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Morphological and molecular characterization of Isospora elliotae n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the Australian magpie Gymnorhina tibicen (Latham, 1801) (Passeriformes: Artamidae) in Western Australia
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  • Rongchang Yang,
  • Siobhon Egan,
  • Huimin Gao,
  • Belinda Brice,
  • Bruno Berto
Rongchang Yang
Murdoch University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Siobhon Egan
Murdoch University
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Huimin Gao
Hebei Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences
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Belinda Brice
Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
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Bruno Berto
Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro
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Abstract

A new coccidian species, Isospora elliotae n. sp., from the Australian magpie Gymnorhina tibicen (Latham, 1801) in Western Australia is described and characterised morphologically and molecularly. Microscopic analysis of a faecal sample identified subspheroidal oöcysts (n = 20), 20–22 × 18–20 (20.7 × 18.7); length/width (L/W) ratio 1.05–1.14 (1.10). Wall bi-layered, 1.0–1.3 (1.2) thick, outer layer smooth, c.2/3 of total thickness. Micropyle and oocyst residuum absent, but usually two polar granules are present. Sporocysts (n = 28) ovoidal, 12–13 × 9–11 (12.6 × 9.7); L/W ratio 1.22–1.35 (1.30). Stieda body present, flattened to half-moon-shaped, c. 0.5 deep × 2.0 wide; sub-Stieda indistinct or barely discernible, c. 1.0 deep × 2.5 wide; para-Stieda body absent; sporocyst residuum present, composed of granules dispersed among the sporozoites. Sporozoites vermiform, with anterior and posterior refractile bodies and nucleus. Segments of three gene loci (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA and COI) were sequenced and I. elliotae n. sp. exhibited 99.8% genetic similarity to Isospora sp. MAH-2013a (KF648870) followed by 99.7% genetic similarity to Isospora neochmiae Yang, Brice & Ryan, 2016 (KT224380) at the 18S rRNA gene locus. It shared 97.0% genetic similarity with an unnamed Isospora sp. (AY283852) at the 28S rRNA gene locus and it also shared the highest genetic similarity of 99.8% with the unnamed Isospora sp. from an American crow (OL999120) at the COI gene locus. Based on morphological and molecular data, this isolate is a new species named as I. elliotae n. sp.
12 Jun 2023Submitted to Ecology and Evolution
12 Jun 2023Submission Checks Completed
12 Jun 2023Assigned to Editor
15 Jun 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
29 Jul 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
01 Aug 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
13 Aug 20231st Revision Received
19 Aug 2023Submission Checks Completed
19 Aug 2023Assigned to Editor
19 Aug 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
19 Aug 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
24 Aug 2023Editorial Decision: Accept