Treasure Chest in the Taxonomic Collection: Molecular Characterization and Redescription of Haemoproteus handai, with Insights into the Phylogenetic Relationship of Haemosporidian Parasites of Parrots (Psittaciformes).

Abstract

Many species of avian haemosporidian parasites have been described before molecular assessment of the infections became available. This created a discrepancy between the number of parasite species described (∼300) and the available molecular information (∼5100 lineages), with numerous morphospecies having no molecular characterization and vice versa. Lethal disease was previously reported in parrots due to the abortive development of Haemoproteus species in muscular tissues. However, the disease etiology on the parasite species levels remains insufficiently understood. This study developed molecular characterization and redescription of Haemoproteus handai Maqsood, 1943 from a blossom-headed parakeet (Psittacula roseata Biwas, 1951) sampled in Thailand (1979) and deposited at the Museum national d'Histoire naturelle in Paris, France. Blood smears and histological preparations were screened, and the cryopreserved blood was used for DNA extraction and PCR tests. The host species was confirmed, and a new cytochrome b lineage hPSIROS01 was found and attributed to H. handai. Tissue stages were present in the muscular tissues of the pectoral muscles, heart, and tongue. Parrot parasite lineages appeared in different clusters. Haemoproteus species present in the cluster with hPSIROS01 also developed tissue stages mostly in muscular tissues, suggesting that phylogenies based on the partial cytochrome b gene could be used to predict pathologies. More studies are necessary to further understand the patterns of Haemoproteus species development in parrots, particularly if the parrot haemoproteids would always develop in muscular tissues, and whether they are specific or not to parrots. We encourage researchers to deposit animal samples and their parasite samples in museum collections for future research.