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Jack KM, Kulick NK. Primate field research during a pandemic: Lessons learned from the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. Am J Primatol 2023; 85:e23551. [PMID: 37706674 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic abruptly halted most primate field research in early 2020. While international travel bans and regional travel restrictions made continuing primate field research impossible early on in the pandemic, ethical concerns of transmitting the virus from researchers to primates and surrounding human communities informed decisions regarding the timing of resuming research. Between June and September 2020, we surveyed field primatologists regarding the impacts of the pandemic on their research. We received 90 completed surveys from respondents residing in 21 countries, though most were from the United States and Canada. These data provide a valuable window into the perspectives and actions taken by researchers during the early stages of the pandemic as events were still unfolding. Only 2.4% of projects reported continuing research as usual, 33.7% continued with some decrease in productivity, 42.2% reported postponing research projects, and 21.7% reported canceling projects or postponing research indefinitely. Respondents most severely impacted by the pandemic were those establishing new field sites and graduate students whose projects were postponed or canceled due to pandemic-related shutdowns. Fears about increased poaching, the inability to pay local assistants, frozen research funds, declining habituation, disruptions to data collection, and delays in student projects were among the top concerns of respondents. Nearly all the projects able to continue research in any capacity during the early months of the pandemic were run by or employed primate habitat country primatologists. This finding is a major lesson learned from the pandemic; without habitat country scientists, primate research is not sustainable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine M Jack
- Department of Anthropology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Nelle K Kulick
- Department of Anthropology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
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2
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Bennamoun N, Campera M, Tully G, Nekaris KAI. COVID-19's Impact on the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance: Challenging Times and Resilience from Its Members. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13091486. [PMID: 37174522 PMCID: PMC10177251 DOI: 10.3390/ani13091486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The worldwide pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 challenged conservation organizations. The lack of tourism has benefited or negatively affected wildlife organizations in various ways, with several primate sanctuaries struggling to cope with the COVID-19 crisis and to keep providing for their inhabitants. In addition, the genetic similarity between great apes and humans puts them at higher risk than any other species for the transmission of COVID-19. PASA is a non-profit organization comprising 23 sanctuaries, and cares for many species of primate, including African great apes. In light of the pandemic, we aimed to understand the direct effects of COVID-19 on PASA management throughout three time periods: before (2018-2019), at the start of (2019-2020), and during (2020-2021) the pandemic. We collected data via annual surveys for PASA members and ran Generalized Linear Mixed Models to highlight any significant differences in their management that could be linked to COVID-19. Our findings demonstrated no particular impact on the number of primates rescued, employees, or expenses. However, revenues have been decreasing post-COVID-19 due to the lack of income from tourism and volunteer programs. Nonetheless, our results reveal a form of resilience regarding the sanctuaries and the strategy applied to maintain their management. Consequently, we emphasize the specific impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak and its repercussions for conservation work. We discuss the difficulties that sanctuaries have faced throughout the crisis and present the best measures to prevent future outbreaks and protect biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Bennamoun
- School of Social Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK
| | - Marco Campera
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK
| | - Gregg Tully
- Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA), Portland, OR 97219, USA
| | - K A I Nekaris
- School of Social Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK
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3
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Carmona G, Burgos T, Barrientos R, Martin-Garcia S, Muñoz C, Sánchez-Sánchez M, Hernández-Hernández J, Palacín C, Quiles P, Moraga-Fernández A, Bandeira V, Virgós E, Gortázar C, Fernandez de Mera IG. Lack of SARS-CoV-2 RNA evidence in the lungs from wild European polecats ( Mustela putorius) from Spain. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2023; 69:33. [PMID: 36937052 PMCID: PMC10006546 DOI: 10.1007/s10344-023-01662-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
Data on SARS-CoV-2 infection in wildlife species is limited. The high prevalences found in mustelid species such as free-ranging American minks (Neovison vison) and domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) justify the study of this virus in the closely related autochthonous free-ranging European polecat (Mustela putorius). We analysed lung samples from 48 roadkilled polecats collected when the human infection reached its highest levels in Spain (2020-2021). We did not detect infections by SARS-CoV-2; however, surveillance in wild carnivores and particularly in mustelids is still warranted, due to their susceptibility to this virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Carmona
- Road Ecology Lab, Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Tamara Burgos
- Department of Biology and Geology, King Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Barrientos
- Road Ecology Lab, Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Martin-Garcia
- Department of Biology and Geology, King Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Clara Muñoz
- Grupo SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Marta Sánchez-Sánchez
- Grupo SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Javier Hernández-Hernández
- Road Ecology Lab, Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Palacín
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Quiles
- Road Ecology Lab, Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Moraga-Fernández
- Grupo SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Victor Bandeira
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Emilio Virgós
- Department of Biology and Geology, King Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Christian Gortázar
- Grupo SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Isabel G. Fernandez de Mera
- Grupo SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
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4
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Clayton E, Ackerley J, Aelmans M, Ali N, Ashcroft Z, Ashton C, Barker R, Budryte V, Burrows C, Cai S, Callaghan A, Carberry J, Chatwin R, Davies I, Farlow C, Gamblin S, Iacobut A, Lambe A, Lynch F, Mihalache D, Mokbel A, Potamsetty S, Qadir Z, Soden J, Sun X, Vasile A, Wheeler O, Rohaim MA, Munir M. Structural Bases of Zoonotic and Zooanthroponotic Transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Viruses 2022; 14:418. [PMID: 35216011 PMCID: PMC8875863 DOI: 10.3390/v14020418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of multiple variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) highlights the importance of possible animal-to-human (zoonotic) and human-to-animal (zooanthroponotic) transmission and potential spread within animal species. A range of animal species have been verified for SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility, either in vitro or in vivo. However, the molecular bases of such a broad host spectrum for the SARS-CoV-2 remains elusive. Here, we structurally and genetically analysed the interaction between the spike protein, with a particular focus on receptor binding domains (RBDs), of SARS-CoV-2 and its receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) for all conceivably susceptible groups of animals to gauge the structural bases of the SARS-CoV-2 host spectrum. We describe our findings in the context of existing animal infection-based models to provide a foundation on the possible virus persistence in animals and their implications in the future eradication of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Muhammad Munir
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YG, UK; (E.C.); (J.A.); (M.A.); (N.A.); (Z.A.); (C.A.); (R.B.); (V.B.); (C.B.); (S.C.); (A.C.); (J.C.); (R.C.); (I.D.); (C.F.); (S.G.); (A.I.); (A.L.); (F.L.); (D.M.); (A.M.); (S.P.); (Z.Q.); (J.S.); (X.S.); (A.V.); (O.W.); (M.A.R.)
