Abstract
Background: Birds act as intermediate or definitive hosts of cyst-forming coccidia parasites of the genus Sarcocystis Lankester, 1882. However, the spectrum of species of Sarcocystis in birds and the role of the latter in the transmission of coccidia are still incomplete for many avian species, including the Tengmalm's owl Aegolius funereus (Linnaeus, 1758). During the research on Tengmalm's owls in Finland, some fledglings were found dead and subsequently parasitologically examined. Therefore, this study is focused on the morphological and molecular description of a Sarcocystis species found in the intestine of the Tengmalm's owl and its possible role as a definitive host.Methods: Eleven fledgling owls in the Kauhava region of west-central Finland were found dead and subsequently were submitted for necropsy and parasitologically examined through the flotation–centrifugation coprological technique for the presence of oocysts/sporocysts of the genus Sarcocystis by light microscopy. Wet mounts were used for the examination of muscle samples (breast, legs, and heart). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested-PCR were carried out using primers for 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, ITS1 region, and CO1 genes.Results: All 11 examined owls were parasitized by numerous sporocysts and oocysts in the intestinal mucosa scrapings (prevalence, 100%). Sporulated oocysts and sporocysts measured 16.34–16.96 × 11.47–12.09 μm and 11.85–13.52 × 7.77–9.25 μm, respectively. The skeletal and heart muscles were negative for sarcocysts. Sarcocystis sp. ex Aegolius funereus (hereafter Sarcocystis sp. Af) is closely related to Sarcocystis strixi in the barred owl (Strix varia Barton, 1799) from the USA and Sarcocystis sp. isolate 5 in the European shrew (Sorex araneus Linnaeus, 1758) from the Czech Republic. Phylogenetic analysis allowed determining the relationship of the herein reported Sarcocystis sp. with its congeners.Conclusions: This work provided the first and most comprehensive record on Sarcocystis from owls obtained in Finland, thus highlighting the importance of molecular data in species identification.
Highlights
Cyst-forming coccidia parasites of the genus Sarcocystis Lankester, 1882, can infect a wide variety of vertebrates, including birds, which could act as definitive and intermediate hosts in the life cycle of these parasites
The spectrum of species of Sarcocystis in birds and the role of the latter in the transmission of coccidia are still incomplete for many avian species, including the Tengmalm’s owl Aegolius funereus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Relatively few studies have been conducted on the Sarcocystis species in A. funereus in wild; only Wiesner [6], in a scientific meeting, reported sporocysts of Sarcocystis sp. in the Tengmalm’s owl, which were experimentally developed in the bank vole Myodes glareolus (=Clethrionomys glareolus) Schreber, 1780
Summary
Cyst-forming coccidia parasites of the genus Sarcocystis Lankester, 1882, can infect a wide variety of vertebrates, including birds, which could act as definitive and intermediate hosts in the life cycle of these parasites. The spectrum of species of Sarcocystis in birds and the role of the latter in the transmission of coccidia are still incomplete for many avian species, including the Tengmalm’s owl Aegolius funereus (Linnaeus, 1758) This species is a small nocturnal cavity-nesting owl living in coniferous forests in the boreal zone and alpine forests further south in the Holarctic region [1, 2]. This study is focused on the morphological and molecular description of a Sarcocystis species found in the intestine of the Tengmalm’s owl and its possible role as a definitive host
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