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Published on: August 27, 2019
Hepatozoon parasites (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina) in bats
C Miguel Pinto1, Kristofer M Helgen, Robert C Fleischer
1Department of Mammalogy, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York 10024, USA. mpinto@amnh.org
The Journal of Parasitology
|December 18, 2012
Summary
This study presents the first evidence of Hepatozoon parasites infecting bats. These findings suggest bats may be common hosts for these parasites, expanding our understanding of host diversity.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Molecular Biology
- Wildlife Disease
Background:
- Hepatozoon parasites are known to infect various vertebrate hosts.
- Bats represent a largely unexplored host group for Hepatozoon.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide the first molecular evidence of Hepatozoon infection in bats.
- To investigate the phylogenetic placement of bat-infecting Hepatozoon.
Main Methods:
- Sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene from Hepatozoon found in Hipposideros cervinus bats.
- Phylogenetic analysis using model-based methods.
Main Results:
- Hepatozoon parasites were identified in three Hipposideros cervinus bats from Borneo.
- Phylogenetic analysis placed these bat Hepatozoon within a clade including parasites of reptiles, rodents, and marsupials.
Conclusions:
- This study offers the first evidence of Hepatozoon infecting bats.
- Bats are proposed as potential common hosts for Hepatozoon parasites.
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