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Junker K, Horak IG, Boomker J, Krasnov BR. Nestedness and beta diversity of gastrointestinal helminth communities in common warthogs, Phacochoerus africanus (Suidae), at 2 localities in South Africa. Parasitology 2023; 150:911-921. [PMID: 37553973 PMCID: PMC10577656 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182023000719] [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: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
Few studies have investigated the ecological interactions between wild species of Suidae and their parasites, leaving our knowledge concerning this host–parasite system fragmented. In the present study, we applied network studies to analyse community nestedness in helminth assemblages of common warthogs, Phacochoerus africanus (Gmelin) (Suidae). Helminth data were compiled from 95 warthogs, including young and adult males and females, from 2 different conservation areas in Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces, South Africa, collected monthly over a period of 1 year each. The aim was to study the effect of host sex, age and season of sampling on the structure of helminth infracommunities harboured by the warthogs and to search for non-random structural patterns in the warthog–helminth interaction networks. Furthermore, we investigated the influence of a warthog's age, sex and season of sampling on beta diversity and dark diversity of their helminth infracommunities. Lastly, we asked whether the effects of host sex, age and sampling season on helminth communities differed between the 2 localities. We found that helminth communities of warthogs were nested and host–parasite interactions were influenced by all 3 factors as well as combinations thereof. However, the resulting patterns differed at the 2 localities, indicating that local environmental processes are important drivers of community structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Junker
- National Collection of Animal Helminths, Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors Programme, ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Private Bag X05, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Ivan G. Horak
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Joop Boomker
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Boris R. Krasnov
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, 8499000 Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
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The influence of the host sex on parasitemia of parasite lineages belonging to Haemoproteus majoris in a natural bird community. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:895-901. [PMID: 36781472 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07793-8] [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: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Immunological capability shows a sexual dimorphism in diverse animal species. Females are generally more immunocompetent than males, leading to the higher susceptibility of males to infection compared to females and thus greater infection-related pathology in males. These sex-differences in immunity remain understudied in birds. Here, we compared the percentage of parasitemia of three different parasite lineages belonging to the morphological species Haemoproteus majoris (namely, PARUS1, PHSIB1 and WW2) in terms of the sex of birds living in a natural community. We found that parasitemia (percentage of erythrocytes infected with parasites) of WW2 lineage, but not of the other two lineages of H. majoris, is higher in male birds compared to female birds. Similarly, we showed that the total parasitemia of these three H. majoris lineages is higher in male birds compared to female birds. Our study points out that male birds at the community level may be more susceptible to infection by certain parasites than female birds. We propose that sexual dimorphism in parasitemia of certain parasites in host birds might be more common than previously thought, similar to what is observed in other species, influencing host population dynamics in a sex-specific manner. Therefore, it can be speculated that infection by certain parasites might differentially affect male and female birds, possibly resulting in a bias in survival rates between sexes due to infections, in certain contexts.
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Junker K, Boomker J, Horak IG, Krasnov BR. Impact of host sex and age on the diversity of endoparasites and structure of individual-based host-parasite networks in nyalas (Tragelaphus angasii Angas) from three game reserves in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:3249-3267. [PMID: 36071296 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07653-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, numerous studies have examined the effect of host sex and age on the structure of parasite communities in several host taxa under various environmental conditions and in different geographic regions. However, the influence of such factors on the structure of host-parasite networks has received less attention, and remarkably few studies have been carried out on large terrestrial mammals. In this study, we investigated the effects of host age and sex on the parasite infra- and component communities of nyalas (Tragelaphus angasii) and on the structure of individual-based nyala-endoparasite networks. We also aimed to evaluate to what extent these effects vary spatially and if they are mediated by conservation management. Based on a data set of internal macroparasites of 74 nyalas from three game reserves in KwaZulu-Natal province, we found that host age strongly influenced parasite community structure as well as the structure of parasite-nyala networks, whereas host sex played a minor role. However, the effects of both host sex and age were mediated by environmental conditions and thus led to different patterns at the three localities. Our findings highlight that host-parasite communities from different localities should not be pooled when conducting host-parasite network and community studies as this may bias results and mask patterns that are typical for a given locality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Junker
- National Collection of Animal Helminths, Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors Programme, ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Private Bag X05, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa.