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Estrada A, Garber PA. Principal Drivers and Conservation Solutions to the Impending Primate Extinction Crisis: Introduction to the Special Issue. INT J PRIMATOL 2022; 43:1-14. [PMID: 35194270 PMCID: PMC8853428 DOI: 10.1007/s10764-022-00283-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Nonhuman primates are facing an impending extinction crisis with over 65% of species listed as Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered, and 93% characterized by declining populations. Primary drivers of primate population decline include deforestation, principally for industrial agriculture and the production of food and nonfood commodities, much of which is exported to wealthy consumer nations, unsustainable bushmeat hunting, the illegal pet trade, the capture of primates for body parts, expanding road and rail networks, mining, dam building, oil and gas exploration, and the threat of emerging diseases. Over the next several decades, human population increase, agricultural expansion, and climate change are expected to contribute significantly to the loss of additional suitable habitat and a reduction in the viability of local primate populations. If we are to avoid this impending extinction crisis, primate researchers must prioritize projects designed to mitigate the effects of habitat change on ecosystems health and biodiversity, and play a greater role in conservation and environmental policy by educating global citizens and political leaders. In addition, the international community will need to work with governments in primate habitat countries to expand the number of protected areas that contain primate species (94 primate species have < 10% of their range in protected areas). In this special issue of the International Journal of Primatology, we bring together researchers from a wide range of disciplines to examine the current and future threats to primate population persistence, and present local, country, and regional solutions to protect primate species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Estrada
- Institute of Biology, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico, Mexico
- International Centre of Biodiversity and Primate Conservation, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan China
| | - Paul A. Garber
- International Centre of Biodiversity and Primate Conservation, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan China
- Department of Anthropology and Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL USA
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Sherman J, Unwin S, Travis DA, Oram F, Wich SA, Jaya RL, Voigt M, Santika T, Massingham E, Seaman DJI, Meijaard E, Ancrenaz M. Disease Risk and Conservation Implications of Orangutan Translocations. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:749547. [PMID: 34869722 PMCID: PMC8633116 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.749547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Critically Endangered orangutans are translocated in several situations: reintroduced into historic range where no wild populations exist, released to reinforce existing wild populations, and wild-to-wild translocated to remove individuals from potentially risky situations. Translocated orangutans exposed to human diseases, including Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), pose risks to wild and previously released conspecifics. Wildlife disease risk experts recommended halting great ape translocations during the COVID-19 pandemic to minimize risk of disease transmission to wild populations. We collected data on orangutan releases and associated disease risk management in Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic, and developed a problem description for orangutan disease and conservation risks. We identified that at least 15 rehabilitated ex-captive and 27 wild captured orangutans were released during the study period. Identified disease risks included several wild-to-wild translocated orangutans in direct contact or proximity to humans without protective equipment, and formerly captive rehabilitated orangutans that have had long periods of contact and potential exposure to human diseases. While translocation practitioners typically employ mitigation measures to decrease disease transmission likelihood, these measures cannot eliminate all risk, and are not consistently applied. COVID-19 and other diseases of human origin can be transmitted to orangutans, which could have catastrophic impacts on wild orangutans, other susceptible fauna, and humans should disease transmission occur. We recommend stakeholders conduct a Disease Risk Analysis for orangutan translocation, and improve pathogen surveillance and mitigation measures to decrease the likelihood of potential outbreaks. We also suggest refocusing conservation efforts on alternatives to wild-to-wild translocation including mitigating human-orangutan interactions, enforcing laws and protecting orangutan habitats to conserve orangutans in situ.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Steve Unwin
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Dominic A Travis
- One Health Division, Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States
| | - Felicity Oram
- Pongo Alliance-Kinabatangan, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
| | - Serge A Wich
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | | | - Maria Voigt
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
| | - Truly Santika
- Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Chatham, United Kingdom
| | - Emily Massingham
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Dave J I Seaman
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
| | - Erik Meijaard
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.,Borneo Futures, Bandar Seri Begawan, Darussalam, Brunei
| | - Marc Ancrenaz
- Pongo Alliance-Kinabatangan, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.,Borneo Futures, Bandar Seri Begawan, Darussalam, Brunei.,HUTAN, Sandakan, Malaysia
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7
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Sharun K, Dhama K, Pawde AM, Gortázar C, Tiwari R, Bonilla-Aldana DK, Rodriguez-Morales AJ, de la Fuente J, Michalak I, Attia YA. SARS-CoV-2 in animals: potential for unknown reservoir hosts and public health implications. Vet Q 2021; 41:181-201. [PMID: 33892621 PMCID: PMC8128218 DOI: 10.1080/01652176.2021.1921311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, previously 2019-nCoV) is suspected of having originated in 2019 in China from a coronavirus infected bat of the genus Rhinolophus. Following the initial emergence, possibly facilitated by a mammalian bridge host, SARS-CoV-2 is currently transmitted across the globe via efficient human-to-human transmission. Results obtained from experimental studies indicate that animal species such as cats, ferrets, raccoon dogs, cynomolgus macaques, rhesus macaques, white-tailed deer, rabbits, Egyptian fruit bats, and Syrian hamsters are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, and that cat-to-cat and ferret-to-ferret transmission can take place via contact and air. However, natural infections of SARS-CoV-2 have been reported only in pet dogs and cats, tigers, lions, snow leopards, pumas, and gorillas at zoos, and farmed mink and ferrets. Even though human-to-animal spillover has been reported at several instances, SARS-CoV-2 transmission from animals-to-humans has only been reported from mink-to-humans in mink farms. Following the rapid transmission of SARS-CoV-2 within the mink population, a new mink-associated SARS-CoV-2 variant emerged that was identified in both humans and mink. The increasing reports of SARS-CoV-2 in carnivores indicate the higher susceptibility of animal species belonging to this order. The sporadic reports of SARS-CoV-2 infection in domestic and wild animal species require further investigation to determine if SARS-CoV-2 or related Betacoronaviruses can get established in kept, feral or wild animal populations, which may eventually act as viral reservoirs. This review analyzes the current evidence of SARS-CoV-2 natural infection in domestic and wild animal species and their possible implications on public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khan Sharun
- Division of Surgery, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India
| | - Kuldeep Dhama
- Division of Pathology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India
| | - Abhijit M. Pawde
- Division of Surgery, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India
| | - Christian Gortázar
- SaBio IREC Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (CSIC-Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Ruchi Tiwari
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Sciences, Uttar Pradesh Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go Anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU), Mathura, India
| | - D. Katterine Bonilla-Aldana
- Semillero de Investigación en Zoonosis (SIZOO), Grupo de Investigacion BIOECOS, Fundacion Universitaria Autonoma de las Americas, Pereira, Colombia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Public Health and Infection Research Group, Universidad Tecnologica de Pereira, Pereira, Colombia
| | - Alfonso J. Rodriguez-Morales
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Public Health and Infection Research Group, Universidad Tecnologica de Pereira, Pereira, Colombia
- Faculty of Medicine, Grupo de Investigacion Biomedicina, Fundacion Universitaria Autonoma de las Americas, Pereira, Colombia
- Latin American Network of Coronavirus Disease 2019-COVID-19 Research (LANCOVID-19), Pereira, Colombia
- School of Medicine, Universidad Privada Franz Tamayo, (UNIFRANZ), Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - José de la Fuente
- SaBio IREC Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (CSIC-Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha), Ciudad Real, Spain
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
| | - Izabela Michalak
- Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Advanced Material Technologies, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Youssef A. Attia
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Department of Agriculture, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- The Strategic Center to Kingdom Vision Realization, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Faculty of Agriculture, Animal and Poultry Production Department, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt
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Abstract
AbstractObserving and quantifying primate behavior in the wild is challenging. Human presence affects primate behavior and habituation of new, especially terrestrial, individuals is a time-intensive process that carries with it ethical and health concerns, especially during the recent pandemic when primates are at even greater risk than usual. As a result, wildlife researchers, including primatologists, have increasingly turned to new technologies to answer questions and provide important data related to primate conservation. Tools and methods should be chosen carefully to maximize and improve the data that will be used to answer the research questions. We review here the role of four indirect methods—camera traps, acoustic monitoring, drones, and portable field labs—and improvements in machine learning that offer rapid, reliable means of combing through large datasets that these methods generate. We describe key applications and limitations of each tool in primate conservation, and where we anticipate primate conservation technology moving forward in the coming years.
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10
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Gessa SJ, Rothman JM. The importance of message framing in rule compliance by visitors during wildlife tourism. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Simplicious J. Gessa
- Department of Journalism and Communication Makerere University Kampala Uganda
- Uganda Wildlife Authority Kampala Uganda
| | - Jessica M. Rothman
- Uganda Wildlife Authority Kampala Uganda
- Department of Anthropology Hunter College of the City University of New York New York New York USA
- New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology New York New York USA
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11
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Liu ZJ, Qian XK, Hong MH, Zhang JL, Li DY, Wang TH, Yang ZM, Zhang LY, Wang ZM, Nie HJ, Fan KY, Zhang XF, Chen MM, Sha WL, Roos C, Li M. Global view on virus infection in non-human primates and implications for public health and wildlife conservation. Zool Res 2021; 42:626-632. [PMID: 34410047 PMCID: PMC8455461 DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2021.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Viruses can be transmitted from animals to humans (and vice versa) and across animal species. As such, host-virus interactions and transmission have attracted considerable attention. Non-human primates (NHPs), our closest evolutionary relatives, are susceptible to human viruses and certain pathogens are known to circulate between humans and NHPs. Here, we generated global statistics on virus infections in NHPs (VI-NHPs) based on a literature search and public data mining. In total, 140 NHP species from 12 families are reported to be infected by 186 DNA and RNA virus species, 68.8% of which are also found in humans, indicating high potential for crossing species boundaries. The top 10 NHP species with high centrality in the NHP-virus network include two great apes (Pan troglodytes, Pongo pygmaeus) and eight Old World monkeys (Macaca mulatta, M. fascicularis, M. leonina, Papio cynocephalus, Cercopithecus ascanius, C. erythrotis, Chlorocebus aethiops, and Allochrocebus lhoesti). Given the wide distribution of Old World monkeys and their frequent contact with humans, there is a high risk of virus circulation between humans and such species. Thus, we suggest recurring epidemiological surveillance of NHPs, specifically Old World monkeys that are in frequent contact with humans, and other effective measures to prevent potential circulation and transmission of viruses. Avoidance of false positives and sampling bias should also be a focus in future work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Jin Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China.,College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei 071002, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Beijing 100101, China. E-mail:/
| | - Xue-Kun Qian
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei 071002, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Min-Heng Hong
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Jia-Li Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Da-Yong Li
- College of Life Sciences, China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan 637009, China
| | - Tian-Han Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Zuo-Min Yang
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, Shandong 273100, China
| | - Li-Ye Zhang
- Primate Genetics Laboratory, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Goettingen 37077, Germany
| | - Zi-Ming Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hua-Jian Nie
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Ke-Yue Fan
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Xiong-Fei Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Meng-Meng Chen
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.,State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Wei-Lai Sha
- College of Life Sciences, China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan 637009, China
| | - Christian Roos
- Primate Genetics Laboratory, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Goettingen 37077, Germany.,Gene Bank of Primates, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Goettingen 37077, Germany
| | - Ming Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Beijing 100101, China.,Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China.E-mail:
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12
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Kalema-Zikusoka G, Rubanga S, Ngabirano A, Zikusoka L. Mitigating Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Gorilla Conservation: Lessons From Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda. Front Public Health 2021; 9:655175. [PMID: 34490176 PMCID: PMC8417434 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.655175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, affecting all countries, with millions of cases and deaths, and economic disruptions due to lockdowns, also threatens the health and conservation of endangered mountain gorillas. For example, increased poaching due to absence of tourism income, led to the killing on 1st June 2020 of a gorilla by a hungry community member hunting duiker and bush pigs. Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH), a grassroots NGO and non-profit founded in 2003 promotes biodiversity conservation by enabling people to co-exist with wildlife through integrated programs that improve animal health, community health, and livelihoods in and around Africa's protected areas and wildlife rich habitats. Through these programs, we have helped to mitigate these impacts. CTPH worked with Uganda Wildlife Authority and other NGOs to improve great ape viewing guidelines and prevent transmission of COVID-19 between people and gorillas. Park staff, Gorilla Guardians herding gorillas from community land to the park and Village Health and Conservation Teams were trained to put on protective face masks, enforce hand hygiene and a 10-meter great ape viewing distance. To reduce the communities' need to poach, CTPH found a UK-based distributor, for its Gorilla Conservation Coffee social enterprise enabling coffee farmers to earn revenue in the absence of tourism and provided fast growing seedlings to reduce hunger in vulnerable community members. Lessons learned show the need to support non-tourism dependent community livelihoods, and more responsible tourism to the great apes, which CTPH is advocating to governments, donors and tour companies through an Africa CSO Biodiversity Alliance policy brief.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka
- Conservation Through Public Health, Entebbe, Uganda.,Gorilla Conservation Coffee, Entebbe, Uganda
| | | | - Alex Ngabirano
- Conservation Through Public Health, Entebbe, Uganda.,Bwindi Development Network, Kanungu, Uganda
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13
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Environmental Sustainability Post-COVID-19: Scrutinizing Popular Hypotheses from a Social Science Perspective. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13168679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
There is an increasingly vocal debate on potential long-term changes in environmental sustainability spurred by the global COVID-19 pandemic. This article scrutinizes the social science basis of selected popular hypotheses regarding the nexus between the COVID-19 pandemic and the societal transitions towards environmental sustainability. It presents results that were derived through an interdisciplinary dialogue among social scientists. First, it is confirmed that the COVID-19 crisis has likely created a potential window of opportunity for societal change. Yet, to ensure that societal change is enduring and actually supporting the transition towards environmental sustainability, a clear and well-targeted political framework guiding private investments and behavior is required. Second, it is emphasized that there are important structural differences between the COVID-19 crisis and environmental crises, like time scales. Consequently, many strategies used to address the COVID-19 crisis are hardly suitable for long-term transitions towards environmental sustainability. Third, it is argued that transitions towards environmental sustainability—building both on reducing environmental degradation and building socio-techno-ecological resilience—may create co-benefits in terms of preventing and coping with potential future pandemics. However, research still needs to explore how big these synergies are (and whether trade-offs are also possible), and what type of governance framework they require to materialize.
