Morphometric and molecular characterization of an unpigmented haemosporidian parasite in the Neotropical turnip-tailed gecko (Thecadactylus rapicauda).

ABSTRACT: Morphological traits from blood stages have been the gold standard for determining haemosporidian parasite species. However, the status of some taxa and the value of such traits in parasites from reptiles remain contentious. The scarce sampling of these species worsens the situation, and several taxa lack molecular data. A survey was performed in the Magdalena Department in Colombia, where 16 species of reptiles were captured. A peculiar haemosporidian parasite was found in the Turnip-tailed gecko Thecadactylus rapicauda. This haemosporidian does not show malarial pigment in blood stages under light microscopy; thus, it fits the Garnia genus's characters belonging to the Garniidae. However, the phylogenetic analyses using a partial sequence of cytochrome b and t

SUBMITTER: Matta NE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10090589 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature