The evolution of primate malaria parasites: A study on the origin and diversification of Plasmodium in lemurs

Among the primate malaria parasites, those found in lemurs have been neglected. Here, six Plasmodium lineages were detected in 169 lemurs. Nearly complete mitochondrial genomes (mtDNA, & AP;6Kb) and apicoplast loci (& AP;6Kb) were obtained from these parasites and other Haemosporida species. Plasmodium spp. in lemurs are a diverse clade that shares a common ancestor with other primate parasites from continental Africa. Time-trees for the mtDNA were estimated under different scenarios, and the origin of the lemur clade coincides with the proposed time of their host species' most recent common ancestor (Lemuridae-Indriidae). A time tree with fewer taxa was estimated with mtDNA + Apicoplast loci. Those time estimates overlapped but were younger and had narrower credibility intervals than those from mtDNA alone. Importantly, the mtDNA + Apicoplast estimates that the clade including the most lethal malaria parasite in humans, Plasmodium falciparum, may have originated with Homininae (African apes). Finally, the phylogenetic congruence of the lemurs and their parasites was explored. A statistically significant scenario identified four cospeciation, two duplications, four transfer (host switches), and zero loss events. Thus, the parasite species sampled in lemurs seem to be radiating with their hosts.

Automated summary

This study found six Plasmodium lineages in lemurs, indicating that lemurs play a role in the transmission of malaria parasites. The analysis of mitochondrial genomes and apicoplast loci suggests that the lemur Plasmodium clade shares a common ancestor with primate parasites from continental Africa, and the most lethal malaria parasite in humans, Plasmodium falciparum, may have originated from African apes. Furthermore, the study revealed a close phylogenetic relationship between lemurs and their parasites, with evidence of cospeciation, duplication, and host switching events.