| | - Joop Boomker
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa
| | - Ivan G Horak
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa
| | - Boris R Krasnov
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, 8499000, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
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Gastrointestinal parasites in red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) hunted in Spain: a warning to game managers. Vet Res Commun 2022; 46:1051-1062. [PMID: 35796856 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-022-09968-7] [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: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) populations are currently declining in the Iberian Peninsula, mainly due to habitat degradation and hunting pressure. In addition, the release of farm-reared partridges may introduce pathogens, including parasites, to wild populations. The presence of digestive parasites in red-legged partridges hunted in fifteen Spanish provinces was studied. Fecal samples and gastrointestinal tracts were collected, analyzed, and the morphometric identification of parasites was carried out. Eimeria spp. oocysts, nematode, cestode and trematode eggs were observed in fecal samples. Adult nematodes (Ascaridia galli, Ascaridia compar, Heterakis gallinarum, Heterakis tenuicauda, Trichostrongylus tenuis, Subulura spp., Cyrnea spp. and Aonchotheca caudinflata), tapeworms (Raillietina tetragona, R. echinobothrida, R. micracantha, Rhabdometra nigropunctata, and Choanotaenia infundibulum), and trematodes (Brachylaima spp., Brachylecithum spp., Dicrocoelium spp.) were identified in the gastrointestinal tracts. Significant statistical differences were found among climatic regions in the prevalence and intensity of Eimeria spp. infection, median intensity and the prevalence of indirect life cycle helminths, with Southern areas always showing higher infection values. The study provides information of the health status of red-legged partridges in Spain, highlighting the risk associated with the release of farm-reared partridges for restocking purposes. This should be taken into account to improve management strategies for the long-term conservation of the species.
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Bourgoin G, Portanier E, Poirel MT, Itty C, Duhayer J, Benabed S, Cockenpot A, Callait-Cardinal MP, Garel M. Reproductive females and young mouflon ( Ovis gmelini musimon × Ovis sp.) in poor body condition are the main spreaders of gastrointestinal parasites. Parasitology 2021; 148:809-818. [PMID: 33593470 PMCID: PMC11010168 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182021000329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Several individual, environmental and parasitic factors can influence the impacts of parasites on host's fitness and on host's ability to transmit these parasites to new hosts. Identifying these factors and the individuals who play a greater role in parasite transmission is of main concern for the development of parasite control strategies. In the present study, we aimed to describe the diversity of gastrointestinal parasites and to identify the individual factors influencing the faecal spreading of parasites in a free-ranging population of Mediterranean mouflon. From the analysis of 433 faecal samples, we found Eimeria spp. and gastrointestinal strongyles (GIS) were the most common parasites (>94%). The faecal oocyst counts of Eimeria spp. were the highest during the first years of life. It was 1.6 times higher in females than in males and 2.5 times higher in individuals in poor than in good body condition. Similarly, the faecal egg count of GIS was higher in females and decreased with age, but only in males. Finally, reproductive females had GIS faecal egg count values 2.6 times higher than non-reproductive females. Management strategies of parasites should thus primarily focus on reproductive females and young individuals in poor body condition as they represent the main contamination source of the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilles Bourgoin
- Laboratoire de parasitologie vétérinaire, Université de Lyon, VetAgro Sup – Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, 1 avenue Bourgelat, BP 83, F-69280 Marcy l'Etoile, France
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR 5558, F-69622Villeurbanne, France
| | - Elodie Portanier
- Laboratoire de parasitologie vétérinaire, Université de Lyon, VetAgro Sup – Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, 1 avenue Bourgelat, BP 83, F-69280 Marcy l'Etoile, France
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR 5558, F-69622Villeurbanne, France
| | - Marie-Thérèse Poirel
- Laboratoire de parasitologie vétérinaire, Université de Lyon, VetAgro Sup – Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, 1 avenue Bourgelat, BP 83, F-69280 Marcy l'Etoile, France
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR 5558, F-69622Villeurbanne, France
| | - Christian Itty
- Office Français de la Biodiversité, Unité Ongulés Sauvages, 5 allée de Bethléem, Z.I. Mayencin, F-38610Gières, France
| | - Jeanne Duhayer
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR 5558, F-69622Villeurbanne, France
| | - Slimania Benabed
- Laboratoire de parasitologie vétérinaire, Université de Lyon, VetAgro Sup – Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, 1 avenue Bourgelat, BP 83, F-69280 Marcy l'Etoile, France
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR 5558, F-69622Villeurbanne, France
| | - Anne Cockenpot
- Laboratoire de parasitologie vétérinaire, Université de Lyon, VetAgro Sup – Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, 1 avenue Bourgelat, BP 83, F-69280 Marcy l'Etoile, France
