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Krasnov BR, Vinarski MV, Korallo-Vinarskaya NP, Shenbrot GI, Khokhlova IS. Spatial and temporal variation of compositional, functional, and phylogenetic diversity in ectoparasite infracommunities harboured by small mammals. Parasitology 2021; 148:685-695. [PMID: 33583440 PMCID: PMC11010129 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182021000299] [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: 12/06/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
We studied patterns of compositional, functional, and phylogenetic α- and β-diversity in flea and gamasid mite infracommunities of small Siberian mammals, taking into account host-associated (species) and environmental (biome or sampling period) factors. We asked: (a) How do these factors and their interactions affect infracommunity diversity? (b) Does infracommunity composition, in terms of species, traits, and phylogenetic lineages, deviate from random? (c) Are species, traits, and phylogenetic lineages in infracommunities clustered or overdispersed?, and (d) Do patterns of diversity differ between the three diversity facets and/or the two ectoparasite taxa? We found that the α-diversity of infracommunities was strongly affected by host species, biome, and sampling period. The highest proportion of infracommunity diversity in both taxa was associated with the interaction between either host species and biome or host species and sampling period. Infracommunities of both taxa within, as well as between, host species, biomes, and sampling periods were characterized by the clustering of species, traits and lineages. The patterns of the effects of host species, biome, and sampling period on infracommunity diversity were congruent among the three diversity facets in both fleas and mites. We conclude that the assembly patterns in ectoparasite infracommunities mirror those characteristics of component and compound communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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, 8499000Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Maxim V. Vinarski
- Laboratory of Macroecology and Biogeography of Invertebrates, Saint-Petersburg State University, 7/9 University Emb., 199034Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation
- Omsk State University, 11 Neftezavodskaya str., 644053Omsk, Russian Federation
| | - Natalia P. Korallo-Vinarskaya
- Laboratory of Arthropod-Borne Viral Infections, Omsk Research Institute of Natural Foci Infections, Mira str. 7, 644080Omsk, Russian Federation
- Omsk State Pedagogical University, 14 Tukhachevskogo Emb., 644099 Omsk, Russian Federation
| | - Georgy I. Shenbrot
- 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, 8499000Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Irina S. Khokhlova
- Wyler Department of Dryland Agriculture, French Associates Institute for Agriculture and Biotechnology of Drylands, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, 8499000Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
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Mangombi JB, N’dilimabaka N, Lekana-Douki JB, Banga O, Maghendji-Nzondo S, Bourgarel M, Leroy E, Fenollar F, Mediannikov O. First investigation of pathogenic bacteria, protozoa and viruses in rodents and shrews in context of forest-savannah-urban areas interface in the city of Franceville (Gabon). PLoS One 2021; 16:e0248244. [PMID: 33684147 PMCID: PMC7939261 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Rodents are reservoirs of numerous zoonotic diseases caused by bacteria, protozoans, or viruses. In Gabon, the circulation and maintenance of rodent-borne zoonotic infectious agents are poorly studied and are often limited to one type of pathogen. Among the three existing studies on this topic, two are focused on a zoonotic virus, and the third is focused on rodent Plasmodium. In this study, we searched for a wide range of bacteria, protozoa and viruses in different organs of rodents from the town of Franceville in Gabon. Samples from one hundred and ninety-eight (198) small mammals captured, including two invasive rodent species, five native rodent species and 19 shrews belonging to the Soricidae family, were screened. The investigated pathogens were bacteria from the Rickettsiaceae and Anaplasmataceae families, Mycoplasma spp., Bartonella spp., Borrelia spp., Orientia spp., Occidentia spp., Leptospira spp., Streptobacillus moniliformis, Coxiella burnetii, and Yersinia pestis; parasites from class Kinetoplastida spp. (Leishmania spp., Trypanosoma spp.), Piroplasmidae spp., and Toxoplasma gondii; and viruses from Paramyxoviridae, Hantaviridae, Flaviviridae and Mammarenavirus spp. We identified the following pathogenic bacteria: Anaplasma spp. (8.1%; 16/198), Bartonella spp. (6.6%; 13/198), Coxiella spp. (5.1%; 10/198) and Leptospira spp. (3.5%; 7/198); and protozoans: Piroplasma sp. (1%; 2/198), Toxoplasma gondii (0.5%; 1/198), and Trypanosoma sp. (7%; 14/198). None of the targeted viral genes were detected. These pathogens were found in Gabonese rodents, mainly Lophuromys sp., Lemniscomys striatus and Praomys sp. We also identified new genotypes: Candidatus Bartonella gabonensis and Uncultured Anaplasma spp. This study shows that rodents in Gabon harbor some human pathogenic bacteria and protozoans. It is necessary to determine whether the identified microorganisms are capable of undergoing zoonotic transmission from rodents to humans and if they may be responsible for human cases of febrile disease of unknown etiology in Gabon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joa Braïthe Mangombi
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, Microbes, VITROME, Marseille, France
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Nadine N’dilimabaka
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon
- Département de Biologie, Faculté des sciences, Université des Sciences et Techniques de Masuku (USTM), Franceville, Gabon
| | - Jean-Bernard Lekana-Douki
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon
- Département de Parasitologie, Université des Sciences de la Santé (USS), Owendo, Libreville
| | - Octavie Banga
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon
| | - Sydney Maghendji-Nzondo
- Département Epidémiologie-Biostatistique et Informatique Médicale (DEBIM), Université des Sciences de la Santé (USS), Owendo, Libreville
| | - Mathieu Bourgarel
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, Harare, Zimbabwe
- ASTRE, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, INRA, Montpellier, France
| | - Eric Leroy
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon
- UMR MIVEGEC IRD-CNRS-UM, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Florence Fenollar
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, Microbes, VITROME, Marseille, France
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Oleg Mediannikov
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, Microbes, MEPHI, Marseille, France
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Herrero-Cófreces S, Flechoso MF, Rodríguez-Pastor R, Luque-Larena JJ, Mougeot F. Patterns of flea infestation in rodents and insectivores from intensified agro-ecosystems, Northwest Spain. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:16. [PMID: 33407813 PMCID: PMC7789319 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04492-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [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: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fleas frequently infest small mammals and play important vectoring roles in the epidemiology of (re)emerging zoonotic disease. Rodent outbreaks in intensified agro-ecosystems of North-West Spain have been recently linked to periodic zoonotic diseases spillover to local human populations. Obtaining qualitative and quantitative information about the composition and structure of the whole flea and small mammal host coexisting communities is paramount to understand disease transmission cycles and to elucidate the disease-vectoring role of flea species. The aims of this research were to: (i) characterise and quantify the flea community parasiting a small mammal guild in intensive farmlands in North-West Spain; (ii) determine and evaluate patterns of co-infection and the variables that may influence parasitological parameters. METHODS We conducted a large-scale survey stratified by season and habitat of fleas parasitizing the small mammal host guild. We report on the prevalence, mean intensity, and mean abundance of flea species parasitizing Microtus arvalis, Apodemus sylvaticus, Mus spretus and Crocidura russula. We also report on aggregation patterns (variance-to-mean ratio and discrepancy index) and co-infection of hosts by different flea species (Fager index) and used generalized linear mixed models to study flea parameter variation according to season, habitat and host sex. RESULTS Three flea species dominated the system: Ctenophthalmus apertus gilcolladoi, Leptopsylla taschenbergi and Nosopsyllus fasciatus. Results showed a high aggregation pattern of fleas in all hosts. All host species in the guild shared C. a. gilcolladoi and N. fasciatus, but L. taschenbergi mainly parasitized mice (M. spretus and A. sylvaticus). We found significant male-biased infestation patterns in mice, seasonal variations in flea abundances for all rodent hosts (M. arvalis, M. spretus and A. sylvaticus), and relatively lower infestation values for voles inhabiting alfalfas. Simultaneous co-infections occurred in a third of all hosts, and N. fasciatus was the most common flea co-infecting small mammal hosts. CONCLUSIONS The generalist N. fasciatus and C. a. gilcolladoi dominated the flea community, and a high percentage of co-infections with both species occurred within the small mammal guild. Nosopsyllus fasciatus may show higher competence of inter-specific transmission, and future research should unravel its role in the circulation of rodent-borne zoonoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Herrero-Cófreces
- Dpto. Ciencias Agroforestales, ETSIIAA, Universidad de Valladolid, Avda. de Madrid 44, 34004 Palencia, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Gestión Forestal Sostenible, Palencia, Spain
