ABSTRACT
Wild and domestic carnivores share ectoparasites, although molecular evidence is lacking. The goals of this study were to describe tick and flea infestation in sympatric free-ranging dogs Canis lupus familiaris (Linnaeus, 1758) (Carnivora: Canidae) and Andean foxes Lycalopex culpaeus (Molina, 1782) (Carnivora: Canidae) and to determine whether interspecific transmission occurs. Fleas and ticks retrieved from 79 foxes and 111 dogs in the human-dominated landscapes of central Chile were identified and a subset of specimens characterized by PCR and amplicon sequencing. Each ectoparasite species was clearly associated with a host: abundance and occurrence of Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille 1806) (Acari: Ixodidae) and Ctenocephalides spp. (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) were significantly higher in dogs than in foxes, whereas the opposite was true for Amblyomma tigrinum (Koch, 1844) (Acari: Ixodidae) and Pulex irritans (Linnaeus, 1758) (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae). Genetic analyses of a subset of ectoparasites revealed that dogs and foxes shared a limited number of nucleotide sequence types, suggesting that the interspecific transmission of these ectoparasites happens infrequently. Data also indicated that the ecological association and biological cycles of ticks and fleas determine the ectoparasite fauna of sympatric carnivores. In conclusion, our study shows that cross-species transmission should be assessed at a molecular level.
Subject(s)
Ctenocephalides , Dog Diseases , Flea Infestations , Siphonaptera , Ticks , Animals , Dog Diseases/epidemiology , Dogs , Flea Infestations/epidemiology , Flea Infestations/veterinary , FoxesABSTRACT
Toxoplasmosis has been reported in many avian species, but little information is available from wild penguin populations. Leptospira can infects domestic and wild animals. Spheniscus magellanicus belong to the order Sphenisciformes, family Spheniscidae, and are colonial birds. These seabirds live in temperate waters along the Atlantic shores of South America, and their total population has been estimated to be 1,300,000 breeding pairs. Magdalena Island (Chile) hosts an important breeding colony but, over recent decades, a marked decline in the number of birds has been seen. The objective of this study was to determine occurrences of antibodies against T. gondii and Leptospira spp. in penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) on Magdalena Island, from where no previous data on these agents were available. Serum samples were collected from 132 penguins on Magdalena Island. Antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii were detected using the modified agglutination test (Titer ≥20), and anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies were detected using the microscopic agglutination test (Titer ≥100). T. gondii antibodies were detected in 57 (43.18%) of the 132 serum samples, with titers that ranged from 20 to 320. None of the penguins in this study was reactive to anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies. This is the first report of T. gondii seropositivity in free-living Magellanic penguins in Chile.
Subject(s)
Bird Diseases/immunology , Leptospira/immunology , Leptospirosis/veterinary , Spheniscidae , Toxoplasma/immunology , Toxoplasmosis, Animal/immunology , Agglutination Tests/veterinary , Animals , Antibodies, Bacterial/blood , Antibodies, Protozoan/blood , Antigens, Bacterial/immunology , Bird Diseases/microbiology , Bird Diseases/parasitology , Chile , Islands , Leptospirosis/immunology , Leptospirosis/microbiology , Spheniscidae/microbiology , Spheniscidae/parasitology , Toxoplasmosis, Animal/parasitologyABSTRACT
An ecological analysis of a tick (Ixodida: Ixodidae) community across a landscape gradient presenting differential anthropogenic disturbance in the Atlantic Forest ecoregion in Argentina was performed. Ticks were collected from vegetation and hosts between September 2014 and August 2016. A total of 12 697 free-living ticks and 3347 specimens from hosts were collected, including 317 ticks infesting humans. The values obtained show considerable species diversity in the forest environment accompanied by low equitability. The similarity index derived from a comparison of forest and agricultural environments was higher than that calculated by comparing forest and urban environments. The data suggest that although a cycle of one generation per year is apparent in some species, more than one cohort may co-exist within the populations of some of these species. Well-marked patterns of the seasonal distribution of free-living tick species emerged in environments with no anthropic modification. The results indicate that forest environments are more suitable habitats than agricultural and urban environments for many species of native tick, but are unsuitable for exotic species that have successfully established in environments that have been modified by man.
