1
|
Brandis KJ, Meagher P, Schoppe S, Zawada K, Widmann I, Widmann P, Dolorosa RG, Francis R. Determining the Provenance of Traded Wildlife in the Philippines. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2165. [PMID: 37443963 DOI: 10.3390/ani13132165] [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: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The illegal wildlife trade is a significant threat to global biodiversity, often targeting already threatened species. In combating the trade, it is critical to know the provenance of the traded animal or part to facilitate targeted conservation actions, such as education and enforcement. Here, we present and compare two methods, portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) and stable isotope analysis (SIA), to determine both the geographic and source provenance (captive or wild) of traded animals and their parts. Using three critically endangered, frequently illegally traded Philippine species, the Palawan forest turtle (Siebenrockiella leytensis), the Philippine cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia), and the Philippine pangolin (Manis culionensisis), we demonstrate that using these methods, we can more accurately assign provenance using pXRF data (x¯ = 83%) than SIA data (x¯ = 47%). Our results indicate that these methods provide a valuable forensic tool that can be used in combating the illegal wildlife trade.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kate J Brandis
- Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - Phoebe Meagher
- Taronga Institute of Science and Learning, Taronga Conservation Society, Bradley's Head Road, Mosman 2088, Australia
| | - Sabine Schoppe
- Katala Foundation Incorporated, Casoy Road, Purok El Rancho, Santa Monica, Puerto Princesa City 5300, Palawan, Philippines
| | - Kyle Zawada
- Centre for Compassionate Conservation, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Sydney 2007, Australia
| | - Indira Widmann
- Katala Foundation Incorporated, Casoy Road, Purok El Rancho, Santa Monica, Puerto Princesa City 5300, Palawan, Philippines
| | - Peter Widmann
- Katala Foundation Incorporated, Casoy Road, Purok El Rancho, Santa Monica, Puerto Princesa City 5300, Palawan, Philippines
| | - Roger G Dolorosa
- Puerto Princesa Campus, Western Philippines University, Santa Monica, Puerto Princesa City 5300, Palawan, Philippines
| | - Roxane Francis
- Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Japanese Encephalitis Virus: The Emergence of Genotype IV in Australia and Its Potential Endemicity. Viruses 2022; 14:v14112480. [PMID: 36366578 PMCID: PMC9698845 DOI: 10.3390/v14112480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A fatal case of Japanese encephalitis (JE) occurred in northern Australia in early 2021. Sequence studies showed that the virus belonged to genotype IV (GIV), a genotype previously believed to be restricted to the Indonesian archipelago. This was the first locally acquired case of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) GIV to occur outside Indonesia, and the second confirmed fatal human case caused by a GIV virus. A closely related GIV JEV strain subsequently caused a widespread outbreak in eastern Australia in 2022 that was first detected by fetal death and abnormalities in commercial piggeries. Forty-two human cases also occurred with seven fatalities. This has been the first major outbreak of JEV in mainland Australia, and geographically the largest virgin soil outbreak recorded for JEV. This outbreak provides an opportunity to discuss and document the factors involved in the virus' spread and its ecology in a novel ecological milieu in which other flaviviruses, including members of the JE serological complex, also occur. The probable vertebrate hosts and mosquito vectors are discussed with respect to virus spread and its possible endemicity in Australia, and the need to develop a One Health approach to develop improved surveillance methods to rapidly detect future outbreak activity across a large geographical area containing a sparse human population. Understanding the spread of JEV in a novel ecological environment is relevant to the possible threat that JEV may pose in the future to other receptive geographic areas, such as the west coast of the United States, southern Europe or Africa.
Collapse
|
3
|
Brandis KJ, Bino G, Kingsford RT. More Than Just a Trend: Integrating Population Viability Models to Improve Conservation Management of Colonial Waterbirds. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 68:468-476. [PMID: 34322735 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-021-01507-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Waterbird populations in eastern Australia have been declining over the past 35 years primarily due to water resource development and resultant changes to natural river flows and flooding. To mitigate these impacts there is an increased allocation of water for the environment, including waterbird populations. We used population viability models to identify the frequency of breeding events required to reverse the trend and achieve long-term species' management objectives. We found that the population size of straw-necked ibis was primarily dictated by the frequency of large breeding events and to a lesser extent by adult annual survival and the frequency of small breeding events. We identified combinations of small and large breeding events over the next 10 years required for increased population growth. We also assessed the likelihood of current water management policies increasing populations and thereby reversing the decline in eastern Australia's waterbird populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K J Brandis
- Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, 2052, Australia.
| | - G Bino
- Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, 2052, Australia
| | - R T Kingsford
- Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, 2052, Australia
| |
Collapse
|