| | - Manuel Fabio Flechoso
- Dpto. Ciencias Agroforestales, ETSIIAA, Universidad de Valladolid, Avda. de Madrid 44, 34004 Palencia, Spain
- Dpto. Biología Animal (Zoología), Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Unamuno S/N, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Ruth Rodríguez-Pastor
- Dpto. Ciencias Agroforestales, ETSIIAA, Universidad de Valladolid, Avda. de Madrid 44, 34004 Palencia, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Gestión Forestal Sostenible, Palencia, Spain
| | - Juan José Luque-Larena
- Dpto. Ciencias Agroforestales, ETSIIAA, Universidad de Valladolid, Avda. de Madrid 44, 34004 Palencia, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Gestión Forestal Sostenible, Palencia, Spain
| | - François Mougeot
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
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Enscore RE, Babi N, Amatre G, Atiku L, Eisen RJ, Pepin KM, Vera-Tudela R, Sexton C, Gage KL. The changing triad of plague in Uganda: invasive black rats (Rattus rattus), indigenous small mammals, and their fleas. J Vector Ecol 2020; 45:333-355. [PMID: 33207051 DOI: 10.1111/jvec.12404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Rattus rattus was first reported from the West Nile Region of Uganda in 1961, an event that preceded the appearance of the first documented human plague outbreak in 1970. We investigated how invasive R. rattus and native small mammal populations, as well as their fleas, have changed in recent decades. Over an 18-month period, a total of 2,959 small mammals were captured, sampled, and examined for fleas, resulting in the identification of 20 small mammal taxa that were hosts to 5,109 fleas (nine species). Over three-fourths (75.8%) of captured mammals belonged to four taxa: R. rattus, which predominated inside huts, and Arvicanthis niloticus, Mastomys sp., and Crocidura sp., which were more common outside huts. These mammals were hosts for 85.8% of fleas collected, including the efficient plague vectors Xenopsylla cheopis and X. brasiliensis, as well as likely enzootic vectors, Dinopsyllus lypusus and Ctenophthalmus bacopus. Flea loads on small mammals were higher in certain environments in villages with a recent history of plague compared to those that lacked such a history. The significance of these results is discussed in relation to historical data, the initial spread of plague in the WNR and the continuing threat posed by the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell E Enscore
- Bacterial Diseases Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Enteric, Zoonotic, and Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, U.S.A
| | - Nackson Babi
- Plague Program, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Gerald Amatre
- Plague Program, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Linda Atiku
- Plague Program, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Rebecca J Eisen
- Bacterial Diseases Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Enteric, Zoonotic, and Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, U.S.A
| | - Kimberly M Pepin
- National Wildlife Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, Fort Collins, CO, U.S.A
| | - Rommelle Vera-Tudela
- Bacterial Diseases Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Enteric, Zoonotic, and Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, U.S.A
| | - Christopher Sexton
- Bacterial Diseases Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Enteric, Zoonotic, and Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, U.S.A
| | - Kenneth L Gage
- Bacterial Diseases Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Enteric, Zoonotic, and Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, U.S.A
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Špitalská E, Kraljik J, Miklisová D, Boldišová E, Sparagano OAE, Stanko M. Circulation of Rickettsia species and rickettsial endosymbionts among small mammals and their ectoparasites in Eastern Slovakia. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:2047-2057. [PMID: 32382991 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06701-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria belonging to the genus Rickettsia are known as causative agents of vector-borne zoonotic diseases, such as spotted fevers, epidemic typhus and endemic typhus. Different species of ticks, mites and fleas could act as reservoirs and arthropod vectors of different pathogenic Rickettsia species. The aim of this work was to establish active surveillance of Rickettsia spp. in mites, ticks and fleas collected from small mammals (rodents and shrews) in Eastern Slovakia. A total of 964 animal ear biopsies, 871 mites, 667 ticks and 743 fleas were collected from small mammals in the Košice region, Eastern Slovakia. All specimens were identified using specialized taxonomic keys, and were conserved in ethanol until DNA extraction was performed. After DNA extraction, identification of Rickettsia species was performed by PCR-based methods. The total prevalence of rickettsiae from ear biopsies was 4.6% (95% CI, 3.2-5.9), in tested mites 9.3% (95% CI, 7.4-11.2), 17.2% (95% CI, 14.3-20.1) in I. ricinus ticks and 3.5% (95% CI, 2.2-4.8) in fleas. Sequence analysis of the partial gltA gene and Rickettsia helvetica-, Rickettsia slovaca-, Rickettsia raoultii- species specific real-time PCR tests revealed the presence of R. helvetica, R. slovaca, unidentified Rickettsia and rickettsial endosymbionts. These pathogenic and symbiotic species were confirmed in the following ectoparasite species-Laelaps jettmari, Haemogamasus nidi, Laelaps agilis and Eulaelaps stabularis mites, Ixodes ricinus ticks, Ctenophthalmus solutus, C. assimilis and Megabothris turbidus fleas infesting host-Apodemus agrarius, A. flavicollis, Microtus arvalis and Myodes glareolus small mammals. These results confirm the circulation of R. helvetica, R. slovaca, unidentified Rickettsia and rickettsial endosymbionts in mites, ticks and fleas collected on small mammals in the Košice region, Eastern Slovakia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Špitalská
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
| | - Jasna Kraljik
- Institute of Zoology Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 06, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Dana Miklisová
- Institute of Parasitology Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01, Košice, Slovak Republic
| | - Eva Boldišová
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Olivier A E Sparagano
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Michal Stanko
- Institute of Zoology Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 06, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
- Institute of Parasitology Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01, Košice, Slovak Republic
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Cierocka K, Izdebska JN, Rolbiecki L. Demodex foveolator (Acariformes: Demodecidae) from Crocidura suaveolens (Soricomorpha: Soricidae) – the second observation worldwide, and a checklist of the demodecid mites of soricomorphs. Ann Parasitol 2019; 65:329-332. [PMID: 32191421 DOI: 10.17420/ap6504.217] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Thus far, only six species of parasitic mites of the Demodecidae family have been recorded in hosts from the Soricomorpha: two from the common shrew (Sorex araneus), two from the Mediterranean water shrew (Neomys anomalus), one from the lesser white-toothed shrew (Crocidura suaveolens) and one from the European mole (Talpa europaea). The present study describes the identification of Demodex foveolator in C. suaveolens from the area of Poland (the Wielkopolska region). This is only the second record of this species in the world, a new mite species for the Polish fauna and a new host record in Poland, i.e. the first identification of Demodecidae in Crocidura mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Cierocka
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Parasitology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Joanna N. Izdebska
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Parasitology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Leszek Rolbiecki
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Parasitology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
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Smales LR, Halajian A, Junker K. Redescription of Maupasina weissi (Seurat, 1913) (Nematoda: Ascaridida) from sengis, Elephantulus spp. and Macroscelides proboscideus (Shaw) (Macroscelidea), in Africa. Syst Parasitol 2018; 95:943-951. [PMID: 30341721 DOI: 10.1007/s11230-018-9823-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Maupasina weissi (Seurat, 1913), is redescribed from the eastern rock sengi, Elephantulus myurus Thomas & Schwann, from Limpopo Province and compared with material collected from Free State and North West Provinces, South Africa, as well as the description of the type-material from South Tunisia. Distinguishing features of the species include a corona radiata of 12 pointed leaflike elements, a complex bipartite buccal capsule with 3 large bicuspid denticular lobes and 4 smaller club-shaped lobes and 11 (occasionally 10) pairs of cloacal papillae in the male. The complex taxonomic history of the genus Maupasina Seurat, 1917 is discussed. The probable misidentification of Macroscelides proboscideus Shaw, the short eared sengi, from North West Province, South Africa, as a host of M. weissi is explained, indicating that M. weissi occurs only in species of the genus Elephantulus Thomas & Schwann. The widely separated geographical regions, stretching the length of the African continent, in which M. weissi has been found are indicative of a conservative species with a broad geographical distribution. Tenebrionid beetles, up to 50% of stomach contents of E. myurus in Limpopo Province may act as intermediate hosts in the life-cycle of M. weissi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lesley R Smales
- Parasitology Section, South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia.
