Author(s): Nojosa, Diva M. Borges ; Leite, M. Juliana Borges ; Maia, João P. ; Silva, Djan Zanchi ; Braga, Roberta da Rocha ; Harris, D. James
Date: 2021
Origin: Oasisbr
Subject(s): Biologia; Répteis
Document details
A new species of Hepatozoon Miller, 1908 (Apicomplexa: Adelerina) from the snake Philodryas nattereri Steindachner (Squamata: Dipsadidae) in northeastern Brazil
Description
Based on both unique morphological characteristics of the gamont, distinct changes caused to the host erythrocyte and analysis of partial 18S rRNA gene sequences, a new parasite of the genus Hepatozoon Miller, 1908 is described from the snake Philodryas nattereri Steindachner (Squamata: Dipsadidae) in northeastern Brazil. The new species, Hepatozoon musa n. sp., is characterized by large and curved mature gamonts (18.9 ± 0.9 lm in length and 3.8 ± 0.3 lm in width) that considerably engorge infected host erythrocytes and displace the nucleus laterally, which become longer and thinner. Phylogenetic estimates indicate the new species is more closely related to the recently described Hepatozoon cuestensis O’Dwyer, Moc¸o, Paduan, Spenassatto,Silva & Ribolla, 2013, from Brazilian rattlesnakes. These recent findings highlight the need for further studies of Hepatozoon to better determine the biodiversity of this common but poorly-studied parasite group
Document Type
Journal article
Language Portuguese
Language Portuguese
