Crane coccidiosis

Nakai, Y., Honma, H., Fukuda, Y.

In Japan, there are three major crane species that are endangered red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis) inhabiting Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan, vulnerable hooded crane (Grus monacha), and vulnerable white-naped crane (Grus vipio). Both hooded and white-naped cranes migrate in winter to Izumi in Kyushu, the southern island of Japan. Eimeria gruis and E. reichenowi cause coccidiosis, a major parasitic disease of cranes. Previous studies demonstrated that crane coccidiosis was found in the three main species of cranes in Japan: however detailed epidemiological surveys were not conducted despite the importance in understanding the prevalence and the genetic diversity for parasite control. The non-invasively collected faecal samples from each wintering population were first subjected to host genomic DNA-targeted sequencing and microsatellite analyses to determine the sample origin and avoid sample redundancy. Extremely high prevalence was observed in the Izumi populations (> 90%) compared with the Hokkaido population (18-30%) by examining 470 specimens by microscopy and PCR-based capillary electrophoresis (PCR-CE), using genetic markers in the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2). Correspondence analysis of PCR-CE data revealed differences in community compositions of coccidia between hooded and white-naped cranes. 18S rRNA and ITS2 sequences were determined from single oocysts excreted by red-crowned and hooded cranes. Phylogenetic analysis of 18S rRNA suggested that E. reichenowi was polyphyletic while E. gruis was monophyletic. Together with PCR-CE data, these results indicate the different host specificity among the E. reichenowi type. Our data suggest that E. reichenowi comprises multiple species, emphasizing the necessity of reclassification of E. reichenowi.

Crane coccidiosis

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