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Ferrari G, Scaravelli D, Mustoni A, Armanini M, Zibordi F, Devineau O, Cagnacci F, Grasso DA, Ossi F. A Comparison of Small Rodent Assemblages after a 20 Year Interval in the Alps. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13081407. [PMID: 37106970 PMCID: PMC10135415 DOI: 10.3390/ani13081407] [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: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Human-induced environmental alterations in the Alps may importantly affect small mammal species, but evidence in this sense is limited. We live-trapped small rodents in the Central-Eastern Italian Alps in three close-by habitat types (rocky scree, alpine grassland, and heath) at 2100 m a.s.l. during summer-fall, in 1997 and 2016. We compared small rodent assemblages through a Redundancy Detrended Analysis (RDA). In both surveys, we detected two specialist species, i.e., the common vole (Microtus arvalis) and the snow vole (Chionomys nivalis), and, unexpectedly, the forest generalist bank vole (Myodes glareolus). In 1997, grassland was mainly occupied by the common vole, while the bank vole and the snow vole were sympatric in the other habitats. In 2016, the snow vole was detected only in the scree, while other species did not show distribution changes. We discuss a series of hypotheses that might have driven the differences observed across decades, among which is a species-specific response to abiotic and biotic environmental alterations, with the alpine habitat specialist moving out of sub-optimal habitats. We encourage further research on this topic, e.g., via long-term longitudinal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Ferrari
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/a, 43124 Parma, Italy
- Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Science and Biotechnology, Campus Evenstad, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, 2480 Koppang, Norway
- Research and Innovation Centre, Edmund Mach Foundation, Via Mach 1, 38098 San Michele all'Adige, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Dino Scaravelli
- Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Mustoni
- Research and Environmental Education, Adamello Brenta Nature Park, Via Nazionale 24, 38080 Strembo, Italy
| | - Marco Armanini
- Research and Environmental Education, Adamello Brenta Nature Park, Via Nazionale 24, 38080 Strembo, Italy
| | | | - Olivier Devineau
- Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Science and Biotechnology, Campus Evenstad, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, 2480 Koppang, Norway
| | - Francesca Cagnacci
- Research and Innovation Centre, Edmund Mach Foundation, Via Mach 1, 38098 San Michele all'Adige, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Donato A Grasso
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/a, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Federico Ossi
- Research and Innovation Centre, Edmund Mach Foundation, Via Mach 1, 38098 San Michele all'Adige, Italy
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Ji C, Li HD, Xiao W, Xu K, Ren Y, Li H, Wang P, Fan M, Huang X, Xiao Z. Fine-Scale Interactions between Leopard Cats and Their Potential Prey with Contrasting Diel Activities in a Livestock-Dominated Nature Reserve. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13081296. [PMID: 37106859 PMCID: PMC10135257 DOI: 10.3390/ani13081296] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Habitat use and the temporal activities of wildlife can be largely modified by livestock encroachment. Therefore, identifying the potential impacts of livestock on the predator-prey interactions could provide essential information for wildlife conservation and management. From May to October 2017, we used camera trapping technology to investigate fine-scale spatiotemporal interactions in a predator-prey system with the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) as a common mesopredator, and its prey with contrasting activity patterns (i.e., nocturnal rats and diurnal squirrels) in a livestock-dominated nature reserve in Northern China. We found that the prey species showed different habitat preferences with the leopard cats. The nocturnal rats had strong positive effects on the site-use of the leopard cats, while the influence of livestock on the diurnal squirrels' site-use changed from strong positive effects to weak effects as the livestock disturbance increased. The temporal overlap between the leopard cats and the nocturnal rats was almost four times that of the leopard cats and the diurnal squirrels, regardless of the livestock disturbance. Our study demonstrated that the fine-scale spatiotemporal use patterns of the leopard cats were consistent and highly correlated with the nocturnal rats under livestock disturbance. We suggest that appropriate restrictions on livestock disturbance should be implemented by reserve managers to reduce the threat to wildlife and achieve multi-species coexistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengpeng Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hai-Dong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Wenhong Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Kai Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yingfeng Ren
- National Yugong Foresty of Jiyuan City, Jiyuan 454650, China
| | - Hongyun Li
- National Yugong Foresty of Jiyuan City, Jiyuan 454650, China
| | - Pengcheng Wang
- National Yugong Foresty of Jiyuan City, Jiyuan 454650, China
