Spatial distribution of sarcoptic mange (Sarcoptes scabiei) in urban foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Great Britain as determined by citizen science

Abstract Urban areas may support high densities of wild carnivores, and pathogens can strongly influence carnivore populations. Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are hosts of sarcoptic mange (Sarcoptes scabiei), which infects numerous species, and transmission can be density dependent. In Great Britain, urban red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) have recently increased in population density and undergone range expansions. Here we investigate corresponding changes in urban fox mange prevalence. We predicted a higher prevalence closer to historic epi/enzootics and lower prevalence where urban features reduce fox density and movements, i.e. large areas of public green space, and fragmented habitat, as measured by road length and urban perimeter shape complexity. We visually assessed mange symptoms from georeferenced images of urban foxes submitted online by the public, thus surveying private land on a national scale. We measured the proportion of foxes apparently showing mange and used SATSCAN to identify spatial clusters of high infection risk. Landscape features were extracted from urban layers in GIS to determine associations. Although mange was widespread, we identified a single cluster of high prevalence (37.1%) in Northwest and Central England, which exceeded double mean prevalence overall (15.1%) and mirrors the northward expansion of urban fox distribution. Prevalence was positively correlated with perimeter shape complexity and negatively correlated with distance to the nearest city with mange, although the latter association was weak. Our findings show that citizen science can effectively monitor diseases with highly visible symptoms and suggest that fox movements are influential in explaining spatial patterns of prevalence.

Download Full-text

Spatiotemporal spread of sarcoptic mange in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in Switzerland over more than 60 years: lessons learnt from comparative analysis of multiple surveillance tools

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-019-3762-7 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Simone Roberto Rolando Pisano ◽

Fridolin Zimmermann ◽

Luca Rossi ◽

Simon Capt ◽

Ezgi Akdesir ◽

...

Keyword(s):

19Th Century ◽

General Health ◽

Vulpes Vulpes ◽

Red Fox ◽

Sarcoptes Scabiei ◽

Health Surveillance ◽

Sarcoptic Mange ◽

Red Foxes ◽

First Case ◽

Combining Data

Abstract Background Sarcoptic mange is a contagious skin disease of wild and domestic mammals caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei. Reports of sarcoptic mange in wildlife increased worldwide in the second half of the 20th century, especially since the 1990s. The aim of this study was to provide new insights into the epidemiology of mange by (i) documenting the emergence of sarcoptic mange in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in the last decades in Switzerland; and (ii) describing its spatiotemporal spread combining data obtained through different surveillance methods. Methods Retrospective analysis of archived material together with prospective data collection delivered a large dataset from the 19th century to 2018. Methods included: (i) a review of historical literature; (ii) screening of necropsy reports from general health surveillance (1958–2018); (iii) screening of data on mange (1968–1992) collected during the sylvatic rabies eradication campaign; (iv) a questionnaire survey (<1980–2017) and (v) evaluation of camera-trap bycatch data (2005–2018). Results Sarcoptic mange in red foxes was reported as early as 1835 in Switzerland. The first case diagnosed in the framework of the general health surveillance was in 1959. Prior to 1980, sarcoptic mange occurred in non-adjacent surveillance districts scattered all over the country. During the period of the rabies epidemic (1970s-early 1990s), the percentage of foxes tested for rabies with sarcoptic mange significantly decreased in subregions with rabies, whereas it remained high in the few rabies-free subregions. Sarcoptic mange re-emerged in the mid-1990s and continuously spread during the 2000–2010s, to finally extend to the whole country in 2017. The yearly prevalence of mange in foxes estimated by camera-trapping ranged from 0.1–12%. Conclusions Sarcoptic mange has likely been endemic in Switzerland as well as in other European countries at least since the mid-19th century. The rabies epidemics seem to have influenced the pattern of spread of mange in several locations, revealing an interesting example of disease interaction in free-ranging wildlife populations. The combination of multiple surveillance tools to study the long-term dynamics of sarcoptic mange in red foxes in Switzerland proved to be a successful strategy, which underlined the usefulness of questionnaire surveys.

