scholarly journals Invasive lizard has fewer parasites than native congener

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatriz Tomé ◽  
D. James Harris ◽  
Ana Perera ◽  
Isabel Damas-Moreira
Keyword(s):  
18S Rrna ◽  
Blood Parasites ◽  
Average Intensity ◽  
Invasive Potential ◽  
Lizard Species ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Podarcis Siculus ◽  
Species Establishment ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Italian Wall Lizard

AbstractInvasive species can carry parasites to introduced locations, which may be key to understand the success or failure of species establishment and the invasive potential of introduced species. We compared the prevalence and infection levels of haemogregarine blood parasites between two sympatric congeneric species in Lisbon, Portugal: the invasive Italian wall lizard (Podarcis siculus) and the native green Iberian wall lizard (Podarcis virescens). The two species had significant differences in their infection levels: while P. virescens had high prevalence of infection (69.0%), only one individual of P. siculus was infected (3.7%), and while P. virescens exhibited an average intensity of 1.36%, the infected P. siculus individual had an infection rate of only 0.04%. Genetic analyses of 18S rRNA identified two different haemogregarine haplotypes in P. virescens. Due to the low levels of infection, we were not able to amplify parasite DNA from the infected P. siculus individual, although it was morphologically similar to those found in P. virescens. Since other studies also reported low levels of parasites in P. siculus, we hypothesize that this general lack of parasites could be one of the factors contributing to its competitive advantage over native lizard species and introduction success.

scholarly journals Where to live in Lisbon: urban habitat used by the introduced Italian wall lizard (Podarcis siculus)

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (00) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo André Vicente Ribeiro ◽  
Paulo Sá-Sousa
Keyword(s):  
Geographic Area ◽  
Urban Habitat ◽  
Lizard Species ◽  
Heterogeneous Distribution ◽  
The Core ◽  
Podarcis Siculus ◽  
Current Scenario ◽  
Exotic Animal ◽  
Italian Wall Lizard ◽  
Urban Matrix

Exotic animal invasions constitute a major threat to biodiversity worldwide. Once the Italian wall lizard (Podarcis siculus) was accidentally introduced in Lisbon (Portugal) two decades ago, the present assessment determined the core range occupied by this alien lizard in the urban area of Parque das Nações. Despite the apparent current scenario of non-expansion, the alien species interferes with the local distribution pattern of the native P. virescens, with both lizard species shown to use the available microhabitats differently. The native P. virescens population shows an overall heterogeneous distribution in the urban matrix. Otherwise, the occupancy of the invasive species clusters within the first area of introduction (garden in front of the Lisbon Oceanarium), as well as in adjacent gardens. There, P. siculus competitively excludes the native P. virescens. Apparently, there is no known reason there that prevents the alien lizard from colonizing more available geographic area and expanding.

scholarly journals Molecular survey of coccidian infections of the side-blotched lizard Uta stansburiana on San Benito Oeste Island, Mexico

Parasite ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 43
Author(s):  
Petra Quillfeldt ◽  
Tanja Romeike ◽  
Juan F. Masello ◽  
Gerald Reiner ◽  
Hermann Willems ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Trees ◽  
18S Rrna ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Genetic Network ◽  
18S Rrna Gene ◽  
Blood Parasites ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Uta Stansburiana ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
High Uncertainty

Blood parasites are found in many vertebrates, but the research on blood parasites of lizards is still at its onset. We analyzed blood samples from side-blotched lizards Uta stansburiana from San Benito Oeste Island, Mexico, to test for the presence of hemoparasites. We found a high prevalence (23 out of 27 samples) of a blood parasite of the genus Lankesterella (Coccidia, Eimeriorina, Lankesterellidae) according to phylogenetic analyses of the parasite 18S rRNA gene. Similar parasites (97–99% similarity) have recently been described for Uta stansburiana from California. The parasite 18S rRNA gene showed high variability, both within San Benito and compared to California. The next closest matches of the parasite DNA with 97–98% similarity included a range of different genera (Lankesterella, Schellackia, Eimeria, Isospora and Caryospora). A high uncertainty in the deeper branches of the phylogenetic trees, and many missing links in genetic network analysis, were in line with previous suggestions that the coccidians are an understudied group with large knowledge gaps in terms of their diversity and taxonomy. Further studies are needed to resolve the evolutionary relationships within the Eimeriorina.