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14
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Lonsdorf EV, Travis DA, Raphael J, Kamenya S, Lipende I, Mwacha D, Collins DA, Wilson M, Mjungu D, Murray C, Bakuza J, Wolf TM, Parsons MB, Deere JR, Lantz E, Kinsel MJ, Santymire R, Pintea L, Terio KA, Hahn BH, Pusey AE, Goodall J, Gillespie TR. The Gombe Ecosystem Health Project: 16 years of program evolution and lessons learned. Am J Primatol 2021; 84:e23300. [PMID: 34223656 PMCID: PMC8727649 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Infectious disease outbreaks pose a significant threat to the conservation of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and all threatened nonhuman primates. Characterizing and mitigating these threats to support the sustainability and welfare of wild populations is of the highest priority. In an attempt to understand and mitigate the risk of disease for the chimpanzees of Gombe National Park, Tanzania, we initiated a long-term health-monitoring program in 2004. While the initial focus was to expand the ongoing behavioral research on chimpanzees to include standardized data on clinical signs of health, it soon became evident that the scope of the project would ideally include diagnostic surveillance of pathogens for all primates (including people) and domestic animals, both within and surrounding the National Park. Integration of these data, along with in-depth post-mortem examinations, have allowed us to establish baseline health indicators to inform outbreak response. Here, we describe the development and expansion of the Gombe Ecosystem Health project, review major findings from the research and summarize the challenges and lessons learned over the past 16 years. We also highlight future directions and present the opportunities and challenges that remain when implementing studies of ecosystem health in a complex, multispecies environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth V Lonsdorf
- Department of Psychology and Biological Foundations of Behavior Program, Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Dominic A Travis
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jane Raphael
- Gombe National Park, Tanzania Nationals Park, Kigoma, Tanzania
| | - Shadrack Kamenya
- Gombe Stream Research Center, The Jane Goodall Institute, Kigoma, Tanzania
| | - Iddi Lipende
- Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Dismas Mwacha
- Gombe Stream Research Center, The Jane Goodall Institute, Kigoma, Tanzania
| | - D Anthony Collins
- Gombe Stream Research Center, The Jane Goodall Institute, Kigoma, Tanzania
| | - Michael Wilson
- Departments of Anthropology and Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Deus Mjungu
- Gombe Stream Research Center, The Jane Goodall Institute, Kigoma, Tanzania
| | - Carson Murray
- Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Jared Bakuza
- College of Education, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Tiffany M Wolf
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Michele B Parsons
- Division of Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jessica R Deere
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Emma Lantz
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Rancho Cordova, California, USA
| | - Michael J Kinsel
- Zoological Pathology Program, University of Illinois, Brookfield, Illinois, USA
| | - Rachel Santymire
- Davee Center for Epidemiology and Endocrinology, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | - Karen A Terio
- Zoological Pathology Program, University of Illinois, Brookfield, Illinois, USA
| | - Beatrice H Hahn
- Departments of Medicine and Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Anne E Pusey
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jane Goodall
- The Jane Goodall Institute, Vienna, Virginia, USA
| | - Thomas R Gillespie
- Departments of Environmental Sciences and Environmental Health and Program in Population Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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15
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Melin AD, Orkin JD, Janiak MC, Valenzuela A, Kuderna L, Marrone F, Ramangason H, Horvath JE, Roos C, Kitchener AC, Khor CC, Lim WK, Lee JGH, Tan P, Umapathy G, Raveendran M, Alan Harris R, Gut I, Gut M, Lizano E, Nadler T, Zinner D, Le MD, Manu S, Rabarivola CJ, Zaramody A, Andriaholinirina N, Johnson SE, Jarvis ED, Fedrigo O, Wu D, Zhang G, Farh KK, Rogers J, Marques‐Bonet T, Navarro A, Juan D, Arora PS, Higham JP. Variation in predicted COVID-19 risk among lemurs and lorises. Am J Primatol 2021; 83:e23255. [PMID: 33792947 PMCID: PMC8250314 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which in humans leads to the disease COVID-19, has caused global disruption and more than 2 million fatalities since it first emerged in late 2019. As we write, infection rates are at their highest point globally and are rising extremely rapidly in some areas due to more infectious variants. The primary target of SARS-CoV-2 is the cellular receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2). Recent sequence analyses of the ACE2 gene predict that many nonhuman primates are also likely to be highly susceptible to infection. However, the anticipated risk is not equal across the Order. Furthermore, some taxonomic groups show high ACE2 amino acid conservation, while others exhibit high variability at this locus. As an example of the latter, analyses of strepsirrhine primate ACE2 sequences to date indicate large variation among lemurs and lorises compared to other primate clades despite low sampling effort. Here, we report ACE2 gene and protein sequences for 71 individual strepsirrhines, spanning 51 species and 19 genera. Our study reinforces previous results while finding additional variability in other strepsirrhine species, and suggests several clades of lemurs have high potential susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Troublingly, some species, including the rare and endangered aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis), as well as those in the genera Avahi and Propithecus, may be at high risk. Given that lemurs are endemic to Madagascar and among the primates at highest risk of extinction globally, further understanding of the potential threat of COVID-19 to their health should be a conservation priority. All feasible actions should be taken to limit their exposure to SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda D. Melin
- Department of Anthropology and ArchaeologyUniversity of CalgaryAlbertaCanada
- Department of Medical GeneticsUniversity of CalgaryAlbertaCanada
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research InstituteUniversity of CalgaryAlbertaCanada
| | - Joseph D. Orkin
- Experimental and Health Sciences Department (DCEXS), Institut de Biologia EvolutivaUniversitat Pompeu Fabra‐CSICBarcelonaSpain
| | - Mareike C. Janiak
- School of Science, Engineering & EnvironmentUniversity of SalfordSalfordUK
| | - Alejandro Valenzuela
- Experimental and Health Sciences Department (DCEXS), Institut de Biologia EvolutivaUniversitat Pompeu Fabra‐CSICBarcelonaSpain
| | - Lukas Kuderna
- Experimental and Health Sciences Department (DCEXS), Institut de Biologia EvolutivaUniversitat Pompeu Fabra‐CSICBarcelonaSpain
| | - Frank Marrone
- Department of ChemistryNew York UniversityNew YorkUSA
| | - Hasinala Ramangason
- Department of Anthropology and ArchaeologyUniversity of CalgaryAlbertaCanada
| | - Julie E. Horvath
- Genomics & Microbiology Research LaboratoryNorth Carolina Museum of Natural SciencesRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
- Department of Biological and Biomedical SciencesNorth Carolina Central UniversityDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
- Department of Evolutionary AnthropologyDuke UniversityDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
- Department of Biological SciencesNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Christian Roos
- Gene Bank of Primates and Primate Genetics Laboratory, German Primate CenterLeibniz Institute for Primate ResearchGöettingenGermany
| | - Andrew C. Kitchener
- Department of Natural Sciences, National Museums Scotland and School of GeosciencesUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Chiea Chuen Khor
- Genome Institute of SingaporeAgency for Science, Technology and ResearchSingapore
- Singapore Eye Research InstituteSingapore National Eye CentreSingapore
| | - Weng Khong Lim
- SingHealth Duke‐NUS Institute of Precision MedicineSingapore Health ServicesSingapore
- SingHealth Duke‐NUS Genomic Medicine CentreSingapore Health ServicesSingapore
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology ProgramDuke‐NUS Medical SchoolSingapore
| | - Jessica G. H. Lee
- Department of Conservation, Research and Veterinary ServicesWildlife Reserves SingaporeSingapore
| | - Patrick Tan
- Genome Institute of SingaporeAgency for Science, Technology and ResearchSingapore
- SingHealth Duke‐NUS Institute of Precision MedicineSingapore Health ServicesSingapore
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology ProgramDuke‐NUS Medical SchoolSingapore
| | - Govindhaswamy Umapathy
- CSIR‐Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered SpeciesCentre for Cellular and Molecular BiologyHyderabadIndia
| | - Muthuswamy Raveendran
- Human Genome Sequencing Center and Department of Molecular and Human GeneticsBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTexasUSA
| | - R. Alan Harris
- Human Genome Sequencing Center and Department of Molecular and Human GeneticsBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Ivo Gut
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Marta Gut
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Esther Lizano
- Experimental and Health Sciences Department (DCEXS), Institut de Biologia EvolutivaUniversitat Pompeu Fabra‐CSICBarcelonaSpain
| | - Tilo Nadler
- Cuc Phuong CommuneNho Quan DistrictNinh Binh ProvinceVietnam
| | - Dietmar Zinner
- Cognitive Ethology Laboratory, German Primate CenterLeibniz Institute for Primate ResearchGoettingenGermany
- Leibniz Science Campus Primate CognitionGoettingenGermany
- Department of Primate CognitionGeorg‐August‐University, GoettingenGermany