Download Full-text

Changes in the Distribution of Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Urban Areas in Great Britain: Findings and Limitations of a Media-Driven Nationwide Survey

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0099059 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. e99059 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

Dawn M. Scott ◽

Maureen J. Berg ◽

Bryony A. Tolhurst ◽

Alienor L. M. Chauvenet ◽

Graham C. Smith ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Great Britain ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Vulpes Vulpes ◽

Nationwide Survey ◽

Red Foxes

Download Full-text

Adaptations of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) to urban environments in Sydney, Australia

Journal of Urban Ecology ◽

10.1093/jue/juaa009 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Margarita Gil-Fernández ◽

Robert Harcourt ◽

Thomas Newsome ◽

Alison Towerton ◽

Alexandra Carthey

Keyword(s):

Urban Areas ◽

Vulpes Vulpes ◽

Red Fox ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Urban Environments ◽

Canis Lupus Familiaris ◽

Red Foxes ◽

High Degree ◽

Sydney Australia ◽

Site Types

Abstract With urban encroachment on wild landscapes accelerating globally, there is an urgent need to understand how wildlife is adapting to anthropogenic change. We compared the behaviour of the invasive red fox (Vulpes vulpes) at eight urban and eight peri-urban areas of Sydney, Australia. We observed fox behaviour around a lure and compared fox activity patterns to those of potential prey and to two domestic predators (dogs—Canis lupus familiaris and cats—Felis catus). We assessed the influence of site type, vegetation cover, and distance from habitation on fox behaviour, and compared the temporal activity patterns of urban and peri-urban red foxes. Urban red foxes were marginally more nocturnal than those in peri-urban areas (88% activity overlap). There was greater overlap of red fox activity patterns with introduced mammalian prey in urban areas compared with peri-urban areas (90% urban vs 84% peri-urban). Red fox temporal activity overlapped 78% with cats, but only 20% with dogs, across both site types. The high degree of overlap with cats and introduced mammalian prey is most likely explained by the nocturnal behaviour of these species, while pet dogs are generally kept in yards or indoors at night. The behavioural differences we documented by urban red foxes suggest they may adapt to human modifications and presence, by being more nocturnal and/or more confident in urban areas.

Download Full-text

Of microbes and mange: consistent changes in the skin microbiome of three canid species infected with Sarcoptes scabiei mites

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-019-3724-0 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Alexandra L. DeCandia ◽

Kennedy N. Leverett ◽

Bridgett M. vonHoldt

Keyword(s):

North American ◽

Treatment Strategies ◽

Skin Barrier ◽

Sarcoptes Scabiei ◽

Sarcoptic Mange ◽

Interspecies Transmission ◽

Skin Microbiome ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Mammal Species ◽

Alpha And Beta Diversity

Abstract Background Sarcoptic mange is a highly contagious skin disease caused by the ectoparasitic mite Sarcoptes scabiei. Although it afflicts over 100 mammal species worldwide, sarcoptic mange remains a disease obscured by variability at the individual, population and species levels. Amid this variability, it is critical to identify consistent drivers of morbidity, particularly at the skin barrier. Methods Using culture-independent next generation sequencing, we characterized the skin microbiome of three species of North American canids: coyotes (Canis latrans), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus). We compared alpha and beta diversity between mange-infected and uninfected canids using the Kruskal–Wallis test and multivariate analysis of variance with permutation. We used analysis of composition of microbes and gneiss balances to perform differential abundance testing between infection groups. Results We found remarkably consistent signatures of microbial dysbiosis associated with mange infection. Across genera, mange-infected canids exhibited reduced microbial diversity, altered community composition and increased abundance of opportunistic pathogens. The primary bacteria comprising secondary infections were Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, previously associated with canid ear and skin infections, and Corynebacterium spp., previously found among the gut flora of S. scabiei mites and hematophagous arthropods. Conclusions This evidence suggests that sarcoptic mange infection consistently alters the canid skin microbiome and facilitates secondary bacterial infection, as seen in humans and other mammals infected with S. scabiei mites. These results provide valuable insights into the pathogenesis of mange at the skin barrier of North American canids and can inspire novel treatment strategies. By adopting a “One Health” framework that considers mites, microbes and the potential for interspecies transmission, we can better elucidate the patterns and processes underlying this ubiquitous and enigmatic disease.

