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Treichler JW, VerCauteren KC, Taylor CR, Beasley JC. Changes in wild pig (Sus scrofa) relative abundance, crop damage, and environmental impacts in response to control efforts. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2023; 79:4765-4773. [PMID: 37462084 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As the population and range of wild pigs (Sus scrofa) continue to grow across North America, there has been an increase in environmental and economic damages caused by this invasive species, and control efforts to reduce damages have increased concomitantly. Despite the expanding impacts and costs associated with population control of wild pigs, the extent to which wild pig control reduces populations and diminishes environmental and agricultural damages are rarely quantified. The goal of this study is to quantify changes in wild pig relative abundance and subsequent changes in damages caused by invasive wild pigs in response to control. RESULTS Using a combination of wild pig population surveys, agricultural damage assessments, and environmental rooting surveys across 19 mixed forest-agricultural properties in South Carolina, USA, we quantified changes in wild pig relative abundance and associated damages over a 3-year period following implementation of a professional control program. Following implementation of control efforts, both the number of wild pig detections and estimated abundance decreased markedly. Within 24 months relative abundance was reduced by an average of ~70%, which resulted in a corresponding decline in environmental rooting damage by ~99%. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that sustained wild pig control efforts can substantially reduce wild pig relative abundance, which in turn resulted in a reduction in environmental rooting damage by wild pigs. Ultimately this study will help fill critical knowledge gaps regarding the efficacy of wild pig control programs and the effort needed to reduce impacts to native ecosystems, livestock, and crops. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph W Treichler
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC, USA
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Kurt C VerCauteren
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Charles R Taylor
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC, USA
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - James C Beasley
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC, USA
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
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2
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Baruzzi C, Snow NP, Vercauteren KC, Strickland BK, Arnoult JS, Fischer JW, Glow MP, Lavelle MJ, Smith BA, Steakley D, Lashley MA. Estimating body mass of wild pigs ( Sus scrofa) using body morphometrics. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e9853. [PMID: 36911312 PMCID: PMC9994471 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are invading many areas globally and impacting biodiversity and economies in their non-native range. Thus, wild pigs are often targeted for eradication efforts. Age- and sex-specific body measurements are important for informing these eradication efforts because they reflect body condition, resource availability, and fecundity, which are common indicators of population trajectory. However, body mass is often difficult to collect, especially on large individuals that require specialized equipment or multiple people to weigh. Measurements that can be rapidly taken by a single land or wildlife manager on any size wild pig without aid from specialized equipment would be beneficial if they accurately infer wild pig body mass. Our goals were to assess whether morphometric measurements could accurately predict wild pig body mass, and to provide tools to directly input these measures and estimate wild pig body mass. Using linear models, we quantified the relationship between body mass and morphometric measurements (i.e., body length, chest girth, ear length, eye to snout length, hindfoot length, shoulder length, and tail length) from a subset (n = 102) of wild pigs culled at the Mississippi Alluvial Valley, Mississippi, USA. We evaluated separate models for each individual morphometric measurement. We then used the model coefficients to develop equations to predict wild pig body mass. We validated these equations predicting body mass of 1592 individuals collected across eight areas in Australia, Guam, and the USA for cross-validation. Each developed equation remained accurate when cross-validated across regions. Body length, chest girth, and shoulder length were the morphometrics that best predicted wild pig body mass. Our analyses indicated it is possible to use the presented equations to infer wild pig body mass from simple metrics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Baruzzi
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, North Florida Research and Education Center University of Florida Quincy Florida USA.,Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Mississippi State University Mississippi State Mississippi USA
| | - Nathan P Snow
- National Wildlife Research Center USDA/APHIS Fort Collins Colorado USA
| | | | - Bronson K Strickland
- Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Mississippi State University Mississippi State Mississippi USA
| | - Jacques S Arnoult
- Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Mississippi State University Mississippi State Mississippi USA
| | - Justin W Fischer
- National Wildlife Research Center USDA/APHIS Fort Collins Colorado USA
| | - Michael P Glow
- National Wildlife Research Center USDA/APHIS Fort Collins Colorado USA
| | - Michael J Lavelle
- National Wildlife Research Center USDA/APHIS Fort Collins Colorado USA
| | - Benjamin A Smith
- National Wildlife Research Center USDA/APHIS Fort Collins Colorado USA
| | - Daryl Steakley
- Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Mississippi State University Mississippi State Mississippi USA
| | - Marcus A Lashley
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation University of Florida Gainesville Florida USA
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3
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A test of motion‐sensitive cameras to index ungulate densities: group size matters. J Wildl Manage 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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4
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Franceschi S, Bongi P, Del Frate M, Fattorini L, Apollonio M. A sampling strategy for habitat selection, mapping, and abundance estimation of deer by pellet counts. J Wildl Manage 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Franceschi
- Department of Economics and Statistics University of Siena Piazza San Francesco 8 I‐53100 Siena Italy
| | - Paolo Bongi
- Hunting office ATCMS13 Aulla Massa‐Carrara Italy
| | - Marco Del Frate
- Department of Veterinary Medicine University of Sassari, via Vienna 2 I‐19100 Sassari Italy
| | - Lorenzo Fattorini
- Department of Economics and Statistics University of Siena Piazza San Francesco 8 I‐53100 Siena Italy
| | - Marco Apollonio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine University of Sassari, via Vienna 2 I‐19100 Sassari Italy
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Snow NP, Kupferman CA, Lavelle MJ, Pepin KM, Melton MH, Gann WJ, VerCauteren KC, Beasley JC. No panacea attractant for wild pigs (Sus scrofa), but season and location matter. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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6
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Guerrasio T, Brogi R, Marcon A, Apollonio M. Assessing the precision of wild boar density estimations. WILDLIFE SOC B 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tancredi Guerrasio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine University of Sassari via Vienna 2, I‐07100 Sassari Italy
| | - Rudy Brogi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine University of Sassari via Vienna 2, I‐07100 Sassari Italy
| | - Andrea Marcon
- Department of Veterinary Medicine University of Sassari via Vienna 2, I‐07100 Sassari Italy
| | - Marco Apollonio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine University of Sassari via Vienna 2, I‐07100 Sassari Italy
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7
