Morphological description and near-complete mitochondrial genome ofn. sp.: a widely distributed species reported in Brazilian falcons.

Abstract

Haemosporida are vector-borne parasitic protozoa known to be present in birds of most avian orders. However, despite their perceived diversity using DNA barcode approaches, describing and delimiting species is challenging, particularly for those parasites found in non-passerine birds. In this study, we describen. sp., a species found in two Falconiform hosts, the Crested Caracara (, type host) and the Yellow-headed Caracara (), both sampled in Brazil at a wildlife rehabilitation center using microscopy and molecular tools.n. sp. is distinguished from the two other haemoproteid species described in Falconiformes,and, by the absence of gametocytes that fully encircle the host-cell nucleus, and by the presence of numerous small vacuoles scattered throughout the cytoplasm of macrogametocytes. Both the partialgene and the mtDNA genome for this new species are reported. The sequencing of thebarcode fragment revealed thatn. sp. reported here corresponds to asp. haplotype (GenBank Accession (AF465594) lineage POLPLA01 in Malavi) previously reported fromin Florida, USA. Although it diverges by only  2% at thelevel fromand,n. sp. is not a sister lineage to these taxa. Instead, phylogenetic analyses place it within a distinct but closely related, well-supported clade comprising lineages infecting American Kestrels (). This study contributes, through an integrative taxonomic approach, to the ongoing discussion about species delimitation within the order Haemosporida.