| | - Marie-Pierre Callait-Cardinal
- Laboratoire de parasitologie vétérinaire, Université de Lyon, VetAgro Sup – Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, 1 avenue Bourgelat, BP 83, F-69280 Marcy l'Etoile, France
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR 5558, F-69622Villeurbanne, France
| | - Mathieu Garel
- Office Français de la Biodiversité, Unité Ongulés Sauvages, 5 allée de Bethléem, Z.I. Mayencin, F-38610Gières, France
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DE LA PeÑa E, MartÍn J, Barja I, PÉrez-Caballero R, Acosta I, Carranza J. Immune challenge of mating effort: steroid hormone profile, dark ventral patch and parasite burden in relation to intrasexual competition in male Iberian red deer. Integr Zool 2020; 15:262-275. [PMID: 31912636 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Testosterone secretion may regulate the reproductive effort and the development of sexual traits, but it may also involve costs at the immunological and metabolic levels. However, the evidence for this trade-off in wild populations is scarce. Cortisol also plays an important role in mediating the reproductive and immune functions. In this study, we analyzed whether the endoparasite burden relates to hormonal levels (fecal testosterone and cortisol metabolites) and/or morphological sexual traits (size of the dark ventral patch, a trait that indicates reproductive effort in males) in male Iberian red deer. For this purpose, we sampled male red deer harvested during hunting actions in 2 types of populations in south western Spain that differed in structure, affecting the level of male-male competition for mates. We used coprological analyses to estimate the parasite burden mainly of gastrointestinal and bronchopulmonary nematodes and of protozoa, and assessed testosterone and cortisol metabolite levels from fecal pellets. We found a positive relationship of host parasitation with both testosterone levels and the size of the dark ventral patch, but these relationships depended on the intensity of male-male competition in the population, being only found under the high-competition scenario. These results are discussed under the hypothesis of the testosterone immunocompetence handicap, suggesting a cost at the immunological level, and, therefore, higher susceptibility to parasite infection in males that make a greater reproductive effort. However, this effect seems to be modulated by the social environment (male-male competition) that might lead to different optima in testosterone production and sexual trait development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva DE LA PeÑa
- Wildlife Research Unit, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - José MartÍn
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, National Museum of Natural Sciences (Spanish Research Council, CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Barja
- Department of Biology, Zoology Unit, Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Biodiversity and Global Change Research Centre, Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raúl PÉrez-Caballero
- Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases Unit, Animal Health Department, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.,Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Isabel Acosta
- Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases Unit, Animal Health Department, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Juan Carranza
- Wildlife Research Unit, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
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King'ori E, Obanda V, Chiyo PI, Soriguer RC, Morrondo P, Angelone S. Patterns of helminth infection in Kenyan elephant populations. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:145. [PMID: 32188499 PMCID: PMC7081694 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04017-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The dynamics of helminth infection in African elephant populations are poorly known. We examined the effects of age, sex, social structure and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) as primary drivers of infection patterns within and between elephant populations. Methods Coprological methods were used to identify helminths and determine infection patterns in distinct elephant populations in Maasai Mara National Reserve, Tsavo East National Park, Amboseli National Park and Laikipia-Samburu Ecosystem. Gaussian finite mixture cluster analyses of egg dimensions were used to classify helminth eggs according to genera. Generalized linear models (GLM) and Chi-square analyses were used to test for variation in helminth infection patterns and to identify drivers in elephant populations. Results Helminth prevalence varied significantly between the studied populations. Nematode prevalence (96.3%) was over twice as high as that of trematodes (39.1%) in elephants. Trematode prevalence but not nematode prevalence varied between populations. Although we found no associations between helminth infection and elephant social groups (male vs family groups), the median helminth egg output (eggs per gram, epg) did vary between social groups: family groups had significantly higher median epg than solitary males or males in bachelor groups. Young males in mixed sex family groups had lower epg than females when controlling for population and age; these differences, however, were not statistically significant. The average NDVI over a three-month period varied between study locations. Cluster analyses based on egg measurements revealed the presence of Protofasciola sp., Brumptia sp., Murshidia sp., Quilonia sp. and Mammomonogamus sp. GLM analyses showed that the mean epg was positively influenced by a three-month cumulative mean NDVI and by social group; female social groups had higher epg than male groups. GLM analyses also revealed that epg varied between elephant populations: Samburu-Laikipia elephants had a higher and Tsavo elephants a lower epg than Amboseli elephants. Conclusions Elephants had infection patterns characterized by within- and between-population variation in prevalence and worm burden. Sociality and NDVI were the major drivers of epg but not of helminth prevalence. Gastrointestinal parasites can have a negative impact on the health of wild elephants, especially during resource scarcity. Thus, our results will be important when deciding intervention strategies.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward King'ori
