Tissue samples from wildlife from South Africa were opportunistically collected and screened for haemoprotozoan parasites using nonspecific PCR primers. Samples of 127 individuals were tested, comprising over 50 different species. Haemogregarines were the most commonly identified parasites, but sarcocystids and piroplasmids were also detected. Phylogenetic analyses estimated from the 18S rDNA marker highlighted the occurrence of several novel parasite forms and the detection of parasites in novel hosts. Phylogenetic relationships, which have been recently reviewed, appear to be much more complex than previously considered. Our study highlights the high diversity of parasites circulating in wildlife in this biodiverse region, and the need for further studies to resolve taxonomic issues.

CIBIO InBIO Centro de Investigacao em Biodiversidade e Recursos Geneticos Campus Agrario de Vairao Vairao Portugal

Core Team Member Centre for Invasion Biology Stellenbosch University Stellenbosch Republic of South Africa

Departamento de Biologia Faculdade de Ciencias da Universidade do Porto Porto Portugal

Department of Biodiversity University of Limpopo South Africa

Department of Zoology School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences University of Venda Thohoyandou South Africa

Honorary Research Associate University of KwaZulu Natal Durban Republic of South Africa

NRF DET SARCHI Chair on Biodiversity Value and Change School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences University of Venda Thohoyandou South Africa

Citace poskytuje Crossref.org