Hepatozoon parasites (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina) in bats

J Parasitol. 2013 Aug;99(4):722-4. doi: 10.1645/12-18.1. Epub 2012 Dec 15.

Abstract

We provide the first evidence of Hepatozoon parasites infecting bats. We sequenced a short fragment of the 18S rRNA gene (~600 base pairs) of Hepatozoon parasites from 3 Hipposideros cervinus bats from Borneo. Phylogenies inferred by model-based methods place these Hepatozoon within a clade formed by parasites of reptiles, rodents, and marsupials. We discuss the scenario that bats might be common hosts of Hepatozoon.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bayes Theorem
  • Chiroptera / parasitology*
  • Coccidia / classification*
  • Coccidia / genetics
  • Coccidia / isolation & purification
  • Coccidiosis / parasitology
  • Coccidiosis / veterinary*
  • DNA, Protozoan / chemistry
  • DNA, Ribosomal / chemistry*
  • Likelihood Functions
  • Phylogeny
  • RNA, Protozoan / genetics
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / genetics*
  • Sequence Alignment / veterinary

Substances

  • DNA, Protozoan
  • DNA, Ribosomal
  • RNA, Protozoan
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S