Subject(s)
Biodiversity , Ecosystem , Ixodidae/physiology , Tick Infestations/epidemiology , Tick Infestations/veterinary , Animals , Argentina , Bird Diseases/epidemiology , Bird Diseases/parasitology , Birds , Forests , Humans , Mammals , Prevalence , Tick Infestations/parasitologyABSTRACT
The Neotropical ecoregion has been an important place of avian diversification where dispersal and allopatric events coupled with periods of active orogeny and climate change (Late Pliocene-Pleistocene) have shaped the biogeography of the region. In the Neotropics, avian population structure has been sculpted not only by geographical barriers, but also by non-allopatric factors such as natural selection and local adaptation. We analyzed the genetic variation of six co-distributed Phrygilus species from the Central Andes, based on mitochondrial and nuclear markers in conjunction with morphological differentiation. We examined if Phrygilus species share patterns of population structure and historical demography, and reviewed the intraspecific taxonomy in part of their geographic range. Our results showed different phylogeographic patterns between species, even among those belonging to the same phylogenetic clade. P. alaudinus, P. atriceps, and P. unicolor showed genetic differentiation mediated by allopatric mechanisms in response to specific geographic barriers; P. gayi showed sympatric lineages in northern Chile, while P. plebejus and P. fruticeti showed a single genetic group. We found no relationship between geographic range size and genetic structure. Additionally, a signature of expansion was found in three species related to the expansion of paleolakes in the Altiplano region and the drying phase of the Atacama Desert. Morphological analysis showed congruence with molecular data and intraspecific taxonomy in most species. While we detected genetic and phenotypic patterns that could be related to natural selection and local adaptation, our results indicate that allopatric events acted as a major factor in the population differentiation of Phrygilus species.
Subject(s)
Passeriformes/classification , Animals , Bayes Theorem , Climate Change , DNA, Mitochondrial/analysis , DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics , Genetic Variation , Passeriformes/genetics , Phylogeny , Phylogeography , Sequence Analysis, DNA , South AmericaABSTRACT
Philodryas chamissonis, the Chilean long-tailed snake, is a diurnal predator mainly of Liolaemus lizards, but also of amphibians, birds, rodents and juvenile rabbits. Dromiciops gliroides (Colocolo opossum) is an arboreal marsupial endemic of temperate rainforest of southern South America. Little information is available about this marsupial's biology and ecology. Here we report the predation of one Colocolo opossum by an adult female P. chamissonis in a mixed Nothofagus forest, composed mainly by N. dombeyi, N. glauca and N. alpina trees, in the "Huemules de Niblinto" National Reserve, Nevados de Chillán, Chile. Since these two species have different activity and habitat use patterns, we discuss how this encounter may have occurred. Although it could just have been an opportunistic event, this finding provides insights into the different components of food chains in forest ecosystems of Chile.
Subject(s)
Colubridae/physiology , Food Chain , Marsupialia , Predatory Behavior/physiology , Animals , Chile , Female , TreesABSTRACT
Philodryas chamissonis, the Chilean long-tailed snake, is a diurnal predator mainly of Liolaemus lizards, but also of amphibians, birds, rodents and juvenile rabbits. Dromiciops gliroides (Colocolo opossum) is an arboreal marsupial endemic of temperate rainforest of southern South America. Little information is available about this marsupial's biology and ecology. Here we report the predation of one Colocolo opossum by an adult female P. chamissonis in a mixed Nothofagus forest, composed mainly by N. dombeyi, N. glauca and N. alpina trees, in the "Huemules de Niblinto" National Reserve, Nevados de Chillán, Chile. Since these two species have different activity and habitat use patterns, we discuss how this encounter may have occurred. Although it could just have been an opportunistic event, this finding provides insights into the different components of food chains in forest ecosystems of Chile.