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Barton O, Gresham A, Healey JR, Cordes LS, Shannon G. The effects of population management on wild ungulates: A systematic map of evidence for UK species. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267385. [PMID: 35687554 PMCID: PMC9187068 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Over recent decades, the abundance and geographic ranges of wild ungulate species have expanded in many parts of Europe, including the UK. Populations are managed to mitigate their ecological impacts using interventions, such as shooting, fencing and administering contraception. Predicting how target species will respond to interventions is critical for developing sustainable, effective and efficient management strategies. However, the quantity and quality of evidence of the effects of interventions on ungulate species is unclear. To address this, we systematically mapped research on the effects of population management on wild ungulate species resident in the UK. Methods We searched four bibliographic databases, Google Scholar and nine organisational websites using search terms tested with a library of 30 relevant articles. Worldwide published peer-reviewed articles were considered, supplemented by ‘grey’ literature from UK-based sources. Three reviewers identified and screened articles for eligibility at title, abstract and full-text levels, based on predefined criteria. Data and metadata were extracted and summarised in a narrative synthesis supported by structured graphical matrices. Results A total of 123 articles were included in the systematic map. Lethal interventions were better represented (85%, n = 105) than non-lethal interventions (25%, n = 25). Outcomes related to demography and behaviour were reported in 95% of articles (n = 117), whereas effects on health, physiology and morphology were studied in only 11% of articles (n = 14). Well-studied species included wild pigs (n = 58), red deer (n = 28) and roe deer (n = 23). Conclusions Evidence for the effects of population management on wild ungulate species is growing but currently limited and unevenly distributed across intervention types, outcomes and species. Priorities for primary research include: species responses to non-lethal interventions, the side-effects of shooting and studies on sika deer and Chinese muntjac. Shooting is the only intervention for which sufficient evidence exists for systematic review or meta-analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Owain Barton
- School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Amy Gresham
- School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, United Kingdom
| | - John R. Healey
- School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, United Kingdom
| | - Line S. Cordes
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, United Kingdom
| | - Graeme Shannon
- School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, United Kingdom
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Righi F, Arnaboldi S, Filipello V, Ianiro G, Di Bartolo I, Calò S, Bellini S, Trogu T, Lelli D, Bianchi A, Bonardi S, Pavoni E, Bertasi B, Lavazza A. Torque Teno Sus Virus (TTSuV) Prevalence in Wild Fauna of Northern Italy. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10020242. [PMID: 35208696 PMCID: PMC8875128 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10020242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Torque teno sus virus (TTSuV) is a non-enveloped circular ssDNA virus which frequently infects swine and has been associated with hepatic, respiratory, and autoimmune disorders. TTSuV’s pathogenic role is still uncertain, and clear data in the literature on virus reservoirs are lacking. The aims of this study were to investigate the presence of potentially zoonotic TTSuV in wild animals in Northern Italy and to evaluate their role as reservoirs. Liver samples were collected between 2016 and 2020 during four hunting seasons from wild boars (Sus scrofa), red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), and chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra). Samples originated from areas in Northern Italy characterized by different traits, i.e., mountains and flatland with, respectively low and high farm density and anthropization. Viral identification was carried out by end-point PCR with specific primers for TTSuV1a and TTSuVk2a species. TTSuV prevalence in wild boars was higher in the mountains than in the flatland (prevalence of 6.2% and 2.3%, respectively). In wild ruminants only TTSuVk2a was detected (with a prevalence of 9.4%). Our findings shed light on the occurrence and distribution of TTSuV in some wild animal species, investigating their possible role as reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Righi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.R.); (V.F.); (S.C.); (S.B.); (T.T.); (D.L.); (E.P.); (B.B.); (A.L.)
- National Reference Centre for Emerging Risks in Food Safety (CRESA), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Arnaboldi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.R.); (V.F.); (S.C.); (S.B.); (T.T.); (D.L.); (E.P.); (B.B.); (A.L.)
- National Reference Centre for Emerging Risks in Food Safety (CRESA), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), 20133 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-030-229-0781
| | - Virginia Filipello
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.R.); (V.F.); (S.C.); (S.B.); (T.T.); (D.L.); (E.P.); (B.B.); (A.L.)
- National Reference Centre for Emerging Risks in Food Safety (CRESA), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Ianiro
- Emerging Zoonoses Unit, Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.I.); (I.D.B.)
| | - Ilaria Di Bartolo
- Emerging Zoonoses Unit, Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.I.); (I.D.B.)
| | - Stefania Calò
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.R.); (V.F.); (S.C.); (S.B.); (T.T.); (D.L.); (E.P.); (B.B.); (A.L.)
| | - Silvia Bellini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.R.); (V.F.); (S.C.); (S.B.); (T.T.); (D.L.); (E.P.); (B.B.); (A.L.)
| | - Tiziana Trogu
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.R.); (V.F.); (S.C.); (S.B.); (T.T.); (D.L.); (E.P.); (B.B.); (A.L.)
| | - Davide Lelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.R.); (V.F.); (S.C.); (S.B.); (T.T.); (D.L.); (E.P.); (B.B.); (A.L.)
| | - Alessandro Bianchi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), 23100 Sondrio, Italy;
| | - Silvia Bonardi
- Veterinary Science Department, Università degli Studi di Parma, 43100 Parma, Italy;
| | - Enrico Pavoni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.R.); (V.F.); (S.C.); (S.B.); (T.T.); (D.L.); (E.P.); (B.B.); (A.L.)
- National Reference Centre for Emerging Risks in Food Safety (CRESA), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Bertasi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.R.); (V.F.); (S.C.); (S.B.); (T.T.); (D.L.); (E.P.); (B.B.); (A.L.)
- National Reference Centre for Emerging Risks in Food Safety (CRESA), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Lavazza
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.R.); (V.F.); (S.C.); (S.B.); (T.T.); (D.L.); (E.P.); (B.B.); (A.L.)
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Habitat model for wild boar ( Sus scrofa) in Bukhansan National Park, Seoul. JOURNAL OF URBAN ECOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/jue/juac027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Since the first known sighting in 2004, wild boar have frequently appeared in Seoul causing increased human–wildlife conflicts. Although South Korea designated wild boar as a ‘pest’ species, limited ecological information exists concerning habitat preference and use of the largest wild mammal in the country. Based on 213 presence points, we modeled wild boar habitat preference in Bukhansan National Park, Seoul and validated the model. We analyzed boar presence with 25 raster datasets using MaxEnt, software for species distribution model using maximum entropy modeling algorithm. Slope (23.4%) was the greatest contributing factor for the habitat model, followed by Temperature seasonality (20.4%) and forest type (16.9%), while Precipitation of driest quarter (37.6%) was the most important factor (normalized contribution) of the model, followed by Temperature seasonality (18.9%) and slope (15.4%). Field verification of the model confirmed that the density of boar signs and rooting are twice as high in the area with high MaxEnt values (over 0.7). The habitat model of wild boar will assist habitat management and further our understanding of how to mitigate human–wild boar conflict.