| | - Minh D. Le
- Department of Environmental Ecology, University of Science and Central Institute for Natural Resources and Environmental StudiesVietnam National UniversityHanoiVietnam
| | - Sivakumara Manu
- CSIR‐Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered SpeciesCentre for Cellular and Molecular BiologyHyderabadIndia
| | - Clément J. Rabarivola
- Life Sciences and Environment, Technology and Environment of MahajangaUniversity of MahajangaMahajangaMadagascar
| | - Alphonse Zaramody
- Life Sciences and Environment, Technology and Environment of MahajangaUniversity of MahajangaMahajangaMadagascar
| | - Nicole Andriaholinirina
- Life Sciences and Environment, Technology and Environment of MahajangaUniversity of MahajangaMahajangaMadagascar
| | - Steig E. Johnson
- Department of Anthropology and ArchaeologyUniversity of CalgaryAlbertaCanada
| | - Erich D. Jarvis
- The Vertebrate Genomes LabThe Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics of LanguageThe Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkUnited States
- Howard Hughes Medical InstituteChevy ChaseMarylandUSA
| | - Olivier Fedrigo
- The Vertebrate Genomes LabThe Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Howard Hughes Medical InstituteChevy ChaseMarylandUSA
| | - Dongdong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingChina
- Kunming Natural History Museum of Zoology, Kunming Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingChina
| | - Guojie Zhang
- Villum Center for Biodiversity Genomics, Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of BiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- China National GenebankBGI‐ShenzhenShenzhenChina
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and GeneticsChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingChina
| | | | - Jeffrey Rogers
- Human Genome Sequencing Center and Department of Molecular and Human GeneticsBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Tomas Marques‐Bonet
- Experimental and Health Sciences Department (DCEXS), Institut de Biologia EvolutivaUniversitat Pompeu Fabra‐CSICBarcelonaSpain
- Catalan Institution of Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA)BarcelonaSpain
- CNAG‐CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG)Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST)BarcelonaSpain
- Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel CrusafontUniversitat Autònoma de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Arcadi Navarro
- Experimental and Health Sciences Department (DCEXS), Institut de Biologia EvolutivaUniversitat Pompeu Fabra‐CSICBarcelonaSpain
- Catalan Institution of Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA)BarcelonaSpain
- CNAG‐CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG)Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST)BarcelonaSpain
| | - David Juan
- Experimental and Health Sciences Department (DCEXS), Institut de Biologia EvolutivaUniversitat Pompeu Fabra‐CSICBarcelonaSpain
| | | | - James P. Higham
- Department of AnthropologyNew York UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- New York Consortium in Evolutionary PrimatologyNew YorkNew YorkUSA
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16
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Garber PA. Advocacy and Activism as Essential Tools in Primate Conservation. INT J PRIMATOL 2021; 43:168-184. [PMID: 33716363 PMCID: PMC7944466 DOI: 10.1007/s10764-021-00201-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Primates are facing a global extinction crisis driven by an expanding human population, environmental degradation, the conversion of tropical forests into monocultures for industrial agriculture and cattle ranching, unsustainable resource extraction, hunting, climate change, and the threat of emerging zoonotic diseases. And, although many primate scientists have dedicated their careers to conservation, 65% of primate species are listed as Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered, and >75% are experiencing a population decline. Projections indicate that by the end of the century, an additional 75% of the area currently occupied by wild primates will be lost to agriculture. Clearly, we are losing the battle and must change business-as-usual if we are to protect wild primates and their habitats. This article is a call to action. Primate societies and their membership need to expand their engagement in scientific advocacy and scientific activism designed to educate, inspire, organize, and mobilize global citizens to join together, lobby business leaders and politicians in both primate habitat countries and in consumer nations, boycott forest-risk products, participate in demonstrations and letter writing campaigns, and use social media to effect transformational change. We are the experts, and the more we and our professional organizations drive the public policy debate on wildlife conservation and environmental justice, the more successful we will be in protecting the world's primates from extinction. The time to act is now!
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A. Garber
- Department of Anthropology and Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL USA
- International Centre of Biodiversity and Primate Conservation, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan China
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17
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Usui R, Sheeran LK, Asbury AM, Blackson M. Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on mammals at tourism destinations: a systematic review. Mamm Rev 2021; 51:492-507. [PMID: 33821078 PMCID: PMC8014658 DOI: 10.1111/mam.12245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The COVID‐19 outbreak is having an unprecedented effect on human society, but how is it affecting the mammals that people live with? Mammals that were part of tourism experiences are of concern, because they impact on people’s health and livelihoods and, since many of them are now dependent on people, we urge consideration of the status of these mammals as a result of the pandemic. We provide a systematic review of the impacts the COVID‐19 outbreak has had on mammals in tourism venues. We examine reports of diverse species in various settings responding to changes in their environments that are occurring because of the pandemic. We searched the scholarly literature, preprints, and online news sources using combinations of the search terms ‘tourism’, ‘animals’, ‘wildlife’, ‘coronavirus’, and ‘COVID‐19’. We searched Web of Science, SCOPUS, EBSCOHost, JSTOR, bioRxiv, OSFPREPRINTS, GDELT, Google News, and National Public Radio, and analysed a total of 39 news articles, one peer‐reviewed article, and six preprints. In total, we identified 92 distinct animal reports representing 48 mammal species. We used an existing tourism classification schema to categorise each article based on the situation reported, with the new addition of one context. We classified 92 separate animal reports in 46 articles into four (of six possible) contexts: mammals as attractions (n = 40 animal reports), mammals as commodities (n = 33), mammals as threats (n = 2), and unusual sightings of mammals (n = 17). Shortage of food, in danger of losing home, having an enriched/relaxed environment, spatial expansion, disease transmission, and poaching are the major impacts or events reported in these contexts. We suggest changes for each context with respect to how people interface with mammals, with the goal of improving the lives of mammals and the people dependent on them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rie Usui
- Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences Hiroshima University 1-2-3 Kagamiyama, Higashihiroshima-shi Hiroshima 7398522 Japan
| | - Lori K Sheeran
- Department of Anthropology and Museum Studies, and Primate Behavior and Ecology Program Central Washington University 400 E University Way Ellensburg WA 98926 USA
| | - Ashton M Asbury
- Primate Behavior and Ecology Program Central Washington University 400 E University Way Ellensburg WA 98926 USA
| | - Maurice Blackson
- James E. Brooks Library Central Washington University 400 E University Way Ellensburg WA 98926 USA
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18
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Cazzolla Gatti R, Menéndez LP, Laciny A, Bobadilla Rodríguez H, Bravo Morante G, Carmen E, Dorninger C, Fabris F, Grunstra NDS, Schnorr SL, Stuhlträger J, Villanueva Hernandez LA, Jakab M, Sarto-Jackson I, Caniglia G. Diversity lost: COVID-19 as a phenomenon of the total environment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 756:144014. [PMID: 33279199 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
If we want to learn how to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, we have to embrace the complexity of this global phenomenon and capture interdependencies across scales and contexts. Yet, we still lack systematic approaches that we can use to deal holistically with the pandemic and its effects. In this Discussion, we first introduce a framework that highlights the systemic nature of the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of the total environment as a self-regulating and evolving system comprising of three spheres, the Geosphere, the Biosphere, and the Anthroposphere. Then, we use this framework to explore and organize information from the rapidly growing number of scientific papers, preprints, preliminary scientific reports, and journalistic pieces that give insights into the pandemic crisis. With this work, we point out that the pandemic should be understood as the result of preconditions that led to depletion of human, biological, and geochemical diversity as well as of feedback that differentially impacted the three spheres. We contend that protecting and promoting diversity, is necessary to contribute to more effective decision-making processes and policy interventions to face the current and future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Cazzolla Gatti
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Klosterneuburg, Austria; Biological Institute, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia.