Philodryas chamissonis, cobra de cauda comprida ("Culebra de cola larga"), é uma cobra diurna, predadora principalmente de lagartos do gênero Liolaemus, mas também de anfíbios, aves, roedores e coelhos jovens. Dromiciops gliroides (colocolo) é um marsupial arborícola endêmico das florestas temperadas do sul da América do Sul. Há pouca informação disponível sobre a biologia e a ecologia deste marsulpial. É reportada, neste estudo, a predação de um colocolo por uma fêmea adulta de P. chamissonis, em uma floresta mista de Nothofagus, composta principalmente por árvores N. dombeyi, N. glauca e N. alpina, na Reserva Nacional de Huemules de Niblinto, Nevados de Chillán, Chile. Uma vez que estas duas espécies possuem diferentes padrões de atividade e de uso de habitat, discute-se como este evento poder ter ocorrido. Embora este possa ter sido apenas um evento oportunístico, o achado fornece novas informações sobre os diferentes componentes da cadeia alimentar nos ecossistemas florestais do Chile.
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Colubridae/physiology , Food Chain , Marsupialia , Predatory Behavior/physiology , Chile , TreesABSTRACT
This is the first review of the taxonomy and geographical range of the 12 known species of the genus Tunga. Their biology and pathogenic roles are considered, with particular emphasis on their phylogeny, chorology, phenology, sex-ratio, and dermecos.
Subject(s)
Tunga/classification , Tungiasis/parasitology , Animals , Ecology , Host-Parasite Interactions , Phylogeny , Phylogeography , Sex Ratio , Skin/parasitology , Tunga/pathogenicity , Tunga/physiology , Tungiasis/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Smit (1968) misreported Tunga libis from Chile. Here we describe this flea as a new species. We analyzed free life females, male and embedded females. Moreover, we include data about its natural history and biology. These data will allow a better understanding about other Tunga fleas, and particularly for collecting males, which remain unknown to date.
Subject(s)
Rodent Diseases/parasitology , Sigmodontinae/parasitology , Tunga/classification , Tungiasis/veterinary , Animals , Chile/epidemiology , Female , Male , Rodent Diseases/epidemiology , Tunga/anatomy & histology , Tungiasis/epidemiology , Tungiasis/parasitologyABSTRACT
Agastopsylla guzmani n. sp. (Ctenophthalmidae) and Delostichus degus n. sp. (Rhopalopsyllidae) are described. A key is proposed for the genus Agastopsylla; for the genus Delostichus, a brief comparison is made with D. incisus and D. ojedai described after the issue of the Catalogue of Smit (1987).
Subject(s)
Flea Infestations/veterinary , Octodon/parasitology , Rodent Diseases/parasitology , Sigmodontinae/parasitology , Siphonaptera/classification , Animals , Chile , Female , Flea Infestations/parasitology , Male , Siphonaptera/anatomy & histologyABSTRACT
Descreve-se o primeiro caso de paratuberculose em veado pudu-do-sul (Pudu pudu). O animal foi encontrado na cidade de Concepción, centro sul do Chile, em péssimas condições e com sinais claros de diarréia. Internamente apresentava séria atrofia de gordura no coração, lesões histológicas nos pulmões, fígado, baço e rins, e injúrias intestinais. Diferentes amostras foram preparadas com Ziehl-Neelsen, e os linfonodos mesentéricos presentes no íleo foram fortemente positivos para a bactéria resistente ao ácido.
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Deer , Paratuberculosis , Animals, Wild , ChileABSTRACT
A total of 1,177 lice of four species were collected from 124 kelp gulls (Larus dominicanus) and 137 lice of the same four species from 60 Franklin's gulls (Larus pipixcan). The louse Saemundssonia lari (O Fabricius) (Phthiraptera: Philopteridae) was the most numerous on both gull species, with infestation rates of 4.9 on kelp gulls and 1.8 on Franklin's gulls. The second most abundant louse was Quadraceps punctatus (Burmeister), with a high infestation rate but low prevalence on kelp gulls; those parameters were much lower among lice from Franklin's gulls. The composition and community structure of the lice were similar on both host species, but not their infestation rates. In addition, the feather mite Zachvatkinia larica Mironov (Acari: Avenzoariidae) is recorded from kelp gulls and Franklin's gulls for the first time, while the gamasid mite Larinyssus sp. is recorded from kelp gulls, also for the first time. The population parameters of all species of ectoparasites are discussed.