| | - Ali Halajian
- Department of Biodiversity, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga, 0727, South Africa
| | - Kerstin Junker
- ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Private Bag X05, Onderstepoort, Pretoria, 0110, South Africa
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Anstead CA, Hwang YT, Chilton NB. Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) on small mammals in Kootenay National Park, British Columbia, Canada. J Med Entomol 2013; 50:1208-1214. [PMID: 24843924 DOI: 10.1603/me13067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Two hundred and ninety-one ticks (i.e., 185 larvae, 72 nymphs, and 34 adults) were removed from 153 small mammals comprising six species collected in Verdant Forest, Numa Forest, and Marble Canyon within Kootenay National Park, British Columbia, Canada. Morphological examination and molecular analyses (i.e., polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism [PCR-SSCP] and DNA sequencing of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene) of the ticks revealed that most individuals were Ixodes angustus Neumann. All life cycle stages of I. angustus were found primarily on southern red-backed voles, Clethrionomys gapperi (Vigors). Two Dermacentor andersoni Stiles females were also found on these small mammals. The results of the molecular analyses also revealed that there were three 16S haplotypes of I. angustus and two 16S haplotypes of D. andersoni. A comparison of available sequence data suggests genetic divergence between I. angustus near the western and eastern limits of the species distributional range in North America. Additional studies are needed to determine whether there are genetic differences between I. angustus from North America, Japan, and Russia, and whether there is geographical variation in the ability of ticks to transmit pathogens to their mammalian hosts.
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Kuo CC, Huang JL, Lin TE, Wang HC. Detection of Rickettsia spp. and host and habitat associations of fleas (Siphonaptera) in eastern Taiwan. Med Vet Entomol 2012; 26:341-350. [PMID: 22390200 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2915.2012.01009.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Rickettsia typhi and Rickettsia felis (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) are two rickettsiae principally transmitted by fleas, but the detection of either pathogen has rarely been attempted in Taiwan. Of 2048 small mammals trapped in eastern Taiwan, Apodemus agrarius Pallas (24.5%) and Mus caroli Bonhote (24.4%) (both: Rodentia: Muridae) were the most abundant, and M. caroli hosted the highest proportion of fleas (63.9% of 330 fleas). Two flea species were identified: Stivalius aporus Jordan and Rothschild (Siphonaptera: Stivaliidae), and Acropsylla episema Rothschild (Siphonaptera: Leptopsyllidae). Nested polymerase chain reaction targeting parts of the ompB and gltA genes showed six fleas to be positive for Rickettsia spp. (3.8% of 160 samples), which showed the greatest similarity to R. felis, Rickettsia japonica, Rickettsia conorii or Rickettsia sp. TwKM01. Rickettsia typhi was not detected in the fleas and Rickettsia co-infection did not occur. Both flea species were more abundant during months with lower temperatures and less rainfall, and flea abundance on M. caroli was not related to soil hardness, vegetative height, ground cover by litter or by understory layer, or the abundance of M. caroli. Our study reveals the potential circulation of R. felis and other rickettsiae in eastern Taiwan, necessitating further surveillance of rickettsial diseases in this region. This is especially important because many novel rickettsioses are emerging worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Kuo
- Research and Diagnostic Centre, Centres for Disease Control, Taipei, Taiwan
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Tung KC, Hsiao FC, Wang KS, Yang CH, Lai CH. Study of the endoparasitic fauna of commensal rats and shrews caught in traditional wet markets in Taichung City, Taiwan. J Microbiol Immunol Infect 2012; 46:85-8. [PMID: 22516746 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2012.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2011] [Revised: 10/16/2011] [Accepted: 12/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rats live in close proximity to human populations. Feral rodents are known to transmit diseases and act as reservoir hosts to many zoonotic parasites that pose health risks to humans. The aim of this study is to investigate endoparasitic infections in commensal rats and shrews caught in traditional wet markets in Taichung City, Taiwan. METHODS A total of 51 commensal wild rodents and shrews were caught in traditional wet markets in Taichung City, including 32 Rattus norvegicus, 11 R. rattus, and eight Suncus murinus. All tissues, organs, and intestinal contents were carefully examined after euthanasia for the detection of parasites. RESULTS The overall prevalence of infection was 94.1%, and the infection rates in R. norvegicus, R. rattus, and S. murinus were 93.8%, 90.9%, and 100.0%, respectively. Four cestodes (Taenia taeniaeformis, Hymenolepis diminuta, H. nana, and Raillietina celebensis), seven nematodes (Angiostrongylus cantonensis, Capillaria hepatica, Heterakis spumosa, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, Strongyloides ratti, Syphacia muris, and Trichosomoides crassicauda), and one protozoan (Sarcocystis spp.) were detected. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that commensal rodents and shrews found in the traditional wet markets of Taichung City are hosts to various zoonotic parasites and, therefore, pose a serious health risk to humans and domestic animals in Taiwan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwong-Chung Tung
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
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11
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Greiman SE, Tkach VV. Description and phylogenetic relationships of Rodentolepis gnoskei n. sp. (Cyclophyllidea: Hymenolepididae) from a shrew Suncus varilla minor in Malawi. Parasitol Int 2012; 61:343-50. [PMID: 22265723 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2012.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2011] [Revised: 12/20/2011] [Accepted: 01/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Rodentolepis gnoskei n. sp. is described based on specimens obtained from a lesser dwarf shrew Suncus varilla minor collected in the Nyika National Park, Malawi. The new species is one of the smallest hymenolepidids known from African shrews and is morphologically closest to two other miniature hymenolepidids from African shrews, Staphylocystis loossi and S. khalili. The new species differs from both of them by a much smaller strobila size and fewer proglottids. The rostellar hooks in the new species are more numerous and smaller in size than in S. loossi. The rostellar hooks in R. gnoskei n. sp. are almost three times shorter than hooks in S. khalili. The hook shape in both S. loossi and S. khalili is substantially different from that in the new species. Molecular phylogenetic analysis indicates that the new species is close to Rodentolepis fraterna, a parasite of rodents. The new species clearly differs from R. fraterna by the much shorter strobila, larger hooks, relatively longer cirrus sac, rate of proglottid development, the number of eggs per proglottid and parasitism in shrews. Although the new species fits the current diagnosis of Rodentolepis, its generic allocation is provisional and will likely be revised in the future because the type species of Rodentolepis, R. straminea, belongs to a different well supported clade. Thus, a new genus needs to be established for the lineage that includes R. fraterna and R. gnoskei n. sp. However, this systematic rearrangement is not recommended until Staphylocystis pistillum, the type species of Staphylocystis, is included in future phylogenetic analyses. Rodentolepis gnoskei n. sp. is the first tapeworm species reported from shrews in Malawi and the first species of cestode reported from S. varilla minor and any member of Suncus in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen E Greiman
- Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, 10 Cornell Street, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202, USA
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Kuo CC, Huang CL, Wang HC. Identification of potential hosts and vectors of scrub typhus and tick-borne spotted fever group rickettsiae in eastern Taiwan. Med Vet Entomol 2011; 25:169-177. [PMID: 21223345 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2915.2010.00941.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Scrub typhus and tick-borne spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsioses are transmitted by chiggers (larval trombiculid mites) and hard ticks, respectively. We assessed exposure to these disease vectors by extensively sampling both chiggers and ticks and their small mammal hosts in eastern Taiwan during 2007 and 2008. The striped field mouse Apodemus agrarius Pallas (Rodentia: Muridae) was the most common of the small mammals (36.1% of 1393 captures) and presented the highest rate of infestation with both chiggers (47.8% of 110 760) and ticks (78.1% of 1431). Leptotrombidium imphalum Vercammen-Grandjean & Langston (Trombidiformes: Trombiculidae) and immature Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides Supino (Ixodida: Ixodidae) were the most abundant chiggers (84.5%) and ticks (>99%) identified, respectively. Immunofluorescent antibody assay revealed high seropositive rates of rodents against Orientia tsutsugamushi Hyashi (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae), the aetiological agent of scrub typhus (70.0% of 437 rodents), and tick-borne SFG rickettsiae (91.9% of 418 rodents). The current study represents a first step towards elucidating the potential hosts and vectors in the enzootic transmission of O. tsutsugamushi and tick-borne SFG rickettsiae in Taiwan. Further studies should focus on characterizing pathogens in L. imphalum and R. haemaphysaloides, as well as the proclivity of both vectors to humans. Uncovering the main hosts of adult ticks is also critical for the prevention of SFG rickettsial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Kuo
- Research and Diagnostic Centre, Centres for Disease Control, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
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13
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Zubova OA, Guliaev VD, Kornienko SA. [Soricinia sawadai sp. n. (Cyclophyllidea: Hymenolepididae), a new cestode species from the shrews of Sakhalin Island]. Parazitologiia 2010; 44:232-239. [PMID: 20795487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
A new species Soricinia sawadai sp. n. parasitizing shrews of Sakhalin Island (Sores unguiculatus and S. caecutiens) is described. The new species differs from other species of the genus Soricinia Spassky et Spasskaja, 1954 in having specific armament and size of the cirrus. Soricinia sawadai sp. n. differs from S. aurita (Irzhavsky et al., 2005) in having half size of the ovary (0.076-0.08 x 0.03-0.038 versus 0.135-0.14 x 0.037-0.04) and the cirrus bursa extending into the aporal fraction of the middle part of segment. The new species differs from S. quarta (Karpenko, 1983) in having half size of the cirrus (0.025-0.026 versus 0.05-0.055) and half number of hexacants in uterine segments (20-22 versus 40-45). The new species differs from S. infirma (Zarnowski, 1955) in having other cirrus armament, larger number of segments and lesser number of hexacants. The species Insectivorolepis macracetobulosa Sawada et Koyasu, 1991 parasitizing Sorex unguiculatus on Hokkaido Island is synonymized with Soricinia quarta. The species Insectivorolepis macracetobulosa sensu Sawada et Harada, 1993 parasitizing Sorex shinto shinto on Honshu Island is described as a separate species Soricinia haradai sp. n.
