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Lazár J, Šmigová J, Šmiga Ľ, Lazár P, Čurlík J, Papajová I. Morphological and molecular identification of adult Stichorchis subtriquetrus in beaver in Slovakia. Vet Res Commun 2023; 47:2161-2164. [PMID: 36749533 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-023-10074-5] [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: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The European beaver (Castor fiber) was a fully eradicated species in Slovakia. Thanks to year-round protection and several different reintroduction programs the population is now increasing. However, there are limited reports about their health status.A 2-year-old female European beaver, was found dead by road near town Hanušovce nad Topľou in eastern Slovakia in 2021. Necropsy was carried out at the Department of Breeding and Diseases of the Game, Fish and Bees, Ecology and Cynology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice. Necropsy revealed a total of 13 trematodes, collected from the caecum and colon. Based on morphological and molecular analysis digenean trematode Stichorchis subtriquetrus (Rudolphi, 1814) was identified. This is the first record of adult helminth Stichorchis subtriquetrus in beaver in Slovakia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jozef Lazár
- Department of Breeding and Diseases of Game, Fish and Bees, Ecology and Cynology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Komenského 73, 041 81, Košice, Slovak Republic
| | - Júlia Šmigová
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01, Košice, Slovak Republic.
| | - Ľubomír Šmiga
- Department of Breeding and Diseases of Game, Fish and Bees, Ecology and Cynology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Komenského 73, 041 81, Košice, Slovak Republic
| | - Peter Lazár
- Department of Breeding and Diseases of Game, Fish and Bees, Ecology and Cynology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Komenského 73, 041 81, Košice, Slovak Republic
| | - Ján Čurlík
- Department of Breeding and Diseases of Game, Fish and Bees, Ecology and Cynology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Komenského 73, 041 81, Košice, Slovak Republic
| | - Ingrid Papajová
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01, Košice, Slovak Republic
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Helminth fauna of the Eurasian beaver in the Czech Republic with remarks on the genetic diversity of specialist Stichorchis subtriquetrus (Digenea: Cladorchiidae). Parasitol Res 2022; 121:633-644. [PMID: 35076776 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07379-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) is a well-established faunal element in the Czech Republic, even though, historically, its populations were almost eradicated in this region. Nowadays, its distribution and population density are well monitored; nonetheless, the beaver's parasites, as potential threats to the environment, are often neglected in wildlife management. Therefore, we investigated the endoparasitic helminth diversity of 15 beaver individuals from three collection sites in the Czech Republic. Three parasite species were collected: Stichorchis subtriquetrus (Digenea), Travassosius rufus, and Calodium hepaticum (Nematoda), of which the two nematode species were reported for the first time from C. fiber in the Czech Republic. The highest prevalence and intensity of infection were observed in S. subtriquetrus (P = 93%, I = 1-138), while the two other species were collected only from one beaver individual. Subsequent analysis of the genetic diversity of the specimens using highly variable genetic markers revealed a weak population structure among the individuals collected from different beaver hosts. There was only a weak association of COI haplotypes with geography, as the haplotypes from the Berounka basin formed homogeneous groups, and individuals from the Dyje basin and Morava partially shared a haplotype. Even though common population genetic markers (i.e., microsatellites) did not reveal any structure in the hosts, our results suggest that the genetic diversity of their parasites may shed more light on population partition and the historical migration routes of Eurasian beavers.
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Åhlen PA, Sjöberg G, Stéen M. Parasitic fauna of Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber) in Sweden (1997-1998). Acta Vet Scand 2021; 63:23. [PMID: 34078419 PMCID: PMC8176557 DOI: 10.1186/s13028-021-00588-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The parasitic fauna of beavers (Castor fiber and C. canadensis) has been well studied in many parts of their respective areas of distribution. In Scandinavia there have, however, been limited investigations conducted on the parasites of beavers in recent times. The present study is the first quantitative survey of parasites on beavers living in Sweden and elsewhere in Scandinavia. We investigated the parasitic fauna of the Eurasian beaver (C. fiber) in a North-South gradient in Sweden. The aim of the study was to investigate parasite distribution and prevalence in particular, related to average yearly air temperature and different age groups of beavers. A total of 30 beavers were sampled at eight localities, spanning a 720 km North-South gradient during the springs of 1997 and 1998. RESULTS Five parasite taxa were identified. Four of these were present in all of the examined beavers, Stichorchis subtriquetrus (trematode), Travassosius rufus (nematode), Platypsyllus castoris (coleopteran), and Schizocarpus spp. (arachnid). A higher number of new infections of S. subtriquetrus, and more adults of T. rufus, were seen in beavers in southern Sweden where temperatures are higher. One-year old beavers had a higher infestation of S. subtriquetrus, but not of T. rufus, than older individuals. CONCLUSIONS The parasite fauna of Swedish beavers mirrored the impoverished parasite fauna of the original Norwegian population, and the high prevalence of parasites could be due to low major histocompatibility complex (MHC) polymorphism. Young beavers had a higher load of trematodes, probably depending on behavioural and ecological factors. Warmer temperatures in southern localities likely contributed to increased endoparasite loads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Per-Arne Åhlen
- Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Faculty of Forest Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 90183 Umeå, Sweden
- Present Address: Swedish Association for Hunting and Wildlife Management, Öster Malma, 611 91 Nyköping, Sweden
| | - Göran Sjöberg
- Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Faculty of Forest Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 90183 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Margareta Stéen
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO. Box 7011, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
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Bystrianska J, Papajová I, Šmiga Ľ, Šoltys J, Majláthová V, Majláth I, Gomboš F, Kleban J. First report on parasites of European beavers in the Slovak Republic. Parasitol Res 2020; 120:355-358. [PMID: 33128643 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06943-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
European beaver (Castor fiber L. 1758) is the biggest rodent living in Europe. It is a semi-aquatic animal known for building dams and burrows. European beaver is a potential host for a wide range of parasites and other infectious diseases. In Slovakia, there is an increasing number of beavers but the data about their parasitic fauna are missing. Our work is the first documentation about the beaver's parasitofauna in Slovakia. In a 1-year study, we collected and examined 19 beaver fecal samples from the vicinity of beaver burrows inhabiting three particular localities at the Danube, Topľa, and Laborec rivers in Slovakia. In these fecal samples, 4 different species of intestinal endoparasites were detected as follows: oocysts of Cryptosporidium, cysts of Giardia, eggs of Stichorchis subtriquetrus, and eggs and larvae of Travassosius rufus. Parasites were confirmed only in samples collected at river Topľa. Based on our results, we can conclude that European beaver can be an important source of parasitic contamination of surface waters especially in the localities shared by people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Júlia Bystrianska
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01, Košice, Slovak Republic.,University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Komenského 73, 04181, Košice, Slovak Republic
| | - Ingrid Papajová
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01, Košice, Slovak Republic.
