding of accidental intestinal myiasis and the clinical manifestations thereof remain incomplete.

The utilisation of CytB and COI barcodes for the identification of bloodmeals and Culicoides species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) reveals a variety of novel wildlife hosts in South Africa.

Biting midges in the genus Culicoides (Diptera; Ceratopogonidae) are vectors of pathogens that can cause diseases of major economic importance in humans and animals. Identifying host ranges of these biting midges might aid in understanding the complex epidemiology of such diseases, often involving reservoir hosts and multiple species. In this study, we aim to identify bloodmeal origin from engorged female Culicoides biting midges. All bloodfed females were opportunistically collected as part of an ongoing surveillance programme using Onderstepoort light traps in two provinces in South Africa. DNA of individuals was extracted and subjected to PCR targeting the cytochrome B (CytB) gene region of mammals and avians as well as cytochrome oxidase I (COI) for species identification. In total, 21 new reference barcodes were generated for C. bedfordi, C imicola, C. leucosticus, C. magnus, and C. pycnostictus. Seventy-four blood meals were identified, originating from 12 mammal and three avian species. COI sequence data performed well for species delimitation and 54 Culicoides specimens were identified with C. imicola the predominant species identified (41.8%). Generally, Culicoides species feed on a variety of hosts and host availability might be an important factor when selecting a host. Culicoides species thus appear to be opportunistic feeders rather than specialists. This implicates Culicoides as transfer vectors and demonstrates possible transmission routes of arboviruses and other pathogens from wildlife onwards to domestic animals and humans.

Phylogenetic Characterization of the Palyam Serogroup Orbiviruses.

The Palyam serogroup orbiviruses are associated with abortion and teratogenesis in cattle and other ruminants. Of the 13 different serotypes that have been identified, the full genome sequence of only one, Kasba, has been published. We undertook to perform Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and phylogenetic analysis on 12 Palyam serotypes plus field isolates of the African serotypes in our possession. The Palyam serogroup was found to be most closely related to the African horse sickness virus group and showed the most distant evolutionary relationship to the equine encephalosis viruses (EEV). Amino acid sequence analysis revealed that the gene encoding VP7 was the most conserved within serotypes and VP2 and VP5 showed the highest degree of variation. A high degree of sequence identity was found for isolates from the same geographical region. The phylogenetic analysis revealed two clades where the African serotypes were all very closely related in one clade and the other clade contained the Australian and Asian serotypes and one African serotype, Petevo. It was evident from the sequence data that the geographical origin of Palyam serogroup viruses played an important role in the development of the different serotypes.

A revision of and keys to the genera of the Mantispinae of the Oriental and Palearctic regions (Neuroptera: Mantispidae).

The Mantispinae (Neuroptera: Mantispidae) genera of the Oriental and Palearctic regions are revised. A morphological key to the genera is generated. Austroclimaciella, Campancella, Mantispa, Mantispilla, Necyla, Stenomantispa and Tuberonotha are redescribed. The Ohl (2004) catalogue is updated for the relevant genera. Sagittalata (= Perlamantispa) is assigned as a synonym of Mantispilla which is restored as a valid genus. Orientispa is assigned as a synonym of Necyla.