Biodiversity of avian trypanosomes

► Fifty six sequences of avian and insect trypanosome SSU rDNAs were polyphyletic. ► Sequences split into three unrelated groups with 11 lineages. ► Each lineage probably represents a separate species. ► Trypanosomes are more host specific for the vector than for the bird. ► Mosquitoes transmit several trypanosome lineages.