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Colomer J, Rosell C, Rodriguez-Teijeiro JD, Massei G. 'Reserve effect': An opportunity to mitigate human-wild boar conflicts. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 795:148721. [PMID: 34237539 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Wild boar growth in numbers and range is associated with increasing economic and environmental impact. Hunting has been traditionally used to reduce wild boar numbers. Areas where hunting is not allowed may attract wild boar from neighbouring hunting grounds. This phenomenon is called 'reserve effect' and could cause temporarily localised, high densities of wild boar in areas where hunting is banned. To investigate the occurrence of 'reserve effect', this study was conducted in two natural reserves of 400 and 250 ha inside the Montseny Natural Park, Catalonia, Spain where regular hunting of wild boar is not permitted, and only sporadic driven hunts/year are authorised for population control. The aims of the study were to evaluate if wild boar use these reserves as a refuge when hunting is carried out in the surrounding areas and to assess the effects that occasional drive hunts inside these reserves may have on wild boar numbers and social organization. From 2012 to 2015 camera traps were placed in the two reserves without using any bait. Cameras operated for 1.759 days, including hunting and non-hunting seasons, and 37.574 wild boar images were obtained. A 'reserve effect' was detected, as following hunting in the surroundings grounds, the number of wild boar increases inside reserves. Occasional driven hunts conducted in the reserves are effective in reducing the number of individuals and the effects persist for at least 45 days. Hunting disrupts wild boar social organization, as group size was significantly reduced. These results suggested that targeting refuge areas, once hunting in the surroundings causes wild boar to concentrate in these areas, is effective for population control. These findings could also be used to design trategies to optimise population control and offer opportunities for disease management such as vaccination, or to facilitate eradication in areas affected by disease outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Colomer
- Minuartia, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Spain; IRBio, Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Carme Rosell
- Minuartia, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Domingo Rodriguez-Teijeiro
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Spain; IRBio, Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Giovanna Massei
- National Wildlife Management Centre, Animal and Plant Health Agency, York, United Kingdom
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Higashide D, Kuriyama T, Takagi S, Nakashima Y, Fukasawa K, Yajima G, Kasada M, Yokoyama M. Effectiveness of signs of activity as relative abundance indices for wild boar. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.2981/wlb.00869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daishi Higashide
- D. Higashide (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1186-1263) ✉ , T. Kuriyama, S. Takagi and M. Yokoyama, Inst. of Natural and Environmental Science, Univ. of Hyogo, Aogaki, Tamba, Hyogo, Japan. DH also at: Research Center for Wildlife Management, Gifu Univ
| | - Takeo Kuriyama
- D. Higashide (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1186-1263) ✉ , T. Kuriyama, S. Takagi and M. Yokoyama, Inst. of Natural and Environmental Science, Univ. of Hyogo, Aogaki, Tamba, Hyogo, Japan. DH also at: Research Center for Wildlife Management, Gifu Univ
| | - Shun Takagi
- D. Higashide (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1186-1263) ✉ , T. Kuriyama, S. Takagi and M. Yokoyama, Inst. of Natural and Environmental Science, Univ. of Hyogo, Aogaki, Tamba, Hyogo, Japan. DH also at: Research Center for Wildlife Management, Gifu Univ
| | - Yoshihiro Nakashima
- Y. Nakashima and G. Yajima, College of Bioresource Science, Nihon Univ., Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Keita Fukasawa
- K. Fukasawa, Biodiversity Division, National Inst. for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Gota Yajima
- Y. Nakashima and G. Yajima, College of Bioresource Science, Nihon Univ., Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Minoru Kasada
- M. Kasada, Graduate School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Univ. of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan and Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku Univ., Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Mayumi Yokoyama
- D. Higashide (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1186-1263) ✉ , T. Kuriyama, S. Takagi and M. Yokoyama, Inst. of Natural and Environmental Science, Univ. of Hyogo, Aogaki, Tamba, Hyogo, Japan. DH also at: Research Center for Wildlife Management, Gifu Univ
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12
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Using data from collective hunts to estimate the wild boar (Sus scrofa) population density in north-eastern Poland. Mamm Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-021-00182-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe spread of the African swine fever through wild boar population has caused major losses in the pig industry. Therefore, to decrease the population density of wild boar in Poland, the culling of these animals has been dramatically increased. However, the effect of depopulation is unknown because there are no methods that could be used throughout the country to estimate the number of wild boar. Thus, during two hunting seasons an attempt was made to estimate the number of wild boar using data from collective hunts. The forested area of 21 hunting districts (351.5 km2) was divided into five sampling inventory blocks (SIBs), which were used for the statistical analysis of the population density, the harvest rate and results of collective hunts. The average population density obtained by a driving census amounted to 8.19 ± 1.12 and 10.09 ± 1.06 (x̅ ± SE), animals/km2, which indicates that 2879 and 3547 wild boar were living in the study area in 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 seasons respectively. The number of wild boars bagged per one hunting plot was adopted as the harvest success index (HBI). In SIBs the HBI value fluctuated in the range of 0.55 to 1.87 individuals/hunting plot and the population density ranged from 6.46 to 12.18 wild boars/km2. The non-linear regression showed a positive relationship between the HBI index and the population density. The discussion covers the possibility of using collective hunts to estimate the number of wild boar in Poland and in the European Union.
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13
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Mammalian Orthoreovirus (MRV) Is Widespread in Wild Ungulates of Northern Italy. Viruses 2021; 13:v13020238. [PMID: 33546342 PMCID: PMC7913563 DOI: 10.3390/v13020238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian orthoreoviruses (MRVs) are emerging infectious agents that may affect wild animals. MRVs are usually associated with asymptomatic or mild respiratory and enteric infections. However, severe clinical manifestations have been occasionally reported in human and animal hosts. An insight into their circulation is essential to minimize the risk of diffusion to farmed animals and possibly to humans. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of likely zoonotic MRVs in wild ungulates. Liver samples were collected from wild boar, red deer, roe deer, and chamois. Samples originated from two areas (Sondrio and Parma provinces) in Northern Italy with different environmental characteristics. MRV detection was carried out by PCR; confirmation by sequencing and typing for MRV type 3, which has been frequently associated with disease in pigs, were carried out for positive samples. MRV prevalence was as high as 45.3% in wild boars and 40.6% in red deer in the Sondrio area, with lower prevalence in the Parma area (15.4% in wild boars). Our findings shed light on MRV occurrence and distribution in some wild species and posed the issue of their possible role as reservoir.