| | - Mingliang Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xiaoqun Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Zhishu Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Happi AN, Olumade TJ, Ogunsanya OA, Sijuwola AE, Ogunleye SC, Oguzie JU, Nwofoke C, Ugwu CA, Okoro SJ, Otuh PI, Ngele LN, Ojo OO, Adelabu A, Adeleye RF, Oyejide NE, Njaka CS, Heeney JL, Happi CT. Increased Prevalence of Lassa Fever Virus-Positive Rodents and Diversity of Infected Species Found during Human Lassa Fever Epidemics in Nigeria. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0036622. [PMID: 35913205 PMCID: PMC9430508 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00366-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The dynamics of Lassa virus (LASV) infections in rodent reservoirs and their endemic human caseloads remain poorly understood. During the endemic period, human infections are believed to be associated with the seasonal migration of Mastomys natalensis, thought to be the primary reservoir that triggers multiple spillovers of LASV to humans. It has become imperative to improve LASV diagnosis in rodents while updating their prevalence in two regions of Lassa fever endemicity in Nigeria. Rodents (total, 942) were trapped in Ondo (531) and Ebonyi (411) states between October 2018 and April 2020 for detection of LASV using various tissues. Overall, the LASV prevalence was 53.6%. The outbreak area sampled in Ondo had three and two times higher capture success and LASV prevalence, respectively, than Ebonyi State. This correlated with the higher number of annual cases of Lassa fever (LF) in Ondo State versus Ebonyi State. All rodent genera (Mastomys, Rattus, Crocidura, Mus, and Tatera) captured in both states showed slightly variable LASV positivity, with Rattus spp. being the most predominantly infected (77.3%) rodents in Ondo State versus Mastomys spp. (41.6%) in Ebonyi State. The tissues with the highest LASV positivity were the kidneys, spleen, and testes. The finding of a relatively high LASV prevalence in all of the rodent genera captured highlights the complex interspecies transmission dynamics of LASV infections in the reservoirs and their potential association with increased environmental contact, as well as the risk of zoonotic spillover in these communities, which have the highest prevalence of Lassa fever in Nigeria. IMPORTANCE Our findings show the highest LASV positivity in small rodents ever recorded and the first direct detection of LASV in Tatera spp. Our findings also indicate the abundance of LASV-infected small rodents in houses, with probable interspecies transmission through vertical and horizontal coitus routes. Consequently, we suggest that the abundance of different reservoir species for LASV may fuel the epizootic outbreaks of LF in affected human communities. The high prevalence of LASV with the diversity of affected rodents has direct implications for our understanding of the transmission risk, mitigation, and ultimately, the prevention of LF in humans. Optimal tissues for LASV detection in rodents are also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anise N. Happi
- African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Disease, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun, Nigeria
| | - Testimony J. Olumade
- African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Disease, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun, Nigeria
- Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun, Nigeria
| | - Olusola A. Ogunsanya
- African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Disease, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun, Nigeria
| | - Ayotunde E. Sijuwola
- African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Disease, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun, Nigeria
| | | | - Judith U. Oguzie
- African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Disease, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun, Nigeria
- Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun, Nigeria
| | - Cecilia Nwofoke
- Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi, Nigeria
| | - Chinedu A. Ugwu
- African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Disease, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun, Nigeria
- Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun, Nigeria
| | - Samuel J. Okoro
- Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi, Nigeria
| | - Patricia I. Otuh
- Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia, Nigeria
| | - Louis N. Ngele
- Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi, Nigeria
| | | | | | | | - Nicholas E. Oyejide
- African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Disease, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun, Nigeria
| | | | - Jonathan L. Heeney
- Lab of Viral Zoonotics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Christian T. Happi
- African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Disease, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun, Nigeria
- Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun, Nigeria
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Špitalská E, Minichová L, Hamšíková Z, Stanko M, Kazimírová M. Bartonella, Rickettsia, Babesia, and Hepatozoon Species in Fleas (Siphonaptera) Infesting Small Mammals of Slovakia (Central Europe). Pathogens 2022; 11:886. [PMID: 36015007 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11080886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Fleas (Siphonaptera) as obligate, blood-feeding ectoparasites are, together with ticks, hosted by small mammals and can transmit causative agents of serious infections. This study aimed to determine and characterize the presence and genetic diversity of Bartonella, Rickettsia, and apicomplexan parasites (Babesia, Hepatozoon) in fleas feeding on small mammals from three different habitat types (suburban, natural, and rural) in Slovakia. The most common pathogen in the examined fleas was Bartonella spp. (33.98%; 95% CI: 30.38-37.58), followed by Rickettsia spp. (19.1%; 95% CI: 16.25-22.24) and apicomplexan parasites (4.36%; 95% CI: 2.81-5.91). Bartonella strains belonging to B. taylorii, B. grahamii, B. elizabethae, Bartonella sp. wbs11, and B. rochalimae clades were identified in Ctenophthalmus agyrtes, C. congener, C. assimilis, C. sciurorum, C. solutus, C. bisoctodentatus, Palaeopsylla similis, Megabothris turbidus, and Nosopsyllus fasciatus within all habitats. The presence of Rickettsia helvetica, R. monacensis, and rickettsiae, belonging to the R. akari and R. felis clusters, and endosymbionts with a 96-100% identity with the Rickettsia endosymbiont of Nosopsyllus laeviceps laeviceps were also revealed in C. agyrtes, C. solutus, C. assimilis, C. congener, M. turbidus, and N. fasciatus. Babesia and Hepatozoon DNA was detected in the fleas from all habitat types. Hepatozoon sp. was detected in C. agyrtes, C. assimilis, and M. turbidus, while Babesia microti was identified from C. agyrtes, C. congener, and P. similis. The present study demonstrated the presence of zoonotic pathogens in fleas, parasitizing the wild-living small mammals of southwestern and central Slovakia and widens our knowledge of the ecology and genomic diversity of Bartonella, Rickettsia, Babesia, and Hepatozoon.
