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Karaer MC, Sönmez Hİ, Madak E, Kankılıç T, Tavşanoğlu Ç, Sarımehmetoğlu HO. Helminths of captive and free-ranging populations of the mountain gazelle (Gazella gazella): Evidence from faecal examination. Vet Med Sci 2024; 10:e1429. [PMID: 38555575 PMCID: PMC10981916 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding parasite diversity in wild and captive animal populations has critical implications for both individual animal health and ecosystem dynamics in a broader sense. In mountain gazelles (Gazella gazella), the gastrointestinal helminth community is poorly understood, limiting our efforts in the conservation of this endangered bovid species. This species has only two remaining populations in the world, including the isolated northernmost population in Türkiye. OBJECTIVES To identify and compare the diversity and prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in captive and free-ranging populations of mountain gazelles in Hatay, Türkiye, and to assess potential zoonotic risks. METHODS In total, 105 fresh faecal samples, 45 individual samples and 60 faecal samples, representing 16 pools, from both captive and free-ranging populations were collected and analysed using Fulleborn flotation, Benedek sedimentation and Bearman-Wetzel methods faecal flotation methods, including the McMaster technique to determine the severity of infection. RESULTS We detected 12 helminth taxa in our examination of faecal samples, including gastrointestinal nematodes, lungworms and trematodes. Parasites from the Trichostrongyloidea family demonstrated variable hatching stages and rates, potentially influenced by ambient conditions. We also detected one protozoan among the samples. Our results revealed a higher diversity of parasites in free-ranging populations compared to captive ones. CONCLUSIONS This study underscores the necessity for regular parasitological surveillance in both captive and free-ranging wildlife populations for effective conservation management. It also contributes to the 'One Health' perspective by highlighting the potential zoonotic risks posed by parasites in wild ruminants. Our results have implications for the conservation and management of the mountain gazelle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Cansu Karaer
- Institute of ScienceHacettepe UniversityAnkaraTürkiye
- Division of EcologyDepartment of BiologyHacettepe UniversityAnkaraTürkiye
- Food and Agriculture Vocational SchoolÇankırı Karatekin UniversityÇankırıTürkiye
| | - Hande İrem Sönmez
- Institute of Health SciencesDepartment of ParasitologyAnkara UniversityAnkaraTürkiye
| | - Elif Madak
- Institute of Health SciencesDepartment of ParasitologyAnkara UniversityAnkaraTürkiye
| | - Tolga Kankılıç
- Department of Biology, Sabire Yazıcı Faculty of Science and LetterAksaray UniversityAksarayTürkiye
| | - Çağatay Tavşanoğlu
- Division of EcologyDepartment of BiologyHacettepe UniversityAnkaraTürkiye
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Davey ML, Kamenova S, Fossøy F, Solberg EJ, Davidson R, Mysterud A, Rolandsen CM. Faecal metabarcoding provides improved detection and taxonomic resolution for non-invasive monitoring of gastrointestinal nematode parasites in wild moose populations. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:19. [PMID: 36653864 PMCID: PMC9847159 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05644-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although wild ungulate populations are heavily monitored throughout Europe, we understand little of how parasites affect population dynamics, and there is no systematic, long-term monitoring of parasite diversity and parasite loads. Such monitoring is in part hampered by a lack of time- and cost-effective assay methodologies with high sensitivity and good taxonomic resolution. DNA metabarcoding has been successfully used to characterize the parasitic nemabiome with high taxonomic resolution in a variety of wild and domestic hosts. However, in order to implement this technique in large-scale, potentially non-invasive monitoring of gastrointestinal parasitic nematodes (GIN), protocol optimization is required to maximize biodiversity detection, whilst maintaining time- and cost-effectiveness. METHODS Faecal samples were collected from a wild moose population and GIN communities were characterized and quantified using both parasitological techniques (egg and larva counting) and DNA metabarcoding of the ITS2 region of rDNA. Three different isolation methods were compared that differed in the volume of starting material and cell lysis method. RESULTS Similar nematode faunas were recovered from all samples using both parasitological and metabarcoding methods, and the approaches were largely congruent. However, metabarcoding assays showed better taxonomic resolution and slightly higher sensitivity than egg and larvae counts. The metabarcoding was not strictly quantitative, but the proportion of target nematode sequences recovered was correlated with the parasitologically determined parasite load. Species detection rates in the metabarcoding assays were maximized using a DNA isolation method that included mechanical cell disruption and maximized the starting material volume. CONCLUSIONS DNA metabarcoding is a promising technique for the non-invasive, large-scale monitoring of parasitic GINs in wild ungulate populations, owing to its high taxonomic resolution, increased assay sensitivity, and time- and cost-effectiveness. Although metabarcoding is not a strictly quantitative method, it may nonetheless be possible to create a management- and conservation-relevant index for the host parasite load from this data. To optimize the detection rates and time- and cost-effectiveness of metabarcoding assays, we recommend choosing a DNA isolation method that involves mechanical cell disruption and maximizes the starting material volume.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie L. Davey
- grid.420127.20000 0001 2107 519XNorwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Stefaniya Kamenova
- grid.5510.10000 0004 1936 8921University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway ,grid.19477.3c0000 0004 0607 975XNorwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Frode Fossøy
- grid.420127.20000 0001 2107 519XNorwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Erling J. Solberg
- grid.420127.20000 0001 2107 519XNorwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Rebecca Davidson
- grid.410549.d0000 0000 9542 2193Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Atle Mysterud
- grid.420127.20000 0001 2107 519XNorwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Trondheim, Norway ,grid.5510.10000 0004 1936 8921University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Christer M. Rolandsen
- grid.420127.20000 0001 2107 519XNorwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Trondheim, Norway
