Three new species of Isospora Schneider, 1881 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the lesser seed-finch, Oryzoborus angolensis (Passeriformes: Emberizidae) from Brazil

Silva, Evandro Amaral Trachta e; Literák, Ivan; Koudela, Bretislav

doi:10.1590/S0074-02762006000500016

Abstract

Three new coccidian (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) species are reported from the lesser seed-finch, Oryzoborus angolensis from Brazil. Sporulated oocysts of Isospora curio n. sp. are spherical to subspherical; 24.6 × 23.6 (22-26 × 22-25) mum, shape-index (SI, length/width) of 1.04 (1.00-1.15). Oocyst wall is bilayerd, ~ 1.5 mum thick, smooth and colourless. Micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent. The sporocysts are ovoid, 13.2 × 10.9 (15-17 × 10-13) mum, SI = 1.56 (1.42-1.71), with a small Stieda body and residuum composed of numerous granules scattered among the sporozoites. Sporozoites are elongated and posses a smooth surface and two distinct refractile bodies. Oocysts of Isospora braziliensis n. sp. are spherical to subspherical, 17.8 × 16.9 (16-19 × 16-18) mum, with a shape-index of 1.06 (1.00-1.12) and a smooth, single-layered wall ~ 1 mum thick. A micropyle, oocyst residuum and polar granules are absent. Sporocysts are ellipsoid and slightly asymmetric, 13.2 × 10.8 (12-14 × 9-12) mum, SI = 1.48 (1.34-1.61). Each sporocyst contains a barely visible Stieda body and a residuum composed numerous of granules. Sporozoites are elongated and each of them contains two distinct refractile bodies. Oocysts of Isospora paranaensis n. sp. are subspherical to broadly ellipsoid 24.3 × 19.8 (22-26 × 18-22) mum, SI = 1.22 (1.15-1.38) with smooth single-layered wall ~ 1.5 mum thick. A micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent, but one distinct ellipsoid polar granule (2.5-3.5 × 1.5-2.5 mum) is present. Sporocyst are ovoid, 15.7 × 10.1 (14-18 × 8-12) mum, SI = 1.46 (1.31-1.72), with distinct Stieda and sub-Stieda bodies. Each sporocyst contains a spherical sporocyst residuum, 4 mum in diameter. All described isosporan species represent a possible cause of acute coccidiosis for O. angolensis in captivity.

Isospora; curio; lesser seed-finch; Oryzoborus angolensis; Brazil

ARTICLES

Three new species of Isospora Schneider, 1881 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the lesser seed-finch, Oryzoborus angolensis (Passeriformes: Emberizidae) from Brazil

Evandro Amaral Trachta e Silva^I,² 2 External PhD student at the University of Veterinary nd Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Czech Republic ; Ivan Literák^II; Bretislav KoudelaIII,IV,^¹ 1 Corresponding author: koudelab@vfu.cz

^IClínica Veterinária Animal, Nova Andradina, MS, Brasil

^IIDepartment of Biology and Wildlife Diseases

^IIIDepartment of Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého 1-3, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic

^IVInstitute of Parasitology, Biological Centre, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Èeské Budìjovice, Czech Republic

ABSTRACT

Three new coccidian (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) species are reported from the lesser seed-finch, Oryzoborus angolensis from Brazil. Sporulated oocysts of Isospora curio n. sp. are spherical to subspherical; 24.6 ´ 23.6 (22-26 ´ 22-25) mm, shape-index (SI, length/width) of 1.04 (1.00-1.15). Oocyst wall is bilayerd, ~ 1.5 mm thick, smooth and colourless. Micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent. The sporocysts are ovoid, 13.2 ´ 10.9 (15-17 ´ 10-13) mm, SI = 1.56 (1.42-1.71), with a small Stieda body and residuum composed of numerous granules scattered among the sporozoites. Sporozoites are elongated and posses a smooth surface and two distinct refractile bodies. Oocysts of Isospora braziliensis n. sp. are spherical to subspherical, 17.8 ´ 16.9 (16-19 ´ 16-18) mm, with a shape-index of 1.06 (1.00-1.12) and a smooth, single-layered wall ~ 1 mm thick. A micropyle, oocyst residuum and polar granules are absent. Sporocysts are ellipsoid and slightly asymmetric, 13.2 ´ 10.8 (12-14 ´ 9-12) mm, SI = 1.48 (1.34-1.61). Each sporocyst contains a barely visible Stieda body and a residuum composed numerous of granules. Sporozoites are elongated and each of them contains two distinct refractile bodies. Oocysts of Isospora paranaensis n. sp. are subspherical to broadly ellipsoid 24.3 ´ 19.8 (22-26 ´ 18-22) mm, SI = 1.22 (1.15-1.38) with smooth single-layered wall ~ 1.5 mm thick. A micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent, but one distinct ellipsoid polar granule (2.5-3.5 ´ 1.5-2.5 mm) is present. Sporocyst are ovoid, 15.7 ´ 10.1 (14-18 ´ 8-12) mm, SI = 1.46 (1.31-1.72), with distinct Stieda and sub-Stieda bodies. Each sporocyst contains a spherical sporocyst residuum, 4 mm in diameter. All described isosporan species represent a possible cause of acute coccidiosis for O. angolensis in captivity.

