Characterization and diversity of Babesia sp. YLG, a new member of the Peircei group infecting Mediterranean yellow-legged gulls (Larus michahellis)

Abstract

Avian infecting piroplasms are largely under-studied compared to other hemoparasites, and this paucity of information has blurred our phylogenetic and biological comprehension of this important group as a whole. In the present study, we detected and characterized Babesia from yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) chicks from a colony in southern France. Based on morphological and molecular characterizations, a new Babesia species belonging to the Peircei group, a clade of avian-specific piroplasms, was identified. Due to the complexity of species delineations and the low number of parasites characterized in this clade to date, a species name was not yet attributed; we refer to it for now as Babesia sp. YLG (Yellow-Legged Gull). High prevalence (85% and 58% in 2019 and 2020, respectively) and high parasitemia (up to 20% of parasitized erythrocytes) were recorded in chicks, without any obvious clinical signs of infection. Although the 16 isolates examined had identical 18S rRNA gene sequences, six genetic variants were described based on partial cox1 sequencing, with evidence of chicks co-infected by two variants. Transmission of Babesia sp. YLG via the soft tick Ornithodoros maritimus is discussed.

Keywords: 18S rRNA gene; Babesia; Larus michahellis; Peircei group; cox1; molecular characterization.