Dataset: Blood parasites of South African cranes

The study investigated the occurrence, systematics, phylogenetic relationships and ecology (geographical distribution and host-parasite relationships) of haemosporidian parasites from selected populations of cranes (order: Gruiformes) in South African in order to document their prevalence and diversity. It contributes to (1) our understanding of the diversity of avian Haemosporidia of priority avian species (2) the expansion of host range and geographical distribution of these parasites (3) additional information on the barcodes of priority avian taxa for which there is paucity of information. Blood samples were collected from three South African cranes species from selected conservation facilities. DNA was extracted from the samples and analysed by PCR. The cytochrome b gene was sequenced from positive samples. The prevalence of the parasites was determined. Genetic distances, haplotype networks and nucleotide diversity (π) were calculated to estimate genetic diversity. Evolutionary relationships of the new sequences were determined by phylogenetic analysis. Parasite DNA was detected in cranes from 10 facilities, with an overall prevalence of 37.41%. Overall haplotype diversity was high (Hd=0.927) with low nucleotide diversity (π=0.099). A total of 15 lineages (cyt b haplotypes) were identified from South African cranes, with 11 being unique South African haplotypes, composed of three Leucocytozoon haplotypes (Hd=0.600; π=0.038), seven for Haemoproteus (Hd=0.81; π=0.046) and five for Plasmodium species (Hd=0.895; π=0.050). Haemoproteus antigonis was the most common and diverse species and is reported for the first time in South African birds by this study. Metadata (locality, date of collection, species, sex, age, Biobank reference number), PCR results, sequence alignment and sequence data (MalAvi lineages, GenBank Accession numbers, genetic distances) are presented. These data contribute valuable information that can be used in subsequent studies. Highlights: haemosporidian infections (Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon spp.) in cranes in South Africa are common and genetically diverse; 15 unique lineages and six distinct species are described, two of these are novel species of captive bred cranes in South African; this is the first report on the occurrence of Haemoproteus antigonis in South Africa and confirmation of cranes as the only hosts of H. antigonis.