- Department of Animal Pathology (INVESAGA Group), Veterinary Faculty, University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain.,Veterinary Department, Kenya Wildlife Service, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Vincent Obanda
- Veterinary Department, Kenya Wildlife Service, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Patrick I Chiyo
- Institute of Primate Research, National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Ramon C Soriguer
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Sevilla, Spain
| | - Patrocinio Morrondo
- Department of Animal Pathology (INVESAGA Group), Veterinary Faculty, University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - Samer Angelone
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Sevilla, Spain. .,Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Tong WH, Abdulai-Saiku S, Vyas A. Testosterone Reduces Fear and Causes Drastic Hypomethylation of Arginine Vasopressin Promoter in Medial Extended Amygdala of Male Mice. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:33. [PMID: 30863290 PMCID: PMC6399424 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Testosterone reduces anxiety-like behaviors in rodents and increases exploration of anxiogenic parts of the environment. Effects of testosterone on innate defensive behaviors remain understudied. Here, we demonstrate that exogenous testosterone reduces aversion to cat odor in male mice. This is reflected as increased exploration of area containing cat urine when castrated male mice are supplied with exogenous testosterone. We also report that exogenous testosterone leads to DNA hypomethylation of arginine vasopressin (AVP) promoter in posterodorsal medial amygdala (MePD) and medial bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNST). Our observations suggest that testosterone acting on AVP system within extended medial amygdala might regulate defensive behaviors in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Han Tong
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Samira Abdulai-Saiku
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ajai Vyas
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
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Oliver-Guimerá A, Martínez-Carrasco C, Tvarijonaviciute A, Ruiz de Ybáñez MR, Martínez-Guijosa J, López-Olvera JR, Fernández-Aguilar X, Colom-Cadena A, Mentaberre G, Velarde R, Gassó D, Garel M, Rossi L, Lavín S, Serrano E. The physiological cost of male-biased parasitism in a nearly monomorphic mammal. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:200. [PMID: 28431550 PMCID: PMC5399856 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2060-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Accepted: 02/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Even though male-biased parasitism is common in mammals, little effort has been made to evaluate whether higher parasitic burden in males results in an extra biological cost, and thus a decrease in fitness. Body condition impairment and the augmentation of oxidative stress can be used as indicators of the cost of parasite infections. Here, we examined relationships between gastrointestinal and respiratory helminths, body condition and oxidative stress markers (glutathione peroxidase, paraoxonase-1) in 28 Pyrenean chamois (Rupicapra p. pyrenaica) sampled in autumn. Results Only male chamois showed a reduction in body condition and higher oxidative stress due to parasite infection, likely because of the extremely high parasite burdens observed in males. Conclusions This study made evident a disparity in the physiological cost of multiple parasitism between sexes in a wild mammal, mainly due to parasitic richness. Because of the similar life expectancy in male and female chamois, we suggest that males may have developed natural mechanisms to compensate for higher parasite loads during the rut.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arturo Oliver-Guimerá
- Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Wildlife Health Service, Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animal, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193, Bellaterra, Spain.,Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, E-30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Carlos Martínez-Carrasco
- Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Wildlife Health Service, Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animal, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Asta Tvarijonaviciute
- Departamento de Medicina y Cirugía Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, E-30100, Espinardo, Murcia, Spain
| | - María Rocío Ruiz de Ybáñez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, E-30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Jordi Martínez-Guijosa
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), E-13071, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Jorge Ramón López-Olvera
- Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Wildlife Health Service, Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animal, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Xavier Fernández-Aguilar
- Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Wildlife Health Service, Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animal, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Andreu Colom-Cadena
- Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Wildlife Health Service, Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animal, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Gregorio Mentaberre
- Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Wildlife Health Service, Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animal, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Roser Velarde
- Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Wildlife Health Service, Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animal, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Diana Gassó
- Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Wildlife Health Service, Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animal, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Mathieu Garel
- Unité Faune de Montagne, Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage (ONCFS), 34990, Juvignac, France
| | - Luca Rossi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Grugliasco, 10095, Torino, Italy
| | - Santiago Lavín
- Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Wildlife Health Service, Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animal, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Emmanuel Serrano
- Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Wildlife Health Service, Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animal, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193, Bellaterra, Spain. .,Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
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López-Olvera JR, Serrano E, Armenteros A, Pérez JM, Fandos P, Carvalho J, Velarde R, Cano-Manuel FJ, Ráez A, Espinosa J, Soriguer RC, Granados JE. Sex-biased severity of sarcoptic mange at the same biological cost in a sexually dimorphic ungulate. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:583. [PMID: 26555065 PMCID: PMC4641373 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1186-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Accepted: 10/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In sexually dimorphic species, male susceptibility to parasite infection and mortality is frequently higher than in females. The Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica) is a sexually dimorphic mountain ungulate endemic to the Iberian Peninsula commonly affected by sarcoptic mange, a chronic catabolic skin disease caused by Sarcoptes scabiei. Since 1992, sarcoptic mange affects the Iberian ibex population of the Sierra Nevada Natural Space (SNNS). This study aims at exploring whether mange severity, in terms of prevalence and its effects on body condition, is male-biased in Iberian ibex. Findings One thousand and seventy-one adult Iberian ibexes (439 females and 632 males) were randomly shot-harvested in the SNNS from May 1995 to February 2008. Sarcoptic mange stage was classified as healthy, mildly infected or severely infected. Sex-biased prevalence of severe mange was evaluated by a Chi-square test whereas the interaction between mange severity and sex on body condition was assessed by additive models. Among scabietic individuals, the prevalence of severely affected males was 1.29 times higher than in females. On the other hand, both sexes were not able to take profit of a higher availability of seasonal food resources when sarcoptic, particularly in the severe stages. Conclusions Sarcoptic mange severity is male-biased in Iberian ibex, though not mange effects on body condition. Behavioural, immunological and physiological characteristics of males may contribute to this partial sex-biased susceptibility to sarcoptic mange.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge R López-Olvera
- Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Bellaterra, E-08193, Spain.
| | - Emmanuel Serrano
- Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Bellaterra, E-08193, Spain. .,CESAM, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitario de Santiago, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal.
| | - Anna Armenteros
- Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Bellaterra, E-08193, Spain.
| | - Jesús M Pérez
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Universidad de Jaén, Campus Las Lagunillas, s.n., Jaén, E-23071, Spain.
| | - Paulino Fandos
- Agencia de Medio Ambiente y Agua, Isla de la Cartuja, Sevilla, E-41092, Spain.
| | - João Carvalho
- CESAM, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitario de Santiago, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal.
| | - Roser Velarde
- Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Bellaterra, E-08193, Spain.
| | - Francisco J Cano-Manuel
- Espacio Natural Sierra Nevada, Carretera Antigua de Sierra Nevada, Km 7, Pinos Genil, Granada, E-18071, Spain.
| | - Arián Ráez
- Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Bellaterra, E-08193, Spain.
| | - José Espinosa
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Universidad de Jaén, Campus Las Lagunillas, s.n., Jaén, E-23071, Spain.
| | - Ramón C Soriguer
- Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), Av. Américo Vespucio, s.n., Sevilla, E-41092, Spain.
| | - José E Granados
- Espacio Natural Sierra Nevada, Carretera Antigua de Sierra Nevada, Km 7, Pinos Genil, Granada, E-18071, Spain.
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