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Wyckoff ST, Judkins TC, Nemeth NM, Ruder MG, Martin JA, Kunkel MR, Garrett KB, Adcock KG, Mead DG, Yabsley MJ. Surveillance for Selected Pathogens and Parasites of Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) from Western Oklahoma, USA, 2018-20. J Wildl Dis 2024; 60:346-361. [PMID: 38314860 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-23-00102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
The Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) has been undergoing a range-wide population decline. Potential causes for declines across its historic range have been investigated for decades and include habitat loss and fragmentation and a variety of parasitic and infectious diseases. Although there have been studies on bobwhite ecology in Oklahoma, USA, relatively little is known about parasites and pathogens in the region. We evaluated the health of free-ranging bobwhites from nine sites in western Oklahoma. From 2018 to 2020, 206 bobwhites were evaluated for gross and microscopic lesions and tested for selected pathogens. In general, bobwhites were in good nutritional condition with ample muscle mass and fat stores. No significant gross lesions were observed in any bobwhite and no significant histologic lesions were detected in a subset. There was no evidence of infection with or exposure to reticuloendotheliosis virus, West Nile virus, respiratory Mycoplasmataceae species, Pasteurella multocida, intestinal Eimeria spp., or oral Trichomonas spp. Several pathogens of potential concern were detected, including avian adenovirus (8.6%), Toxoplasma gondii (2.3%), and haemosporidians (a Haemoproteus sp. (1.5%), Leucocytozoon schoutedeni (1.5%), and Plasmodium homopolare haplotype 2 [lineage LAIRI01; 3.6%]). Physaloptera sp. (12%) and Sarcocystis sp. (1%) were detected in the breast muscle. Low intraspecific genetic diversity was noted for Physaloptera sp., and sequences were most similar to Physaloptera sequences from bobwhites and grasshoppers (Orthoptera) in Texas. Low intensities of chewing lice, chiggers, and ticks were observed. A subset of bobwhites had evidence of exposure to selected toxicants and heavy metals; a small number had low levels of iron, manganese, zinc, molybdenum, and copper, which were not considered diagnostically relevant. In general, bobwhites from western Oklahoma appeared to be in good health with a low diversity of pathogens detected, but future work is needed to understand potentially changing disease risks for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth T Wyckoff
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Wildlife Health Building, 589 D. W. Brooks Drive, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, 180 E. Green Street, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
| | - Tell C Judkins
- Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, 1801 N. Lincoln Boulevard, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73152, USA
| | - Nicole M Nemeth
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Wildlife Health Building, 589 D. W. Brooks Drive, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
- Department of Pathology, 501 D. W. Brooks Drive, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
| | - Mark G Ruder
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Wildlife Health Building, 589 D. W. Brooks Drive, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
| | - James A Martin
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, 180 E. Green Street, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
| | - Melanie R Kunkel
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Wildlife Health Building, 589 D. W. Brooks Drive, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
| | - Kayla B Garrett
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Wildlife Health Building, 589 D. W. Brooks Drive, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, 180 E. Green Street, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
| | - Kayla G Adcock
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Wildlife Health Building, 589 D. W. Brooks Drive, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
| | - Daniel G Mead
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Wildlife Health Building, 589 D. W. Brooks Drive, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
| | - Michael J Yabsley
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Wildlife Health Building, 589 D. W. Brooks Drive, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, 180 E. Green Street, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
- Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases, 140 E. Green Street, Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
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French AD, Shaw K, Barnes M, Cañas-Carrell JE, Conway WC, Klein DM. Bioaccessibility of antimony and other trace elements from lead shot pellets in a simulated avian gizzard environment. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0229037. [PMID: 32045468 PMCID: PMC7012451 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Many studies have used grit (in the form of lead (Pb) pellets) presence in avian gizzards as an indicator of Pb shot exposure. However, due to nearly complete pellet absorption in gizzards or rapid passage of pellets, the absence of Pb shot presence in a gizzard does not confirm lack of Pb shot exposure. This study provides the basis for an additional technique to identify if elevated tissue Pb concentration is due to Pb shot exposure. Bioaccessibility of Pb and trace elements (Sb, As, and Sn) present in Pb shot were quantified to determine if any of these elements would be useful as a secondary marker of Pb shot exposure. An avian physiologically based extraction test (PBET) was used to determine pellet dissolution rate and bioaccessible concentrations of Pb, Sb, As, and Sn in a simulated gizzard environment. Of the three trace elements, only Sb concentrations (44–302 μg/mL) extracted into the gizzard solution were greater than environmental background levels (US soil average 0.48 μg/g); thus, no natural source likely provides this amount of Sb. Therefore, there is evidence that Sb can be extracted from Pb shot in bird gizzards at detectable concentrations (above natural background). While further studies are needed to delineate the mechanisms of absorption and distribution, this study lends credence to the hypothesis that Sb may be a useful marker of Pb shot exposure in biological tissues, particularly when Pb pellets are not present nor observed in avian tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda D. French
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Katherine Shaw
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
| | - Melanie Barnes
- Department of Geosciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jaclyn E. Cañas-Carrell
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
| | - Warren C. Conway
- Department of Natural Resources Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
| | - David M. Klein
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