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Shanebeck KM, Besson AA, Lagrue C, Green SJ. The energetic costs of sub-lethal helminth parasites in mammals: a meta-analysis. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2022; 97:1886-1907. [PMID: 35678252 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Parasites, by definition, have a negative effect on their host. However, in wild mammal health and conservation research, sub-lethal infections are commonly assumed to have negligible health effects unless parasites are present in overwhelming numbers. Here, we propose a definition for host health in mammals that includes sub-lethal effects of parasites on the host's capacity to adapt to the environment and maintain homeostasis. We synthesized the growing number of studies on helminth parasites in mammals to assess evidence for the relative magnitude of sub-lethal effects of infection across mammal taxa based on this expanded definition. Specifically, we develop and apply a framework for organizing disparate metrics of parasite effects on host health and body condition according to their impact on an animal's energetic condition, defined as the energetic burden of pathogens on host physiological and behavioural functions that relate directly to fitness. Applying this framework within a global meta-analysis of helminth parasites in wild, laboratory and domestic mammal hosts produced 142 peer-reviewed studies documenting 599 infection-condition effects. Analysing these data within a multiple working hypotheses framework allowed us to evaluate the relative weighted contribution of methodological (study design, sampling protocol, parasite quantification methods) and biological (phylogenetic relationships and host/parasite life history) moderators to variation in the magnitude of health effects. We found consistently strong negative effects of infection on host energetic condition across taxonomic groups, with unusually low heterogeneity in effect sizes when compared with other ecological meta-analyses. Observed effect size was significantly lower within cross-sectional studies (i.e. observational studies that investigated a sub-set of a population at a single point in time), the most prevalent methodology. Furthermore, opportunistic sampling led to a weaker negative effect compared to proactive sampling. In the model of host taxonomic group, the effect of infection on energetic condition in carnivores was not significant. However, when sampling method was included, it explained substantial inter-study variance; proactive sampling showing a strongly significant negative effect while opportunistic sampling detected only a weak, non-significant effect. This may partly underlie previous assumptions that sub-lethal parasites do not have significant effects on host health. We recommend future studies adopt energetic condition as the framework for assessing parasite effects on wildlife health and provide guidelines for the selection of research protocols, health proxies, and relating infection to fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle M Shanebeck
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, 11455 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Anne A Besson
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, 340 Great King Street, Dunedin, 9016, New Zealand
| | - Clement Lagrue
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, 11455 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Zoology, University of Otago, 340 Great King Street, Dunedin, 9016, New Zealand.,Department of Conservation, 265 Princes Street, Dunedin, 9016, New Zealand
| | - Stephanie J Green
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, 11455 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Magdálek J, Bourgoin G, Vadlejch J. Non-native Nematode Ashworthius sidemi Currently Dominates the Abomasal Parasite Community of Cervid Hosts in the Czech Republic. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:862092. [PMID: 35573405 PMCID: PMC9096835 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.862092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ashworthius sidemi is an abomasal nematode typical for Asiatic cervids such as sambar (Rusa unicolor) or sika deer (Cervus nippon). This non-native parasite was introduced into Europe via sika deer in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The current dynamic spread of this parasite amongst autochthonous wild cervids occurs independently of human activities, and A. sidemi has a negative impact on the health of wild ruminants and may pose a threat to the conservation of endangered wild ungulates and to livestock. This invasive parasite has been previously detected in the Czech Republic, but more accurate information on A. sidemi is required. Only limited information is generally available on the factors influencing the spread of abomasal nematodes in wild ruminants, so more information is necessary for planning effective strategies of parasite control. We therefore conducted a survey on the abomasal nematodes in cervids in both game reserves and hunting grounds across the Czech Republic, taking into account the hosts (species, age, sex) and environmental factors (monthly average temperature). The abomasa of 104 animals belonging to five cervid species originating from various locations of the country were collected. Data on host (species, sex, and age group) and the monthly average temperature in the region were obtained for each animal. The parasitological analyses indicated that 92% of the abomasa were infected by nematodes. Ashworthius sidemi was the most prevalent (72%) and abundant (80% of the total recovered individuals) nematode species and was detected in all cervid species except white-tailed deer. The intensity of A. sidemi was highest in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and fallow deer (Dama dama), but A. sidemi abundance did not depend substantially on the host or environmental factors. In contrast, the abundance of nematodes from the subfamily Ostertagiinae was influenced by the host species and temperature. Parasitic load was significantly higher in roe deer and during the warmer periods of the survey. We also detected another non-native nematode species, Spiculopteragia houdemeri. The results of our study suggest that the non-native nematode A. sidemi is now widespread amongst cervid hosts in the Czech Republic, probably due to the high sensitivity of autochthonous cervids to A. sidemi infections as well as adaptation of this parasite to the current climatic conditions of this country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Magdálek
- Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Gilles Bourgoin
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, Université de Lyon, VetAgro Sup – Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, Marcy l'Etoile, France
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Évolutive, CNRS, UMR 5558, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Jaroslav Vadlejch
- Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czechia
- *Correspondence: Jaroslav Vadlejch
