Confirmation of a unique species of Giardia , parasitic in the quenda ( Isoodon obesulus ).

The 'quenda genotype' of Giardia was first identified in quenda (syn. southern brown bandicoots, Isoodon obesulus ) in Western Australia in 2004. We aimed to formally describe this genotype as a species of Giardia , Giardia peramelis . Seventy five faecal samples positive for G . peramelis were obtained from quenda within the Statistical Division of Perth, Western Australia. These samples were used in morphological and molecular characterisation of G . peramelis . PCR amplification and sequencing was most successful at the 18S rRNA and ITS1-5.8s-ITS2 loci. Phylogenetic analyses placed G . peramelis external to the ' Giardia duodenalis species complex' and Giardia microti . This confirmed the uniqueness of G . peramelis , warranting classification as a separate species of Giardia . Study findings suggest quenda are a natural host for G . peramelis .