Molecular detection of Haemoproteus columbae Kruse, 1890 (Haemospororida: Haemoproteidae) in Columba livia Gmelin, 1789 (Columbiformes: Columbidae) in southern Brazil

The aim of this study is to describe the molecular detection of Haemoproteus columbae Kruse, 1890 (Haemospororida: Haemoproteidae) in Columba livia Gmelin, 1789 (Columbiformes: Columbidae) in southern Brazil, and to determine the prevalence of the haemosporidian by analyzing the infection in relation to birds' age, sex, and place of origin. Blood samples were collected from 57 birds captured in the municipalities of ​​Pelotas and Rio Grande, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, between May and November 2022. Microscopic examination and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (CytB) revealed that the prevalence of the haemosporidian was 92.98% (53/57). In the sequencing analysis, the samples showed 98.87-99.08% similarity to the species H. columbae and a new lineage was recorded. No differences in infection rates were observed in relation to age, sex, or place of origin of the birds.