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Focardi S, Morgia VL, Montanaro P, Riga F, Calabrese A, Ronchi F, Aragno P, Scacco M, Calmanti R, Franzetti B. Reliable estimates of wild boar populations by nocturnal distance sampling. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.2981/wlb.00694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Focardi
- S. Focardi ✉ , Istituto dei Sistemi Complessi, CNR, via Madonna del Piano 10, IT-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Valentina La Morgia
- V. La Morgia, P. Montanaro, F. Riga, A. Calabrese, F. Ronchi, P. Aragno, M. Scacco, R. Calmanti and B. Franzetti, Inst. Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale, Ozzano dell' Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Paolo Montanaro
- V. La Morgia, P. Montanaro, F. Riga, A. Calabrese, F. Ronchi, P. Aragno, M. Scacco, R. Calmanti and B. Franzetti, Inst. Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale, Ozzano dell' Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Francesco Riga
- V. La Morgia, P. Montanaro, F. Riga, A. Calabrese, F. Ronchi, P. Aragno, M. Scacco, R. Calmanti and B. Franzetti, Inst. Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale, Ozzano dell' Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Alessandro Calabrese
- V. La Morgia, P. Montanaro, F. Riga, A. Calabrese, F. Ronchi, P. Aragno, M. Scacco, R. Calmanti and B. Franzetti, Inst. Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale, Ozzano dell' Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Francesca Ronchi
- V. La Morgia, P. Montanaro, F. Riga, A. Calabrese, F. Ronchi, P. Aragno, M. Scacco, R. Calmanti and B. Franzetti, Inst. Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale, Ozzano dell' Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Paola Aragno
- V. La Morgia, P. Montanaro, F. Riga, A. Calabrese, F. Ronchi, P. Aragno, M. Scacco, R. Calmanti and B. Franzetti, Inst. Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale, Ozzano dell' Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Marianne Scacco
- V. La Morgia, P. Montanaro, F. Riga, A. Calabrese, F. Ronchi, P. Aragno, M. Scacco, R. Calmanti and B. Franzetti, Inst. Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale, Ozzano dell' Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Roberta Calmanti
- V. La Morgia, P. Montanaro, F. Riga, A. Calabrese, F. Ronchi, P. Aragno, M. Scacco, R. Calmanti and B. Franzetti, Inst. Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale, Ozzano dell' Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Barbara Franzetti
- V. La Morgia, P. Montanaro, F. Riga, A. Calabrese, F. Ronchi, P. Aragno, M. Scacco, R. Calmanti and B. Franzetti, Inst. Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale, Ozzano dell' Emilia (BO), Italy
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15
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Factors and costs associated with removal of a newly established population of invasive wild pigs in Northern U.S. Sci Rep 2020; 10:11528. [PMID: 32661318 PMCID: PMC7359029 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68264-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The human-mediated spread of exotic and invasive species often leads to unintentional and harmful consequences. Invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are one such species that have been repeatedly translocated throughout the United States and cause extensive damage to natural ecosystems, threatened and endangered species, agricultural resources, and private lands. In 2005, a newly established population of wild pigs was confirmed in Fulton County, Illinois, U.S. In 2011, a state-wide wild pig damage management program involving federal, state, and local government authorities directed a concerted effort to remove wild pigs from the county until the last wild pig (of 376 total) was successfully removed in 2016. We examined surveillance data from camera traps at bait sites and records of wild pig removals during this elimination program to identify environmental and anthropogenic factors that optimized removal of this population. Our results revealed that wild pigs used bait sites most during evening and nocturnal periods and on days with lower daily maximum temperatures. Increased removals of wild pigs coincided with periods of cold weather. We also identified that fidelity and time spent at bait sites by wild pigs was not influenced by increasing removals of wild pigs. Finally, the costs to remove wild pigs averaged $50 per wild pig (6.8 effort hours per wild pig) for removing the first 99% of the animals. Cost for removing the last 1% increased 84-fold, and averaged 122.8 effort hours per wild pig removed. Our results demonstrated that increased effort in removing wild pigs using bait sites should be focused during periods of environmental stress to maximize removal efficiency. These results inform elimination programs attempting to remove newly established populations of wild pigs, and ultimately prevent population and geographic expansion.
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16
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Fattorini N, Ferretti F. Estimating wild boar density and rooting activity in a Mediterranean protected area. Mamm Biol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-020-00030-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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17
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Schlichting PE, Beasley JC, Boughton RK, Davis AJ, Pepin KM, Glow MP, Snow NP, Miller RS, VerCauteren KC, Lewis JS. A Rapid Population Assessment Method for Wild Pigs Using Baited Cameras at 3 Study Sites. WILDLIFE SOC B 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Peter E. Schlichting
- College of Integrative Sciences and Arts Arizona State University Polytechnic Campus, 6073 S Backus Mall Mesa AZ 85212 USA
| | - James C. Beasley
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources University of Georgia P.O. Drawer E Aiken SC 29802 USA
| | - Raoul K. Boughton
- University of Florida, Range Cattle Research and Education Center, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation 3401 Experiment Station Ona FL 33865 USA
| | - Amy J. Davis
- United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center 4101 LaPorte Avenue Fort Collins CO 80521‐2154 USA
| | - Kim M. Pepin
- United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center 4101 LaPorte Avenue Fort Collins CO 80521‐2154 USA
| | - Michael P. Glow
- United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center 4101 LaPorte Avenue Fort Collins CO 80521‐2154 USA
| | - Nathan P. Snow
- United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center 4101 LaPorte Avenue Fort Collins CO 80521‐2154 USA
| | - Ryan S. Miller
- United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health 2150B Center Avenue Fort Collins CO 80526 USA
| | - Kurt C. VerCauteren
- United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center 4101 LaPorte Avenue Fort Collins CO 80521‐2154 USA
| | - Jesse S. Lewis
- College of Integrative Sciences and Arts, Arizona State University Polytechnic Campus, 6073 S Backus Mall Mesa AZ 85212 USA
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18
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Engeman RM, Kaiser BW, Osorio KJ. Evaluating methods to detect and monitor populations of a large invasive lizard: the Argentine giant tegu. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:31717-31729. [PMID: 31485938 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-06324-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The Argentine giant tegu, a large lizard native to South America, was first discovered as established in the USA in scrub habitats of west-central Florida in 2006. Invasive populations potentially could occupy an extensive range of habitats and in much of the southern United States and Mexico and threaten many native species. The Argentine giant tegu was recently deemed as having a "highest impact concern" among the invasive reptile species most threatening to Florida ecology. Among the most rewarding research directions identified for this species was "having a reliable and practical method to detect/monitor" them. We address this need by evaluating five methods for monitoring Argentine giant tegus on how well each method detected the species and whether the observations were sufficient to quantitatively assess population abundance using a widely applicable framework for indexing animal populations. Passive tracking plots were the most efficient and effective means for detecting tegus and calculating abundance indices but were best suited for late winter to spring before summer rains compacted tracking substrates. Gopher tortoise burrows are often used by tegus and camera traps on their entrances proved able to obtain data suitable for indexing populations but required more labor and expense than tracking plots. Trapping either at gopher tortoise burrows or along drift fences was ineffective at capturing tegus. Similarly, visual encounter transects were not effective for observing tegus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard M Engeman
- National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 LaPorte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO, 80521-2154, USA.