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Rodríguez-Pastor R, Mougeot F, Vidal MD, Jado I, González-Martín-Niño RM, Escudero R, Luque-Larena JJ. Zoonotic Bacteria in Fleas Parasitizing Common Voles, Northwestern Spain. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 25:1423-1425. [PMID: 31211940 PMCID: PMC6590758 DOI: 10.3201/eid2507.181646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
We detected Francisella tularensis and Bartonella spp. in fleas parasitizing common voles (Microtus arvalis) from northwestern Spain; mean prevalence was 6.1% for F. tularensis and 51% for Bartonella spp. Contrasted vector–host associations in the prevalence of these bacteria suggest that fleas have distinct roles in the transmission cycle of each pathogen in nature.
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Cao L, Wang Z, Yan C, Chen J, Guo C, Zhang Z. Differential foraging preferences on seed size by rodents result in higher dispersal success of medium-sized seeds. Ecology 2017; 97:3070-3078. [PMID: 27870042 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.1555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2016] [Revised: 05/29/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Rodent preference for scatter-hoarding large seeds has been widely considered to favor the evolution of large seeds. Previous studies supporting this conclusion were primarily based on observations at earlier stages of seed dispersal, or on a limited sample of successfully established seedlings. Because seed dispersal comprises multiple dispersal stages, we hypothesized that differential foraging preference on seed size by animal dispersers at different dispersal stages would ultimately result in medium-sized seeds having the highest dispersal success rates. In this study, by tracking a large number of seeds for 5 yr, we investigated the effects of seed size on seed fates from seed removal to seedling establishment of a dominant plant Pittosporopsis kerrii (Icacinaceae) dispersed by scatter-hoarding rodents in tropical forest in southwest China. We found that small seeds had a lower survival rate at the early dispersal stage where more small seeds were predated at seed stations and after removal; large seeds had a lower survival rate at the late dispersal stage, more large seeds were recovered, predated after being cached, or larder-hoarded. Medium-sized seeds experienced the highest dispersal success. Our study suggests that differential foraging preferences by scatter-hoarding rodents at different stages of seed dispersal could result in conflicting selective pressures on seed size and higher dispersal success of medium-sized seeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Cao
- Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla 666303, China.,State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China.,Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Zhenyu Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China
| | - Chuan Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China
| | - Jin Chen
- Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla 666303, China
| | - Cong Guo
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Zhibin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China
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Flowerdew JR, Amano T, Sutherland WJ. Strong "bottom-up" influences on small mammal populations: State-space model analyses from long-term studies. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:1699-1711. [PMID: 28331581 PMCID: PMC5355190 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2016] [Revised: 11/25/2016] [Accepted: 12/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
“Bottom‐up” influences, that is, masting, plus population density and climate, commonly influence woodland rodent demography. However, “top‐down” influences (predation) also intervene. Here, we assess the impacts of masting, climate, and density on rodent populations placed in the context of what is known about “top‐down” influences. To explain between‐year variations in bank vole Myodes glareolus and wood mouse Apodemus sylvaticus population demography, we applied a state‐space model to 33 years of catch‐mark‐release live‐trapping, winter temperature, and precise mast‐collection data. Experimental mast additions aided interpretation. Rodent numbers in European ash Fraxinus excelsior woodland were estimated (May/June, November/December). December–March mean minimum daily temperature represented winter severity. Total marked adult mice/voles (and juveniles in May/June) provided density indices validated against a model‐generated population estimate; this allowed estimation of the structure of a time‐series model and the demographic impacts of the climatic/biological variables. During two winters of insignificant fruit‐fall, 6.79 g/m2 sterilized ash seed (as fruit) was distributed over an equivalent woodland similarly live‐trapped. September–March fruit‐fall strongly increased bank vole spring reproductive rate and winter and summer population growth rates; colder winters weakly reduced winter population growth. September–March fruit‐fall and warmer winters marginally increased wood mouse spring reproductive rate and September–December fruit‐fall weakly elevated summer population growth. Density dependence significantly reduced both species' population growth. Fruit‐fall impacts on demography still appeared after a year. Experimental ash fruit addition confirmed its positive influence on bank vole winter population growth with probable moderation by colder temperatures. The models show the strong impact of masting as a “bottom‐up” influence on rodent demography, emphasizing independent masting and weather influences; delayed effects of masting; and the importance of density dependence and its interaction with masting. We conclude that these rodents show strong “bottom‐up” and density‐dependent influences on demography moderated by winter temperature. “Top‐down” influences appear weak and need further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tatsuya Amano
- Department of Zoology University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
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