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Beaumelle C, Redman EM, de Rijke J, Wit J, Benabed S, Debias F, Duhayer J, Pardonnet S, Poirel MT, Capron G, Chabot S, Rey B, Yannic G, Gilleard JS, Bourgoin G. Metabarcoding in two isolated populations of wild roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) reveals variation in gastrointestinal nematode community composition between regions and among age classes. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:594. [PMID: 34863264 PMCID: PMC8642965 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05087-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Gastrointestinal nematodes are ubiquitous for both domestic and wild ungulates and have varying consequences for health and fitness. They exist as complex communities of multiple co-infecting species, and we have a limited understanding of how these communities vary in different hosts, regions and circumstances or of how this affects their impacts. Methods We have undertaken ITS2 rDNA nemabiome metabarcoding with next-generation sequencing on populations of nematode larvae isolated from 149 fecal samples of roe deer of different sex and age classes in the two isolated populations of Chizé and Trois Fontaines in France not co-grazing with any domestic ungulate species. Results We identified 100 amplified sequence variants (ASVs) that were assigned to 14 gastrointestinal nematode taxa overall at either genus (29%) or species (71%) level. These taxa were dominated by parasites classically found in cervids—e.g. Ostertagia leptospicularis, Spiculopteragia spp. Higher parasite species diversity was present in the Trois Fontaines population than in the Chizé population including the presence of species more typically seen in domestic livestock (Haemonchus contortus, Bunostomum sp., Cooperia punctata, Teladorsagia circumcincta). No differences in parasite species diversity or community composition were seen in the samples collected from three zones of differing habitat quality within the Chizé study area. Young roe deer hosted the highest diversity of gastrointestinal nematodes, with more pronounced effects of age apparent in Trois Fontaines. The effect of host age differed between gastrointestinal nematode species, e.g. there was little effect on O. leptospicularis but a large effect on Trichostrongylus spp. No effect of host sex was detected in either site. Conclusions The presence of some livestock parasite species in the Trois Fontaines roe deer population was unexpected given the isolation of this population away from grazing domestic livestock since decades. Overall, our results illustrate the influence of host traits and the local environment on roe deer nemabiome and demonstrate the power of the nemabiome metabarcoding approach to elucidate the composition of gastrointestinal nematode communities in wildlife. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-05087-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Beaumelle
- Université Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR 5558, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Université de Lyon, 69100, Villeurbanne, France. .,Université Grenoble Alpes, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, 38000, Grenoble, France.
| | - Elizabeth M Redman
- Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Host-Parasites Interactions Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Jill de Rijke
- Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Host-Parasites Interactions Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Janneke Wit
- Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Host-Parasites Interactions Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Slimania Benabed
- Université Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR 5558, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Université de Lyon, 69100, Villeurbanne, France.,VetAgro Sup, Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, Université de Lyon, 69280, Marcy l'Etoile, France
| | - François Debias
- Université Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR 5558, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Université de Lyon, 69100, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Jeanne Duhayer
- Université Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR 5558, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Université de Lyon, 69100, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Sylvia Pardonnet
- Université Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR 5558, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Université de Lyon, 69100, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Marie-Thérèse Poirel
- Université Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR 5558, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Université de Lyon, 69100, Villeurbanne, France.,VetAgro Sup, Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, Université de Lyon, 69280, Marcy l'Etoile, France
| | - Gilles Capron
- Office Français de la Biodiversité, 75008, Paris, France
| | | | - Benjamin Rey
- Université Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR 5558, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Université de Lyon, 69100, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Glenn Yannic
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - John S Gilleard
- Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Host-Parasites Interactions Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Gilles Bourgoin
- Université Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR 5558, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Université de Lyon, 69100, Villeurbanne, France.,VetAgro Sup, Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, Université de Lyon, 69280, Marcy l'Etoile, France
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6
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Świsłocka M, Ratkiewicz M, Borkowska A. Simultaneous Infection of Elaphostrongylus Nematode Species and Parasite Sharing between Sympatrically Occurring Cervids: Moose, Roe Deer, and Red Deer in Poland. Pathogens 2021; 10:1344. [PMID: 34684292 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10101344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
It is important to assess the distribution of parasite species across wildlife populations, to design strategies for game management and effective disease control in nature. In this project we quantified the prevalence of Elaphostrongylus species in eight moose populations. We used molecular methods for identification of parasite species and host individual genotypes from fecal samples. We also demonstrated sharing of parasite species between three cervid hosts sympatrically occurring in the Biebrza River valley, North-Eastern Poland, which is occupied by the largest autochthonous, non-harvested moose population in Central Europe. Nematode species from the genus Elaphostrongylus are ubiquitous in the studied moose populations. The presence of a single parasite species (e.g., E. alces) in moose individuals was more common than simultaneous infection with E. alces and E. cervi. The prevalence of both E. alces and E. cervi was higher in males than females. The distribution of E. alces and E. cervi prevalence in moose, roe deer, and red deer were in accordance with the membership of a host to a subfamily. Simultaneous occurrences of both Elaphostrongylus species were significantly more frequently noted in red deer fecal samples than those collected from moose or roe deer. Thus, we consider red deer to play a dominant role in sharing of those nematodes to other cervids. Our findings promote applications of molecular methods of identifying parasite species and the assessment of the exchange of parasite community between wild ruminant species in management and health monitoring of game animal populations.
