Between-year variation and spatial dynamics of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. infections in naturally infected rodent populations

SUMMARYPrevalence and abundance of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. infections were studied over the 8-year period in 3 species of rodents in N.E. Poland (bank vole Myodes glareolus-1523; yellow-necked mouse Apodemus flavicollis- 638; common vole Microtus arvalis- 419). Prevalence was 53·8, 28·1 and 62·3% respectively for Cryptosporidium spp. and 58·3, 24·4 and 74·2% respectively for Giardia spp. Prevalence and abundance of infection varied markedly across 8 years of the study with 1998 and 2002 being years of higher prevalence and abundance, following changes in the densities of host species. The distribution of intestinal protozoa in forest rodents did not vary in the 3 isolated sites during the 4-year study. In the case of Cryptosporidium, fewer older animals carried infection and infections of the oldest bank and common voles were relatively milder. In the case of Giardia in yellow-necked mice, infections were more common in older age classes (2 and 3). The two species showed significant co-occurrence and in animals carrying both species there was a strong significant positive correlation between abundance of infection with each. These data are discussed in relation to the parasite genotypes identified in this region and in respect of the role of various ecological factors in shaping of intestinal protozoa communities.

Download Full-text

The ecology ofBartonellaspp. infections in two rodent communities in the Mazury Lake District region of Poland

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182009992058 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 137 (7) ◽

pp. 1069-1077 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

RENATA WELC-FALĘCIAK ◽

ANNA BAJER ◽

JERZY M. BEHNKE ◽

EDWARD SIŃSKI

Keyword(s):

Bacterial Infections ◽

Ecological Factors ◽

Myodes Glareolus ◽

Apodemus Flavicollis ◽

Lake District ◽

Age Classes ◽

Adult Age ◽

North Eastern ◽

Rodent Communities

SUMMARYPrevalence and abundance ofBartonellaspp. infections were studied over a 3-year period in woodland and grassland rodents in North-Eastern Poland. Prevalence of bacterial infections was similar in the two rodent communities, with one leading host species in each habitat (46·3% inApodemus flavicollisversus 29·1% inMyodes glareolusin forest, or 36·9% inMicrotus arvalisversus 13·7% inMi. oeconomusin grassland). Prevalence/abundance of infections varied markedly across the 3 years with 2006 being the year of highest prevalence and abundance. Infections were more common during autumn months inMy. glareolusandA. flavicollis, and in juvenile and young adult (age classes 1 and 2)My. glareolusandMi. oeconomusthan in adults (age class 3). Higher prevalence and abundance ofBartonellainfections were found in maleA. flavicollisin comparison to females. These data are discussed in relation to the parasite genotypes identified in this region and with respect to the role of various ecological factors influencingBartonellaspp. infections in naturally infected host populations.

Download Full-text

Out of the Reservoir: Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of a Novel Cowpox Virus Isolated from a Common Vole

Journal of Virology ◽

10.1128/jvi.01195-15 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 89 (21) ◽

pp. 10959-10969 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Donata Hoffmann ◽

Annika Franke ◽

Maria Jenckel ◽

Aistė Tamošiūnaitė ◽

Julia Schluckebier ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Symptoms ◽

Clinical Symptoms ◽

Common Vole ◽

Reservoir Host ◽

High Dose ◽

Cowpox Virus ◽

Common Voles ◽

Highly Virulent

ABSTRACTThe incidence of human cowpox virus (CPXV) infections has increased significantly in recent years. Serological surveys have suggested wild rodents as the main CPXV reservoir. We characterized a CPXV isolated during a large-scale screening from a feral common vole. A comparison of the full-length DNA sequence of this CPXV strain with a highly virulent pet rat CPXV isolate showed a sequence identity of 96%, including a large additional open reading frame (ORF) of about 6,000 nucleotides which is absent in the reference CPXV strain Brighton Red. Electron microscopy analysis demonstrated that the vole isolate, in contrast to the rat strain, forms A-type inclusion (ATI) bodies with incorporated virions, consistent with the presence of completeatiandp4cgenes. Experimental infections showed that the vole CPXV strain caused only mild clinical symptoms in its natural host, while all rats developed severe respiratory symptoms followed by a systemic rash. In contrast, common voles infected with a high dose of the rat CPXV showed severe signs of respiratory disease but no skin lesions, whereas infection with a low dose led to virus excretion with only mild clinical signs. We concluded that the common vole is susceptible to infection with different CPXV strains. The spectrum ranges from well-adapted viruses causing limited clinical symptoms to highly virulent strains causing severe respiratory symptoms. In addition, the low pathogenicity of the vole isolate in its eponymous host suggests a role of common voles as a major CPXV reservoir, and future research will focus on the correlation between viral genotype and phenotype/pathotype in accidental and reservoir species.IMPORTANCEWe report on the first detection and isolation of CPXV from a putative reservoir host, which enables comparative analyses to understand the infection cycle of these zoonotic orthopox viruses and the relevant genes involved.In vitrostudies, including whole-genome sequencing as well asin vivoexperiments using the Wistar rat model and the vole reservoir host allowed us to establish links between genomic sequences and thein vivoproperties (virulence) of the novel vole isolate in comparison to those of a recent zoonotic CPXV isolated from pet rats in 2009. Furthermore, the role of genes present only in a reservoir isolate can now be further analyzed. These studies therefore allow unique insights and conclusions about the role of the rodent reservoir in CPXV epidemiology and transmission and about the zoonotic threat that these viruses represent.

