To further investigate the diversity of Trypanosomatidae we have examined the species present within the flea (Siphonaptera) population in the Czech Republic. Out of 1549 fleas, 239 were found to be infected by trypanosomatids. Axenic cultures were established from 90 infected specimens and 29 of them were further characterized. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the SL RNA, gGAPDH, and SSU rRNA genes revealed a striking diversity within this group and analyzed isolates were classified into 16 Typing units (TUs) of which 15 typified new species. In addition to one Trypanosoma species, two TUs grouped within the sub-family Leishmaniinae, two clustered together with Herpetomonas, wheras 11 TUs formed a novel clade branching off between Trypanosoma spp. and remaining trypanosomatids. We propose to recognize this clade as a new genus Blechomonas and a new subfamily Blechomonadinae, and provide molecular and morphological description of 11 TUs representing this genus. Our finding of such an ancient host-specific group sheds new light at the origin of Trypanosomatidae and the roots of dixenous parasitism. The strict host restriction of Blechomonas to Siphonaptera with adult fleas' dependence on blood meal may reflect passing of parasites from larvae through pupae to adults and implies potential transmission to the warm-blooded vertebrates.

Biology Centre Institute of Parasitology Czech Academy of Sciences 370 05 České Budějovice Czech Republic

Department of Parasitology Faculty of Science Charles University 128 44 Prague Czech Republic

Department of Parasitology Faculty of Science Charles University 128 44 Prague Czech Republic; Biology Centre Institute of Parasitology Czech Academy of Sciences 370 05 České Budějovice Czech Republic

Life Science Research Centre Faculty of Sciences University of Ostrava 710 00 Ostrava Czech Republic

Citace poskytuje Crossref.org

The first RNA viruses detected in a trypanosome

Differences in mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase activities in trypanosomatids

Euglenozoa: taxonomy, diversity and ecology, symbioses and viruses

Genomic Variation among Strains of Crithidia bombi and C. expoeki

RNA Viruses in Blechomonas (Trypanosomatidae) and Evolution of Leishmaniavirus

A Historical Overview of the Classification, Evolution, and Dispersion of Leishmania Parasites and Sandflies

Exploring the environmental diversity of kinetoplastid flagellates in the high-throughput DNA sequencing era

Leptomonas seymouri: Adaptations to the Dixenous Life Cycle Analyzed by Genome Sequencing, Transcriptome Profiling and Co-infection with Leishmania donovani