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Kapnisis K, Kassinis N, Papanikolopoulou V, Diakou A. Endoparasites in wild populations of Cyprus mouflon (Ovis gmelini ophion). Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2022; 34:100767. [PMID: 36041802 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The Cyprus mouflon (Ovis gmelini ophion) is a subspecies of wild sheep, endemic to Cyprus and strictly protected by national and international legislation. In the present study, 107 Cyprus mouflon faecal samples were collected from locations within the species geographical range and examined by standard parasitological methods, i.e. flotation, sedimentation and Ziehl-Neelsen stained smears. Parasites were found in 104 (97.39%) samples. First stage larvae of the lungworms Muellerius capillaris and Cystocaulus ocreatus were found in 93 (86.9%) and in 65 (60.7%) of the samples, respectively, strongylid eggs in 46 (43%), Eimeria spp. oocysts in 44 (41.1%) and Nematodirus spp. Trichuris spp. and Moniezia spp. eggs in 10 (9.3%), 7 (6.5%) and 1 (0.9%) sample, respectively. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first survey on the endoparasites of Cyprus mouflon. The possible role of the parasites found on the health status of the animals and the risk of endoparasite transmission from domestic ruminants to Cyprus mouflon are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kypros Kapnisis
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 52124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Vasiliki Papanikolopoulou
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 52124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Anastasia Diakou
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 52124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Peyton J, Hadjistylli M, Tziortzis I, Erotokritou E, Demetriou M, Samuel Y, Anastasi V, Fyttis G, Hadjioannou L, Ieronymidou C, Kassinis N, Kleitou P, Kletou D, Mandoulaki A, Michailidis N, Papatheodoulou A, Payiattas G, Sparrow D, Sparrow R, Turvey K, Tzirkalli E, Varnava AI, Pescott OL. Using expert-elicitation to deliver biodiversity monitoring priorities on a Mediterranean island. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0256777. [PMID: 35324899 PMCID: PMC8947143 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Biodiversity monitoring plays an essential role in tracking changes in ecosystems, species distributions and abundances across the globe. Data collected through both structured and unstructured biodiversity recording can inform conservation measures designed to reduce, prevent, and reverse declines in valued biodiversity of many types. However, given that resources for biodiversity monitoring are limited, it is important that funding bodies prioritise investments relative to the requirements in any given region. We addressed this prioritisation requirement for a biodiverse Mediterranean island (Cyprus) using a three-stage process of expert-elicitation. This resulted in a structured list of twenty biodiversity monitoring needs; specifically, a hierarchy of three groups of these needs was created using a consensus approach. The most highly prioritised biodiversity monitoring needs were those related to the development of robust survey methodologies, and those ensuring that sufficiently skilled citizens are available to contribute. We discuss ways that the results of our expert-elicitation process could be used to support current and future biodiversity monitoring in Cyprus.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Peyton
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Wallingford, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - M. Hadjistylli
- Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Lefkosia, Cyprus
| | - I. Tziortzis
- Water Development Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Lefkosia, Cyprus
| | - E. Erotokritou
- Department of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Lefkosia, Cyprus
| | - M. Demetriou
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Lefkosia, Cyprus
| | - Y. Samuel
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Lefkosia, Cyprus
- Oceanography Centre, University of Cyprus, Lefkosia, Cyprus
| | - V. Anastasi
- Terra Cypria - The Cyprus Conservation Foundation, Lefkosia, Cyprus
- BirdLife Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - G. Fyttis
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Lefkosia, Cyprus
- I.A.CO Environmental & Water Consultants Ltd., Lefkosia, Cyprus
| | - L. Hadjioannou
- Enalia Physis Environmental Research Centre, Lefkosia, Cyprus
- CMMI – Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute, Larnaca, Cyprus
| | | | - N. Kassinis
- Game and Fauna Service, Ministry of Interior, Lefkosia, Cyprus
| | - P. Kleitou
- Marine & Environmental Research (MER) Lab, Lemesos, Cyprus
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom
| | - D. Kletou
- Marine & Environmental Research (MER) Lab, Lemesos, Cyprus
- Department of Maritime Transport and Commerce, Frederick University, Lemesos, Cyprus
| | - A. Mandoulaki
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology and Food Science, Cyprus University of Technology, Lemesos, Cyprus
| | - N. Michailidis
- Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Lefkosia, Cyprus
| | | | - G. Payiattas
- Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Lefkosia, Cyprus
| | - D. Sparrow
- Cyprus Dragonfly Study Group, Pafos, Cyprus
| | - R. Sparrow
- Cyprus Dragonfly Study Group, Pafos, Cyprus
| | - K. Turvey
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Wallingford, United Kingdom
| | - E. Tzirkalli
- School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Open University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - A. I. Varnava
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology and Food Science, Cyprus University of Technology, Lemesos, Cyprus
| | - O. L. Pescott
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Wallingford, United Kingdom