Download Full-text

The occurrence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in certain ectoparasites (Mesostigmata, Siphonaptera) of Apodemus flavicollis and Myodes glareolus in chosen localities in the Czech Republic

Acta Parasitologica ◽

10.2478/s11686-013-0147-5 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 58 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Jakub Netušil ◽

Alena Žákovská ◽

Karel Vostal ◽

Adam Norek ◽

Michal Stanko

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽

Myodes Glareolus ◽

Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽

Apodemus Flavicollis ◽

Rodent Host ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Pcr Method ◽

Yellow Necked Mouse

AbstractTicks represent the primary vectors of several serious diseases, including the Lyme disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl). In this study two dominant ectoparasitic groups of arthropods (Mesostigmata, Siphonaptera) were investigated for the presence of borrelian DNA in order to determine their potential role of vectors (or carriers) of this bacterium. All individuals (235) were collected from wild-living rodents obtained in three localities in the Czech Republic (Bažantula, Baba and Křižovice). The majority of parasites were members of the families Parasitidae and Dermanyssidae (Mesostigmata) and families Hystrichopsyllidae and Ceratophyllidae (Siphonaptera). The rodent host species was almost exclusively the yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis). Bbsl was detected by the PCR method in the following ectoparasite species: Euryparasitus emarginatus (1), Eulaelaps stabularis (1), Haemogamassus nidi (1), Laelaps agilis (5), Myonyssus gigas (1) (Mesostigmata) and Ctenophthalmus agyrtes (1), C. solutus (3) (Siphonaptera).

Download Full-text

Group size and aquatic vegetation modulates male preferences for female shoals in wild zebrafish, Danio rerio

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-80913-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Aditya Ghoshal ◽

Anuradha Bhat

Keyword(s):

Group Size ◽

Aquatic Vegetation ◽

Natural Habitat ◽

Ecological Factors ◽

Choice Test ◽

Female Group ◽

Aquatic Flora ◽

In The Wild ◽

The Individual

AbstractShoaling decisions in the wild are determined by a combination of innate preferences of the individual along with the interplay of multiple ecological factors. In their natural habitat as well as in the laboratory, zebrafish is a shoaling fish. Here, we investigate the role of group size and associated vegetation in shaping shoaling preferences of wild male zebrafish. We studied the association preference of males to groups of female shoals in a multi-choice test design. We found that males made greater proportion of visits to an 8-female group compared to 2 and 4-female groups. However, males spent similar proportions of time across the three female-containing groups. When artificial vegetation was incorporated along with female number as an additional factor, we found that males prefer high and moderately vegetated patches compared to low or no-vegetation groups, irrespective of the number of females in these patches. Based on experiments using a novel multi-choice design, our results show that preference for group size can change due to interaction of two separate factors. This work is a first attempt to understand the role of aquatic flora in determining shoaling preferences in zebrafish, using an experimental paradigm consisting of a gradation in female and vegetation densities.

Download Full-text

Reproductive and age classes do not change spatial dynamics of foraging long-fingered bats (Myotis capaccinii)

European Journal of Wildlife Research ◽

10.1007/s10344-011-0507-0 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 57 (4) ◽

pp. 929-937 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

David Almenar ◽

Joxerra Aihartza ◽

Urtzi Goiti ◽

Egoitz Salsamendi ◽

Inazio Garin

Keyword(s):

Spatial Dynamics ◽

Age Classes

Download Full-text

The role of algal blooms and community respiration in controlling the temporal and spatial dynamics of hypoxia and acidification in eutrophic estuaries

Marine Pollution Bulletin ◽

10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112908 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 172 ◽

pp. 112908

Author(s):

