scholarly journals Physiological implications of life at the forest interface of oil palm agriculture: blood profiles of wild Malay civets (Viverra tangalunga)

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Meaghan N Evans ◽  
Sergio Guerrero-Sanchez ◽  
Peter Kille ◽  
Carsten T Müller ◽  
Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oil Palm ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Population Variation ◽  
Physiological Status ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Mosaic Landscape ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Viverra Tangalunga ◽  
Blood Profiles

Abstract Agricultural development is a major threat to global biodiversity, and effective conservation actions are crucial. Physiological repercussions of life alongside human-modified landscapes can undermine adaptable species’ health and population viability; however, baseline data are lacking for many wildlife species. We assessed the physiological status of a generalist carnivore, the Malay civet (Viverra tangalunga), persisting within an extensively human-modified system in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. We characterized hematology and serum biochemistry panels from civets sampled across a mosaic landscape comprising tropical forest fragments and oil palm plantations. Intra-population variation in certain blood parameters were explained by expected biological drivers such as sex, age category and sampling season. Furthermore, we determined several erythrocyte measures, immune cell counts and dietary biochemistry markers significantly varied with proximity to oil palm plantation boundaries. These findings were supported by a case study, whereby blood profiles of GPS collared male civets were contrasted based on their exclusive use of forests or use of oil palm plantations. These data provide robust and valuable first insights into this species’ physiological status and suggest agricultural landscapes are impacting the persisting population.

scholarly journals Importance of Small Forest Fragments in Agricultural Landscapes for Maintaining Orangutan Metapopulations

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Ancrenaz ◽  
Felicity Oram ◽  
Nardiyono Nardiyono ◽  
Muhammad Silmi ◽  
Marcie E. M. Jopony ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oil Palm ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Multiple Use ◽  
Conservation Areas ◽  
Forest Patches ◽  
Timber Plantations ◽  
Small Forest

Historically, orangutans (Pongo spp.) lived in large contiguous areas of intact rainforest. Today, they are also found in highly modified and fragmented landscapes dominated by oil palm or industrial timber plantations; a situation that calls for new conservation approaches. Here we report signs of orangutan presence in more than 120 small forest fragments of <500 ha in size and isolated in extensive oil palm plantations across Borneo. We confirmed the long-term presence of adult resident females with dependent young in 42% of the fragments assessed by ground survey (n = 50), and the regular sightings of males traveling across the landscape. We argue that orangutans using and living in small isolated forest patches play an essential part in the metapopulation by maintaining gene flow among larger sub-populations distributed across multiple-use landscapes. In some cases, translocations may be necessary when the animals are in imminent danger of being killed and have no other refuge. However, the impacts of removing animals from spatially dispersed metapopulations could inadvertently decrease critical metapopulation functionality necessary for long-term viability. It is clear that orangutans need natural forest to survive. However, our findings show that forest fragments within agricultural landscapes can also complement conservation areas if they are well-distributed, properly connected and managed, and if orangutan killing is prevented. Efforts to better understand the dynamics and the functionality of an orangutan metapopulation in forest-farmland landscape mosaics characteristic of the Anthropocene are urgently needed to design more efficient conservation strategies for the species across its range.

Diet and habitat selection of the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis borneoensis) in an agricultural landscape in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo

2007 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajanathan Rajaratnam ◽  
Mel Sunquist ◽  
Lynette Rajaratnam ◽  
Laurentius Ambu
Keyword(s):  
Oil Palm ◽  
Agricultural Landscape ◽  
Secondary Forest ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Dipterocarp Forest ◽  
Concurrent Study ◽  
Leopard Cat ◽  
Prionailurus Bengalensis ◽  
Selection Of

Ten leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis borneoensis) were captured and radio tracked in an agricultural landscape in Sabah, Malaysia. Seventy-two leopard cat scats were analysed for diet while information on prey distribution and abundance was obtained from a concurrent study on small mammals. Mammals, namely murids, were the major prey with Whitehead's rat (Maxomys whiteheadi) being the principal prey species. Leopard cats significantly preferred the relatively open oil palm habitat over both selectively logged dipterocarp forest and secondary forest fragments. Although relative murid abundance was highest in selectively logged dipterocarp forest, oil palm harboured a higher relative abundance of Maxomys whiteheadi. Visibility and ease of movement for leopard cats was also better in oil palm, thereby possibly increasing their hunting success. We suggest that the significantly higher use of oil palm by leopard cats is related to their preference for areas with high prey ‘catchability’ rather than high prey density. Although secondary-forest fragments were least selected, they were important to leopard cats for resting and possibly breeding, highlighting the importance of forest fragments for the conservation of Bornean leopard cats in agricultural landscapes.