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Razanske I, Rosef O, Radzijevskaja J, Krikstolaitis R, Paulauskas A. Impact of tick-borne Anaplasma phagocytophilum infections in calves of moose (Alces alces) in southern Norway. Folia Parasitol (Praha) 2021; 68. [PMID: 34782490 DOI: 10.14411/fp.2021.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The Gram-negative, obligate intracellular tick-transmitted pathogen Anaplasma phagocytophilum can cause acute febrile diseases in humans and domestic animals. The expansion of the tick Ixodes ricinus (Linnaeus, 1758) in northern Europe due to climate change is of serious concern for animal and human health. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of A. phagocytophilum infection in moose Alces alces (Linnaeus) calves by evaluating the carcass weights of infected and non-infected animals and examining animal tissues samples for co-infections with either species of Babesia Starcovici, 1893 or bacteria of the genus Bartonella. The carcasses of 68 free-ranging moose calves were weighed by hunters during the hunting seasons from 2014 to 2017 in two regions in southern Norway and spleen samples were collected. Anaplasma phagocytophilum was detected in moose sampled from locations infected with ticks with a prevalence of 82% (n = 46). The carcass weights of A. phagocytophilum-infected calves (n = 46) and non-infected (n = 22) calves were compared. Although the average weight of infected calves (45.6 kg) was lower than that of non-infected calves (46.5 kg), the difference was not statistically significant. Three different variants of the bacterium 16S rRNA gene were identified. The average weight of animals infected with variant I was 49.9 kg, whereas that of animals infected with variant III was 42.0 kg, but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.077). Co-infections of A. phagocytophilum with Bartonella spp. or with Babesia spp. were found in 20 and two calves, respectively. A triple infection was found in two calves. Sequence analysis of the 18S rRNA gene of Babesia-positive samples revealed the presence of Babesia cf. odocoilei (Emerson et Wright, 1970). Strains of Bartonella closely related to Bartonella bovis (Bermond, Boulouis, Heller, Laere, Monteil, Chomel, Sander, Dehio et Piemont, 2002) were identified based on phylogenetic analysis of the gltA and rpoB genes. The loss of body mass in moose calves in the tick-infected site was probably influenced by multiple factors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Olav Rosef
- Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania.,Rosef Field Research Station, Mjavatn, Norway
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Rolandsen CM, Madslien K, Ytrehus B, Hamnes IS, Solberg EJ, Mysterud A, Vikøren T, Våge J, Hanssen O, Miller AL. Distribution, prevalence and intensity of moose nose bot fly ( Cephenemyia ulrichii) larvae in moose ( Alces alces) from Norway. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2021; 15:120-126. [PMID: 33996444 PMCID: PMC8105593 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2021.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
High host density combined with climate change may lead to invasion of harmful parasites in cervid (host) populations. Bot flies (Diptera: Oestridae) are a group of ectoparasites that may have strong impact on their hosts, but data on the current distribution, prevalence and intensity of the moose nose bot fly (Cephenemyia ulrichii) in Scandinavia are lacking. We estimated prevalence and intensity of nose bot fly larvae in 30 moose from southern and 79 moose from central Norway. All larvae detected were identified as the moose nose bot fly. We found surprisingly high prevalence in these areas, which are up to 1300 km south-southwest of the first published location in Norway and west of the distribution in Sweden. Prevalence (0.44-1.00) was higher in areas with higher moose density. Parasite intensity in hunter killed moose was higher in central Norway (mean 5.7) than southern Norway (mean 2.9), and in both regions higher in calves and yearlings than adults. Fallen moose had higher parasite intensity (mean 9.8) compared to hunter killed moose in the subsample from central Norway, suggesting a link to host condition or behavior. Our study provides evidence of parasite range expansion, and establishing monitoring appears urgent to better understand impact on host populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christer M Rolandsen
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), PO Box 5685 Sluppen, NO-7485, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Knut Madslien
- Norwegian Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 750 Sentrum, NO-0106, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bjørnar Ytrehus
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), PO Box 5685 Sluppen, NO-7485, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Inger Sofie Hamnes
- Norwegian Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 750 Sentrum, NO-0106, Oslo, Norway
| | - Erling J Solberg
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), PO Box 5685 Sluppen, NO-7485, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Atle Mysterud
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1066 Blindern, NO-0316, Oslo, Norway
| | - Turid Vikøren
- Norwegian Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 750 Sentrum, NO-0106, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jørn Våge
- Norwegian Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 750 Sentrum, NO-0106, Oslo, Norway
| | - Oddvar Hanssen
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), PO Box 5685 Sluppen, NO-7485, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Andrea L Miller
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), PO Box 5685 Sluppen, NO-7485, Trondheim, Norway
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9
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Filip-Hutsch K, Czopowicz M, Barc A, Demiaszkiewicz AW. Gastrointestinal Helminths of a European Moose Population in Poland. Pathogens 2021; 10:456. [PMID: 33920333 PMCID: PMC8070461 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10040456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasitic infections have a negative impact on the fecundity and survival of wild ruminants, particularly moose; however, despite being more susceptible to parasitic diseases than other wild cervids, they remain poorly examined in this regard. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to identify gastrointestinal and liver helminth species of the moose population in central Europe, assess the factors contributing to infection intensities and examine their impact on moose health. Abomasum, small intestine, caecum and liver samples were collected from 46 moose in Poland and evaluated for helminth parasite fauna and histopathological changes. Additionally, 289 moose fecal samples were analyzed for the presence of eggs, oocysts and larvae of parasites. In total, 19 parasite taxa were identified. The most prevalent were Mazamastrongylus dagestanica and Ostertagia antipini, which are typical nematodes of moose, together with Spiculopteragia boehmi and O. leptospicularis, characteristic also of other cervids. Parasite species diversity and abomasal parasitic infection intensity were higher in adult moose than in yearlings and calves. The numbers of histopathological lesions depended on the intensity of parasitic infections, and were most severe in the livers of moose infected with Parafasciolopsis fasciolaemorpha. The analysis of fecal samples revealed several regional differences in the levels of parasite eggs, oocysts and larvae shedding. Our findings indicate an accumulation of parasite infections over time in moose, which may be related to high environmental parasite pressure, possibly connected with high moose density and the presence of wetlands; they also serve as the most comprehensive study of moose parasites in central Europe to date.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michał Czopowicz
- Division of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences–SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Agnieszka Barc
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory ALAB bioscience, Krucza 13, 05-090 Rybie, Poland;
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10
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Filip-Hutsch K, Demiaszkiewicz AW, Chęcińska A, Hutsch T, Czopowicz M, Pyziel AM. First report of a newly-described lungworm, Dictyocaulus cervi (Nematoda: Trichostrongyloidea), in moose ( Alces alces) in central Europe. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2020; 13:275-282. [PMID: 33312859 PMCID: PMC7721663 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Lungworms from the genus Dictyocaulus are the causative agents of verminous pneumonia in domestic and wild ungulates. Recently, in 2017, a new species was isolated from red deer and described as Dictyocaulus cervi; however, little is known about its epidemiology and pathogenicity in other cervids. The aim of our study was to determine the extent of infection with Dictyocaulus nematodes in the moose population in Poland. Parasitological necropsies were performed in 18 moose and 249 faecal samples were analysed. A combination of multiplex PCR and analysis of the partial SSU, cox1 and cyt B regions revealed the presence of D. cervi infection in two of the necropsied moose. Histopathological examinations revealed changes, including multiple cross sections of larvae of nematodes in alveoli, massive pulmonary fibrosis, mononuclear cell infiltration and diffuse alveolar damage in the lungs of four animals. The lesions were more pronounced when adult Dictyocaulus nematodes were present in the bronchi and bronchioles. Some of the observed pathological changes could be attributed to co-infection by nematodes of the Protostrongylidae, whose larvae were found in all four animals with lung pathologies. In the faeces, Dictyocaulus sp. larvae only occurred together with Protostrongylidae larvae; in addition, higher numbers of Protostrongylidae larvae were excreted in the faeces of animals with dictyocaulosis. The present study is the first report of the presence of D. cervi in moose, and demonstrates the value of multiplex PCR in the identification of Dictyocaulus nematodes. Our findings indicate that co-infections with multiple species of lung nematodes in moose may be commonplace, and this should be considered as a factor aggravating the course of parasitosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anita Chęcińska
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory ALAB bioscience, Krucza 13, 05-090, Rybie, Poland
- Molecular Biology Unit, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre PAS, A. Pawińskiego 5, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Hutsch
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory ALAB bioscience, Krucza 13, 05-090, Rybie, Poland
| | - Michał Czopowicz
- Division of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences–SGGW (WULS), Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna M. Pyziel
- Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW (WULS), Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
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11
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Świsłocka M, Borkowska A, Matosiuk M, Czajkowska M, Duda N, Kowalczyk R, Ratkiewicz M. Sex-biased polyparasitism in moose ( Alces alces) based on molecular analysis of faecal samples. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2020; 13:171-177. [PMID: 33134076 PMCID: PMC7591323 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Simultaneous infection with multiple parasite species in an individual host is often observed in wild populations. The understanding of parasite species distribution across populations of wild animals is of basic and applied importance, because parasites can have pronounced effects on the dynamics of host population. Here, we quantified prevalence and endoparasite species richness in moose and explored sex-biased polyparasitism using diagnostic PCR method coupled with DNA sequencing of moose faecal samples from the Biebrza River valley, North-Eastern Poland. This is the largest moose population in Central Europe that has not been harvested for almost 20 years. We also evaluated the appropriate quantity of faeces for detecting DNA of parasite species. Faecal samples were screened for molecular markers of 10 different species of endoparasites. Endoparasite prevalence was high in the studied population. Almost all of the samples (98%) tested positive for at least one parasite species, and we found polyparasitism in the majority of the tested individuals. The number of different parasite species found in a single individual ranged from 0 to 9. The parasite species richness was significantly higher in male than in female individuals. The most prevalent were liver fluke Parafasciolopsis fasciolaemorpha and gastrointestinal nematodes Ostertargia sp. Of the ten endoparasite species detected, only the prevalence of the tapeworm Moniezia benedeni was significantly higher in males than in females. Additionally, we identified co-occurrence associations of parasite species, which tended to be random, but we noted some evidence of both positive and negative associations. Our findings promote applications of molecular methods for parasite species identification from non-invasively collected faecal samples in management and scientific study of moose population, which should include investigation of parasite status, and in health monitoring programs for other wild cervids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Świsłocka
- Department of Zoology and Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bialystok, Ciołkowskiego 1J st, 15-245, Białystok, Poland
- Corresponding author.