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Guerrini M, Panayides P, Niktoreh Mofrad N, Kassinis N, Ioannou I, Forcina G, Hadjigerou P, Barbanera F. Spatial genetic structure and Ovis haplogroup as a tool for an adaptive conservation management of the endangered Cyprus mouflon. ZOOLOGY 2021; 148:125959. [PMID: 34474331 DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2021.125959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The mouflon (Ovis gmelini ophion) is the largest wild terrestrial mammal of Cyprus. Regarded as the local flagship species, its population range is limited to the mountainous Paphos Forest and adjacent areas including part of Troodos National Forest Park (> 700 Km2). This species, protected by both national and international legislation, is classified as Endangered by the IUCN, with livestock intrusion, poaching and habitat loss as the main threatening factors. We determined the spatial genetic structure by investigating sexes separately and shed further light on the Cyprus mouflon placement among Ovis haplogroups (HGs) to enforce its protection within an adaptive conservation framework. We genotyped 108 samples collected across the entire species' range at both14 loci of the microsatellite DNA and the mitochondrial DNA Control Region (CR). Microsatellite genotyping indicated that the wild population retained low genetic variability, which, however, was not associated with a level of inbreeding raising particular concern (FIS = 0.12). An overall weak spatial genetic structure was disclosed, consistently with the limited extension of the mouflon range, the lack of significant physical barriers to dispersal and the intense gene flow mostly occurring along a northeast-southwest axis across the forest. Nevertheless, evidences of structure were found for females in compliance with their philopatric behaviour. The disclosure of unique features compared to Mediterranean and Near East conspecifics, such as the occurrence of a six-fold 76 bp-long repeated motif in the Cyprus mouflon CR, along with the outcome of a phylogenetic reconstruction (based on a far higher number of Ovis GenBank records and Cyprus haplotypes than in previous studies) inspired the proposal of a new haplogroup (HGC2) which included the Anatolian mouflon (O. g. anatolica, former HGX) as sister taxon. While both high habitat heterogeneity and low human disturbance were the main drivers in determining the overall spatial structure, future conservation efforts to preserve this valuable genetic resource should focus on avoiding possible introgressive hybridisation with co-grazing livestock to the edge of its range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Guerrini
- Department of Biology, Via A. Volta 4, University of Pisa, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Giovanni Forcina
- CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
| | | | - Filippo Barbanera
- Department of Biology, Via A. Volta 4, University of Pisa, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
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Guerrini M, Forcina G, Panayides P, Lorenzini R, Garel M, Anayiotos P, Kassinis N, Barbanera F. Molecular DNA identity of the mouflon of Cyprus (Ovis orientalis ophion, Bovidae): Near Eastern origin and divergence from Western Mediterranean conspecific populations. SYST BIODIVERS 2015. [DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2015.1046409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Monica Guerrini
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Unità di Zoologia e Antropologia, Via A. Volta 4, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Forcina
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Unità di Zoologia e Antropologia, Via A. Volta 4, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Rita Lorenzini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Regioni Lazio e Toscana, Centro di Referenza Nazionale per la Medicina Forense Veterinaria, Via Tancia 21, 02100 Rieti, Italy
| | - Mathieu Garel
- Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage, Centre National d'Études et de Recherche Appliquée Faune de Montagne, 5 allée de Bethléem, Z.I. Mayencin, 38610 Gières, France
| | | | | | - Filippo Barbanera
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Unità di Zoologia e Antropologia, Via A. Volta 4, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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Chochlakis D, Ioannou I, Sandalakis V, Dimitriou T, Kassinis N, Papadopoulos B, Tselentis Y, Psaroulaki A. Spotted fever group Rickettsiae in ticks in Cyprus. Microb Ecol 2012; 63:314-23. [PMID: 21833539 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-011-9926-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2011] [Accepted: 07/21/2011] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
In two surveys conducted from March 1999 to March 2001 and from January 2004 to December 2006, a total of 3,950 ticks (belonging to ten different species) were collected from seven domestic and wild animals (goat, sheep, cattle, dog, fox, hare, and mouflon) from different localities throughout Cyprus. In order to establish their infection rate with Spotted Fever Rickettsiae (SFG), ticks were pooled and tested by polymerase chain reaction targeting gltA and ompA genes, followed by sequencing analysis. When tick pools tested positive, individual ticks were then tested one by one, and of the 3,950 ticks screened, rickettsial DNA was identified in 315 ticks (infection rate, 8%). Five SFG Rickettsiae were identified: Rickettsia aeschlimannii in Hyalomma marginatum marginatum, Rickettsia massiliae in Rhipicephalus turanicus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rickettsia sibirica mongolotimonae in Hyalomma anatolicum excavatum, and a Rickettsia endosymbiont of Haemaphysalis sulcata (later described as Rickettsia hoogstraalii) in Haemaphysalis punctata. Two additional genes, 17 kDa and ompB, were targeted to characterize a new genotype of "Candidatus Rickettsia barbariae" genotype in R. turanicus, designated here as "Candidatus Rickettsia barbariae" Cretocypriensis. These results confirm the presence of a spectrum of SFG Rickettsiae on the island. Further studies are necessary to gain better knowledge on the epidemiology of SFG Rickettsiae in Cyprus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimosthenis Chochlakis
- Laboratory of Clinical Bacteriology, Parasitology, Zoonoses and Geographical Medicine (WHO Collaborating Center), Medical School, University of Crete, Voutes, Heraklion, Crete 71100, Greece
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Loukopoulos P, Ioannou I, Kassinis N, Georgiadou S, Kaldrymidou E, Giadinis N. Congenital Nutritional Myodegeneration in a Cyprus Mouflon (Ovis orientalis ophion) Lamb. J Comp Pathol 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2010.09.148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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