scholarly journals The importance of orangutans in small fragments for maintaining metapopulation dynamics

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Ancrenaz ◽  
Felicity Oram ◽  
Nardiyono Nardiyono ◽  
Muhammad Silmi ◽  
Marcie Elene Marcus Jopony ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oil Palm ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Genetic Connectivity ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Multiple Use ◽  
Conservation Areas ◽  
Forest Patches ◽  
Fragmented Forest ◽  
Ground Survey

Orangutans (Pongo spp.) occur at low densities and therefore large areas are necessary to sustain viable metapopulations, defined here as sets of conspecific units of individuals linked by dispersal. Historically, orangutans lived in large contiguous areas of intact rainforest, but are now increasingly found in agricultural and other landscapes modified by people. Here we collate evidence of orangutans utilizing isolated forest fragments (< 500 ha) within multiple-use landscapes dominated by oil palm monoculture across Borneo. Orangutan signs (i.e. nests) were evident in 76 fragments surveyed by helicopter, and in 50 of 70 additional fragments surveyed on the ground; on average 63 ha in size. This includes presence of adult resident females with dependent young confirmed in 40% of the fragments assessed by ground survey. Our study revealed some resident females are raising offspring in isolated forest patches within mature oil palm stands. This not only confirms that some forest patches can sustain orangutans, but indicates migratory males are capable of reaching these fragments scattered throughout the multiple-use landscape. Therefore, orangutans that use or live in even small isolated forest patches are an essential part of the overall metapopulation by maintaining gene flow between, and genetic connectivity within, populations distributed across larger multiple-use landscapes. Orangutan survival is commonly thought to be low in small, isolated forest patches, and the customary management strategy is to remove (translocate) these individuals and release them in larger forests. In some cases, translocations may be necessary, i.e. in case of fire or when the animals are in eminent danger of being killed and have no other refuge. However, the small amount of data available indicates that mortality rates during and after translocations are high, while the impacts of removing animals from spatially dispersed metapopulations are unknown. Therefore, we argue the current policy of routine translocation rather than conserving the species within human-modified landscapes could inadvertently decrease critical metapopulation functionality necessary for long-term viability. It is clear that orangutans need natural forest to survive, but our findings show that fragmented agricultural landscapes can also serve as complementary conservation areas in addition to fully protected areas if they are well designed with ecological connections, and if orangutan killing can be prevented. To achieve this, we call for a paradigm shift from the traditional large single forest model to one that emphasizes metapopulation functionality in the fragmented forest - human use matrix characteristic of the Anthropocene.

DIVERSITY OF MICROCHIROPTERAN BATS IN FOREST FRAGMENTS AND RIPARIAN ZONES IN AN OIL PALM PLANTATION ESTATE

SIMBIOSA ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fauziah Syamsi
Keyword(s):  
Oil Palm ◽  
Riparian Zones ◽  
Habitat Patch ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Oil Palm Plantation

Kelapa sawit merupakan salah satu tanaman meningkat paling pesat di dunia, dan mencakup lebih dari 13 juta ha di Asia Tenggara. Sumatera memiliki sejarah yang relatif panjang budidaya kelapa sawit komersial, dan banyak perkebunan telah menggantikan hutan hujan. Biasanya ini perkebunan monokultur mendukung spesies lebih sedikit daripada hutan, namun ada sangat sedikit informasi yang tersedia untuk kelelawar. Kami mencicipi kelelawar pemakan serangga di Sumatera Barat dalam perkebunan kelapa sawit matang di mana beberapa tutupan hutan dipertahankan di fragmen hutan di bukit-bukit dan di sepanjang sungai. Menggunakan total 180 kecapi perangkap malam kami dibandingkan dengan komunitas kelelawar dalam tiga jenis habitat: patch hutan, zona riparian dan perkebunan. Total kami ditangkap 1108 kelelawar yang mewakili 21 spesies dan 5 keluarga, dan mayoritas ini (dalam hal spesies dan kelimpahan) ditemukan di fragmen hutan. perkebunan kelapa sawit ditemukan menjadi habitat miskin untuk kelelawar - hanya empat orang dari dua spesies ditangkap. daerah pinggiran sungai didukung keanekaragaman menengah, dan mungkin penting sebagai koridor satwa liar antara fragmen hutan. Kata kunci : Biodiversitas, keleawar Microchiropteran