| | - Anetta Borkowska
- Department of Zoology and Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bialystok, Ciołkowskiego 1J st, 15-245, Białystok, Poland
| | - Maciej Matosiuk
- Department of Zoology and Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bialystok, Ciołkowskiego 1J st, 15-245, Białystok, Poland
| | - Magdalena Czajkowska
- Department of Zoology and Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bialystok, Ciołkowskiego 1J st, 15-245, Białystok, Poland
| | - Norbert Duda
- Zespół Szkół Ogólnokształcących No 2 W Białymstoku, Narewska 11, 15-840, Białystok, Poland
| | - Rafał Kowalczyk
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Stoczek 1, 17-230, Białowieża, Poland
| | - Mirosław Ratkiewicz
- Department of Zoology and Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bialystok, Ciołkowskiego 1J st, 15-245, Białystok, Poland
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12
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Bush ER, Whytock RC, Bahaa-El-Din L, Bourgeois S, Bunnefeld N, Cardoso AW, Dikangadissi JT, Dimbonda P, Dimoto E, Edzang Ndong J, Jeffery KJ, Lehmann D, Makaga L, Momboua B, Momont LRW, Tutin CEG, White LJT, Whittaker A, Abernethy K. Long-term collapse in fruit availability threatens Central African forest megafauna. Science 2020; 370:1219-1222. [PMID: 32972990 DOI: 10.1126/science.abc7791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Afrotropical forests host much of the world's remaining megafauna, although these animals are confined to areas where direct human influences are low. We used a rare long-term dataset of tree reproduction and a photographic database of forest elephants to assess food availability and body condition of an emblematic megafauna species at Lopé National Park, Gabon. Our analysis reveals an 81% decline in fruiting over a 32-year period (1986-2018) and an 11% decline in body condition of fruit-dependent forest elephants from 2008 to 2018. Fruit famine in one of the last strongholds for African forest elephants should raise concern about the ability of this species and other fruit-dependent megafauna to persist in the long term, with potential consequences for broader ecosystem and biosphere functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma R Bush
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK. .,Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Robin C Whytock
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK. .,Agence Nationale des Parcs Nationaux (ANPN), Libreville, Gabon
| | - Laila Bahaa-El-Din
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | | | - Nils Bunnefeld
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
| | - Anabelle W Cardoso
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Osborne Memorial Laboratories, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.,Environmental Change Institute, School of Geography and the Environment, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Pacôme Dimbonda
- Agence Nationale des Parcs Nationaux (ANPN), Libreville, Gabon
| | - Edmond Dimoto
- Agence Nationale des Parcs Nationaux (ANPN), Libreville, Gabon
| | | | | | - David Lehmann
- Agence Nationale des Parcs Nationaux (ANPN), Libreville, Gabon
| | - Loïc Makaga
- Agence Nationale des Parcs Nationaux (ANPN), Libreville, Gabon
| | - Brice Momboua
- Agence Nationale des Parcs Nationaux (ANPN), Libreville, Gabon
| | | | | | - Lee J T White
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK.,Ministère des Eaux, des Forêts, de la Mer, de l'Environnement Chargé du Plan Climat, des Objectifs de Development Durable et du Plan d'Affectation des Terres, Boulevard Triomphale, Libreville, Gabon.,Institut de Recherche en Ecologie Tropicale, CENAREST, Libreville, Gabon
| | | | - Katharine Abernethy
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK.,Institut de Recherche en Ecologie Tropicale, CENAREST, Libreville, Gabon
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13
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Normandeau J, Kutz SJ, Hebblewhite M, Merrill EH. Living with liver flukes: Does migration matter? Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2020; 12:76-84. [PMID: 32477863 PMCID: PMC7251301 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Revised: 05/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Migration is typically thought to be an evolved trait driven by responses to forage or predation, but recent studies have demonstrated avoidance of parasitism can also affect success of migratory tactics within a population. We evaluated hypotheses of how migration alters parasite exposure in a partially migratory elk (Cervus canadensis) population in and adjacent to Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. Equal numbers of elk remain year-round on the winter range or migrate to summer range. We quantified diversity and abundance of parasites in faecal elk pellets, and prevalence (number of infected individuals) and intensity (egg counts) of giant liver fluke eggs (Fascioloides magna) in faeces across migratory tactics. We tested whether giant liver fluke intensity in faeces was affected by elk use of wetlands, elevation, forage biomass, and elk concentration in the previous summer. We rejected the "migratory escape" hypothesis that suggests migration allowed elk to escape parasite exposure because migrant elk had the highest richness and evenness of parasite groups. We also rejected the hypothesis that prevalence was highest at highest summer densities because higher-density resident elk had the lowest diversity and giant liver fluke egg presence and intensity. Instead, the high prevalence and intensity of giant liver flukes in migrants was consistent with both the hypothesis of "environmental tracking", because elk that migrated earlier may expose themselves to favourable parasite conditions, and with the "environmental sampling" hypothesis, because giant liver fluke intensity increased with increased exposure to secondary host habitat (i.e., wetland). Our results indicate that differential exposure of different migratory tactics that leave the winter range has a greater influence on parasites than the concentration of elk that reside on the winter range year-round.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Susan J Kutz
- Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Mark Hebblewhite
- Wildlife Biology Program, Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences, Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 59812, United States
| | - Evelyn H Merrill
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2R3, Canada
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14