| | - Bernard W Kaiser
- Hillsborough Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department, 10940 McMullen Road, Riverview, FL, 33659, USA
| | - Kimberly J Osorio
- Hillsborough Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department, 10940 McMullen Road, Riverview, FL, 33659, USA
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19
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Palencia P, Vicente J, Barroso P, Barasona J, Soriguer RC, Acevedo P. Estimating day range from camera‐trap data: the animals’ behaviour as a key parameter. J Zool (1987) 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- P. Palencia
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (UCLM‐CSIC‐JCCM) Ciudad Real Spain
| | - J. Vicente
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (UCLM‐CSIC‐JCCM) Ciudad Real Spain
| | - P. Barroso
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (UCLM‐CSIC‐JCCM) Ciudad Real Spain
| | - J.Á. Barasona
- Animal Health Department VISAVET Centre Facultad de Veterinaria Universidad Complutense de Madrid Madrid Spain
| | | | - P. Acevedo
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (UCLM‐CSIC‐JCCM) Ciudad Real Spain
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20
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Engeman RM, Wilson BE, Beckerman SF, Fischer JW, Dufford D, Cobban JB. Locating and eliminating feral swine from a large area of fragmented mixed forest and agriculture habitats in north-central USA. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:1654-1660. [PMID: 30448947 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-3702-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Illinois is one of the US states where elimination of feral swine (Sus scrofa) was determined practical, as only a few isolated populations were established. A particularly important step towards feral swine elimination from Illinois was to eliminate the population in Fulton County. We describe the approaches applied to systematically detect, locate, and eliminate feral swine in a successful county-wide elimination. Detecting and locating feral swine was facilitated by extensive outreach activities, aerial surveys to locate crop damage, and use of camera traps placed over bait in areas where reports, sign, or crop damage occurred. The population was eliminated after 376 feral swine were removed from 2009 to 2016 by trapping, sharpshooting over bait, and aerial shooting. Aerial surveys efficiently located feral swine activity over wide areas during times of the crop cycle when damage would occur and would be most distinguishable from other damage sources. Two applications of aerial shooting in 2014 were particularly efficient for rapidly eliminating most remaining feral swine after they had become difficult to locate and remove. Persistent efforts thereafter led to the successful elimination of feral swine in Fulton County by 2016. We believe this is the first documentation of a widespread feral swine elimination in mixed agriculture and forest habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard M Engeman
- National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 LaPorte Ave, Fort Collins, CO, 80521-2154, USA.
| | - Bradley E Wilson
- USDA/APHIS-Wildlife Services, 3430 Constitution Drive, Suite 121, Springfield, IL, 62711, USA
| | - Scott F Beckerman
- USDA/APHIS-Wildlife Services, 3430 Constitution Drive, Suite 121, Springfield, IL, 62711, USA
| | - Justin W Fischer
- National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 LaPorte Ave, Fort Collins, CO, 80521-2154, USA
| | - Doug Dufford
- Illinois Department of Natural Resources, 8542 N. Lake Rd, Lena, IL, 61048, USA
| | - James Bryan Cobban
- USDA/APHIS-Wildlife Services, 3430 Constitution Drive, Suite 121, Springfield, IL, 62711, USA
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21
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Keuling O, Sange M, Acevedo P, Podgorski T, Smith G, Scandura M, Apollonio M, Ferroglio E, Vicente J. Guidance on estimation of wild boar population abundance and density: methods, challenges, possibilities. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.2903/sp.efsa.2018.en-1449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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22
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Valente AM, Binantel H, Villanua D, Acevedo P. Evaluation of methods to monitor wild mammals on Mediterranean farmland. Mamm Biol 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2018.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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23
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Gawel AM, Rogers HS, Miller RH, Kerr AM. Contrasting ecological roles of non-native ungulates in a novel ecosystem. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2018; 5:170151. [PMID: 29765619 PMCID: PMC5936884 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.170151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Conservation has long focused on preserving or restoring pristine ecosystems. However, understanding and managing novel ecosystems has grown in importance as they outnumber pristine ecosystems worldwide. While non-native species may be neutral or detrimental in pristine ecosystems, it is possible that even notorious invaders could play beneficial or mixed roles in novel ecosystems. We examined the effects of two long-established non-native species-Philippine deer (Rusa marianna) and feral pigs (Sus scrofa)-in Guam, Micronesia, where native vertebrate frugivores are functionally absent leaving forests devoid of seed dispersers. We compared the roles of deer and pigs on seedling survival, seed dispersal and plant community structure in limestone karst forests. Deer, even at low abundances, had pronounced negative impacts on forest communities by decreasing seedling and vine abundance. By contrast, pigs showed no such relationship. Also, many viable seeds were found in pig scats, whereas few were found in deer scats, suggesting that pigs, but not deer, provide an ecosystem function-seed dispersal-that has been lost from Guam. Our study presents a discrepancy between the roles of two non-native species that are traditionally managed as a single entity, suggesting that ecological function, rather than identity as a non-native, may be more important to consider in managing novel systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Marie Gawel
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Haldre S. Rogers
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Ross H. Miller
- College of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Guam, UOG Station, Mangilao, GU, USA
| | - Alexander M. Kerr
- Marine Laboratory, University of Guam, UOG Station, Mangilao, GU, USA
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24
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Massei G, Coats J, Lambert MS, Pietravalle S, Gill R, Cowan D. Camera traps and activity signs to estimate wild boar density and derive abundance indices. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2018; 74:853-860. [PMID: 29024317 DOI: 10.1002/ps.4763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2017] [Revised: 10/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Populations of wild boar and feral pigs are increasing worldwide, in parallel with their significant environmental and economic impact. Reliable methods of monitoring trends and estimating abundance are needed to measure the effects of interventions on population size. The main aims of this study, carried out in five English woodlands were: (i) to compare wild boar abundance indices obtained from camera trap surveys and from activity signs; and (ii) to assess the precision of density estimates in relation to different densities of camera traps. For each woodland, we calculated a passive activity index (PAI) based on camera trap surveys, rooting activity and wild boar trails on transects, and estimated absolute densities based on camera trap surveys. RESULTS PAIs obtained using different methods showed similar patterns. We found significant between-year differences in abundance of wild boar using PAIs based on camera trap surveys and on trails on transects, but not on signs of rooting on transects. The density of wild boar from camera trap surveys varied between 0.7 and 7 animals/km2 . Increasing the density of camera traps above nine per km2 did not increase the precision of the estimate of wild boar density. CONCLUSION PAIs based on number of wild boar trails and on camera trap data appear to be more sensitive to changes in population size than PAIs based on signs of rooting. For wild boar densities similar to those recorded in this study, nine camera traps per km2 are sufficient to estimate the mean density of wild boar. © 2017 Crown copyright. Pest Management Science © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Massei