Subject(s)
Charadriiformes/parasitology , Lice Infestations , Phthiraptera , Animals , ChileABSTRACT
A total of 1,177 lice of four species were collected from 124 kelp gulls (Larus dominicanus) and 137 lice of the same four species from 60 Franklin's gulls (Larus pipixcan). The louse Saemundssonia lari (O Fabricius) (Phthiraptera: Philopteridae) was the most numerous on both gull species, with infestation rates of 4.9 on kelp gulls and 1.8 on Franklin's gulls. The second most abundant louse was Quadraceps punctatus (Burmeister), with a high infestation rate but low prevalence on kelp gulls; those parameters were much lower among lice from Franklin's gulls. The composition and community structure of the lice were similar on both host species, but not their infestation rates. In addition, the feather mite Zachvatkinia larica Mironov (Acari: Avenzoariidae) is recorded from kelp gulls and Franklin's gulls for the first time, while the gamasid mite Larinyssus sp. is recorded from kelp gulls, also for the first time. The population parameters of all species of ectoparasites are discussed.
Subject(s)
Animals , Charadriiformes/parasitology , Lice Infestations , Phthiraptera , ChileABSTRACT
A new genus and a new species are described from fleas of occupied nest from humming bird, Oreotrichulus estella (d'Orbigny & Lafresnaye, 1838). This taxa shows, in particular, some affinities with Dasypsyllus Baker, 1908, parasite on birds, cosmopolitan except in afrotropical and austral regions, and Smitipsylla Lewis, 1971, parasite on flying squirrels (Anomaluridae) in oriental region.
Subject(s)
Bird Diseases/parasitology , Siphonaptera/anatomy & histology , Animals , Birds/parasitology , Chile , Female , Head/parasitology , Male , Siphonaptera/pathogenicityABSTRACT
New taxa, known only by the male, are added to chilio-andean fauna. These fleas belong to sub-genus Neornipsyllus, parasites of Birds, essentially "Passeriforms". D. (N.) huinayensis sp. n. is, inter alia, characterized by the place of large setae on telomere; D. (N.) tapaculensis sp. n. show a tergit XI (or proctiger) unusual for the entire Order by the form and the chaetotaxy composed, essentially, of forked setae.
Subject(s)
Bird Diseases/parasitology , Ectoparasitic Infestations/veterinary , Passeriformes/parasitology , Siphonaptera/classification , Animals , Chile , Ectoparasitic Infestations/parasitology , Male , Siphonaptera/anatomy & histologyABSTRACT
A new species of argasid tick, Ornithodoros (Alectorobius) rioplatensis Venzal, Estrada-Peña, & Mangold, is described from larval and adult specimens collected in Uruguay. Further specimens from Argentina, Paraguay, and Chile are ascribed to the new species. Key distinguishing characters of larvae of the species are the number of pairs of dorsal setae (19-20 but typically 20 in O. rioplatensis, compared with 16-17 but typically 17 in O. puertoricensis and O. talaje), and the length of the hypostome, which is clearly longer in O. rioplatensis than in O. talaje. Morphological details of the adults of these species are inadequate for taxonomic purposes. The genetic distance between O. puertoricensis and O. rioplatensis, based on 16S rDNA sequencing, is approximately 12.7%. Variability in some morphological features, using multivariate morphometric discrimination to assess congruence between populations, was examined among larval specimens of O. talaje and O. puertoricensis collected from the United States, and Central and South America. Larval specimens of O. talaje from Guatemala (near the type locality of the species) were morphologically different from Mexican and southern U.S. populations originally described as O. talaje. In the absence of DNA data for these populations, and because of inadequate statistical discrimination among body characters, we prefer to refer to the Mexican and U.S. material as O. nr. talaje until further analysis of population variability is conducted using an adequate sample size.
Subject(s)
Ixodidae/classification , Ixodidae/ultrastructure , Animals , Female , Larva/classification , Larva/ultrastructure , Male , South AmericaABSTRACT
Two new species of the genus Brueelia Kéler, 1936 are described of two species in the genus Phrygilus Cabanis, 1844 from Punitaqui, Coquimbo, IV Región, Chile: Phrygilus gayi (Gervais, 1834) and P. fruticeti (Kittlitz, 1833). Descriptions were made in a comparative form, adding comments on their relatives, as well as an account of all Brueelia species known to infest South American Emberizine finches.