Key words:Isospora - curio - lesser seed-finch - Oryzoborus angolensis - Brazil

The lesser seed-finch Oryzoborus angolensis (Lin-naeus, 1766) (Passeriformes: Emberizidae) is a bird distributed in open woodland, savanna, bushes, and shrubs in forest edge of Latin America. They are found from North of the Lesser Antilles through Venezuela, Brazil, and Bolivia to South Argentina (Sick 1993). The lesser seed-finches are highly coveted as pet birds and are considered to be among the noblest singing birds. This feature has made this species one of the most highly prized songbirds in Brazil and many birds are bred in captivity. These finches are also frequently trapped from the wild and, consequently, wild lesser seed-finch populations have declined.

No species of Isospora have previously been described in emberizid birds of the genus Oryzoborus. The present study provides descriptions of three new species of Isospora from O. angolensis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 675 O. angolensis were examined in this study. The birds originated from 48 private aviaries localized in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. They were reared in suspended cages and individual faecal samples were collected immediately upon defecation on tinfoil on the bottom of the cages at the different day-time. Faecal material was placed in vials containing 2.5% (w/v) potassium dichromate solution and shipped to the University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Brno for follow-up examination. Faecal samples were 3-8 weeks old when screened for coccidia using flotation in Sheather's sugar solution (specific gravity 1.30). The sporulated oocysts were examined and photographed with an Olympus AX 70 microscope using Nomarski interference contrast optics (DIC). All measurements were made using a calibrated ocular micrometer and reported as means in micrometers (mm), followed by the range in parentheses.

RESULTS

During the coprological examination of the 675 O. angolensis, we detected the presence of oocysts of genus Isospora in 178 birds. The morphological evaluation of sporulated oocysts revealed three different species of Isospora that are described and discussed bellow.

Isospora curio n. sp.

Figs. 1, 2, ⁷

Description - Oocysts are spherical to subspherical; 24.6 ´ 23.6 (22-26 ´ 22-25) (n = 30), shape-index (SI, length/width) 1.04 (1.00-1.15). Micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent. Oocyst wall is bilayerd, ~ 1.5 thick, smooth and colourless. Sporocysts are ovoid, 13.2 ´ 10.9 (15-17 ´ 10-13) (n = 30), with a smooth, single-layered wall ~ 0.5 thick, sporocyst SI = 1.56 (1.42-1.71). Stieda body is present, ~ 0.7 high ´ 2.0-2.5 wide, sub-Stidea body is absent. Sporocyst residuum is composed of numerous granules scattered among sporozoites. Sporozoites are elongated, 18.2 ´ 3.5 (16-19 ´ 3-4) (n = 12), possessing a smooth surface and two distinct refractile bodies. Anterior refractile body is spherical, ~ 3 in diameter, the posterior one is elongated, 6.2 ´ 3.2 (5-7 ´ 3.0-3.5) (n = 10). The spherical nucleus is situated between the refractile bodies.

Type host - Oryzoborus angolensis (Linnaeus 1766) (Aves: Passeriformes: Emberizidae), the lesser seed-finch.

Type locality - Material was isolated from faeces of captive birds in Mato Grosso do Sul.

Prevalence - 14.66 %.

Site of infection - Unknown, oocysts were recovered from faeces.

Sporulation - Exogenous. Time required unknown.

Type material - Photo-syntypes deposited under the depository number A 224 in the Department of Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Czech Republic.

Etymology - The specific name is derived from the common local name for O. angolensis.

Isospora braziliensis n. sp.

Figs 3, 4, ⁸

Oocysts are spherical to subspherical, 17.8 ´ 16.9 (16-19 ´ 16-18) (n = 50), SI = 1.06 (1.00-1.12). Micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent. Oocyst wall is single-layered, ~ 1.0 thick, smooth and colourless. Sporocysts are ellipsoid and slightly asymmetric, 13.2 ´ 10.8 (12-14 ´ 9-12) (n = 30), with a smooth, single-layered wall ~ 0.5 thick, SI = 1.48 (1.34-1.61). Stieda body is present, appearing as a fine plug, ~ 1 wide. Sub-Stieda body is absent. Sporocyst residuum composed of numerous granules scattered among sporozoites. Sporozoites are elongated, 13.2 ´ 3.1 (12-14 ´ 2.5-3.5) (n = 10), possessing a smooth surface and two distinct refractile bodies. Anterior refractile body is spherical, ~ 2 in diameter, the posterior one is elongate, 5.4 ´ 2.4 (4-6 ´ 2.0-3.0) (n = 10). The spherical nucleus is situated between the refractile bodies.

Type host - Oryzoborus angolensis (Linnaeus 1766) (Aves: Passeriformes: Emberizidae), lesser seed-finch.

Type locality - Material was isolated from faeces of captive birds in Mato Grosso do Sul.

Prevalence - 3.55 %.

Site of infection - Unknown, oocysts recovered from faeces.