- National Wildlife Management Centre, Animal and Plant Health Agency, York, UK
| | - Julia Coats
- National Wildlife Management Centre, Animal and Plant Health Agency, York, UK
| | - Mark Simon Lambert
- National Wildlife Management Centre, Animal and Plant Health Agency, York, UK
| | | | - Robin Gill
- Centre for Ecosystems, Society and Biosecurity, Forest Research, Farnham, UK
| | - Dave Cowan
- National Wildlife Management Centre, Animal and Plant Health Agency, York, UK
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25
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26
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Gentle M, Finch N, Speed J, Pople A. A comparison of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) and manned helicopters for monitoring macropod populations. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2018. [DOI: 10.1071/wr18034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context
Developments in the use of remote aircraft, or unmanned aerial systems (UAS), for ecological study have been rapid. Helicopter surveys have proven to be a reliable, repeatable method for broad-scale monitoring of harvested kangaroo populations in Australia’s rangelands, but the recent availability of long-range UAS may offer improvements in detectability and cost efficiency.
Aims
We aimed to test the ability of a long-range UAS (Spylite, Bluebird Aero Systems Ltd, Kadima, Israel) to survey macropod populations at a landscape scale, and validate the results against those from the current best-practice helicopter surveys.
Methods
Four 80-km transects in south-western Queensland were surveyed using a helicopter and UAS. Two observers, occupying the rear seats of the helicopter, recorded animals observed in distance classes perpendicular to either side of the aircraft. Continuous electro-optical (EO) or infrared (IR) video from the UAS were recorded for later processing. Animal densities were calculated using line-transect methods for both techniques. The efficiency and cost effectiveness of each survey technique were also assessed using the flight and data processing times.
Key results
The encounter rate for macropods during the UAS was significantly lower compared with the helicopter survey, resulting in low estimates of macropod density (3.2 versus 53.8 animals km–2 respectively). The UAS technique recorded between 2.9 and 12.7% of the macropod density observed on each transect during the helicopter survey. The helicopter surveys were less expensive and more efficient and cost effective, requiring less flight and data processing time than the UAS surveys.
Conclusions
Utilising long-range UAS to detect and count groups of wild animals for landscape-scale wildlife monitoring has potential, but improvements in detection and identification technology are needed to match or exceed the accuracy of the conventional aerial survey technique for kangaroos.
Implications
Recent advances in camera technology and methodological refinements are encouraging for aerial survey of wildlife using UAS. However, significant improvements are required to survey for kangaroos and new technology should again be tested against current benchmarks.
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27
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Davis AJ, McCreary R, Psiropoulos J, Brennan G, Cox T, Partin A, Pepin KM. Quantifying site-level usage and certainty of absence for an invasive species through occupancy analysis of camera-trap data. Biol Invasions 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-017-1579-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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28
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Availability of camera trapping for behavioural analysis: An example with wild boar ( Sus scrofa ). Appl Anim Behav Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2017.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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29
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Baruzzi C, Coats J, Callaby R, Cowan DP, Massei G. Rhodamine B as a long-term semi-quantitative bait marker for wild boar. WILDLIFE SOC B 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Baruzzi
- Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture; Mississippi State University; PO Box 9690 Mississippi State MS 39762 USA
| | - Julia Coats
- National Wildlife Management Centre; Animal and Plant Health Agency; Sand Hutton York YO41 1LZ UK
| | - Rebecca Callaby
- National Wildlife Management Centre; Animal and Plant Health Agency; Sand Hutton York YO41 1LZ UK
| | - Dave P. Cowan
- National Wildlife Management Centre; Animal and Plant Health Agency; Sand Hutton York YO41 1LZ UK
| | - Giovanna Massei
- National Wildlife Management Centre; Animal and Plant Health Agency; Sand Hutton York YO41 1LZ UK
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30
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Quantifying the bias in density estimated from distance sampling and camera trapping of unmarked individuals. Ecol Modell 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2017.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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31
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Stillfried M, Fickel J, Börner K, Wittstatt U, Heddergott M, Ortmann S, Kramer-Schadt S, Frantz AC. Do cities represent sources, sinks or isolated islands for urban wild boar population structure? J Appl Ecol 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Milena Stillfried
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology; Leibniz Institute for Zoo- and Wildlife Research (IZW); Alfred-Kowalke-Strasse 17 10315 Berlin Germany
| | - Jörns Fickel
- Department of Evolutionary Genetics; IZW; Alfred-Kowalke-Strasse 17 10315 Berlin Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology; Potsdam University; Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25 14476 Potsdam Germany
| | - Konstantin Börner
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology; Leibniz Institute for Zoo- and Wildlife Research (IZW); Alfred-Kowalke-Strasse 17 10315 Berlin Germany
| | - Ulrich Wittstatt
- Landeslabor Berlin-Brandenburg; Invalidenstr. 60 10557 Berlin Germany
| | - Mike Heddergott
- Museum of Natural History; 25 Rue Münster Luxembourg City Luxembourg
| | - Sylvia Ortmann
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology; Leibniz Institute for Zoo- and Wildlife Research (IZW); Alfred-Kowalke-Strasse 17 10315 Berlin Germany
| | - Stephanie Kramer-Schadt
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology; Leibniz Institute for Zoo- and Wildlife Research (IZW); Alfred-Kowalke-Strasse 17 10315 Berlin Germany
| | - Alain C. Frantz
- Museum of Natural History; 25 Rue Münster Luxembourg City Luxembourg
- Fondation Faune-Flore; 25 Rue Münster 2160 Luxembourg City Luxembourg
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32
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Evaluation of estimation quality of a general paradigm for indexing animal abundance when observations are counts. ECOL INFORM 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2016.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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33
