First molecular detection of Bartonella spp. in two chewing louse species (Amblycera: Menoponidae and Ischnocera: Philopteridae) parasitizing Calonectris borealis (Cory, 1881) (Procellariiformes: Procellariidae)

Highlights:

• Austromenopon and Halipeurus are often associated with shearwaters.
• First case report of co-infestation in C. borealis.
• Bartonella sp. was detected for the first time in these lice genera.
• First time that two genotypes have been detected in two different lice species

Abstract

Procellariidae is the most diverse family of the order Procellariiformes, with 13 genera and about 90 species of seabirds. The genus Calonectris is represented by three species in the Atlantic Ocean. Bartonella spp. is a globally distributed bacterium primarily affecting mammals, with transmission through hematophagous arthropod vectors. Recent studies have found Bartonella in non-mammals like birds and turtles, prompting the present study to explore the potential role of chewing lice in its transmission. Here, we report two different Bartonella genotypes in each lice species identified: one showing genetic relatedness to Bartonella vinsonii berkhoffii, and another one to Bartonella sp. from Neotropical bats. In addition, we report, for the first time, a case of co-infestation of chewing lice of the species Austromenopon echinatum (Piaget) and Halipeurus abnormis Edwards, found the carcass of Calonectris borealis studied. Our findings corroborate recent studies that demonstrated that bartonellae are no longer restricted to mammals and their ectoparasites.

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