| | - Lumila Paula Menéndez
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Klosterneuburg, Austria; Department of Anthropology of the Americas, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Alice Laciny
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Klosterneuburg, Austria; Entomology Collection, Natural History Museum Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hernán Bobadilla Rodríguez
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Klosterneuburg, Austria; Department of Philosophy, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Guillermo Bravo Morante
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Klosterneuburg, Austria; Department of Legal Medicine, Toxicology and Physical Anthropology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Esther Carmen
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Klosterneuburg, Austria; Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, UK
| | - Christian Dorninger
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Flavia Fabris
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Nicole D S Grunstra
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Klosterneuburg, Austria; Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Mammal Collection, Natural History Museum Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stephanie L Schnorr
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Klosterneuburg, Austria; Department of Anthropology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Julia Stuhlträger
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Klosterneuburg, Austria; Department of Human Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Manuel Jakab
- Department for Academic Communication, Sigmund Freud University, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Guido Caniglia
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Klosterneuburg, Austria
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19
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Keep your distance: Using Instagram posts to evaluate the risk of anthroponotic disease transmission in gorilla ecotourism. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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20
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Melin AD, Orkin JD, Janiak MC, Valenzuela A, Kuderna L, Marrone F, Ramangason H, Horvath JE, Roos C, Kitchener AC, Khor CC, Lim WK, Lee JGH, Tan P, Umapathy G, Raveendran M, Harris RA, Gut I, Gut M, Lizano E, Nadler T, Zinner D, Johnson SE, Jarvis ED, Fedrigo O, Wu D, Zhang G, Farh KKH, Rogers J, Marques-Bonet T, Navarro A, Juan D, Arora PS, Higham JP. Variation in predicted COVID-19 risk among lemurs and lorises. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2021:2021.02.03.429540. [PMID: 33564767 PMCID: PMC7872355 DOI: 10.1101/2021.02.03.429540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which in humans leads to the disease COVID-19, has caused global disruption and more than 1.5 million fatalities since it first emerged in late 2019. As we write, infection rates are currently at their highest point globally and are rising extremely rapidly in some areas due to more infectious variants. The primary viral target is the cellular receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2). Recent sequence analyses of the ACE2 gene predicts that many nonhuman primates are also likely to be highly susceptible to infection. However, the anticipated risk is not equal across the Order. Furthermore, some taxonomic groups show high ACE2 amino acid conservation, while others exhibit high variability at this locus. As an example of the latter, analyses of strepsirrhine primate ACE2 sequences to date indicate large variation among lemurs and lorises compared to other primate clades despite low sampling effort. Here, we report ACE2 gene and protein sequences for 71 individual strepsirrhines, spanning 51 species and 19 genera. Our study reinforces previous results and finds additional variability in other strepsirrhine species, and suggests several clades of lemurs have high potential susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Troublingly, some species, including the rare and Endangered aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis), as well as those in the genera Avahi and Propithecus, may be at high risk. Given that lemurs are endemic to Madagascar and among the primates at highest risk of extinction globally, further understanding of the potential threat of COVID-19 to their health should be a conservation priority. All feasible actions should be taken to limit their exposure to SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda D. Melin
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Calgary, Canada
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Joseph D. Orkin
- Experimental and Health Sciences Department (DCEXS), Institut de Biologia Evolutiva, Universitat Pompeu Fabra-CSIC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mareike C. Janiak
- School of Science, Engineering & Environment, University of Salford, United Kingdom
| | - Alejandro Valenzuela
- Experimental and Health Sciences Department (DCEXS), Institut de Biologia Evolutiva, Universitat Pompeu Fabra-CSIC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lukas Kuderna
- Experimental and Health Sciences Department (DCEXS), Institut de Biologia Evolutiva, Universitat Pompeu Fabra-CSIC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Frank Marrone
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, United States
| | | | - Julie E. Horvath
- Genomics & Microbiology Research Laboratory, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Christian Roos
- Gene Bank of Primates and Primate Genetics Laboratory, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göettingen, Germany
| | - Andrew C. Kitchener
- Department of Natural Sciences, National Museums Scotland and School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Chiea Chuen Khor
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore
| | - Weng Khong Lim
- SingHealth Duke-NUS Institute of Precision Medicine, Singapore Health Services, Singapore
- SingHealth Duke-NUS Genomic Medicine Centre, Singapore Health Services, Singapore
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Jessica G. H. Lee
- Department of Conservation, Research and Veterinary Services, Wildlife Reserves Singapore, Singapore
| | - Patrick Tan
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
- SingHealth Duke-NUS Institute of Precision Medicine, Singapore Health Services, Singapore
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Govindhaswamy Umapathy
- CSIR-Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India
| | - Muthuswamy Raveendran
- Human Genome Sequencing Center and Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - R. Alan Harris
- Human Genome Sequencing Center and Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Ivo Gut
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Gut
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esther Lizano
- Experimental and Health Sciences Department (DCEXS), Institut de Biologia Evolutiva, Universitat Pompeu Fabra-CSIC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tilo Nadler
- Cuc Phuong Commune, Nho Quan District, Ninh Binh Province, Vietnam
| | - Dietmar Zinner
- Cognitive Ethology Laboratory, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Goettingen, Germany
- Leibniz Science Campus Primate Cognition, Goettingen, Germany
- Department of Primate Cognition, Georg-August-University, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Steig E. Johnson
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Erich D. Jarvis
- The Vertebrate Genomes Lab, The Rockefeller University, New York, United States
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics of Language, The Rockefeller University, New York, United States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland, United States
| | - Olivier Fedrigo
- The Vertebrate Genomes Lab, The Rockefeller University, New York, United States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland, United States
| | - Dongdong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- Kunming Natural History Museum of Zoology, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Guojie Zhang
- Villum Center for Biodiversity Genomics, Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
- China National Genebank, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083, China
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | | | - Jeffrey Rogers
- Human Genome Sequencing Center and Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Tomas Marques-Bonet
- Experimental and Health Sciences Department (DCEXS), Institut de Biologia Evolutiva, Universitat Pompeu Fabra-CSIC, Barcelona, Spain
- Catalan Institution of Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
- CNAG-CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Arcadi Navarro
- Experimental and Health Sciences Department (DCEXS), Institut de Biologia Evolutiva, Universitat Pompeu Fabra-CSIC, Barcelona, Spain
- Catalan Institution of Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
- CNAG-CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Juan
- Experimental and Health Sciences Department (DCEXS), Institut de Biologia Evolutiva, Universitat Pompeu Fabra-CSIC, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - James P. Higham
- Department of Anthropology, New York University, United States
- New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, New York, United States
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21
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Glasser DB, Goldberg TL, Guma N, Balyesiima G, Agaba H, Gessa SJ, Rothman JM. Opportunities for respiratory disease transmission from people to chimpanzees at an East African tourism site. Am J Primatol 2021; 83:e23228. [PMID: 33400317 PMCID: PMC7883129 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, present a serious threat to endangered wild chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) populations. In some parts of sub-Saharan Africa, chimpanzee tracking is a popular tourism activity, offering visitors a chance to view apes in their natural habitats. Chimpanzee tourism is an important source of revenue and thus benefits conservation; however, chimpanzee tracking may also increase the risk of disease transmission from people to chimpanzees directly (e.g., via aerosol transmission) or indirectly (e.g., through the environment or via fomites). This study assessed how tourist behaviors might facilitate respiratory disease transmission at a chimpanzee tracking site in Kibale National Park, Uganda. We observed tourists, guides, and student interns from the time they entered the forest to view the chimpanzees until they left the forest and noted behaviors related to disease transmission. Common behaviors included coughing, sneezing, and urinating, which respectively occurred during 88.1%, 65.4%, and 36.6% of excursions. Per excursion, individuals touched their faces an average of 125.84 ± 34.45 times and touched large tree trunks or branches (which chimpanzees might subsequently touch) an average of 230.14 ± 108.66 times. These results show that many pathways exist by which pathogens might move from humans to chimpanzees in the context of tourism. Guidelines for minimizing the risk of such transmission should consider tourist behavior and the full range of modes by which pathogen transmission might occur between tourists and chimpanzees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darcey B. Glasser
- Department of Psychology, Animal Behavior and ConservationHunter College of the City University of New YorkNew York CityNew YorkUSA
| | - Tony L. Goldberg
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWisconsinUSA
| | | | | | | | | | - Jessica M. Rothman
- Uganda Wildlife AuthorityKampalaUganda
- Department of AnthropologyHunter College of the City University of New YorkNew York CityNew YorkUSA
- New York Consortium in Evolutionary PrimatologyNew York CityNew YorkUSA
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22
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Irving AT, Ahn M, Goh G, Anderson DE, Wang LF. Lessons from the host defences of bats, a unique viral reservoir. Nature 2021; 589:363-370. [PMID: 33473223 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-03128-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 179] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
There have been several major outbreaks of emerging viral diseases, including Hendra, Nipah, Marburg and Ebola virus diseases, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)-as well as the current pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Notably, all of these outbreaks have been linked to suspected zoonotic transmission of bat-borne viruses. Bats-the only flying mammal-display several additional features that are unique among mammals, such as a long lifespan relative to body size, a low rate of tumorigenesis and an exceptional ability to host viruses without presenting clinical disease. Here we discuss the mechanisms that underpin the host defence system and immune tolerance of bats, and their ramifications for human health and disease. Recent studies suggest that 64 million years of adaptive evolution have shaped the host defence system of bats to balance defence and tolerance, which has resulted in a unique ability to act as an ideal reservoir host for viruses. Lessons from the effective host defence of bats would help us to better understand viral evolution and to better predict, prevent and control future viral spillovers. Studying the mechanisms of immune tolerance in bats could lead to new approaches to improving human health. We strongly believe that it is time to focus on bats in research for the benefit of both bats and humankind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron T Irving
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore. .,Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Haining, China. .,Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Matae Ahn
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Geraldine Goh
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Danielle E Anderson
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lin-Fa Wang
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore. .,SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute, Singapore, Singapore.