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Abstract
During 1998-2000, at least 14 species (n = 309) of small mammals were live-trapped and examined for ectoparasites in moist forests of the Taita and Shimba Hills and drier savannah habitats of Nguruman, southeastern Kenya. Ectoparasites were recorded from 11 species of mammals. Five species of sucking lice [Hoplopleura inexpectans Johnson, H. intermedia Kellogg & Ferris, Polyplax reclinata (Nitzsch), P. waterstoni Bedford and Schizophthirus graphiuri Ferris], six species of fleas (Ctenophthalmus leptodactylous Hubbard, Dinopsyllus grypurus Jordan & Rothschild, D. lypusus Jordan & Rothschild, Hypsophthalmus campestris Jordan & Rothschild, Listropsylla basilewskyi Smit and Xiphiopsylla lippa Jordan) and at least six species of ticks (Amblyomma sp., Haemaphysalis sp., Ixodes sp., I. alluaudi Neumann, I. cumulatimpunctatus Schulze, I. muniensis Arthur & Burrow and Rhipicephalus sp.) were recorded from these hosts. Four of the five species of sucking lice were host specific whereas P. reclinata was recorded from two different species of white-toothed shrews, Crocidura spp. Although fleas and ticks were less host specific, C. leptodactylous, D. grypurus and I. cumulatimpunctatus were only recorded from the murid rodent Praomys delectorum (Thomas), Amblyomma sp. was only recorded from the nesomyid rodent Beamys hindei Thomas, Rhipicephalus sp. was only recorded from the murid Lemniscomys striatus (L.) and I. muniensis was only recorded from the dormouse Graphiurus microtis (Noack). More species of ectoparasites and significantly greater infestation prevalences were recorded from small mammals in moist habitats compared with those from the savannah habitat. At least one of the fleas recorded, D. lypusus, is a known vector of Yersinia pestis Lehmann & Neumann, the causative agent of plague, which is present in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- N O Oguge
- Earthwatch Institute Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
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Paramasvaran S, Sani RA, Hassan L, Krishnasamy M, Jeffery J, Oothuman P, Salleh I, Lim KH, Sumarni MG, Santhana RL. Ectoparasite fauna of rodents and shrews from four habitats in Kuala Lumpur and the states of Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia and its public health significance. Trop Biomed 2009; 26:303-311. [PMID: 20237444] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
A total of 204 rodents comprising 14 host species from four different habitats were examined. Nine rodent species were trapped from the forest and another five species were trapped from the coastal, rice field and urban habitats. Rattus rattus diardii (67%) was the predominant rodent species examined. Fifty six (47.3%) rodents and shrews were found to be infested with at least one of the 20 species of ectoparasite recovered. Mites belonging to the family Trombiculidae were the predominant ectoparasite species recovered. Ticks belonging to the family Ixodidae were recovered mainly from the forest dwelling rodents. Polyplax spinulosa and Hoplopleura pacifica were the common lice species found infesting the urban rodents. Xenopsylla cheopis was the only flea species recovered. The following ecto-parasites have been incriminated as important vectors or as mechanical carriers for the transmission of zoonotic diseases: Ixodes granulatus, Dermacentor sp. Haemaphysalis sp., Amblyomma sp. Ascoschoengastia indica, Leptotrombidium deliense, Ornithonyssus bacoti, Laelaps nuttalli, H. pacifica, P. spinulosa and Xenopsylla cheopis. Urban and forest rodents were significantly higher in ecto-parasitic infestation, compared to rats from the other two habitats. However, there was no significant statistical association between male and female rodents infested with ectoparasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Paramasvaran
- Institute for Medical Research, Jalan Pahang, 50588 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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Anikanova VS, Ieshko EP, Bugmyrin SV. [Dynamics of the helminth fauna in the common shrew (Sorex araneus L.) from cut-over lands of different age in Karelia]. Parazitologiia 2009; 43:79-89. [PMID: 19370983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Species diversity of helminths in the common shrew from three cut-over lands of different age in Karelia was studied. It was shown, that change of the plant cover in cut-over lands have no a significant effect on the species diversity of helminth communities in Sorex araneus, but the abundance of individual parasite species changes considerably. Changes of the S. araneus infestation with helminths were the greatest in a new cut-over land. Structure of the helminth community comprises four categories of parasites (dominants--4 species, subdominants--8, rare species--13, very rare species--10) and depends on the time passed since the felling. A redistribution of the species constituting the core of the helminth fauna was to be observed. It was shown, that being an integrated indicator of the status of terrestrial ecosystems, parasites clearly indicate changes not in the structure, but in the abundance and domination of individual species of terrestrial invertebrates and vertebrates in cut-over lands.
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Kornienko SA, Binkienè R. Neoskrjabinolepis merkushevae sp. n. (Cyclophyllidea: Hymenolepididae), a new cestode from shrews from the Palaearctic region. Folia Parasitol (Praha) 2008; 55:136-140. [PMID: 18666417] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Neoskrjabinolepis (Neoskrjabinolepidoides) merkushevae sp. n. is described from the shrew Sorex minutus L. (type host) from Belarus. The new species is characterised by rostellar hooks 35-37 microm long, provided with small epiphyseal thickening of the handle; short (35-40 microm) cirrus consisting of a basal part with claw-shaped spines, a parabasal part with thin needle-shaped spines and an unarmed distal part; cirrus-sac slightly passing into median field; and 12-16 eggs per gravid uterus. In addition to the type host and the type locality, the host range of the new species includes Sorex araneus L. and there are geographical records from Bulgaria, Lithuania and North-East Altay (Russia).
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana A Kornienko
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
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18
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Kirillova NI, Kirillov AA. [Helminthofauna of the common shrew Sorex araneus L. (Soricidae) from Samarskaya Luka]. Parazitologiia 2007; 41:392-398. [PMID: 18052006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Ecological analysis of the helminthofauna of common shrew Sorex araneus L. from Samarskaya Luka (Samara Region) has been carried out. Twenty-three helminth species are found including 3 species of trematodes, 8 cestodes, 10 nematodes, and 2 acanthocephales. Dependence of the structure of helminthofauna on the host age is revealed.
