Genetic Diversity of MHC and Coccidial Mitogenomes from Fecal Samples of the Red‑Crowned Crane (Grus japonensis).

Nearly half of Red-crowned Cranes tested positive for coccidia, including mixed infections requiring targeted monitoring.

This study employed non-invasive fecal sampling combined with molecular analysis to investigate MHC class IIB gene polymorphism and coccidial parasites in the endangered Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis). From 85 fecal samples, researchers identified 19 MHC IIB exon 2 alleles (270 bp each), of which 13 were newly discovered. The nucleotide diversity was 0.156, with 42 amino acid variation sites, indicating moderate immune gene diversity in this species. Grja-DAB*001 was the predominant allele. Additionally, three complete coccidial mitochondrial genomes were characterized, ranging from 6226 to 6359 bp, each encoding three protein-coding genes (Cytb, COI, and COIII). Phylogenetic analysis revealed these coccidia clustered with six coccidia species previously identified in the Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis), suggesting potential host-related evolutionary relationships. Of 44 estimated individual cranes, 20 (45.45%) tested positive for coccidia, and mixed infections with multiple coccidial species were observed. These findings are significant for conservation medicine, providing baseline data on immune genetic diversity and parasitic disease prevalence in a critically endangered avian species. The high coccidial prevalence and mixed infections observed warrant attention in both wild population management and captive care protocols for Red-crowned Cranes.

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