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23
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Wilson ML, Lonsdorf EV, Mjungu DC, Kamenya S, Kimaro EW, Collins DA, Gillespie TR, Travis DA, Lipende I, Mwacha D, Ndimuligo SA, Pintea L, Raphael J, Mtiti ER, Hahn BH, Pusey AE, Goodall J. Research and Conservation in the Greater Gombe Ecosystem: Challenges and Opportunities. BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION 2020; 252:108853. [PMID: 33343005 PMCID: PMC7743041 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The study of chimpanzees in Gombe National Park, Tanzania, started by Jane Goodall in 1960, provided pioneering accounts of chimpanzee behavior and ecology. With funding from multiple sources, including the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) and grants from private foundations and federal programs, the project has continued for sixty years, providing a wealth of information about our evolutionary cousins. These chimpanzees face two main challenges to their survival: infectious disease - including simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVcpz), which can cause Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in chimpanzees - and the deforestation of land outside the park. A health monitoring program has increased understanding of the pathogens affecting chimpanzees and has promoted measures to characterize and reduce disease risk. Deforestation reduces connections between Gombe and other chimpanzee populations, which can cause loss of genetic diversity. To promote habitat restoration, JGI facilitated participatory village land use planning, in which communities voluntarily allocated land to a network of Village Land Forest Reserves. Expected benefits to people include stabilizing watersheds, improving water supplies, and ensuring a supply of forest resources. Surveys and genetic analyses confirm that chimpanzees persist on village lands and remain connected to the Gombe population. Many challenges remain, but the regeneration of natural forest on previously degraded lands provides hope that conservation solutions can be found that benefit both people and wildlife. Conservation work in the Greater Gombe Ecosystem has helped promote broader efforts to plan and work for conservation elsewhere in Tanzania and across Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael L. Wilson
- Department of Anthropology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108 USA
- Institute on the Environment, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108 USA
| | | | - Deus C. Mjungu
- Gombe Stream Research Centre, the Jane Goodall Institute – Tanzania, Kigoma, Tanzania
| | - Shadrack Kamenya
- Gombe Stream Research Centre, the Jane Goodall Institute – Tanzania, Kigoma, Tanzania
| | - Elihuruma Wilson Kimaro
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108 USA
- Gombe National Park, Kigoma, Tanzania
| | - D. Anthony Collins
- Gombe Stream Research Centre, the Jane Goodall Institute – Tanzania, Kigoma, Tanzania
| | - Thomas R. Gillespie
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322 USA
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322 USA
- Program in Population, Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322 USA
| | - Dominic A. Travis
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108 USA
| | - Iddi Lipende
- Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI), Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Dismas Mwacha
- Gombe Stream Research Centre, the Jane Goodall Institute – Tanzania, Kigoma, Tanzania
| | - Sood A. Ndimuligo
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | | | - Beatrice H. Hahn
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104, USA
| | - Anne E. Pusey
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708 USA
| | - Jane Goodall
- The Jane Goodall Institute, Vienna, VA, 22182 USA
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24
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Mazet JAK, Genovese BN, Harris LA, Cranfield M, Noheri JB, Kinani JF, Zimmerman D, Bahizi M, Mudakikwa A, Goldstein T, Gilardi KVK. Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Detected in Mountain Gorilla Respiratory Outbreaks. ECOHEALTH 2020; 17:449-460. [PMID: 33345293 PMCID: PMC7750032 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-020-01506-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Respiratory illness (RI) accounts for a large proportion of mortalities in mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei), and fatal outbreaks, including disease caused by human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infections, have heightened concern about the risk of human pathogen transmission to this endangered species, which is not only critically important to the biodiversity of its ecosystem but also to the economies of the surrounding human communities. Our goal was to conduct a molecular epidemiologic study to detect the presence of HRSV and HMPV in fecal samples from wild human-habituated free-ranging mountain gorillas in Rwanda and to evaluate the role of these viruses in RI outbreaks. Fecal samples were collected from gorillas with clinical signs of RI between June 2012 and February 2013 and tested by real-time and conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays; comparison fecal samples were obtained from gorillas without clinical signs of RI sampled during the 2010 Virunga gorilla population census. PCR assays detected HMPV and HRSV first in spiked samples; subsequently, HRSV-A, the worldwide-circulating ON1 genotype, was detected in 12 of 20 mountain gorilla fecal samples collected from gorillas with RI during outbreaks, but not in samples from animals without respiratory illness. Our findings confirmed that pathogenic human respiratory viruses are transmitted to gorillas and that they are repeatedly introduced into mountain gorilla populations from people, attesting to the need for stringent biosecurity measures for the protection of gorilla health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonna A K Mazet
- Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, One Health Institute, University of California, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Dr., Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
| | - Brooke N Genovese
- Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, One Health Institute, University of California, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Dr., Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Laurie A Harris
- Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, One Health Institute, University of California, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Dr., Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Michael Cranfield
- Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, One Health Institute, University of California, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Dr., Davis, CA, 95616, USA
- Gorilla Doctors, Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project Inc, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Jean Bosco Noheri
- Gorilla Doctors, Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project Inc, Musanze, Rwanda
| | - Jean Felix Kinani
- One Health Approach for Conservation, Gorilla Health, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Dawn Zimmerman
- National Zoological Park, SCBI Global Health Program, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Methode Bahizi
- Gorilla Doctors, Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project Inc, Musanze, Rwanda
| | | | - Tracey Goldstein
- Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, One Health Institute, University of California, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Dr., Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Kirsten V K Gilardi
- Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, One Health Institute, University of California, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Dr., Davis, CA, 95616, USA
- Gorilla Doctors, Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project Inc, Davis, CA, USA
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25
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Harrison ME, Wijedasa LS, Cole LE, Cheyne SM, Choiruzzad SAB, Chua L, Dargie GC, Ewango CE, Honorio Coronado EN, Ifo SA, Imron MA, Kopansky D, Lestarisa T, O’Reilly PJ, Van Offelen J, Refisch J, Roucoux K, Sugardjito J, Thornton SA, Upton C, Page S. Tropical peatlands and their conservation are important in the context of COVID-19 and potential future (zoonotic) disease pandemics. PeerJ 2020; 8:e10283. [PMID: 33240628 PMCID: PMC7678489 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused global disruption, with the emergence of this and other pandemics having been linked to habitat encroachment and/or wildlife exploitation. High impacts of COVID-19 are apparent in some countries with large tropical peatland areas, some of which are relatively poorly resourced to tackle disease pandemics. Despite this, no previous investigation has considered tropical peatlands in the context of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs). Here, we review: (i) the potential for future EIDs arising from tropical peatlands; (ii) potential threats to tropical peatland conservation and local communities from COVID-19; and (iii) potential steps to help mitigate these risks. We find that high biodiversity in tropical peat-swamp forests, including presence of many potential vertebrate and invertebrate vectors, combined, in places, with high levels of habitat disruption and wildlife harvesting represent suitable conditions for potential zoonotic EID (re-)emergence. Although impossible to predict precisely, we identify numerous potential threats to tropical peatland conservation and local communities from the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes impacts on public health, with the potential for haze pollution from peatland fires to increase COVID-19 susceptibility a noted concern; and on local economies, livelihoods and food security, where impacts will likely be greater in remote communities with limited/no medical facilities that depend heavily on external trade. Research, training, education, conservation and restoration activities are also being affected, particularly those involving physical groupings and international travel, some of which may result in increased habitat encroachment, wildlife harvesting or fire, and may therefore precipitate longer-term negative impacts, including those relating to disease pandemics. We conclude that sustainable management of tropical peatlands and their wildlife is important for mitigating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and reducing the potential for future zoonotic EID emergence and severity, thus strengthening arguments for their conservation and restoration. To support this, we list seven specific recommendations relating to sustainable management of tropical peatlands in the context of COVID-19/disease pandemics, plus mitigating the current impacts of COVID-19 and reducing potential future zoonotic EID risk in these localities. Our discussion and many of the issues raised should also be relevant for non-tropical peatland areas and in relation to other (pandemic-related) sudden socio-economic shocks that may occur in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark E. Harrison
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, UK
- Borneo Nature Foundation International, Penryn, UK
- School of Geography, Geology and the Environment, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Lahiru S. Wijedasa
- Integrated Tropical Peatland Research Program (INTPREP), Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- ConservationLinks Pvt Ltd, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lydia E.S. Cole
- School of Geography and Sustainable Development, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, UK
| | - Susan M. Cheyne
- Borneo Nature Foundation International, Penryn, UK
- Humanities and Social Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
- IUCN SSC PSG Section on Small Apes, Oxford, UK
| | - Shofwan Al Banna Choiruzzad
- Department of International Relations, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia
- ASEAN Studies Center, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia
| | - Liana Chua
- Department of Social and Political Sciences, Brunel University, London, UK
| | | | - Corneille E.N. Ewango
- Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources Management/Faculty of Sciences, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, DR Congo
| | | | - Suspense A. Ifo
- Laboratoire de Géomatique et d’Ecologie Tropicale Appliquée, Département des Sciences et Vie de la Terre, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Université Marien Ngouabi, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
| | | | - Dianna Kopansky