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Bakhvalova VN, Dobrotvorsky AK, Panov VV, Matveeva VA, Tkachev SE, Morozova OV. Natural tick-borne encephalitis virus infection among wild small mammals in the southeastern part of western Siberia, Russia. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2007; 6:32-41. [PMID: 16584325 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2006.6.32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Infestation of small mammals, including common shrews Sorex araneus L., field mice Apodemus agrarius Pallas, and red voles Clethrionomus rutilus Schreber, with immature Ixodes persulcatus ticks and their infection with tickborne encephalitis virus (TBEV) were studied in the forest-steppe habitat in the vicinity of Novosibirsk, Russia. Larval ticks parasitize all three host species, but virtually all nymphs were found only on field mice and red voles. Detection of the viral RNA using reverse transcription (RT) with subsequent nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) and of viral antigen using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) revealed a high prevalence of TBEV-positive animals in both the summer and winter. The proportion of small mammals with hemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibodies was significantly lower than with ELISA-detected antibodies. Taken together, the data suggest that small mammals may maintain TBEV as a persistent infection throughout the year.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina N Bakhvalova
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
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20
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Shimalov VV. [Helminth fauna in insectivores (Mammalia: Insectivora) of canal banks in meliorated territories]. Parazitologiia 2007; 41:201-5. [PMID: 17722640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Helminth fauna of Insectivora was investigated in canal banks situated in meliorated territories of Belorussian Polesie during 1996-1999. Thirty-three helminth species were found in the animals examined. Most of the parasites are usual in common shrew Sorex araneus L., which is a predominate insectivore species in canal banks.
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Abstract
AbstractKaryotypes of three dilepidid species:Molluscotaenia crassiscolex,Anomotaenia bacilligeraandDilepis undula,which have not been recorded previously, were studied using conventional Giemsa staining and comparative karyometric analysis. Twelve small biarmed chromosomes were observed in mitotic cells ofM. crassiscolex, 16 biarmed chromosomes of gradually decreasing size were found in cells ofA. bacilligera, while 18 elements were characteristic forD. undula. These data, together with information available in literature, prove the heterogeneity and possible polyphyletic nature of the family Dilepididae.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Petkeviciūte
- Institute of Ecology, Vilnius University, Akademijos 2, LT-08412, Vilnius 21, Lithuania.
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22
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Abstract
The presence of haemoparasites belonging to the taxa Anaplasma, Bartonella and Trypanosoma was determined among 76 common shrews (Sorex araneus) from Northwest England. Anaplasma phagocytophilum DNA was recovered from the blood of 1 shrew (1.3%), with the amplified 16S rRNA sequence identical to one previously reported from a bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus). Trypanosoma spp. DNA was detected in 9 shrews (11.8%), the amplified 18S rDNA fragments being indistinguishable from one another, and distinct from previously published data. This represents the first report of trypanosome infection in S. araneus and suggests they are susceptible to an uncharacterized Trypanosoma species. Blood from 11 shrews (14.5%) yielded Bartonella spp., with characterization of isolates using comparative sequence analysis of partial gltA and 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer regions revealing 2 different genotypes. Phylogenetic inference from alignment of partial gltA sequences found that both UK S. araneus types formed a well-supported cluster with Bartonella sp. isolated from S. araneus in Sweden. No significant effect of host age, sex, or year of collection was found on prevalence of Bartonella or trypanosome infections. The results of this survey demonstrate that common shrews in the UK are susceptible to haemoparasitic infections, at prevalences similar to those reported from sympatric rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- D P Bray
- Mammalian Behaviour and Evolution Group, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Chester Road, Neston, Cheshire CH64 7TE, UK.
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Kirillova NI, Kirillov AA. [First finding of the Centrorhynchus aluconis (Muller, 1780) (Giganthorhynchidae) and Moniliformis moniliformis bremser, 1811 (Moniliformidae) larvae in shrews (Insectivora: Soricidae) of the fauna of Russia]. Parazitologiia 2007; 41:82-5. [PMID: 17460942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The larvae of acanthocephalans Centrorhynchus aluconis (Muller, 1780) and Moniliformis moniliformis Bremser, 1811 are recorded for the first time from shrews in Russia (Samarskaya Luka National Park, Samara Region). Taxonomic descriptions and figures of the specimens examined are presented.
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Abstract
Rickettsia typhi and R. felis, etiologic agents of murine typhus and fleaborne spotted fever, respectively, were detected in Oriental rat fleas (Xenopsylla cheopis) collected from rodents and shrews in Java, Indonesia. We describe the first evidence of R. felis in Indonesia and naturally occurring R. felis in Oriental rat fleas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju Jiang
- US Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
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Oliver J, Means RG, Kogut S, Prusinski M, Howard JJ, Layne LJ, Chu FK, Reddy A, Lee L, White DJ. Prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi in small mammals in New York state. J Med Entomol 2006; 43:924-35. [PMID: 17017230 DOI: 10.1603/0022-2585(2006)43[924:pobbis]2.0.co;2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Intensive small mammal trapping was conducted in 12 counties in New York state during 1998-2000 to investigate the prevalence and site specificity of the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi in, and presence of the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis Say on, the wild mice Peromyscus leucopus Rafinesque and Peromyscus maniculatus Wagner and other small mammal species. Previously captured mice (1992-1997) from throughout New York state also were recruited into the study, providing a total of 3,664 Peromyscus from 107 sites in 31 counties. Infection with B. burgdorferi was determined by polymerase chain reaction testing of ear tissue, and rates were determined by species, counties, and regions of the state. B. burgdorferi was detected in 10 small mammal species captured during 1998-2000. Peromyscus captured from Dutchess County in the lower Hudson Valley had the highest infection rate of 21%. The next highest infection rates were in counties within the Capital District: Albany (18%), Rensselaer (17%), and Columbia (13%). From 4,792 small animals examined, we recovered 2,073 ticks representing six species from 414 individuals of 12 mammal species, including 1,839 I. scapularis collected from 315 Peromyscus trapped in five counties. I. scapularis were most often collected from animals trapped in Albany, Rensselear, and Dutchess counties. We used protein electrophoresis of salivary amylase to distinguish between P. leucopus and P. maniculatus species. I. scapularis burdens were 5.7 ticks per P. leucopus and 14.3 ticks per P. maniculatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne Oliver
- New York State Department of Health, 65 Fairfax Ave., Schenectady, NY 12304, USA
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Lykova KA, Guliaev VD, Mel'nikova IA, Karpenko SV. [On the species independence of Mathevolepis larbicus Karpenko, 1982 (Cyclophyllidea, Hymenolepididae, Ditestolepidini)]. Parazitologiia 2006; 40:299-305. [PMID: 16913299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The cestode species Mathevolepis larbicus Karpenko, 1982 parasitizing shrews in Russian Far East is restored. As the holotype was lost, the neotype is selected. The redescription and differential diagnosis of the species are given.
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Anikanova VS, Ieshko EP, Boĭko NS. [The helminth fauna of the shrew genus Sorex (Insectivora: Soricidae) in the Kandalksha nature reserve]. Parazitologiia 2005; 39:559-68. [PMID: 16396394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The helminth fauna of shrews (Sores araneus, S. caecutiens, S. minutus, S. minutissimus) from the Karelian coast and islands of the Kandalaksha nature reserve was studied. 18 helminth species belonging to 3 taxonomic groups, Trematoda (3), Cestoda (8), and Nematoda (7) were found. The main body of the helminth fauna of shrews is represented by the nematodes species Longistriata codrus, L. didas, and the cestode species Ditestolepis diaphana. Inhabiting of shrews in the insular localities leads to the decrease of the species diversity and the abundance of their helminths. The distribution ranges of the shrew parasites have been outlined more accurately.
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Abstract
Two hundred and seventy-three elephant shrews, consisting of 193 Elephantulus myurus, 67 Elephantulus edwardii and 13 animals belonging to other species, were examined for ixodid ticks at 18 localities in South Africa and Namibia. The immature stages of Ixodes rubicundus, Rhipicentor nuttalli, Rhipicephalus warburtoni and a Rhipicephalus pravus-like tick were the most numerous of the 18 tick species recovered. Substantial numbers of immature Rhipicephalus arnoldi, Rhipicephalus distinctus and Rhipicephalus exophthalmos were also collected from elephant shrews at particular localities. Larvae of I. rubicundus were most numerous on E. myurus in Free State Province from April to July and nymphs from June to October. Larvae of R. nuttalli were most numerous on these animals during April, May, August and September, and nymphs in February and from April to August. The immature stages of R. warburton were collected from E. myurus only in Free State Province, and larvae were generally most numerous from December to August and nymphs from April to October.