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Filip-Hutsch K, Czopowicz M, Świsłocka M, Ratkiewicz M, Borkowska A, Kowalczyk R, Demiaszkiewicz AW. Patterns of parasite eggs, oocysts and larvae shedding by moose in the Biebrza marshland (NE Poland). Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2020; 11:191-197. [PMID: 32140405 PMCID: PMC7047143 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The study analyses patterns of endoparasite eggs, oocysts and larvae shedding by moose from the relict population in the Biebrza marshland, NE Poland, which has grown to be one of the largest in Central Europe since the ban on hunting imposed in 2001. The analysis identified 10 species or groups of parasites among 230 faecal moose samples collected over 16 consequent months. The most prevalent were the eggs of Trichostrongylidae, Trichuris spp., Nematodirella alcidis, Parafasciolopsis fasciolaemorpha and the larvae of Elaphostrongylus sp. Four parasite species were more prevalent in males, indicating male-biased parasitism, and the studied moose population exhibited a female-skewed sex ratio. Nematodirella alcidis eggs and Protostrongylid larvae were more prevalent during winter, which indicated their resistance to harsh weather conditions. The prevalence of Eimeria alces and Aonchotheca sp. increased during the growing season, as did the number of eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) of P. fasciolaemorpha, possibly due to the availability of water sources. Higher mean monthly temperature was also found to have a positive effect on the excretion of Trichostrongylidae and Moniezia spp. eggs. In addition, the time of infection and the specificity of the parasite life cycle, being sensitive to certain climatic conditions, also appeared to have a strong influence on eggs, oocysts and larvae shedding in this non-harvested moose population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michał Czopowicz
- Division of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences–SGGW, Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Świsłocka
- Institute of Biology, University of Białystok, Ciołkowskiego 1J, 15-245, Białystok, Poland
| | - Mirosław Ratkiewicz
- Institute of Biology, University of Białystok, Ciołkowskiego 1J, 15-245, Białystok, Poland
| | - Anetta Borkowska
- Institute of Biology, University of Białystok, Ciołkowskiego 1J, 15-245, Białystok, Poland
| | - Rafał Kowalczyk
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Stoczek 1, 17-230, Białowieża, Poland
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15
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16
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Bandeira V, Virgós E, Azevedo A, Carvalho J, Cunha MV, Fonseca C. Sex and season explain spleen weight variation in the Egyptian mongoose. Curr Zool 2018; 65:11-20. [PMID: 30697234 PMCID: PMC6347055 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoy031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon Linnaeus, 1758) is a medium-sized carnivore that experienced remarkable geographic expansion over the last 3 decades in the Iberian Peninsula. In this study, we investigated the association of species-related and abiotic factors with spleen weight (as a proxy for immunocompetence) in the species. We assessed the relationship of body condition, sex, age, season, and environmental conditions with spleen weight established for 508 hunted specimens. Our results indicate that the effects of sex and season outweigh those of all other variables, including body condition. Spleen weight is higher in males than in females, and heavier spleens are more likely to be found in spring, coinciding with the highest period of investment in reproduction due to mating, gestation, birth, and lactation. Coupled with the absence of an effect of body condition, our findings suggest that spleen weight variation in this species is mostly influenced by life-history traits linked to reproduction, rather than overall energy availability, winter immunoenhancement, or energy partitioning effects, and prompt further research focusing on this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Bandeira
- Department of Biology & Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar (CESAM), University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Emilio Virgós
- Departamento de Biología, Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Área Biodiversidad y Conservación, Escuela Superior de Ciencias Experimentales y Tecnología (ESCET), Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, c/Tulipán, s/n, Móstoles, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alexandre Azevedo
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, Berlin, Germany.,Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, R. Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, Porto, Portugal
| | - João Carvalho
- Department of Biology & Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar (CESAM), University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal.,Wildlife Ecology & Health group (WE&H) and Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mónica V Cunha
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária (INIAV), IP-National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinary Research, Rua dos Lagidos, Lugar da Madalena, Vairão, Portugal.,cE3c-Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,BioISI-Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Carlos Fonseca
- Department of Biology & Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar (CESAM), University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
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17
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Grandi G, Uhlhorn H, Ågren E, Mörner T, Righi F, Osterman-Lind E, Neimanis A. GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITIC INFECTIONS IN DEAD OR DEBILITATED MOOSE ( ALCES ALCES) IN SWEDEN. J Wildl Dis 2018; 54:165-9. [PMID: 29053430 DOI: 10.7589/2017-03-057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
: Our objectives were to determine prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal parasites of dead or euthanized emaciated moose in central and southern Sweden ( n=50) and to assess parasite intensity as a major contributing factor in the poor condition of these moose. All animals were infected and most had gastrointestinal nematodes. Seven parasite species were found in the abomasa and 10 species were found in the small intestine. Coinfections were commonly found in the abomasum ( Ostertagia antipini and Mazamastrongylus dagestanica) and in the small intestine ( Nematodirella alcidis and Trichostrongylus capricola). Moose had many nematodes; the highest numbers were 224,400 and 11,760, in the abomasum and in the small intestine, respectively. Fourteen moose had more than 40,000 gastrointestinal nematodes (excluding large intestine nematodes represented by Trichuris spp. and Oesophagostomum venulosum). Additionally, a moderate prevalence (36%) of protostrongylid larvae (dorsal spine larvae) and a low prevalence (2-4%) of protozoal infections were identified at microscopic examination of feces. Adult moose had significantly more parasites than did subadults. The results did not show parasite load as a single or a major cause of the moose mortality, but they provided an update on the species composition of helminth parasites in moose in Sweden and illustrated the extreme infection intensities that free-ranging moose can have.