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Schmude E, Ertl HMH, Taylor RJ, Mora MA. Using Feathers to Evaluate Adverse Effects of Metals on Northern Bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) in Texas. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2018; 75:87-95. [PMID: 29550937 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-018-0520-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) have been declining across the range of the species primarily due to habitat loss and habitat fragmentation. There is increasing concern regarding effects related to elevated environmental contaminants, including pesticides and metals. Elevated concentrations of some metals are known to have adverse effects on reproduction, development, and survival in birds; however, little research has been conducted on metal exposure in wild bobwhites. We analyzed metal concentrations in the feathers of 60 bobwhites from 3 ecoregions in Texas and evaluated differences between age-class, gender, and location with the objective of determining if bobwhites in Texas are at increased risk of exposure to elevated metal concentrations. We found feather Pb concentrations above the established effect threshold of 4.0 µg/g dry weight at which sublethal and reproductive effects have been reported in birds. More than 25% (n = 16) of the samples analyzed had Pb concentrations above the effect threshold, including four that were five times above the threshold. We also observed slightly elevated feather Cd concentrations, above 0.1 µg/g dry weight, in 17% (n = 11) of the bobwhites analyzed. On average, juvenile bobwhites had higher concentrations of Ba, Co, Fe, Mn, Sr, and V compared to adults (p < 0.05). Additionally, concentrations of Al, Be, Co, Fe, Hg, Ni, Se, Sr, and Tl differed significantly between sampling locations, indicating a potential relationship between metal levels and local agricultural practices. The results of our study indicate a potential risk of sublethal effects of Pb and to a lesser extent Cd in bobwhites in Texas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Schmude
- Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
- , Fort Collins, USA
| | - Hannah M H Ertl
- Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
- , Dolores, USA
| | - Robert J Taylor
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Miguel A Mora
- Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
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Howdeshell KL, Hotchkiss AK, Gray LE. Cumulative effects of antiandrogenic chemical mixtures and their relevance to human health risk assessment. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2016; 220:179-188. [PMID: 27923611 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2016.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2016] [Revised: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Toxicological studies of defined chemical mixtures assist human health risk assessment by establishing how chemicals interact with one another to induce an effect. This paper reviews how antiandrogenic chemical mixtures can alter reproductive tract development in rats with a focus on the reproductive toxicant phthalates. The reviewed studies compare observed mixture data to mathematical mixture model predictions based on dose addition or response addition to determine how the individual chemicals in a mixture interact (e.g., additive, greater, or less than additive). Phthalate mixtures were observed to act in a dose additive manner based on the relative potency of the individual phthalates to suppress fetal testosterone production. Similar dose additive effects have been reported for mixtures of phthalates with antiandrogenic pesticides of differing mechanisms of action. Overall, data from these phthalate experiments in rats can be used in conjunction with human biomonitoring data to determine individual hazard indices, and recent cumulative risk assessments in humans indicate an excess risk to antiandrogenic chemical mixtures that include phthalates only or phthalates in combination with other antiandrogenic chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kembra L Howdeshell
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), PO Box 12233, Mail Drop K2-04, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2233, USA.
| | - Andrew K Hotchkiss
- National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA), National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratories (NHEERL), Office of Research and Development, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - L Earl Gray
- Toxicology Assessment Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratories (NHEERL), Office of Research and Development, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
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Xiang L, Guo F, Yu Y, Parson LS, LaCoste L, Gibson A, Presley SM, Peterson M, Craig TM, Rollins D, Fedynich AM, Zhu G. Multiyear Survey of Coccidia, Cryptosporidia, Microsporidia, Histomona, and Hematozoa in Wild Quail in the Rolling Plains Ecoregion of Texas and Oklahoma, USA. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2016; 64:4-17. [PMID: 27222431 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2016] [Revised: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We developed nested PCR protocols and performed a multiyear survey on the prevalence of several protozoan parasites in wild northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) and scaled quail (Callipepla squamata) in the Rolling Plains ecoregion of Texas and Oklahoma (i.e. fecal pellets, bird intestines and blood smears collected between 2010 and 2013). Coccidia, cryptosporidia, and microsporidia were detected in 46.2%, 11.7%, and 44.0% of the samples (n = 687), whereas histomona and hematozoa were undetected. Coccidia consisted of one major and two minor Eimeria species. Cryptosporidia were represented by a major unknown Cryptosporidium species and Cryptosporidium baileyi. Detected microsporidia species were highly diverse, in which only 11% were native avian parasites including Encephalitozoon hellem and Encephalitozoon cuniculi, whereas 33% were closely related to species from insects (e.g. Antonospora, Liebermannia, and Sporanauta). This survey suggests that coccidia infections are a significant risk factor in the health of wild quail while cryptosporidia and microsporidia may be much less significant than coccidiosis. In addition, the presence of E. hellem and E. cuniculi (known to cause opportunistic infections in humans) suggests that wild quail could serve as a reservoir for human microsporidian pathogens, and individuals with compromised or weakened immunity should probably take precautions while directly handling wild quail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixin Xiang
- College of Life Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China.,Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 77843-4467, USA
| | - Fengguang Guo
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 77843-4467, USA
| | - Yonglan Yu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Haidian District, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Lacy S Parson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 77843-4467, USA
| | - Lloyd LaCoste
- Rolling Plains Quail Research Foundation, San Angelo, Texas, 76901, USA
| | - Anna Gibson
- Institute of Environmental & Human Health, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, 79416, USA
| | - Steve M Presley
- Institute of Environmental & Human Health, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, 79416, USA
| | - Markus Peterson
- Department of Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 77843-2258, USA
| | - Thomas M Craig
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 77843-4467, USA
| | - Dale Rollins
- Rolling Plains Quail Research Foundation, San Angelo, Texas, 76901, USA.,Department of Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 77843-2258, USA
| | - Alan M Fedynich
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, Texas, 78363, USA
| | - Guan Zhu
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 77843-4467, USA
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