1. Multiple host-switching of Haemosporidia parasites in bats.
- Author
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Duval, Linda, Robert, Vincent, Csorba, Gabor, Hassanin, Alexandre, Randrianarivelojosia, Milijaona, Walston, Joe, Nhim, Thy, Goodman, Steve M., and Ariey, Frédéric
- Subjects
HAEMOSPORIDA ,BATS ,PLASMODIUM ,PRIMATES ,CYTOCHROME b ,BLOOD parasites - Abstract
Background: There have been reported cases of host-switching in avian and lizard species of Plasmodium (Apicomplexa, Haemosporidia), as well as in those infecting different primate species. However, no evidence has previously been found for host-swapping between wild birds and mammals. Methods: This paper presents the results of the sampling of blood parasites of wild-captured bats from Madagascar and Cambodia. The presence of Haemosporidia infection in these animals is confirmed and cytochrome b gene sequences were used to construct a phylogenetic analysis. Results: Results reveal at least three different and independent Haemosporidia evolutionary histories in three different bat lineages from Madagascar and Cambodia. Conclusion: Phylogenetic analysis strongly suggests multiple host-switching of Haemosporidia parasites in bats with those from avian and primate hosts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2007
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