| | - Ľubomír Šmiga
- University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Komenského 73, 04181, Košice, Slovak Republic
| | - Jindřich Šoltys
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01, Košice, Slovak Republic
| | - Viktória Majláthová
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, 041 54, Košice, Slovak Republic
| | - Igor Majláth
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, 041 54, Košice, Slovak Republic
| | - Filip Gomboš
- Masaryk University, Faculty of Medicine in Brno, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ján Kleban
- Grammar School of Leonard Stöckel in Bardejov, Jiráskova 12, 085 70, Bardejov, Slovak Republic
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Goodman G, Meredith A, Girling S, Rosell F, Campbell-Palmer R. Outcomes of a 'One Health' Monitoring Approach to a Five-Year Beaver (Castor fiber) Reintroduction Trial in Scotland. ECOHEALTH 2017; 14:139-143. [PMID: 27655648 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-016-1168-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2015] [Revised: 08/23/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The Scottish Beaver Trial, involving the translocation and release of 16 wild Norwegian beavers (Castor fiber) to Scotland, provides a good example of a 'One Health' scientific monitoring approach, with independent monitoring partners on ecology and public health feeding into veterinary health surveillance. Pathogen detection did not prohibit beaver release, although eight beavers were seropositive for Leptospira spp. Six deaths (37.5%) occurred during Rabies quarantine, followed by the death of two animals shortly after release and two wild-born kits due to suspected predation. Two host-specific parasites, the beaver fluke (Stichorchis subtriquetrus) and beaver beetle (Platypsyllus castoris) were also reintroduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gidona Goodman
- Exotic Animal and Wildlife Unit, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, EBVC, Roslin, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK.
| | - Anna Meredith
- Exotic Animal and Wildlife Unit, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, EBVC, Roslin, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Simon Girling
- Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Edinburgh Zoo, 134 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh, EH12 6TS, UK
| | - Frank Rosell
- Department of Environmental and Health Studies, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, University College of Southeast Norway, Bø i Telemark, Norway
| | - Roisin Campbell-Palmer
- Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Edinburgh Zoo, 134 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh, EH12 6TS, UK
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Máca O, Pavlásek I, Vorel A. Stichorchis subtriquetrus (Digenea: Paramphistomatidae) from Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) in the Czech Republic. Parasitol Res 2015; 114:2933-9. [PMID: 25916466 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-015-4495-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Between March 2012 and April 2014, we performed post-mortem parasitological examinations of 11 Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber Linnaeus, 1758) from the basins of four main rivers (Dyje, Labe, Morava, Vltava) in the Czech Republic. The cause of death of five adult animals was unknown, three adult animals died after being hit by cars, while one young and one adult as a result of serious injuries and one juvenile male drowned. The trematode Stichorchis subtriquetrus (Rudolphi, 1814) Lühe, 1909 was only found in the caecum body and caecum apex of nine beavers (82%), with no significant differences in parasite intensity among beavers. The highest number of trematodes (271) occurred in an adult female in July 2013; while a range of 1-57 individuals were found in other positive beavers. S. subtriquetrus size in both parts of the caecum was 11.0-17.0 × 5.5-8.0 mm (mean 14.3 × 6.9 mm). Results demonstrated that for the optimal detection of eggs, it was necessary to examine at least 10 g of faeces with a new modified method of sedimentation. The size range of 30 eggs was 157.1-182.5 × 99.3-109.8 μm (mean 168.0 × 104.4 μm). There were no differences in prevalence and seasonal occurrence of S. subtriquetrus between male and female beavers. We did not find any other intestinal endoparasites or tissue parasites (Sarcocystis spp., Trichinella spp.).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ondřej Máca
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, State Veterinary Institute Prague, Sídlištní 136/24, 165 03, Prague 6, Czech Republic,
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Reintroduction of the European beaver (Castor fiber L.) into Serbia and return of its parasite: The case of Stichorchis subtriquetrus. ARCH BIOL SCI 2009. [DOI: 10.2298/abs0901141c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
After becoming extinct in the second half of the 20th century, the European beaver (Castor fiber L., 1758) was successfully reintroduced from Bavaria into Serbia during 2004-2005. In the necropsy of an adult female beaver (found dead in December of 2007), we discovered some parasites identified as Stichorchis subtriquetrus in the colon and peritoneal area. This is the first occurrence of the given specific parasite of beavers in Serbia. Decoding of a subcutaneous implanted microchip has confirmed that our specimen was one of the released beavers. We therefore conclude that the parasite in question was reintroduced into Serbia with the beavers originating from Bavaria.
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