- Global Peatlands Initiative, Ecosystems Division, United Nations Environment Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Trilianty Lestarisa
- Faculty of Medicine, Palangka Raya University, Palangka Raya, Kalteng, Indonesia
- Doctoral Program of Public Health, Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Patrick J. O’Reilly
- School of Geography, Geology and the Environment, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | | | - Johannes Refisch
- Great Apes Survival Partnership, United Nations Environment Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Katherine Roucoux
- School of Geography and Sustainable Development, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, UK
| | - Jito Sugardjito
- Centre for Sustainable Energy and Resources Management, Universitas Nasional, Jakarta, Indonesia
- Faculty of Biology, Universitas Nasional, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Sara A. Thornton
- Borneo Nature Foundation International, Penryn, UK
- School of Geography, Geology and the Environment, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Caroline Upton
- School of Geography, Geology and the Environment, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Susan Page
- Borneo Nature Foundation International, Penryn, UK
- School of Geography, Geology and the Environment, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
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26
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Opinion: Biodiversity conservation during a global crisis: Consequences and the way forward. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:29995-29999. [PMID: 33177236 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2021460117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
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27
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Melin AD, Janiak MC, Marrone F, Arora PS, Higham JP. Comparative ACE2 variation and primate COVID-19 risk. Commun Biol 2020; 3:641. [PMID: 33110195 PMCID: PMC7591510 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01370-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 has caused over a million human deaths and massive global disruption. The viral infection may also represent a threat to our closest living relatives, nonhuman primates. The contact surface of the host cell receptor, ACE2, displays amino acid residues that are critical for virus recognition, and variations at these critical residues modulate infection susceptibility. Infection studies have shown that some primate species develop COVID-19-like symptoms; however, the susceptibility of most primates is unknown. Here, we show that all apes and African and Asian monkeys (catarrhines), exhibit the same set of twelve key amino acid residues as human ACE2. Monkeys in the Americas, and some tarsiers, lemurs and lorisoids, differ at critical contact residues, and protein modeling predicts that these differences should greatly reduce SARS-CoV-2 binding affinity. Other lemurs are predicted to be closer to catarrhines in their susceptibility. Our study suggests that apes and African and Asian monkeys, and some lemurs, are likely to be highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2. Urgent actions have been undertaken to limit the exposure of great apes to humans, and similar efforts may be necessary for many other primate species. Amanda Melin et al. compare variation in 29 primate species at 12 amino acid residue sites coded by the ACE2 gene and show that apes and African and Asian monkeys exhibit the same set of twelve key amino acid residues as human ACE2. These results suggest that these primates are likely to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, whereas ACE2 gene sequences and protein-protein interaction models suggest reduced susceptibility for platyrrhines, tarsiers, lorisoids, and some lemurs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda D Melin
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada. .,Department of Medical Genetics, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada. .,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr, NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.
| | - Mareike C Janiak
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr, NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Frank Marrone
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, 100 Washington Square East, 10th Floor, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | - Paramjit S Arora
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, 100 Washington Square East, 10th Floor, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | - James P Higham
- Department of Anthropology, New York University, 25 Waverly Place, New York, NY, 10003, USA. .,New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, New York, NY, USA.
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28
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Broad host range of SARS-CoV-2 predicted by comparative and structural analysis of ACE2 in vertebrates. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020. [DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2010146117 'a=0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Significance
The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cause of COVID-19, a major pandemic that threatens millions of human lives and the global economy. We identified a large number of mammals that can potentially be infected by SARS-CoV-2 via their ACE2 proteins. This can assist the identification of intermediate hosts for SARS-CoV-2 and hence reduce the opportunity for a future outbreak of COVID-19. Among the species we found with the highest risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection are wildlife and endangered species. These species represent an opportunity for spillover of SARS-CoV-2 from humans to other susceptible animals. Given the limited infectivity data for the species studied, we urge caution not to overinterpret the predictions of the present study.
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29
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Damas J, Hughes GM, Keough KC, Painter CA, Persky NS, Corbo M, Hiller M, Koepfli KP, Pfenning AR, Zhao H, Genereux DP, Swofford R, Pollard KS, Ryder OA, Nweeia MT, Lindblad-Toh K, Teeling EC, Karlsson EK, Lewin HA. Broad host range of SARS-CoV-2 predicted by comparative and structural analysis of ACE2 in vertebrates. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:22311-22322. [PMID: 32826334 PMCID: PMC7486773 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2010146117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 431] [Impact Index Per Article: 107.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cause of COVID-19. The main receptor of SARS-CoV-2, angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), is now undergoing extensive scrutiny to understand the routes of transmission and sensitivity in different species. Here, we utilized a unique dataset of ACE2 sequences from 410 vertebrate species, including 252 mammals, to study the conservation of ACE2 and its potential to be used as a receptor by SARS-CoV-2. We designed a five-category binding score based on the conservation properties of 25 amino acids important for the binding between ACE2 and the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Only mammals fell into the medium to very high categories and only catarrhine primates into the very high category, suggesting that they are at high risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection. We employed a protein structural analysis to qualitatively assess whether amino acid changes at variable residues would be likely to disrupt ACE2/SARS-CoV-2 spike protein binding and found the number of predicted unfavorable changes significantly correlated with the binding score. Extending this analysis to human population data, we found only rare (frequency <0.001) variants in 10/25 binding sites. In addition, we found significant signals of selection and accelerated evolution in the ACE2 coding sequence across all mammals, and specific to the bat lineage. Our results, if confirmed by additional experimental data, may lead to the identification of intermediate host species for SARS-CoV-2, guide the selection of animal models of COVID-19, and assist the conservation of animals both in native habitats and in human care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Damas
- The Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
| | - Graham M Hughes
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Kathleen C Keough
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics, Quantitative Biosciences Consortium, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94117
- Gladstone Institute of Data Science and Biotechnology, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Corrie A Painter
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142
| | - Nicole S Persky
- Genetic Perturbation Platform, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142
| | - Marco Corbo
- The Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
| | - Michael Hiller
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, 01187 Dresden, Germany
- Center for Systems Biology Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Klaus-Peter Koepfli
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, VA 22630
| | - Andreas R Pfenning
- Department of Computational Biology, School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
| | - Huabin Zhao
- Department of Ecology, Tibetan Centre for Ecology and Conservation at WHU-TU, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
- College of Science, Tibet University, Lhasa 850000, China
| | | | - Ross Swofford
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142
| | - Katherine S Pollard
- Gladstone Institute of Data Science and Biotechnology, San Francisco, CA 94158
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Institute for Computational Health Sciences, and Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Oliver A Ryder
- San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research, Escondido, CA 92027
- Department of Evolution, Behavior, and Ecology, Division of Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Martin T Nweeia
- Department of Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterials Sciences, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA 02115
- School of Dental Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106
- Marine Mammal Program, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20002
| | - Kerstin Lindblad-Toh
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Emma C Teeling
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Elinor K Karlsson
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655
| | - Harris A Lewin
- The Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616;
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
- John Muir Institute for the Environment, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
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30
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Sugai LSM. Pandemics and the Need for Automated Systems for Biodiversity Monitoring. J Wildl Manage 2020; 84:1424-1426. [PMID: 32904967 PMCID: PMC7461419 DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Larissa S M Sugai
- Departamento de Ecologia Universidad Autónoma de Madrid Calle Darwin 2 28049 Madrid Spain
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31
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Melin AD, Janiak MC, Marrone F, Arora PS, Higham JP. Comparative ACE2 variation and primate COVID-19 risk. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2020:2020.04.09.034967. [PMID: 32511330 PMCID: PMC7239060 DOI: 10.1101/2020.04.09.034967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which in humans is highly infectious and leads to the potentially fatal disease COVID-19, has caused hundreds of thousands of deaths and huge global disruption. The viral infection may also represent an existential threat to our closest living relatives, the nonhuman primates, many of which are endangered and often reduced to small populations. The virus engages the host cell receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2), through the receptor binding domain (RBD) on the spike protein. The contact surface of ACE2 displays amino acid residues that are critical for virus recognition, and variations at these critical residues are likely to modulate infection susceptibility across species. While infection studies are emerging and have shown that some primates, such as rhesus macaques and vervet monkeys, develop COVID-19-like symptoms when exposed to the virus, the susceptibility of many other nonhuman primates is unknown. Here, we show that all apes, including chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, and orangutans, and all African and Asian monkeys (catarrhines), exhibit the same set of twelve key amino acid residues as human ACE2. Monkeys in the Americas, and some tarsiers, lemurs and lorisoids, differ at significant contact residues, and protein modeling predicts that these differences should greatly reduce the binding affinity of the ACE2 for the virus, hence moderating their susceptibility for infection. Other lemurs are predicted to be closer to catarrhines in their susceptibility. Our study suggests that apes and African and Asian monkeys, as well as some lemurs are all likely to be highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, representing a critical threat to their survival. Urgent actions have been undertaken to limit the exposure of Great Apes to humans, and similar efforts may be necessary for many other primate species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda D Melin