Four Cases of Complete Melanistic Italian Wall Lizard [Podarcis siculus (Rafinesque-Schmaltz, 1810)] in Southern Italy and Sicily Island

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 63
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Reina ◽  
Filippo Spadola ◽  
Manuel Morici ◽  
Paola Sgroi ◽  
Antonino Marcianò
Keyword(s):  
Southern Italy ◽  
Podarcis Siculus ◽  
Italian Wall Lizard

scholarly journals Biological responses in pesticide exposed lizards (Podarcis siculus)

Ecotoxicology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulia Simbula ◽  
Ginevra Moltedo ◽  
Barbara Catalano ◽  
Giacomo Martuccio ◽  
Claudia Sebbio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Parasitic Infection ◽  
Biotransformation Enzymes ◽  
Biological Responses ◽  
Podarcis Siculus ◽  
Parasite Infections ◽  
Italian Wall Lizard ◽  
Detoxification Process ◽  
Accurate Quantification

AbstractThe release of contaminants as herbicides, fungicides and insecticides into the environment has been listed as one of the six major contributors to the global decline of reptiles. Although reptiles may face severe risk from contaminants due to their ecology and physiology, they are currently less studied than other vertebrate groups. In the present work, we investigated if and how different types of field treatment (conventional and organic) affected the health status of Italian wall lizard (Podarcis siculus) individuals in central Italy. We chose a multi-biomarker approach that evaluated the biological responses of lizards to the treatment by means of AChE activity in the nervous system, biotransformation enzymes activities and oxidative stress in the liver, micronuclei frequency measured in the erythrocytes, and rate of intestinal parasitic infection. Our findings showed evidence of effects of treatment in conventional areas and between sexes with significant oxidative stress due to hydroxyl radicals, that caused DNA damage. No difference of intestinal parasite infections was found among treatments. Podarcis siculus seems to be a good bioindicator in ecotoxicological studies and potentially in risk assessment of pesticides, although further analyses in laboratory and in the field are needed to achieve more accurate quantification of specific pesticide effects in relation to known exposure history and to understand if other mechanisms were involved in the toxicity and detoxification process of pesticides for this species.

scholarly journals Pattern of Hypertension in Fayoum Governorate

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Eman M. Ezzat ◽  
Maher A. Al Amir ◽  
Abdelrahman A. Ewais
Keyword(s):  
Prevalence Rate ◽  
Premature Death ◽  
Hypertensive Patients ◽  
Related Risk ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Laboratory Investigations ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Fayoum Governorate

Background: Hypertension is a preventable cause of premature death worldwide. Data from the Egyptian National Hypertension Project (NHP) revealed that hypertension is a significant problem among Egyptians. We studied the prevalence of hypertension, related risk factors and its complications in Fayoum governorate. Patients and Methods: This study included 2800 Egyptian participants aged 18 to 60 years old from Fayoum governorate selected randomly from different places in Fayoum governorate. Blood pressure was measured for them. Re-measurement for those with BP measurements ≥ 140/90 was done with a further assessment. Known hypertensive patients were thoroughly evaluated by clinical examination and laboratory investigations. Results: Our survey revealed that the prevalence rate of hypertension in Fayoum governorate was 28.4% (19.3% were aware and 9.1% were first diagnosed and unaware of their hypertension), 11% of the study population were pre-hypertensives. Poorly controlled hypertensive patients were 59.9%. Of all hypertensive patients, 63.4% of them were females, 87.9% of them were overweight and obese, while 26.3% of them had diabetes mellitus. Also, 41% of known hypertensive patients had complications. Conclusion and Recommendations: There is a high prevalence rate of hypertension in Fayoum governorate. More knowledge is required to reveal the reasons behind this high prevalence in addition to the low levels of control and awareness of hypertension, to put the appropriate strategy to improve the rate of control, awareness, and quality of life of hypertensive patients in Egypt.