Download Full-text

Population Structure of Harvested Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and Coyotes (Canis latrans) on Prince Edward Island, Canada

The Canadian Field-Naturalist ◽

10.22621/cfn.v126i4.1374 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 126 (4) ◽

pp. 288 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Wendela Wapenaar ◽

Fiep De Bie ◽

David Johnston ◽

Ryan M. O'Handley ◽

Herman W. Barkema

Keyword(s):

Population Dynamics ◽

Wildlife Management ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Vulpes Vulpes ◽

Prince Edward Island ◽

Canis Latrans ◽

Habitat Type ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Wild Canids ◽

Agricultural Areas

An understanding of the population dynamics and habitat of wild Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and Coyotes (Canis latrans) is a prerequisite to wildlife management. This information is also important in assessing the risk these wild canids pose to the public and domestic animals. On Prince Edward Island, information on age, sex, reproductive activity, and habitat use of 271 Red Foxes and 201 Coyotes was collected in the hunting and trapping season of 2004–2005. The estimated age of Red Foxes and Coyotes ranged from 0.5 to 13.5 years. A large proportion of harvested Red Foxes and Coyotes (58% and 48%, respectively) consisted of juveniles. The sex ratio was not significantly different from 1:1 for either species. Average litter size was 5.0 and 5.2 for Red Foxes and Coyotes, respectively. Number of placental scars ranged from 0 to 7 in Red Foxes and from 0 to 11 in Coyotes. Agricultural areas were the main habitat type (52%) of harvested Red Foxes. For harvested Coyotes, forest was the main habitat (44%), followed closely by agricultural areas (43%). Urban areas were a significant part (13%) of the habitat of Red Foxes. These data can be used to monitor population dynamics over time, provide information for wildlife management, and provide information on potential risk areas for disease transmission by wild canids.

Download Full-text

Epidemiology of Toxocara canis in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from urban areas of Bristol

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182000067275 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 107 (2) ◽

pp. 167-173 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

D. T. Richards ◽

S. Harris ◽

J. W. Lewis

Keyword(s):

Urban Environment ◽

Reproductive Cycle ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Vulpes Vulpes ◽

Toxocara Canis ◽

Epidemiological Survey ◽

In Utero ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Autumn And Winter

SUMMARYA descriptive epidemiological survey was undertaken of the ascarid nematode Toxocara canis in 521 red foxes (vulpes, vulpes) during the period January 1986 to July 1990. Age–prevalence and age–intensity profiles show that worm are significantly higher in cubs than in subadult or adult foxes and higher in subadult than in adult foxes. variations in worm burdens occur, with the highest prevalences and intensities being found during the spring, when are born, and in the summer months. Prevalences and intensities then decrease during the autumn and winter months both subadult and adult foxes, but, during this period, prevalences are significantly higher in male than in female Variations in worm burdens in the fox population are likely to be related to the reproductive cycle of the fox, with proportion of cubs becoming infected in utero. The role of the fox in the transmission of T. canis in the urban environment is discussed.