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Affiliation(s)
- L J Fourie
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9301, South Africa.
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Lykova KA, Mel'nikova IA, Karpenko CV. [Spasskylepis tiunovi sp. n. (Cyclophyllidea, Hymenolepididae)--a new cestode species from shrews of the Far East]. Parazitologiia 2005; 39:285-92. [PMID: 16134783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The description of a new cestode species with a serial homonomous strobila, Spasskylepis tiunovisp. n. (Cyclophyllidea, Hymenolepididae, Ditestolepidini) from shrews (Sorex spp.) of the Far East is given. The new spesies differs from the type species of the genus, Spasskylepis ovaluteri (Schaldybin, 1964) in having oligomerous strobila and different size and structure of copulative organs. In contrast to S. ovaluteri, S. tiunovi has less than a half the number of proglottids in its strobila (48-64 versus 118-150). The cirrus of S. tiunovi (0.175-0.195 mm long) is twice as large as that of S. ovaluteri (0.080-0.100 mm long), pleated when invaginated, and armed with spines only in its first third. The copulative section of the vagina in S. tiunovi (as compared with S. ovaluteri) is very long, having loops in the median or aporal part of proglottids, and without a sphincter.
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Laakkonen J, Smith A, Hildebrandt K, Niemimaa J, Henttonen H. Significant morphological but little molecular differences between Trypanosoma of rodents from Alaska. J Parasitol 2005; 91:201-3. [PMID: 15856904 DOI: 10.1645/ge-3385rn] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
We examined blood smears of 173 rodents and 33 shrews captured at 4 sites in the Gates of the Arctic National Park, northern Alaska, in summer 2002. Trypanosoma spp. were detected in the plasma of 5 Microtus oeconomus, 4 Microtus miurus, and 1 Lemmus trimucronatus. The trypomastigote morphology from different individuals of M. oeconomus caught at the same site and of M. miurus from different sites varied significantly. The 4 DNA sequences obtained from the blood smear positive samples contained 2 different haplotypes very similar to each other and to that of Trypanosoma microti. Of possible vectors of blood parasites, the flea Amalaraeus dissimilis was collected from M. miurus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juha Laakkonen
- Finnish Forest Research Institute, PO Box 18, FIN-01301, Vantaa, Finland.
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Kornienko SA, Lykova KA. [Brachylepis gulyaevi nov. sp. (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea: Hymenolepididae)--a new species of cestodes from shrews of the North-Eastern Altai]. Parazitologiia 2005; 39:252-6. [PMID: 16033227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The description and differential diagnosis of a new species Brachylepis gulyaevi nov. sp. (the genus Brachylepis Karpenko, Gulyaev, 1999) from Sorex shrews of the North-Eastern Altai is given. Brachylepis gulyaevi nov. sp. differs from other species of the genus in the number of proglottids in strobila, length and armament of cirrus, presence of glandular cells covering cirrus pouch, external seminal vesicule and vagina. The mature uterine segments are very long and comparable with the length of strobila.
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Abstract
The outer surface protein C (ospC) locus of the Lyme disease bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi, is at least an order of magnitude more variable than other genes in the species. This variation is classified into 22 ospC major groups, 15 of which are found in the northeastern United States. The frequency distributions of ospC within populations suggest that this locus is under balancing selection. In multiple-niche polymorphism, a type of balancing selection, diversity within a population can be maintained when the environment is heterogeneous and no one genotype has the highest fitness in all environments. Genetically different individuals within vertebrate species and different vertebrate species constitute diverse environments for B. burgdorferi. We examined four important host species of B. burgdorferi and found that the strains that infected each species had different sets of ospC major groups. We found no variation among conspecific hosts in the ospC major groups of their infecting strains. These results suggest multiple niches create balancing selection at the ospC locus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dustin Brisson
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-5245, USA.
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Mel'nikova IA, Lykova KA, Guliaev VD. [Mathevolepis junlanae sp. n. (Cyclophyllidea: Hymenolepididae: Ditestolepidini), a new cestode species from shrews of Far East]. Parazitologiia 2004; 38:541-6. [PMID: 15656097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
Mathevolepis junlanae sp. n. from shrews (Sorex spp.) of Far East is described given. The new species occupies an intermediate position between the Palaearctic species M. petrotschenkoi Spassky, 1948 (total number of proglottids--4) and M. skrjabini (Sadovskaya, 1965) (10-12 segments in a series) by the number of synchronously developing proglottids (2-4). The new species differs from M. larbi Karpenko, 1982 by the structure and measurements of copulative apparatus in proglottids. In M. larbi, vagina S-shaped, vagina length 0.147-0.154 mm, cirrus length 0.146-0.149 mm, and cirrus bursa reaching aporal excretory vessels. M. junlanae sp. n. has cirrus bursa slightly crossing center line of sexually mature proglottids, cirrus about half as long (0.084-0.092 mm), and smaller sac-shaped vagina (0.075-0.10 mm). The new species differs from the Nearctic representative M. macyi (Locker and Rausch, 1952) by lesser measurements of cirrus bursa (0.12-0.14 mm versus 0.4 mm) and a fewer number of proglottids in series (2-4 versus 5-7).
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Vashchenok VS, Tret'iakov KA. [Seasonal dynamics of a flea number (Siphonaptera) on the common shrew (Sorex araneus) in the north part of the Novgorod oblast]. Parazitologiia 2004; 38:503-14. [PMID: 15656093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
In the course of 5-year stationary investigations of the common shrew Sorex araneus in the north part of the Novgorod oblast, 12 flea species have been recorded on this host. Among them, Palaeopsylla soricis and Doratopsilla dasycnema are specific parasites of small insectivores, including the common shrew. Hystrichopsylla talpae is a polyxenous species, parasitizing both rodents and insectivores. Other 9 flea species are not common parasites of S. araneus and apparently have come to this host from other mammal species inhabiting the forest biotopes in the area of investigation. P. soricis and D. dasycnema have similar phenology of parasitism. These fleas appear in spring (April), are present during summer and autumn and disappear in winter. During a year, the abundance of these species shows three pikes, which correspond to three generations: spring (April), summer (June-July) and autumn (September-October) generation. The first species dominates in spring (April-May) and in the autumn-winter period, while the second species predominates in summer. These two species comprise over 90% of total number of fleas collected and determine general dynamics of the flea number on the shrews; during the year the flea number has a sinusoidal increasing from spring to autumn and minimum in winter.
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Saito-Ito A, Yano Y, Dantrakool A, Hashimoto T, Takada N. Survey of rodents and ticks in human babesiosis emergence area in Japan: first detection of Babesia microti-like parasites in Ixodes ovatus. J Clin Microbiol 2004; 42:2268-70. [PMID: 15131209 PMCID: PMC404679 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.42.5.2268-2270.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Babesia microti-like parasites were detected for the first time in Ixodes ovatus in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, where two reported types of B. microti-like parasites were recognized in many rodents. Of 80 adult I. ovatus ticks collected, 5 possessed the reported type and 1 possessed a new type of B. microti-like parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsuko Saito-Ito
- Section of Parasitology, Department of Genome Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan.
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Panov VV, Karpenko SV. [The population dynamics of the water shrew Neomys fodiens (Mammalia, Soricidae) and its helminthes fauna in the Northern Baraba]. Parazitologiia 2004; 38:448-56. [PMID: 15553774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
The water shrew population was studied in Ust-Urgulca (Novosibirsk Province) in 1978-1990; abundance, sex and age structure, reproduction rate of this animal and its helminth fauna were examined. It was found that the abiotic factors (in particular the water level of habitat areas) influenced on the water shrew populations. The number of water shrews increased when the high water level increased. In these conditions, the population of the water shrew rejuvenated and the numbers of females increased with some increasing their fertility. In the helminthes fauna associated with the water shrew, predominated the parasite species developing in water invertebrates or ones living near water basins. When water habitats dried out, the number of water shrews decreased and individuals retained only in some areas and the population became old.