scholarly journals Low Levels of Pyrethroid Resistance in Hybrid Offspring of a Highly Resistant and a More Susceptible Mosquito Strain

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Pinch ◽  
Stacy D Rodriguez ◽  
Soumi Mitra ◽  
Yashoda Kandel ◽  
Emily Moore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Insecticide Resistance ◽  
Pyrethroid Resistance ◽  
Resistance Mutations ◽  
Human Host ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Rapid Spread ◽  
Choice Assay ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Control Disease ◽  
Different Strains

Abstract The use of insecticides has been a central approach to control disease-transmitting mosquitoes for the last century. The high prevalence of pyrethroid use as public health insecticides has resulted in the evolution of pyrethroid resistance in many populations of Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) (Diptera: Culicidae), throughout its global distribution range. Insecticide resistance is often correlated with an associated fitness cost. In this project, we studied the phenotypes of hybrid mosquitoes derived from crossing a pyrethroid-resistant strain of Ae. aegypti (Puerto Rico [PR]) with a more susceptible one (Rockefeller [ROCK]). We first sequenced and compared the para gene of both original strains. We then crossed males from one strain with females of the other, creating two hybrids (Puertofeller, Rockorico). We used a Y-tube choice assay to measure the attraction of these strains towards a human host. We then compared the levels of pyrethroid resistance in the different strains. We found three known resistance mutations in the para gene sequence of the PR strain. In our attraction assays, PR females showed lower attraction to humans, than the ROCK females. Both hybrid strains showed strong attraction to a human host. In the insecticide resistance bottle assays, both hybrid strains showed marginal increases in resistance to permethrin compared to the more susceptible ROCK strain. These results suggest that hybrids of sensitive and permethrin-resistant mosquitoes have an incremental advantage compared to more susceptible mosquitoes when challenged with permethrin. This explains the rapid spread of permethrin resistance that was observed many times in the field.

Coexisting lacertid lizard species Podarcis siculus and Podarcis melisellensis differ in dopamine brain concentrations

2019 ◽  
Vol 205 (4) ◽  
pp. 451-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Nikolic ◽  
Paula Josic ◽  
Davorka Buric ◽  
Mirta Tkalec ◽  
Duje Lisicic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lizard Species ◽  
Lacertid Lizard ◽  
Podarcis Siculus

scholarly journals Systematic Review Shows Only Few Reliable Studies of Physical Activity Intervention in Adolescents

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nara Michelle Moura Soares ◽  
Arley Santos Leão ◽  
Josivan Rosa Santos ◽  
Glauber Rocha Monteiro ◽  
Jorge Rollemberg dos Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Intervention Programs ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Intervention Period ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Mesh Terms ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Low Levels

Introduction. Several studies have pointed to the high prevalence of low levels of physical activity in adolescents, suggesting the need for more effective interventions for this group. The aim of this study was to present evidence of intervention programs for efficacy of physical activity for adolescents.Methods. Surveys in PubMed, SportDiscus, LiLacs, and SciELO databases were conducted using keywords to identify population, intervention, and outcome, as well as DeCS and MeSH terms in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, whenever appropriate. The review included observational studies with minimal intervention of six months, minimum sample size of 100 adolescents, written in any language, and those who have reached STROBE score greater than 70%.Results. Only seven studies met all inclusion criteria. Of these, five were pre- and postintervention and two hadn>2000participants. Interventions were of several types, durations, and strategies for physical activity implementation. Behavior change was assessed in 43% of studies and three reported success in some way.Conclusion. Due to heterogeneity in their contents and methodologies, as well as the lack of jobs that accompany adolescents after the intervention period, one cannot draw conclusions about the actual effects of the intervention programs of physical activity on the behavior of young people.