Download Full-text

Molecular epidemiology of a fatal sarcoptic mange epidemic in endangered San Joaquin kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis mutica)

10.21203/rs.3.rs-32109/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jaime L. Rudd ◽

Deana L. Clifford ◽

Brian L. Cypher ◽

Joshua M. Hull ◽

A. Jane Riner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Genetic Difference ◽

Population Level ◽

Sarcoptes Scabiei ◽

Sarcoptic Mange ◽

Canis Lupus Familiaris ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Kit Fox ◽

Vulpes Macrotis ◽

Vulpes Macrotis Mutica

Abstract Background: In 2013, sarcoptic mange, caused by Sarcoptes scabiei mites, precipitated a catastrophic decline of the formerly stable urban population of endangered San Joaquin kit foxes ( Vulpes macrotis mutica ) in Bakersfield, California, USA. In 2019, a smaller sarcoptic mange outbreak affected kit foxes 58 km southwest of Bakersfield in the town of Taft, California. To determine whether the Taft outbreak could have occurred as spillover from the Bakersfield outbreak and whether epidemic control efforts must involve not only kit foxes but also sympatric dogs ( Canis lupus familiaris ), coyotes ( Canis latrans ), and red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes ), we evaluated genotypes and gene flow among mites collected from each host species.Methods: We used 10 Sarcoptes microsatellite markers (SARM) to perform molecular typing of 445 S. scabiei mites collected from skin scrapings from twenty-two infested kit foxes, two dogs, five coyotes, and five red foxes from Bakersfield, Taft, and other nearby cities.Results: We identified 60 alleles across all SARM loci; kit fox- and red fox-derived mites were relatively monomorphic, while genetic variability was greatest in Bakersfield coyote- and dog-derived mites. AMOVA analysis documented distinct mite populations unique to hosts, with an overall F ST of 0.467. The lowest F ST (i.e. closest genetic relationship, F ST = 0.038) was between Bakersfield and Taft kit fox-derived mites while the largest genetic difference was between Ventura coyote- and Taft kit fox-derived mites (F ST = 0.843).Conclusion: These results confirm the close relationship between the Taft and Bakersfield outbreaks. The Sarcoptes host specificity suggests that, although an inter-species spillover event likely initiated the kit fox mange outbreak, mite transmission is now primarily intraspecific. Therefore, any large-scale population level intervention should focus on treating kit foxes within the city.

Download Full-text

A Tissue Digestion Protocol for Measuring Sarcoptes scabiei (Astigmata: Sarcoptidae) Density in Skin Biopsies

Journal of Insect Science ◽

10.1093/jisesa/ieaa105 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (6) ◽

Author(s):

Hannah S Tiffin ◽

Robert Cockerill ◽

Justin D Brown ◽

Erika T Machtinger

Keyword(s):

Skin Disease ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Sarcoptes Scabiei ◽

Sarcoptic Mange ◽

Black Bears ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Wild Canids ◽

American Black ◽

American Black Bears ◽

Tissue Digestion

Abstract Sarcoptic mange is a parasitic skin disease caused by the burrowing mite Sarcoptes scabiei that affects a diversity of mammals, including humans, worldwide. In North America, the most commonly affected wildlife includes wild canids, such as coyotes and red foxes, and more recently American black bears in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast United States. Currently, surveillance for sarcoptic mange in wildlife is syndromic, relying on detection of clinical signs and lesions, such as alopecia and crusting of skin. When possible, skin scrapes are used to identify the causative mite. While skin scrapes are a valuable diagnostic tool to identify mites, this approach has significant limitations when used for quantification of mite burden. To further investigate mite burden in cases of sarcoptic mange, 6-mm punch biopsies were collected from affected skin of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes Linnaeus [Carnivora: Canidae]), a species historically affected by sarcoptic mange, frequently with high mite burdens and severe skin disease, and validated on skin tissue from mange-affected American black bears (Ursus americanus Pallas [Carnivora: Ursidae]) and coyotes (Canis latrans Say [Carnivora: Canidae]). Biopsies were digested by incubating the tissue in potassium hydroxide (KOH) at 55°C. The greatest tissue clearance and lowest mite degradation resulted after 12 h of tissue digestion. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe a methodology for host tissue digestion and mite quantification in cases of sarcoptic mange. This method will provide a valuable surveillance and research tool to better understand sarcoptic mange in wild and domestic animals, with applications to a diversity of other ectoparasitic diseases.

Download Full-text