Subject(s)
Passeriformes/parasitology , Phthiraptera/anatomy & histology , Sex Characteristics , Animals , Chile , Female , MaleABSTRACT
Two new species of the genus Brueelia Kéler, 1936 are described of two species in the genus Phrygilus Cabanis, 1844 from Punitaqui, Coquimbo, IV Región, Chile: Phrygilus gayi (Gervais, 1834) and P. fruticeti (Kittlitz, 1833). Descriptions were made in a comparative form, adding comments on their relatives, as well as an account of all Brueelia species known to infest South American Emberizine finches.
Dos nuevas especies del género Brueelia Kéler, 1936 son descritas en dos especies de aves del género Phrygilus Cabanis, 1844 desde Punitaqui, Coquimbo, IV Región, Chile: Phrygilus gayi (Gervais, 1834) y P. fruticeti (Kittlitz, 1833). Las descripciones son hechas en forma comparativa agregando comentarios sobre sus especies afines, así como consideraciones de las especies conocidas de Brueelia que infestan fringílidos sudamericanos.
Subject(s)
Classification , Insecta , PhthirapteraABSTRACT
No Zoológico Nacional do Parque Metropolitano de Santiago, Chile, foram encontrados dois psitacídeos Enicognathus leptorhynchus, mortos pelo nematódeo Ascaridia hermaphrodita (Froelich, 1789). Este é o primeiro registro desse nematódeo em E. leptorhynchus e também o primeiro registro deste parasito no Chile.
Subject(s)
Ascaridia/isolation & purification , Mortality , Parrots/parasitologyABSTRACT
Twenty eight species of Ixodidae have been found on man in South America (21 Amblyomma, 1 Boophilus, 2 Dermacentor, 2 Haemaphysalis, 1 Ixodes and 1 Rhipicephalus species). Most of them are rarely found on man. However, three species frequently parasitize humans in restricted areas of Argentina (A. neumanni reported from 46 localities), Uruguay (A. triste from 21 sites) and Argentina-Brazil (A. parvum from 27 localities). The most widespread ticks are A. cajennense (134 localities in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Suriname and Venezuela), A. ovale (37 localities in Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Suriname and Venezuela) and A. oblongoguttatum (28 sites in Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname and Venezuela). Amblyomma aureolatum (18 localities in Argentina, Brazil, French Guiana and Paraguay), A. cajennense, and A. triste are vectors of rickettsioses to man in South America. A better understanding of the respective roles of these and other tick species in transmitting pathogens to humans will require further local investigations. Amblyomma ticks should be the main subjects of these studies followed by species of Boophilus, Dermacentor, Haemaphysalis and Rhipicephalus species. In contrast with North America, Europe and Asia, ticks of the genus Ixodes do not appear to be major players in transmitting diseases to human. Indeed, there is only one record of an Ixodes collected while feeding on man for all South America.
Subject(s)
Arachnid Vectors/physiology , Ixodidae/physiology , Rickettsia Infections/transmission , Tick Infestations/parasitology , Animals , Arachnid Vectors/classification , Geography , Humans , Ixodidae/classification , Rickettsia Infections/epidemiology , South America/epidemiology , Tick Infestations/epidemiologyABSTRACT
The female of Argas (Persicargas) keiransi Estrada-Peña, Venzal & González-Acuña (Acari: Argasidae) is described from specimens collected in the type locality in Chile. The female has a unique combination of characters in the dorsal cuticle and in the number and pattern of ventrolateral setae in the basis capituli. Additional features on tarsus I chaetotaxy and dorsal plate are provided for the larva of the species, as observed on flat specimens derived from engorged females collected in the type locality. Keys for the larvae of the New World Persicargas are provided as well as illustrations for prominent characters in hypostome and posterolateral setae. The mitochondrial 16S rDNA sequence of A. keiransi has been obtained, and an analysis of the phylogenetic relationships with other ticks is included. Phylogenetic analysis provides support for a Persicargas grouping of species, separated from species in Argas.
