Morphological and molecular analyses of Taenia and Mesocestoides species from red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in northwestern China

Abstract Background The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a geographically widespread predator species, occurring across the northern Hemisphere. It has high veterinary-medical significance, in part owing to its definitive host role in the life cycle of several tapeworm species, including zoonotic ones. However, there have been only few reports on cyclophyllid tapeworm (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea) infection in red foxes from China. Methods In this study, 263 tapeworms were collected from eight road-killed red foxes in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR, northwestern China). The tapeworms were analyzed based on morphological characters and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene sequences. Results 83 Taenia and 180 Mesocestoides tapeworms were identified according to the presence or absence of rostellum, and the number, the length and the shape of the large rostellar hooks. The morphological and molecular analyses revealed that i) 180 Mesocestoides tapeworms, here named as Mesocestoides sp. Vulpes vulpes, showed 99.21% (378/381 bp) identity to Mesocestoides sp. reported from red fox in Mongolia; and ii) 83 Taenia tapeworms belonged to three species. The first Taenia species (n = 16, named as Taenia sp. Vulpes vulpes), based on the length of large rostellar hooks (337–342 µm) and its cox1 sequence, was identified as a potentially novel species, which is phylogenetically close to Taenia laticollis. The second species (n = 54, named as Taenia sp. Vulpes vulpes & Rhombomys opimus), was morphologically similar to Taenia endothoracicus according to the number (n = 52), the length (319–332 µm) and the shape of the large rostellar hooks. This species, infecting three red foxes, shared 100% cox1 sequence identity with Taenia sp. Rhombomys opimus genotype C found previously in great gerbils (Rhombomys opimus) in the same region. The third species (n = 13, named as Taenia polyacantha-like), had shorter large rostellar hooks (178–180 µm) and showed 96.27% (361/375 bp) sequence identity to Taenia polyacantha reported from red fox in Italy. In addition, co-infections with two Taenia species and with Taenia and Mesocestoides species were also demonstrated. Conclusions The “great gerbil-red fox” life cycle of Taenia sp. Vulpes vulpes & Rhombomys opimus, belonging to the mitochondrial lineage of T. endothoracicus, is confirmed. The T. polyacantha-like species and Mesocestoides sp. Vulpes vulpes were found for the first time in red fox in China. Taenia sp. Vulpes vulpes is a potentially novel species, which is close to Taenia laticollis based on its phylogenetic properties. The life cycle of Taenia sp. Vulpes vulpes and Mesocestoides sp. Vulpes vulpes should be further explored.

Download Full-text

Rickettsiae in Red Fox (Vulpes Vulpes), Marbled Polecat (Vormela Peregusna) and Their Ticks in Northwestern China

10.21203/rs.3.rs-127289/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Gang Liu ◽

Shanshan Zhao ◽

Wenbo Tan ◽

Sándor Hornok ◽

Wumei Yuan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vulpes Vulpes ◽

Red Fox ◽

Northwestern China ◽

Molecular Evidence ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Autonomous Region ◽

Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region ◽

Melophagus Ovinus ◽

Rickettsia Sibirica ◽

First Time

Abstract BackgroundPreviously, twelve Rickettsia species were found in ticks, fleas, sheep keds (Melophagus ovinus), bats (common pipistrelle: Pipistrellus pipistrellus) and a tick-bitten patient in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR), northwestern China. Here we aimed to molecularly detect rickettsial agents in red fox (Vulpes vulpes), marbled polecat (Vormela peregusna) and their ticks.MethodsDuring 2018-2019, 12 red foxes, 1 marbled polecat and their ticks were sampled in two counties and a city of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (northwestern China). The heart, liver, spleen, lung and kidney of these 13 carnivores were dissected, followed by DNA extraction. Hard ticks were identified both morphologically and molecularly. All samples were examined for the presence of rickettsiae by amplifying four genetic markers.ResultsA total of 26 adult ticks and 28 nymphs (38 Ixodes canisuga, nine Ixodes kaiseri, six Haemaphysalis erinacei and one Dermacentor marginatus) were collected from red foxes, and four H. erinacei ticks were removed from a marbled polecat. Analysis of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences indicated that 2-32 nucleotides differed between I. canisuga, I. kaiseri and H. erinacei from northwestern China and Europe. Rickettsia raoultii was detected in three red foxes, Candidatus Rickettsia barbariae in a red fox, Rickettsia sibirica in a red fox and a marbled polecat, and R. raoultii in two tick species (I. canisuga and D. marginatus).ConclusionsTo the best of our knowledge, I. canisuga and I. kaiseri have not been previously reported from red foxes in China. The DNA of R. sibirica and R. raoultii was detected for the first time in organs of red foxes, and R. sibirica in organs of marbled polecat. This is also the first molecular evidence for the presence of R. raoultii in I. canisuga. Our findings add to the range of tick-borne pathogens in wildlife species and associated ticks in China.

