A widespread survey of avian haemosporidia in deceased wild birds of Japan: the hidden value of personally collected samples

Widespread surveys of avian haemosporidia (Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, and Leucocytozoon) in wild birds have substantially advanced information on the haemosporidian fauna of Japan. However, many areas and bird species remain insufficiently investigated. Bird carcasses collected for personal specimen collection seldom reach academic audience particularly in the veterinary field. The presence of avian haemosporidia was investigated in these personally collected bird carcasses, in order to better understand the avian haemosporidian fauna in Japan. Bird carcasses were donated through personal contact upon approval of the study. Tissue samples were collected from the birds and examined for haemosporidian parasites using nested-PCR targeting the cytochrome b gene. One hundred and forty-three birds of 85 species were donated, including 34 species and two subspecies that were molecularly or collectively investigated for the first time in Japan. Avian haemosporidian DNA was detected from 37 of the 134 tested birds (27.61%). In 8 bird species, avian haemosporidia was detected for the first time. Twenty-nine lineages were detected, including 8 novel and 9 known lineages detected in Japan for the first time. Furthermore, 16 lineages were detected from novel host species. While information that could be drawn was limited and risk management of zoonotic diseases needs re-consideration, these findings expanded information on the host range and distribution of several lineages. Collectively, this method of investigation using personally collected bird samples can provide important additions to more fully understand the avian haemosporidian fauna of Japan, as well as other areas with limited investigations.