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Ferretti F, Fattorini L, Sforzi A, Pisani C. The use of faeces counts to estimate relative densities of wild boar in a Mediterranean area. POPUL ECOL 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10144-016-0536-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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34
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Assessing and predicting the spread of non-native raccoons in Germany using hunting bag data and dispersal weighted models. Biol Invasions 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-015-0989-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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35
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Franzo G, Cortey M, de Castro AMMG, Piovezan U, Szabo MPJ, Drigo M, Segalés J, Richtzenhain LJ. Genetic characterisation of Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) strains from feral pigs in the Brazilian Pantanal: An opportunity to reconstruct the history of PCV2 evolution. Vet Microbiol 2015; 178:158-62. [PMID: 25975522 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2015.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2015] [Revised: 04/30/2015] [Accepted: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Since its discovery, Porcine circovirus type 2 has emerged as one of the most relevant swine infectious diseases, causing relevant economic losses for the pig industry. While four genotypes were identified, only three (PCV2a, PCV2b and PCV2d) are currently circulating and display a worldwide distribution. Another genotype, PCV2c, has been described only once in Danish archive samples collected between 1980 and 1990. In addition to commercial pigs, PCV2 has been demonstrated to infect wild boars and other wild species, which can potentially serve as a reservoir for domestic populations. In this study, eight sequences obtained from feral pigs in the Pantanal region (Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil) were compared with reference sequences and other Brazilian sequences, and the results revealed remarkable genetic diversity, with all four genotypes currently recognised being detected (PCV2a, PCV2b, PCV2c and PCV2d). This finding represents a remarkable discovery, as it is the first detection of PCV2c since 1990 and the first-ever detection of PCV2c in live animals. The peculiar population history and ecological scenario of feral pigs in the Pantanal coupled with the complex, and still only partially known relationship of feral pigs with other PCV2 susceptible species (i.e., domestic pigs, wild boars and peccaries), open exciting questions concerning PCV2 origin and evolution. Overall, the results of the present study led us to form the following hypothesis: the PCV2 strains found in feral pigs may be the last descent of the strains that circulated among European pigs in the past, or they may have infected these feral pigs more recently through a bridge species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ubiratan Piovezan
- Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária - Embrapa Pantanal, Corumbá, MS, Brazil
| | - Matias Pablo Juan Szabo
- Laboratório de Ixodologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Joaquim Segalés
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), UAB-IRTA, Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Departament de Sanitat i d'Anatomia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Leonardo José Richtzenhain
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Allen LR, Engeman RM. Evaluating and validating abundance monitoring methods in the absence of populations of known size: review and application to a passive tracking index. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 22:2907-2915. [PMID: 25223358 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-014-3567-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2014] [Accepted: 09/03/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Rarely is it possible to obtain absolute numbers in free-ranging populations and although various direct and indirect methods are used to estimate abundance, few are validated against populations of known size. In this paper, we apply grounding, calibration and verification methods, used to validate mathematical models, to methods of estimating relative abundance. To illustrate how this might be done, we consider and evaluate the widely applied passive tracking index (PTI) methodology. Using published data, we examine the rationality of PTI methodology, how conceptually animal activity and abundance are related and how alternative methods are subject to similar biases or produce similar abundance estimates and trends. We then attune the method against populations representing a range of densities likely to be encountered in the field. Finally, we compare PTI trends against a prediction that adjacent populations of the same species will have similar abundance values and trends in activity. We show that while PTI abundance estimates are subject to environmental and behavioural stochasticity peculiar to each species, the PTI method and associated variance estimate showed high probability of detection, high precision of abundance values and, generally, low variability between surveys, and suggest that the PTI method applied using this procedure and for these species provides a sensitive and credible index of abundance. This same or similar validation approach can and should be applied to alternative relative abundance methods in order to demonstrate their credibility and justify their use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee R Allen
- Robert Wicks Pest Animal Research Centre, Biosecurity Queensland, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, PO Box 102, Toowoomba, Queensland, 4350, Australia,
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Ramos VDN, Piovezan U, Franco AHA, Osava CF, Herrera HM, Szabó MPJ. Feral pigs as hosts for Amblyomma sculptum (Acari: Ixodidae) populations in the Pantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2014; 64:393-406. [PMID: 25037743 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-014-9832-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2014] [Accepted: 06/16/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The Pantanal in Brazil is the largest floodplain of the world. This ecosystem, rich in wildlife, has a large feral pig population. Such a large host biomass must have a strong influence on the parasite fauna. In this work, we evaluated the role of feral pigs in the maintenance of Amblyomma sculptum (formerly Amblyomma cajennense), the most prevalent tick species in the Pantanal. Tick infestations were evaluated on 243 feral pigs and their environment. The suitability of domestic pigs, representing their feral relatives, to A. sculptum adults and nymphs was assessed experimentally. Tick infestation of feral pigs was strongly associated with that of the environment: 96 and 97 % of the ticks, respectively, were A. sculptum. The infestation prevalence on this host species was close to 90 % in the dry season and 100 % in the wet season and mean infestation intensity was above 30 ticks in both seasons. Suitability of pigs as hosts for A. sculptum was shown by the high proportion of nymphs and female ticks found engorging on captured feral pigs and adequate biological parameters displayed by ticks from experimental infestations of domestic pigs. Other tick species on feral pigs, albeit in much lower numbers, were Amblyomma parvum and Ornithodorus rostratus. Results show that feral pigs feed a high proportion of the A. sculptum adults and nymphs in their territories and should be a target for tick-borne diseases studies. This is particularly relevant to public health because all the main tick species found on feral pigs are aggressive to humans as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa do Nascimento Ramos
- Laboratório de Ixodologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Pará, 1720/Campus Umuarama-Bloco 2T, Uberlândia, MG, 38400-902, Brazil
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Ferretti F, Storer K, Coats J, Massei G. Temporal and spatial patterns of defecation in wild boar. WILDLIFE SOC B 2014. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Ferretti