Download Full-text

Rickettsiae in red fox (Vulpes vulpes), marbled polecat (Vormela peregusna) and their ticks in northwestern China

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-021-04718-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Gang Liu ◽

Shanshan Zhao ◽

Wenbo Tan ◽

Sándor Hornok ◽

Wumei Yuan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vulpes Vulpes ◽

Red Fox ◽

Northwestern China ◽

Molecular Evidence ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Wildlife Species ◽

Melophagus Ovinus ◽

Rickettsia Sibirica ◽

First Time ◽

Lung And Kidney

Abstract Background Previously, twelve Rickettsia species were identified in ticks, fleas, sheep keds (Melophagus ovinus), bats (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) and a tick-bitten patient in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR) in northwestern China. Here we aimed to molecularly detect rickettsial agents in red fox (Vulpes vulpes), marbled polecat (Vormela peregusna) and their ticks. Methods During 2018–2019, 12 red foxes, one marbled polecat and their ticks were sampled in two counties and a city of the XUAR. The heart, liver, spleen, lung and kidney of these 13 carnivores were dissected, followed by DNA extraction. Hard ticks were identified both morphologically and molecularly. All samples were examined for the presence of rickettsiae by amplifying four genetic markers (17-kDa, gltA, ompA, sca1). Results A total of 26 adult ticks and 28 nymphs (38 Ixodes canisuga, nine Ixodes kaiseri, six Haemaphysalis erinacei and one Dermacentor marginatus) were collected from red foxes, and four Ha. erinacei ticks were removed from the marbled polecat. Analysis of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences indicated that 2–32 nucleotides differed between I. canisuga, I. kaiseri and Ha. erinacei from northwestern China and Europe. Rickettsia raoultii was detected in three red foxes, Candidatus Rickettsia barbariae in a red fox, Rickettsia sibirica in a red fox and a marbled polecat, and R. raoultii in two tick species (I. canisuga and D. marginatus). Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, I. canisuga and I. kaiseri have not been previously reported from red foxes in China. The DNA of R. sibirica and R. raoultii was detected for the first time in the organs of red foxes, and R. sibirica in the organs of a marbled polecat. This is also the first molecular evidence for the presence of R. raoultii in I. canisuga. Our findings expand the range of tick-borne pathogens in wildlife species and associated ticks in China.

Download Full-text

Variation in fur farm and wild populations of the red fox, Vulpes vulpes (Carnivora: Canidae) — Part I: Morphometry

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1139/cjas-2016-0026 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 96 (4) ◽

pp. 589-597 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Magdalena Zatoń-Dobrowolska ◽

Magdalena Moska ◽

Anna Mucha ◽

Heliodor Wierzbicki ◽

Piotr Przysiecki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vulpes Vulpes ◽

Selective Breeding ◽

Red Fox ◽

Tail Length ◽

Morphometric Traits ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Ear Height ◽

Morphological Differences ◽

The Right ◽

Almost All

This paper demonstrates the influence of artificial selection on morphometric traits in the red fox [Vulpes vulpes (Linnaeus, 1758)]. Measurements and two proportion coefficients were analysed in 132 wild and 199 farm red foxes. The two groups differed significantly (P ≤ 0.05) on all but one of the measurements. Eight out of 11 measurements were significantly greater in the farm fox population, while only tail length, ear height, and length of the right hind limb were greater in the population of wild foxes. The opposite trend was observed when analysing variation in the measurements — the farm foxes were characterized by a greater variability only in the case of body weight, body length, and breadth of chest. When analysing the sexual dimorphism index in different sex and population groups, in almost all analysed traits, the greatest differences occurred between farm males and wild females. All of the traits examined in this study are important for survival of wild foxes. However, because importance of some traits was reduced during domestication and selective breeding (farm foxes do not have to fight for survival), the genetic relationship between them may have weakened. Other possible causes of morphological differences between the studied groups of red foxes are discussed as well.

Download Full-text

Disseminated Mycobacterium bovis Infection in Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) with Cerebral Involvement Found in Portugal

Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases ◽

10.1089/vbz.2013.1500 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 14 (7) ◽

pp. 531-533 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Ana C. Matos ◽

Luis Figueira ◽

Maria H. Martins ◽

Manuela Matos ◽

Márcia Morais ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mycobacterium Bovis ◽

Vulpes Vulpes ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Cerebral Involvement

Download Full-text

The diet of red foxes, Vulpes vulpes L., in Victoria

Australian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1071/zo9730391 ◽

1973 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

pp. 391 ◽

Cited By ~ 43

Author(s):

BJ Coman

Keyword(s):

Vulpes Vulpes ◽

Regional Differences ◽

Plant Material ◽

Stomach Contents ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Main Food ◽

Food Items ◽

Over Time

Stomach contents were examined for 1229 foxes collected in Victoria during 1968-70. Of these, 967 stomachs contained measurable quantities of food. The fox appears to have a very wide dietary range but is predominantly carnivorous. The main food items encountered were rabbits, sheep carrion, and mice. Lesser amounts of native mammals, birds, cold-blooded vertebrates, invertebrates, and plant material were encountered. For many foods, particularly insects, the intake was markedly seasonal. Regional differences in diet were also apparent. Much of the variation in intake of particular foods over time and between regions was explicable in terms of changing availabilities of these foods.

Download Full-text