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18
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Pyziel AM, Laskowski Z, Demiaszkiewicz AW, Höglund J. Interrelationships of Dictyocaulus spp. in Wild Ruminants with Morphological Description of Dictyocaulus cervi n. sp. (Nematoda: Trichostrongyloidea) from Red Deer, Cervus elaphus. J Parasitol 2017; 103:506-518. [PMID: 28585897 DOI: 10.1645/16-75] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Lungworms from the genus Dictyocaulus cause parasitic bronchitis (dictyocaulosis) characterized by coughing and severe lung pathology in both domestic and wild ruminants. In this study we investigated the interrelationships of Dictyocaulus spp. from European bison (Bison bonasus L.), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), and red deer (Cervus elaphus) by nucleotide sequence analysis spanning the 18S RNA gene (small subunit [SSU]) and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) regions of the ribosomal gene array as well as the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1). Molecular analyses of sequence data obtained partly with novel primers from between 10 and 50 specimens from each host were carried out. Bayesian inference analysis revealed that each host species was infected with different genotypes. Analysis of cox1 sequence data showed a diverse genetic background and high evolutionary potential of Dictyocaulus taxa. Data from lungworms of European bison revealed a distinct genotype of Dictyocaulus viviparus, whereas Dictyocaulus capreolus was only found in roe deer. In contrast, red deer were infected with a taxon with unique SSU, ITS2, and cox1 sequences. These results indicate the occurrence of a novel genotype from red deer, which differs significantly from the National Center for Biotechnology Information reference sequence of Dictyocaulus eckerti. The molecular evidence was consistent with a morphological study with description and imaging of Dictyocaulus cervi n. sp. recovered from red deer. Dictyocaulus cervi n. sp. can be distinguished from D. eckerti on the basis of the absence of cervical papillae, the occurrence of a single ring of 4 symmetrical submedian cephalic papillae, length of the tail in females, morphometry of the female reproductive system, and measurements of gubernacula in males. In conclusion, our findings further strengthen the idea that the genetic complexity and diversity among Dictyocaulus lungworms infecting wildlife ruminants is larger than previously believed and warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Pyziel
- W. Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Zdzisław Laskowski
- W. Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Johan Höglund
- W. Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warsaw, Poland
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19
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Pūraitė I, Rosef O, Paulauskas A, Radzijevskaja J. Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in moose (Alces alces) in Norway. Microbes Infect 2015; 17:823-8. [PMID: 26428857 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2015.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2015] [Revised: 09/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a tick-borne bacterium that infects a wide range of animal species. The aim of our study was to investigate the prevalence of A. phagocytophilum in Norwegian moose Alces alces and to characterize the bacteria by sequencing of partial msp4 and 16S rRNA genes. Hunters collected spleen samples from 99 moose of different ages during 2013 and 2014 in two areas: Aust-Agder County (n = 70) where Ixodes ricinus ticks are abundant and Oppland County (n = 29) where ticks were either absent, or abundance very low. A. phagocytophilum was detected only in moose from the I. ricinus - abundant area. The overall prevalence of infection according to 16S rRNA and msp4 gene-based PCR was 41.4% and 31.4% respectively. Sequence analysis of the partial 16S rRNA and msp4 gene revealed two and eight different sequence types respectively. Four of eight msp4 sequence types determined in this study were unique, while others were identical to sequences derived from other ruminants and ticks. The present study indicates that moose could be a potential wildlife reservoir of A. phagocytophilum in Norway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irma Pūraitė
- Vytautas Magnus University, Vileikos 8, LT-44404 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Olav Rosef
- Vytautas Magnus University, Vileikos 8, LT-44404 Kaunas, Lithuania; Rosef Field Research Station, Frolandsveien 2667, 4828 Mjåvatn, Norway
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