Sporulation - Exogenous. Time required unknown.

Type material - Photo-syntypes deposited under the depository number B 231 in the Department of Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Czech Republic.

Etymology - The specific name is derived from the country of origin of the host.

Isospora paranaensis n. sp

Figs 5, 6, ⁹

Oocysts are subspherical to broadly elliptical, 24.3 ´ 19.8 (22-26 ´ 18-22), (n = 30), SI = 1.22 (1.15-1.38). Micropyle and oocyst residuum absent, but one distinct ellipsoid polar granule (2.5-3.5 ´ 1.5-2.5) is present. Oocyst wall is single-layered, ~ 1.5 thick, smooth and colourless. Sporocyst are ovoid, 15.7 ´ 10.1 (14-18 ´ 8-12) (n = 30), with a smooth single-layered wall ~ 0.5 thick, SI = 1.46 (1.31-1.72). A Stieda body is present, ~ 1.5 high ´ 2.0-2.5 wide, sub-Stieda body also present, ~ 2.0-2.5 high ´ 2.0-2.5 wide. A spherical sporocyst residuum is present, ~ 4 in diameter, and usually as a cluster of numerous granules. Sporozoites are elongated, 14.9 ´ 3.0 (13-16 ´ 2-4) (n = 10), possessing a smooth surface and two distinct refractile bodies. Anterior refractile body is spherical, 2-3 in diameter, the posterior one is elongate, 4.8 ´ 3.2 (4-6 ´ 2.5-3.5) (n = 10). The spherical nucleus is situated between the refractile bodies.

Type host - Oryzoborus angolensis (Linnaeus 1766) (Aves: Passeriformes: Emberizidae), the lesser seed-finch.

Type locality - Material was isolated from faeces of captive birds in Mato Grosso do Sul.

Prevalence - 1.77 %.

Site of infection - Unknown, oocysts recovered from faeces.

Sporulation - Exogenous. Time required unknown.

Type material - Photo-syntypes deposited under the depository number B 231 in the Department of Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Czech Republic.

Etymology - The specific name is derived from the State of Parana, Brazil.

DISCUSSION

To date, there are around 50 species of Isospora described from emberizids birds (http://www.ksu.edu/parasitology/worldcoccidia/PASSER01?, de Carvalho Filho et al. 2005). However, no named species have been reported from the genus Oryzoborus. We compared the three observed species of Isospora from O. angolensis with valid isosporans described from emberizids birds resident in South America or immigrating through this subcontinent and all were found to be different from all the presently described species. These are therefore, considered as new species.

The species most closely resembling I. curio n. sp. are I. formarum McQuistion and Capparella 1992, I. tiaris Ball and Daszak 1997, and I. sporophilae de Carvalho Filho, de Meireles, Ribeiro and Lopes 2005. The sporocysts I. formarum, from Pitylus grossus show morphological differences in the presence of a prominent substieda body which is absent in I. curio n. sp. Unlike I. curio n. sp., oocysts of I. tiaris from Tiaris fuliginosa are larger, and the sporocysts possess a prominent sub-Stieda bodies. In contrast, oocysts of I. curio n. sp. differ from I. spo-rophilae of Sporophila caerulescens being larger and having no polar granule.

Oocysts of I. braziliensis n. sp. are similar in size to I. flausinoi de Carvalho Filho, de Meireles, Ribeiro and Lopes 2005 and I. teixeirafilhoi de Carvalho Filho, de Meireles, Ribeiro and Lopes 2005, both from S. caeru-lescens. However, oocysts of of I. braziliensis n. sp. apparently lack a polar granule and the sporocysts are slightly more elongated than those of I. flausinoi and I. teixeirafilhoi. In addition, oocysts of I. teixeirafilhoi possess bi-layered oocyst wall, unlike single-layered oocyst wall in I. braziliensis n. sp.

Oocysts of I. paranaensis n. sp. are similar in size to I. formarum McQuistion and Capparella 1992, I. tiaris Ball and Daszak 1997 and I. sporophilae de Carvalho Filho et al. 2005. However, I. paranaensis n. sp. tends to be broadly ellipsoid, compared with the subspherical oocysts of above mentioned species. In addition, I. paranaensis n. sp. differs from I. formarum in having a distinct polar granule. The oocyst of I. tiaris differs from that of I. para-naensis n. sp. in its morphology, being larger and having morphological differences in the sub-Stieda body and sporocyst residuum. The sporocysts of I. paranaensis n. sp. show morphological differences in the presence of a sub-Stieda body, which is absent in those of I. spo-rophilae.

Based on all above mentioned morphological characteristics, together with host's distribution in nature we consider the species described here to be new coccidian species from captive O. angolensis kept in Brazil.

In the present study, coprological examinations indicate a widespread exposure to coccidian parasites among O. angolensis in this country. Coccidian infection may be responsible for loss of weight, low reproduction and death in breeding groups of this songbird. Further research should determine the pathology of these coccidial infections in these birds.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

To Marie Vaòatková for technical assistence.

Received 6 March 2006

Accepted 21 June 2006

Financial support: Agency of the Czech Republic, grant 524/03/H133

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