''Trypanosoma tungarae'' is a species of giant trypanosome, a

protozoa Protozoa (singular: protozoan or protozoon; alternative plural: protozoans) are a group of single-celled eukaryotes, either free-living or parasitic, that feed on organic matter such as other microorganisms or organic tissues and debris. Histo ...

l parasite, which infects the túngara frog and is thought to be transmitted by members of the

midge A midge is any small fly, including species in several families of non-mosquito Nematoceran Diptera. Midges are found (seasonally or otherwise) on practically every land area outside permanently arid deserts and the frigid zones. Some mid ...

genus ''

Corethrella ''Corethrella'' is a genus of midges that are classified in the family (biology), family Corethrellidae. Systematics The genus currently comprises 120 extant and 10 fossil species. Extant species Subgenus Corethrella Coquillett, 1902 # '' ...

''. It was discovered in 2016.

Discovery

''Trypanosoma tungarae'' was discovered from studies of trypanosome species recovered from the blood of túngara frogs from Gamboa in the Colón Province of Panama. The species has yet to be observed in other locations.

Description

''Trypanosoma tungarae''

trypomastigote Trypanosomatida is a group of kinetoplastid excavates distinguished by having only a single flagellum. The name is derived from the Greek ''trypano'' (borer) and ''soma'' (body) because of the corkscrew-like motion of some trypanosomatid species. ...

s are large, with a relatively long thin body (52 μm). They appear morphologically similar to other frog trypanosomes from Central and South America, such as '' Trypanososma rotatorium'' and '' Trypanosoma ranarum''.

Phylogeny

Phylogenetic studies of the

18S ribosomal RNA 18S ribosomal RNA (abbreviated 18S rRNA) is a part of the ribosomal RNA. The S in 18S represents Svedberg units. 18S rRNA is an SSU rRNA, a component of the eukaryotic ribosomal small subunit (40S). 18S rRNA is the structural RNA for the small c ...

gene show that the novel species is most closely related to ''

Trypanosoma chattoni ''Trypanosoma'' is a genus of kinetoplastids (class Trypanosomatidae), a monophyletic group of unicellular parasitic flagellate protozoa. Trypanosoma is part of the phylum Sarcomastigophora. The name is derived from the Greek ''trypano-'' (borer ...

'', which has a rounded body that looks completely different from that of ''T. tungarae'', with neither an undulating membrane nor a free flagellum.

Host and transmission

The primary

host A host is a person responsible for guests at an event or for providing hospitality during it. Host may also refer to: Places * Host, Pennsylvania, a village in Berks County People *Jim Host (born 1937), American businessman * Michel Host ...

is the túngara frog (''Engystomops pustulosus''), which inhabits southern Mexico, northern South America and Trinidad and Tobago. Transmission occurs during the mating season when the males come together in groups during the rainy season at pools of water where they all produce a mating call. Female ''

'' midges, the putative vectors, use this as a cue to locate the male túngura frogs. A calling male túngura attracts on average 142 midges (up to 511 midges) every 30 minutes. The midges are thought to then transmit ''T. tungarae'' to the male. Seven different ''

'' midges have been observed biting the male túngara frogs, and which serves as the vector is not known. The location of the parasite in the midge is also unknown. Although the female túngura frog does not produce mating calls, one female in a sample of 15 was found to be infected, suggesting that when the túngura frogs are in the mating clasp, midges trying to feed on the calling male occasionally also bite the female. Infection of males is significantly more common (10 of 25).

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q55636259 Trypanosomatida Parasites of amphibians Euglenozoa species Protists described in 2016