Abstract
Protozoa, of the taxon Gregarinasina, are a heterogeneous group of Apicomplexa that includes ~1600 species. They are parasites of a large variety of both marine and terrestrial invertebrates, mainly annelids, arthropods and mollusks. Unlike coccidians and heamosporidians, gregarines have not proven to have a negative effect on human welfare; thus, they have been poorly investigated. This study focuses on the molecular identification and phylogeny of the gregarine species found in the midgut of two insect species that are considered as an alternative source of animal proteins for the human diet: the mealworm Tenebrio molitor, and the super-worm Zophobas atratus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Gregarine specimens were isolated from the gut of both larval and adult stages of T. molitor specimens, as well as from Z. atratus larvae. The morphological analyses were restricted to the identification of the different parasite morpho-types, likely corresponding either to different life-cycle stages or to alternative gregarine species. The samples were also used for the DNA extraction necessary for their genetic characterization. Finally, the efficiency of different molecular markers (i.e., 18S rDNA gene alone or combined with the Internal Transcribed Spacer 1) was assessed when applied either to gregarine species identification and to phylogenetic inference.
Highlights
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports, it is widely accepted that by 2050 the human population will amount to about nine billion people and that food production should be almost doubled in order to fill the demand
It could not be excluded that some catabolites produced either by the parasite and/or by the infected host may be dangerous for humans, if these insect species are used as a food source
Given the difficulties linked to the study of gregarine taxonomy, we have deeply investigated, from a molecular point of view, the classification and the phylogeny of those species generally found in the midgut of T. molitor [17,32] and of Z. atratus [18]
Summary
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports, it is widely accepted that by 2050 the human population will amount to about nine billion people and that food production should be almost doubled in order to fill the demand. In addition to the positive cost/benefit ratio of insects breeding and to a healthy food source that they may represent, insects might cause less zoonotic infections to humans than mammals and birds, though this aspect should be further investigated [1]. Protozoa are among those microorganisms to be monitored to assess foodstuff safety acceptability [2]; it appears mandatory to improve the knowledge on the most common protozoan biota associated with edible insects to shed light on their taxonomic status and potential risk for human health. It could not be excluded that some catabolites produced either by the parasite and/or by the infected host may be dangerous for humans, if these insect species are used as a food source
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