Prevalence of Thrombophilia In Patients with Sickle Cell Disease and Osteonecrosis

Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 3184-3184
Author(s):  
Murtadha K. Al-Khabori ◽  
Anil Pathare ◽  
Khalil Al Farsi ◽  
Mohammed Al Huneini ◽  
Salam Alkindi
Keyword(s):  
Sickle Cell Disease ◽  
Sickle Cell ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Protein C ◽  
Dna Analysis ◽  
White Cell Count ◽  
Protein S ◽  
Cell Disease ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Low Levels

Abstract Abstract 3184 Background: Osteonecrosis (ON) of the femoral and humeral heads is frequently seen in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Earlier studies reported a high prevalence of thrombophilia in patients with ON. Aims: To study the prevalence of thrombophilia in patients of SCD with ON. Methods: Case records of SCD patients with ON were retrospectively reviewed for protein S, protein C, and anti-thrombin deficiency, along with activated protein C resistance (APCR). Results: A total of sixty-three patients were identified, 35 of whom were males, with a median age of 21 years (range 15to 46). Median haemoglobin, total white cell count and platelet counts were 10 g/dL (range 7.7to 13.3), 7.5 ×109/L (range 3.4 to 16.7) and 302 ×109/L (range 72 to 1101) respectively. Twenty-eight patients were on hydroxyurea. Thrombophilia testing showed that 29% (95% confidence interval: 17–40), 47% (95% CI: 29–64) and 79% (95% CI: 65–93) of the patients had low levels of functional (<60 unit/dl), total antigenic (<70 unit/dl) and free antigenic (<70 unit/dl) protein S respectively, while 21% (95% CI: 10–31) and 67% (95% CI: 46–87) had low levels of functional (<70 unit/dl) and antigenic (<70 unit/dl) protein C respectively. In addition, 14% (95% CI: 5–23) and 22% (95% CI: 0–56) of the patients had low levels of functional (<80 unit/dl) and antigenic (<80 unit/dl) anti-thrombin levels respectively. Only 2% (95% CI: 0–5) of these patients had an abnormally low APCR (APCR ratio ≤2.3). Summary/Conclusions: Patients with SCD and ON have a high prevalence of thrombophilia. These results indicate that a prospective study with more detailed thrombophilia work-up, along with confirmatory DNA analysis, as well as a study of the role of prophylactic anticoagulation in such patients is highly warranted. Disclosures: Pathare: Sultan Qaboos University: Employment, Research Funding. Alkindi:Sultan Qaboos University: Employment, Research Funding.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Haemoproteus sp. in Galápagos blue-footed boobies: effects on health and reproduction

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
LARISA LEE-CRUZ ◽  
ANDREW A. CUNNINGHAM ◽  
PAMELA MARTÍNEZ ◽  
MARILYN CRUZ ◽  
SIMON J. GOODMAN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Success ◽  
Physiological Condition ◽  
Breeding Birds ◽  
Blood Parasites ◽  
Infection Status ◽  
Chick Growth ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Blood Smears ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
The 1960S

SUMMARYPopulations of blue-footed boobies in the Galápagos Islands have declined by at least 50% compared with numbers recorded during the 1960s. Recently, concern has been expressed about potential adverse effects of introduced blood parasites; in particular, malarial parasites (i.e.Plasmodiumsp.), which are frequently pathogenic and can cause mortality and morbidity in birds, and blood parasites of the genusHaemoproteus, which can reduce fitness. We screened blue-footed boobies at six breeding colonies within Galápagos for both genera of parasite. At two sites, we also investigated whether there was any relationship between infection status and physiological condition or breeding success. We found a high prevalence ofHaemoproteusspp. in adults and chicks using PCR, although none was found on blood smears. We found no evidence ofPlasmodium.Effects of parasitism on the condition of birds were limited. Also, there was no evidence that infection withHaemoproteusadversely affected breeding success or chick growth. Our results suggest that poor success of breeding birds was not strongly associated withHaemoproteusinfection. However, regular colony monitoring and examination of dead birds are necessary to assess whether acuteHaemoproteusinfection might be responsible for some mortality, particularly of chicks.

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