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Abstract
Three species of Hilmylepis Skryabin & Matevosyan, 1942 are redescribed: H. nagatyi (Hilmy, 1936) from shrews Crocidura foxi, C. theresae, C. giffardi and C. occidentalis in the Ivory Coast; H. raillieti (Joyeux & Baer, 1950) on the basis of syntypes from C. russula in France; and H. prokopici Genov, 1970 from C. leucodon and C. suaveolens in Bulgaria. The holotype of H. sharpiloi Tkach & Velikanov, 1990 from Diplomesodon pulchellum in Turkmenistan is figured and a brief description of the species, based on that of Tkach & Velikanov (1990), is presented. The major reliable diagnostic characters of Hilmylepis are re-evaluated. The number and length of the rostellar hooks, the shape of the rostellum and the host-range of Hilmylepis spp. are considered as the main distinguishing characters applicable at the species level. An amended generic diagnosis and an identification key to Hilmylepis spp. are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- G P Vasileva
- Central Laboratory of General Ecology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 2 Gagarin Street, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
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Portolés E, Granel P, Esteban JG, Cabaret J. Helminth associations in white-toothed shrews Crocidura russula (Insectivora: Soricidae) from the Albufera Natural Park, Spain. J Parasitol 2004; 90:572-8. [PMID: 15270101 DOI: 10.1645/ge-3211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The helminths of 218 white-toothed shrews from 29 sites in 2 biotopes in the Albufera Natural Park (Valencia, Spain) were examined from July 1990 to August 1991. An association analysis of helminths occurring at a prevalence of more than 4% was carried out for 4 species of cestodes located in the intestine (Hymenolepis pistillum, H. scalaris, H. tiara, and Pseudhymenolepis redonica) and 3 species of nematodes (Pseudophysaloptera sp. located in the stomach, Stammerinema rhopocephala larvae in the intestine and abdominal cavity, and Porrocaecum sp. in the thoracic and abdominal cavities). Bivariate (species pairs) versus multivariate analyses (associations within the entire set of species) were performed of presence-absence and of quantitative records (influence of intensity on associations). The associations were evaluated with respect to the sex and age of the host and to the sampling date and sites. The host and environment played a limited role, and the major determinant of species assemblage was phylogenetic. Positive associations were found among both the cestodes and the nematodes, whereas negative associations were found between cestodes and nematodes. The type of life cycle was probably the second greatest determinant of species associations. Nematodes using shrews as a paratenic host or as their definitive host were both positively associated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique Portolés
- Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valencia, Avenida Vicente Andrés Estellés s/n, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
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Abstract
The microparasite component communities of 2 species of shrews, Notiosorex crawfordi and Sorex ornatus, were investigated for the first time in 2 isolated and 3 continuous landscapes in southern California. With microscopical examination, a total of 6 parasite species was found in N. crawfordi and 8 species in S. ornatus. The highest number (5) of parasite species was detected in the lungs. The corrected estimate of parasite species richness did not significantly correlate with the host abundance in either shrew species. Altitude, and also latitude in N. crawfordi, appeared to be significantly positively associated with the parasite species richness, but this could be due to a false association because of the rare occurrence of some of the parasites or the small altitude range (or both). No other landscape variable analyzed (location, size of the study site, disturbance) was significantly associated with the parasite species richness of the shrews. The parasite assemblages of the 2 shrew species were similar despite the fact that N. crawfordi has a lower metabolic rate than S. ornatus.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- California/epidemiology
- Ectoparasitic Infestations/epidemiology
- Ectoparasitic Infestations/parasitology
- Ectoparasitic Infestations/veterinary
- Female
- Helminthiasis, Animal/epidemiology
- Helminthiasis, Animal/parasitology
- Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology
- Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/parasitology
- Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/veterinary
- Logistic Models
- Lung Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology
- Lung Diseases, Parasitic/parasitology
- Lung Diseases, Parasitic/veterinary
- Male
- Protozoan Infections, Animal/epidemiology
- Protozoan Infections, Animal/parasitology
- Shrews/parasitology
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Affiliation(s)
- Juha Laakkonen
- Section of Ecology, Behavior and Evolution, Division of Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093-0116, USA.
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Duchemin JB. Two new fleas (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae: Leptopsyllinae) of Madagascar: Tsaractenus rodhaini n. sp. and Paractenopsyllus (Consobrinopsyllus n. subgen.) goodmani n. sp. Parasite 2004; 10:351-8. [PMID: 14710632 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2003104351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Following considerable sampling in Malagasy forests, two new species of endemic fleas from Madagascar are described. These are T. rodhaini n. sp. and P. goodmani n. sp., collected on small mammals. The material of T. rodhaini allows us to describe the previously unknown female of the genus Tsaractenus. We also complete the initial description of the genus with new diagnostic characters. Although it belongs to Paractenopsyllus, P. goodmani shows many unique characteristics. To help resolve certain systematic issues involving Malagasy Leptopsyllinae we introduce the new subgenus Consobrinopsyllus of Paractenopsyllus for P. goodmani. Its particular condition makes us consider valuable characters of the genus Tsaractenus. Carrying several traits of this genus, P. goodmani could constitute an intermediate step between the two endemic Malagasy leptopsylline genera. Considering these new findings the actual taxonomic position of the Malagasy genera among the Leptopsyllinae is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- J B Duchemin
- Unité d'entomologie médicale, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, BP 1274, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar.
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Mel'nikova IA, Guliaev VD. [Monocercus dokuchaevi sp. n. (Cyclophyllidea: Dilepididae)--a new species of cestodes from shrews of the North-Eastern Asia]. Parazitologiia 2004; 38:68-73. [PMID: 15069880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
A new cestode species, Monocercus dokuchaevi sp. n. is described from shrews of the genus Sorex from the Middle Kolyma plateau (Magadan Province). The new species is most closer to M. soricis (Neiland, 1953) by having regular alteration of genital atriums in the short strobila (up to 10 mm only). The size of rostellar hooks in M. dokuchaevi is intermedial between those in M. soricis and M. arioni (Sibold, 1850). In Monocercus dokuchaevi, the length of rostellar hooks is 0.038-0.045 mm (average 0.045 mm), in M. arioni, average is 0.05 mm, in M. soricis, limits are 0.027-0.033 mm. Two other species of the genus, M. baicalensis Eltyshev, 1971 and M. estavarensis Euzet et Jourdan, 1968, have much longer rostellar hooks, 0.07-0.08 and 0.092-0.106 mm, respectively, whereas the genital atriums in these species are altered irregularly.
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Abstract
Human babesiosis in the northeastern United States caused by Babesia microti (Apicomplexa: Piroplasmida) is mainly reported from coastal New England sites, where deer ticks (Ixodes dammini) are common. However, the piroplasm has been detected in microtine rodents elsewhere in association with I. angustus or other nidicolous ticks, suggesting that the agent is widely distributed but zoonotically significant only where a human-biting "bridge" vector is present. To determine whether this piroplasm may be enzootic in areas where I. dammini is absent, we surveyed small mammals collected from 2 sites in Maine, where I. angustus or I. muris is common but I. dammini is not. Of 43 chipmunks, voles, deer mice, and shrews examined, 3 (6.9, 95% confidence interval 0 to 14.5) were parasitemic, as determined by blood smear or polymerase chain reaction targeting a piroplasm-specific portion of the 18S ribosomal DNA gene. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequenced amplification products demonstrates the presence of 2 forms of B. microti. We conclude that B. microti may be enzootic in the absence of I. dammini but that human risk relates to dense infestations of this human-biting tick.
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Affiliation(s)
- H K Goethert
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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Anikanova VS, Ieshko EP, Bugmyrin SV, Borodina KA. [Biotope distribution of cestodes from the common shrew Sorex araneus in southern Karelia]. Parazitologiia 2003; 37:479-87. [PMID: 14964848] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Specific features in the formation of cestode species composition in the common shrew in different biotopes have been analyzed. Four categories of parasites have been recognized depending on a degree of dominance: dominants (Neoskrjabinolepis singularis, Molluscotaenia crassiscolex), subdominants (Ditestolepis diaphana), adominants A (Staphylocystis furcata, Vigisolepis spinulosa, adominants B (Hymenolepis scutigera, Dilepis undula, D. secunda, Taenia mustelae). A significant similarity was discovered between the species diversity and the dominance characteristics of cestodes. It was found that the distribution of mass species of parasites in the host population corresponds to the gamma distribution model. In regard to cestodes examined, a hypothesis considering the spatial structure and size of territory occupied by stable parasitic system is put forward.