Ryan B. Wallace ◽

Christopher J. Gobler

Keyword(s):

Algal Blooms ◽

Spatial Dynamics ◽

Community Respiration ◽

Temporal And Spatial

Download Full-text

Basal metabolic rates in primates—the possible role of phylogenetic and ecological factors

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A Physiology ◽

10.1016/0300-9629(85)90902-8 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 81 (4) ◽

pp. 707-711 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

E.F Müller

Keyword(s):

Ecological Factors ◽

Metabolic Rates

Download Full-text

The spatial genetic structure of bank vole (Myodes glareolus) and yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis) populations: The effect of distance and habitat barriers

Animal Biology ◽

10.1163/157075609x437691 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 59 (2) ◽

pp. 169-187 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Michal Kozakiewicz ◽

Alicja Gryczyńska–Siemiątkowska ◽

Hanna Panagiotopoulou ◽

Anna Kozakiewicz ◽

Robert Rutkowski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Genetic Structure ◽

Bank Vole ◽

Microsatellite Loci ◽

Myodes Glareolus ◽

Apodemus Flavicollis ◽

Island Populations ◽

Local Populations ◽

Bank Vole Myodes Glareolus ◽

Yellow Necked Mouse

AbstractHabitat barriers are considered to be an important factor causing the local reduction of genetic diversity by dividing a population into smaller sections and preventing gene flow between them. However, the “barrier effect” might be different in the case of different species. The effect of geographic distance and water barriers on the genetic structure of populations of two common rodent species – the yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis) and the bank vole (Myodes glareolus) living in the area of a lake (on its islands and on two opposite shores) was investigated with the use of microsatellite fragment analysis. The two studied species are characterised by similar habitat requirements, but differ with regard to the socio-spatial structure of the population, individual mobility, capability to cross environmental barriers, and other factors. Trapping was performed for two years in spring and autumn in north-eastern Poland (21°E, 53°N). A total of 160 yellow-necked mouse individuals (7 microsatellite loci) and 346 bank vole individuals (9 microsatellite loci) were analysed. The results of the differentiation analyses (FST and RST) have shown that both the barrier which is formed by a ca. 300 m wide belt of water (between the island and the mainland) and the actual distance of approximately 10 km in continuous populations are sufficient to create genetic differentiation within both species. The differences between local populations living on opposite lake shores are the smallest; differences between any one of them and the island populations are more distinct. All of the genetic diversity indices (the mean number of alleles, mean allelic richness, as well as the observed and expected heterozygosity) of the local populations from the lakeshores were significantly higher than of the small island populations of these two species separated by the water barrier. The more profound “isolation effect” in the case of the island populations of the bank vole, in comparison to the yellow-necked mouse populations, seems to result not only from the lower mobility of the bank vole species, but may also be attributed to other differences in the animals' behaviour.

Download Full-text

Helminth fauna of Microtus cf. arvalis (Rodentia, Cricetidae) in Russia and adjacent countries

Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity ◽

10.13057/biodiv/d210524 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (5) ◽

Author(s):

NADEZHDA Yu. KIRILLOVA ◽

Alexander Kirillov ◽

ALEXANDER B. RUCHIN ◽

MAXIM V. TRUKHACHEV

Keyword(s):

Common Vole ◽

Common Species ◽

Final Host ◽

Helminth Fauna ◽

Helminth Species ◽

Research Areas ◽

The Common ◽

Common Voles ◽

Paratenic Hosts ◽

Parasitic Worms

Abstract. Kirillova NYu, Kirillov AA, Ruchin AB, Trukhachev MV. 2020. Helminth fauna of Microtus cf. arvalis (Rodentia, Cricetidae) in Russia and adjacent countries. Biodiversitas 21: 1961-1979. The helminth fauna of voles of the Microtus cf. arvalis group is reviewed focusing on the Russian fauna and that of adjacent territories. In total, 61 helminth species have been recorded in these rodents: Trematoda-14, Cestoda-21, Nematoda-25, Acanthocephala-1. The diversity of the helminth community of the common vole is due to the wide species range and abundance of this rodent. M. arvalis is the final host for most of the parasites recorded from this host species. Only 10 cestodes and trematodes species use common voles as intermediate and paratenic hosts. The core of this voles’ helminth fauna is formed by common species that parasitize many different rodent species. The helminth fauna of the common vole has been most intensively studied in Russia, where 45 species of parasitic worms have been recorded in rodents. The similarity of the helminth fauna of the common vole from different study regions is determined by both the geographical proximity of the research areas and the broad distribution of most of the M. cf. arvalis helminth species.

Download Full-text