- Research Unit of Behavioural Ecology; Ethology and Wildlife Management; Department of Life Sciences; University of Siena; Via P.A. Mattioli 4 53100 Siena Italy
- Maremma Regional Park Agency; Via del Bersagliere 7/9 58100 Alberese Grosseto Italy
| | - Kate Storer
- ADAS High Mowthorpe; Duggleby Malton North Yorkshire YO17 8BP UK
| | - Julia Coats
- National Wildlife Management Centre; Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency; Sand Hutton York YO26 5LE UK
| | - Giovanna Massei
- National Wildlife Management Centre; Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency; Sand Hutton York YO26 5LE UK
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Allen BL, Allen LR, Engeman RM, Leung LKP. Sympatric prey responses to lethal top-predator control: predator manipulation experiments. Front Zool 2014. [DOI: 10.1186/s12983-014-0056-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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de Carvalho Ferreira HC, Weesendorp E, Quak S, Stegeman JA, Loeffen WLA. Suitability of faeces and tissue samples as a basis for non-invasive sampling for African swine fever in wild boar. Vet Microbiol 2014; 172:449-54. [PMID: 25017975 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2014.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2014] [Revised: 06/16/2014] [Accepted: 06/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
A challenging aspect of ASFV control in wild boar populations is the design and implementation of effective surveillance and monitoring programmes, both for early warning, and to determine the ongoing epidemiological situation in an infected population. Testing blood samples requires invasive sampling strategies like hunting or capture of wild boar. Besides being biased towards healthy animals, such strategies are also linked to further spread of the virus. Non-invasive sampling strategies would increase the reliability of surveillance of ASFV in wild boar populations, without the negative side effects. This study evaluates the potential of faeces and tissue samples as a basis for non-invasive sampling strategies for ASFV in wild boar. In the acute phase (0-21 days after infection), in comparison with virus detection in blood, virus can be detected in faeces 50-80% of the time. This percentage decreases to below 10% for the subacute/chronic phase. ASFV DNA is quite stable in faeces. Half-lives range from more than 2 years at temperature up to 12°C, to roughly 15 days at temperatures of 30°C. In tissue samples, stored at 20°C, half-lives mostly range from 1.7 to 7.4 days. The sample of preference is the spleen, where the highest titres and highest half-life of ASFV DNA are observed. The level and duration of excretion of ASFV in the faeces, combined with the stability of the DNA, suggest that sampling of faeces could be the basis for a non-invasive sampling strategy to monitor ASFV in wild boar.
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Affiliation(s)
- H C de Carvalho Ferreira
- Central Veterinary Institute, Part of Wageningen UR (CVI), Virology Department, P.O. Box 65, 8200 AB Lelystad, The Netherlands; University Utrecht, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Farm Animal Department, Yalelaan 7-9, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - E Weesendorp
- Central Veterinary Institute, Part of Wageningen UR (CVI), Virology Department, P.O. Box 65, 8200 AB Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - S Quak
- Central Veterinary Institute, Part of Wageningen UR (CVI), Virology Department, P.O. Box 65, 8200 AB Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - J A Stegeman
- University Utrecht, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Farm Animal Department, Yalelaan 7-9, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - W L A Loeffen
- Central Veterinary Institute, Part of Wageningen UR (CVI), Virology Department, P.O. Box 65, 8200 AB Lelystad, The Netherlands.
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Engeman R, Hershberger T, Orzell S, Felix R, Killian G, Woolard J, Cornman J, Romano D, Huddleston C, Zimmerman P, Barre C, Tillman E, Avery M. Impacts from control operations on a recreationally hunted feral swine population at a large military installation in Florida. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 21:7689-7697. [PMID: 24622991 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-014-2727-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2013] [Accepted: 02/28/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Feral swine were targeted for control at Avon Park Air Force Range in south-central Florida to avert damage to sensitive wetland habitats on the 40,000-ha base. We conducted a 5-year study to assess impacts from control to this population that had been recreationally hunted for many years. Control was initiated in early 2009. The feral swine population was monitored from 2008 to 2012 using a passive tracking index (PTI) during the dry and wet seasons and using recreational hunter take rates from the dry season. All three indices showed substantial feral swine declines after implementing control, with indices leveling for the final two study years. Military missions and recreational hunting seasons impacted temporal and spatial consistency of control application, thereby limiting further impacts of control efforts on the feral swine population. The PTI was also able to monitor coyotes, another invasive species on the base, and detect Florida black bear and Florida panther, species of particular concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Engeman
- National Wildlife Research Center, USDA/APHIS/WS, 4101 LaPorte Ave, Fort Collins, CO, 80521-2154, USA,
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Rangel-Negrín A, Coyohua-Fuentes A, Canales-Espinosa D, Dias PAD. Mammal assemblages in forest fragments and landscapes occupied by black howler monkeys. Primates 2014; 55:345-52. [PMID: 24619385 DOI: 10.1007/s10329-014-0415-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2014] [Accepted: 02/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Species assemblages in disturbed habitats vary as a function of the interaction between species requirements and the spatial configuration of the habitat. There are many reports accounting for the presence of howler monkeys in fragments where other mammals are absent, suggesting that they are more resilient. In the present study we explored this idea and predicted that if howler monkeys were more resilient to habitat loss and fragmentation than other mammals, mammal assemblages in fragments occupied by howler monkeys should include fewer species with decreasing amount of habitat (smaller fragment size and less habitat in the landscape) and increasing number of forest fragments. We explored these relationships by additionally considering the feeding and life habits of mammal species, as well as the isolation and proximity of each fragment to human settlements and roads. We sampled the presence of mammals in five fragments occupied by black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) in the Mexican state of Campeche. Through direct sights performed during 240 h in each fragment, we observed 23 species. At the landscape scale, higher fragmentation was associated with a decrease in herbivores, omnivores and total number of species. At the fragment scale semiarboreal, omnivore, and total number of species increased with increasing fragment size. This study supports the idea that howler monkeys are more resilient to forest loss and fragmentation than other native mammals, and our exploratory analyses suggest that the specific mammal assemblages that are found in fragments are related to both landscape and fragment scale spatial attributes, as well as with species-specific characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariadna Rangel-Negrín
- Instituto de Neuroetología, Universidad Veracruzana, Av. Luís Castelazo Ayala s/n Col. Industrial Ánimas, 91190, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico,
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