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Balashov IS, Bochkov AV, Vashchenok VS, Tret'iakov KA. [Structure and seasonal dynamics of an ectoparasite community on the common shrew (Sorex araneus) in the Il'men'-Volkhov lowland]. Parazitologiia 2003; 37:441-54. [PMID: 14964844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Species composition, seasonal dynamics, and a load of ectoparasites per individual and population of the common shrew Sorex araneus have been examined in coniferous and mixed forests of the Ilmen'-Volkhov lowland (a neighbourhood of Oskuy village, Chudovo district, Novgorod Province) during the period 1999-2003. Trapping of mammals was carried monthly, with exception of few accidental gaps. The Gero traps were used for catching micromammalian hosts. The lines of trap were checked 2 times a day, places of lines changed each 3-5 day. Total number of micromammalians collected during the period of study is 3215, including 1115 specimens of the common shrew S. araneus and 246 ones of the pigmy shrew S. minutus. Parasite fauna on the common shrew included 23 ectoparasite species: fleas--12, ixodid ticks--2, gamasid mites--7, and myobiid mites--2 species. Among recorded species, 9 fleas species and some gamasid species are accidental parasites. These accidental ectoparasite species are common to the bank vole Clethrionomys glareolus in the territory investigated. Species composition, occurrence and abundance indices of parasites changed during the year. In total, about 55% shrew specimens are infected with ectoparasites. The infracommunity of ectoparasites on the common shrew usually consists of 6 species or less. Mean number of all ectoparasite individuals per one host specimens varies from 4 to 83. The greatest number of parasites (50 and 83) was recorded on the shrews, which carried 5 and 4 parasites species, respectively. Biodiversity of parasite species in the ectoparasite community on the common shrew and the load of parasites per one host specimen are lower than those in the bank vole. In forest biotopes explored, the most part of temporary ectoparasite species found on the common shrew was also recorded on other small mammals, which could have contacts with this host. It is possible to conclude that among the parasite supracommunity in the explored ecosystem, the temporary ectoparasites represent a "fond" of temporary parasites, which are common for most small mammal species. A role of different shrew and rodent species as main of additional hosts changes depending on a population density of potential mammalian hosts and other environment factors.
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Duszynski DW, Eckerlin RP, McCarthy TJ. EIMERIA SPECIES FROM CRYPTOTIS SHREWS (INSECTIVORA: SORICIDAE) WITH DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES. J Parasitol 2003; 89:974-7. [PMID: 14627146 DOI: 10.1645/ge-3135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Fresh fecal samples from 12 shrews, 10 Cryptotis goodwini Jackson, 1933, and 2 Cryptotis merriami Thomas, 1898, were collected between December 1994 and May 1998; 11 (92%) were positive for eimeriid coccidia, including 8 of 8 C. goodwini and 2 of 2 C. merriami from Honduras and 1 of 2 C. goodwini from Guatemala. Two Eimeria species were found: 1 is consistent with the description of Eimeria whitakeri Upton and McAllister, 1991, and 1 is described in this study as new. Sporulated oocysts of the new species are subspheroidal, 16.8 x 15.7 (14-20 x 15-19) microm, with a length-width (L/W) ratio of 1.1 (1.0-1.2); they lack a micropyle and oocyst residuum, but 1-2 polar granules are always present. Sporocysts are elongate and ovoidal, 8.4 x 6.0 (6-10 x 4.5-7.5) microm, with a L/W ratio of 1.4 (1.2-1.7) and have a Stieda body and sporocyst residuum. This is the 49th Eimeria species described from all Insectivora but only the third from Cryptotis species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald W Duszynski
- Department of Biology, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA.
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Abstract
We describe the genetic structure of populations of the intestinal nematode Longistriata caudabullata (Trichostrongyloidea: Heligmosomidae), a common parasite of short-tailed shrews (genus Blarina, Insectivora: Soricidae). Parasites and hosts were collected from a transect across a contact zone between two species of hosts, Blarina brevicauda and B. hylophaga, in central North America. An 800-base pairs (bp) fragment of the ND4 mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) gene was sequenced for 28 worms and a 783-bp fragment of the mtDNA control region was analysed for 16 shrews. Phylogenetic analyses of mtDNA sequences revealed reciprocal monophyly for the shrew species, concordant with morphological diagnosis, and supported the idea that the transect cuts through a secondary contact zone between well-differentiated B. brevicauda and B. hylophaga. In contrast to this pattern, the parasitic nematode mtDNA phylogeny was not subdivided according to host affiliation. Genealogical discordance between parasite and host phylogenies suggests extensive gene flow among parasites across the host species boundary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara V Brant
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0118, USA.
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47
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Beaucournu JC, Horak IG, Fourie LJ. Fleas of elephant shrews (Mammalia, Macroscelididae) and a new host and locality record for Macroscelidopsylla albertyni De Meillon & Marcus, 1958 (Siphonaptera, Chimaeropsyllidae). Onderstepoort J Vet Res 2003; 70:251-3. [PMID: 14621322] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Fleas collected from the elephant shrews Elephantulus edwardii (A. Smith, 1839) in the Western Cape Province, Elephantulus myurus Thomas & Schwann, 1906 in Free State Province, and an Elephantulus of undetermined species in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa are recorded in this paper. Five flea species were recovered of which Demeillonia granti (Rothschild, 1904) was the most numerous and prevalent. It was followed by Macroscelidopsylla albertyni De Meillon & Marcus, 1958, collected only from E. edwardii. Both this elephant shrew and the locality are new records for M. albertyni. Chiastopsylla octavii (Rothschild, 1904), Listropsylla agrippinae (Rothschild, 1904), and a female flea of the Ctenocephalides felis group were accidental infestations. The sex ratio of D. granti was 0.86 on both male and female elephant shrews, while that of M. albertyni on E. edwardii was 0.83.
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Affiliation(s)
- J-C Beaucournu
- Université de Rennes, Faculté de Médecine, Parasitologie et Zoologie appliquée, Rennes, France
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Abstract
Three of 6 female long-clawed shrews, Sorex unguiculatus Dobson, 1890, collected on the island of Hokkaido, Japan, were found to have unsporulated oocysts and sexual stages (both macro- and microgamonts) in varying stages of development of an unidentified coccidium in both lactating and nonlactating mammary glands. Gamonts developed in the alveoli of the mammary glands, and oocysts were found in the lactiferous ducts and in pools of milk. Mature macrogamonts were 11.9 x 15.2 microm (10-14 x 14-20 microm), whereas completely developed microgamonts with many gametes were 14.8 x 16.8 microm (10-18 x 13-20 microm). Oocysts in tissue sections were 19.5 x 13.8 microm and had a smooth outer wall that was <1 microm thick. Little histopathology was associated with the infections. Infected cells were enlarged and appeared cloudy, and in some areas there was leucocytic infiltration by macrophages, small and large lymphocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils. No basophil was seen. We also found sections of a nematode, probably a Mammanidula sp., in sections of an active mammary gland in 1 of the shrews not infected with the coccidium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald W Duszynski
- Department of Biology, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA.
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Ganzorig S, Batsaikhan N, Oku Y, Kamiya M. A new nematode, Soboliphyme ataahai sp. n. (Nematoda: Soboliphymidae) from Laxmann's shrew, Sorex caecutiens Laxmann, 1788 in Mongolia. Parasitol Res 2003; 89:44-8. [PMID: 12474042 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-002-0725-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2002] [Accepted: 07/09/2002] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
This report describes a new species of the soboliphymid nematode, Soboliphyme ataahai sp. n. from Laxmann's shrew, Sorex caecutiens. This species is distinguished from the previously known congeners by the notched cephalic sucker with a thin circumoral membrane, relatively long vagina, cephalic papillae arranged in clusters, and bursa possessing papillae on inner and outer surfaces. Also, Soboliphyme ataahai differs from the congeners in other characters, such as position of vulva, number and distribution of cervical sacs, structure of cephalic sucker, body size, and dimensions of organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumiya Ganzorig
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan.
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Laakkonen J, Fisher RN, Case TJ. Spatial analysis on the occurrence of Pneumocystis carinii in the shrew Notiosorex crawfordi in fragmented landscape in southern California. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2002; Suppl:111S-112S. [PMID: 11906015 DOI: 10.1111/j.1550-7408.2001.tb00474.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J Laakkonen
- Division of Biology, University of California, San Diego 92093-0116, USA.
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