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, CA
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Calgary, CA
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, CA
| | - Mareike C Janiak
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, CA
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, CA
| | | | | | - James P Higham
- Department of Anthropology, New York University, US
- New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, New York, US
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32
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Ye M, Fu D, Ren Y, Wang F, Wang D, Zhang F, Xia X, Lv T. Treatment with convalescent plasma for COVID-19 patients in Wuhan, China. J Med Virol 2020; 92:1890-1901. [PMID: 32293713 PMCID: PMC7262027 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.25882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 261] [Impact Index Per Article: 65.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are causing public health emergencies. A handful pieces of literature have summarized its clinical and radiologic features, whereas therapies for COVID-19 are rather limited. To evaluate the efficacy of convalescent plasma therapy in COVID-19 patients, we did this timely descriptive study. Six laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients were enrolled and received the transfusion of ABO-compatible convalescent plasma. The efficacy of this intervention was determined by the alleviation of symptoms, changes in radiologic abnormalities and laboratory tests. No obvious adverse effect observed during the treatment. Transfusion of convalescent plasma led to a resolution of ground-glass opacities and consolidation in patients #1, #2, #3, #4, and #6. In patients #1 and #5 who presented with SARS-CoV-2 in throat swab, convalescent plasma therapy elicited an elimination of the virus. Serologic analysis indicated an immediate increase in anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers in patients #2 and #3, but not in patient #1. This study indicates that convalescent plasma therapy is effective and specific for COVID-19. This intervention has a special significance for eliminating SARS-CoV-2 and is believed to be a promising state-of-the-art therapy during COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxiang Ye
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Department of Infectious Disease, Unit 4-1, Wuhan Huoshenshan Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Dian Fu
- Department of Infectious Disease, Unit 4-1, Wuhan Huoshenshan Hospital, Wuhan, China.,Department of Urology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yi Ren
- Department of Infectious Disease, Unit 4-1, Wuhan Huoshenshan Hospital, Wuhan, China.,Department of Emergency, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Faxiang Wang
- Department of Infectious Disease, Unit 4-1, Wuhan Huoshenshan Hospital, Wuhan, China.,Department of Emergency, 904 Hospital, Wuxi, China
| | - Dong Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Department of Infectious Disease, Unit 4-1, Wuhan Huoshenshan Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Fang Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Department of Infectious Disease, Unit 4-1, Wuhan Huoshenshan Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Xinyi Xia
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Wuhan Huoshenshan Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Tangfeng Lv
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Department of Infectious Disease, Unit 4-1, Wuhan Huoshenshan Hospital, Wuhan, China
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33
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Reid MJC. Is 2020 the year when primatologists should cancel fieldwork? Am J Primatol 2020; 82:e23161. [PMID: 32583538 PMCID: PMC7361283 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Year 2020 has brought the greatest global pandemic to hit the world since the end of the First World War. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and the resulting disease named coronavirus disease 2019 has brought the world to its knees both financially and medically. The American Society of Primatologists has postponed their annual meetings from the end of May 2020 until the end of September 2020, while the International Primatological Society have postponed their biennial congress from August 2020 to August 2021, which has also resulted in their 2022 meetings in Malaysia being pushed back until 2023. Here, I explore the potential dangers of pursuing any primate fieldwork during this pandemic on our study species, their ecosystems, and local peoples. I believe that the risk of bringing this virus into our study ecosystems is too great and that primatologists should cancel all field research until the pandemic ends or a vaccine/reliable treatment is widely available. This is the year we all must become One Health practitioners!
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J C Reid
- School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Durham College, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
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34
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Fam BS, Vargas-Pinilla P, Amorim CEG, Sortica VA, Bortolini MC. ACE2 diversity in placental mammals reveals the evolutionary strategy of SARS-CoV-2. Genet Mol Biol 2020; 43:e20200104. [PMID: 32520981 PMCID: PMC7278419 DOI: 10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2020-0104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent emergence of SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for the current pandemic of COVID-19, which uses the human membrane protein ACE2 as a gateway to host-cell infection. We performed a comparative genomic analysis of 70 ACE2 placental mammal orthologues to identify variations and contribute to the understanding of evolutionary dynamics behind this successful adaptation to infect humans. Our results reveal that 4% of the ACE2 sites are under positive selection, all located in the catalytic domain, suggesting possibly taxon-specific adaptations related to the ACE2 function, such as cardiovascular physiology. Considering all variable sites, we selected 30 of them located at the critical ACE2 binding sites to the SARS-CoV-like viruses for analysis in more detail. Our results reveal a relatively high diversity of ACE2 between placental mammal species, while showing no polymorphism within human populations, at least considering the 30 inter-species variable sites. A perfect scenario for natural selection favored this opportunistic new coronavirus in its trajectory of infecting humans. We suggest that SARS-CoV-2 became a specialist coronavirus for human hosts. Differences in the rate of infection and mortality could be related to the innate immune responses, other unknown genetic factors, as well as non-biological factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bibiana S.O. Fam
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Genética, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Pedro Vargas-Pinilla
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Vinicius A. Sortica
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Genética, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Maria Cátira Bortolini
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Genética, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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35
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Damas J, Hughes GM, Keough KC, Painter CA, Persky NS, Corbo M, Hiller M, Koepfli KP, Pfenning AR, Zhao H, Genereux DP, Swofford R, Pollard KS, Ryder OA, Nweeia MT, Lindblad-Toh K, Teeling EC, Karlsson EK, Lewin HA. Broad Host Range of SARS-CoV-2 Predicted by Comparative and Structural Analysis of ACE2 in Vertebrates. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2020:2020.04.16.045302. [PMID: 32511356 PMCID: PMC7263403 DOI: 10.1101/2020.04.16.045302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is the cause of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19). The main receptor of SARS-CoV-2, angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), is now undergoing extensive scrutiny to understand the routes of transmission and sensitivity in different species. Here, we utilized a unique dataset of 410 vertebrates, including 252 mammals, to study cross-species conservation of ACE2 and its likelihood to function as a SARS-CoV-2 receptor. We designed a five-category ranking score based on the conservation properties of 25 amino acids important for the binding between receptor and virus, classifying all species from very high to very low. Only mammals fell into the medium to very high categories, and only catarrhine primates in the very high category, suggesting that they are at high risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection. We employed a protein structural analysis to qualitatively assess whether amino acid changes at variable residues would be likely to disrupt ACE2/SARS-CoV-2 binding, and found the number of predicted unfavorable changes significantly correlated with the binding score. Extending this analysis to human population data, we found only rare (<0.1%) variants in 10/25 binding sites. In addition, we observed evidence of positive selection in ACE2 in multiple species, including bats. Utilized appropriately, our results may lead to the identification of intermediate host species for SARS-CoV-2, justify the selection of animal models of COVID-19, and assist the conservation of animals both in native habitats and in human care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Damas
- The Genome Center, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Graham M. Hughes
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Kathleen C. Keough
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94117, USA
- Gladstone Institute of Data Science and Biotechnology, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Corrie A. Painter
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Nicole S. Persky
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Genetic Perturbation Platform, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Marco Corbo
- The Genome Center, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Michael Hiller
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, 01187 Dresden, Germany
- Center for Systems Biology Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Klaus-Peter Koepfli
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Center for Species Survival, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, VA 22630, Washington, DC 20008 USA
| | - Andreas R. Pfenning
- Department of Computational Biology, School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Huabin Zhao
- Department of Ecology and Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | | | - Ross Swofford
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Katherine S. Pollard
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94117, USA
- Gladstone Institute of Data Science and Biotechnology, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Oliver A. Ryder
- San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research, Escondido, CA 92027, USA
- Department of Evolution, Behavior, and Ecology, Division of Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Martin T. Nweeia
- Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Marine Mammal Program, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20002, USA
| | - Kerstin Lindblad-Toh
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, 751 23, Sweden
| | - Emma C. Teeling
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Elinor K. Karlsson
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Harris A. Lewin
- The Genome Center, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- John Muir Institute for the Environment, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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