First report of ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma spp.’ in mustelids from two different Brazilian regions with description of three putative novel species

Hemoplasmas are bacteria that infect erythrocytes of a wide range of animals, including humans. This study investigated blood and tissue of twenty-two mustelids from Southern and Midwestern Brazil through cPCR targeting the 16S and 23S rRNA genes. Hemoplasma DNA was detected in Lontra longicaudis and Galictis cuja with an occurrence of 77 % (17/22). Phylogenetic analysis revealed genetic diversity with at least three genotypes within "Mycoplasma suis group" and one in the "Mycoplasma haemofelis group". Phylogenetic, genotype and genetic divergence analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene (∼600 bp) reveal the occurrence of three novel putative 'Candidatus' species, namely 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haematocontesinii', 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haematohagiwarae' and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haematolongicaudis'. These findings reveal the broad distribution and genetic diversity of hemoplasma species, highlighting the need for further research into their impact on Neotropical mustelid conservation and their zoonotic potential.