scholarly journals Predicting Host Immune Cell Dynamics and Key Disease-Associated Genes Using Tissue Transcriptional Profiles

Processes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 301
Author(s):  
Muying Wang ◽  
Satoshi Fukuyama ◽  
Yoshihiro Kawaoka ◽  
Jason E. Shoemaker
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Gene Expression Data ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Mean Squared Error ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
Expression Data ◽  
Cell Dynamics ◽  
Cell Counts

Motivation: Immune cell dynamics is a critical factor of disease-associated pathology (immunopathology) that also impacts the levels of mRNAs in diseased tissue. Deconvolution algorithms attempt to infer cell quantities in a tissue/organ sample based on gene expression profiles and are often evaluated using artificial, non-complex samples. Their accuracy on estimating cell counts given temporal tissue gene expression data remains not well characterized and has never been characterized when using diseased lung. Further, how to remove the effects of cell migration on transcript counts to improve discovery of disease factors is an open question. Results: Four cell count inference (i.e., deconvolution) tools are evaluated using microarray data from influenza-infected lung sampled at several time points post-infection. The analysis finds that inferred cell quantities are accurate only for select cell types and there is a tendency for algorithms to have a good relative fit (R 2 ) but a poor absolute fit (normalized mean squared error; NMSE), which suggests systemic biases exist. Nonetheless, using cell fraction estimates to adjust gene expression data, we show that genes associated with influenza virus replication and increased infection pathology are more likely to be identified as significant than when applying traditional statistical tests.

scholarly journals Impact of Weight on Immune Cell Counts among HIV-Infected Persons

2011 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 940-946 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy F. Crum-Cianflone ◽  
Mollie Roediger ◽  
Lynn E. Eberly ◽  
Anuradha Ganesan ◽  
Amy Weintrob ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
White Cell Count ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
Longitudinal Models ◽  
Hiv Diagnosis ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Few Data ◽  
Cd4 Percentage

ABSTRACTPrior studies have shown that weight may impact immune cell counts. However, few data exist about the relationship of weight and immune cell counts among HIV-infected patients. We examined documented HIV seroconverters (mean window, 15.7 months) in a prospective U.S. Military HIV Natural History Study (1 January 1986 to 20 January 2010). We estimated the association of the time-updated body mass index (BMI) category with changes in immune cell counts from HIV diagnosis across time (mean follow-up of 5.1 years) using multiply adjusted longitudinal linear mixed-effects models. Of 1,097 HIV seroconverters, 448 (41%) were overweight and 93 (8%) were obese at HIV diagnosis. Immune cell counts at HIV diagnosis did not significantly differ by BMI category. In the longitudinal models for those diagnosed before the advent of the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era, mean postdiagnosis decreases in the white cell count, total lymphocyte count, CD4 count, CD4 percentage, and CD4/CD8 ratio were less as the BMI category increased (all withPvalues of <0.05). Among HIV seroconverters diagnosed in the HAART era, obese compared to normal-weight patients had significantly smaller increases in CD4 counts, CD4 percentages, and the CD4/CD8 ratio (all withPvalues of <0.05). Similar findings were also noted among underweight versus normal-weight patients. In conclusion, although BMI was not associated with immune cell levels at the time of HIV diagnosis, weight appears to affect immune cells counts over the course of infection. In the HAART era, being either underweight or obese was associated with smaller increases in several important immune cell levels, including the CD4/CD8 ratio.

scholarly journals Immune cell counts and signaling in body fluids of cows vaccinated against Clostridium difficile

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christiane Schmautz ◽  
Nadine Müller ◽  
Marlene Auer ◽  
Ines Ballweg ◽  
Michael W. Pfaffl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clostridium Difficile ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Body Fluids ◽  
Cell Counts

scholarly journals HIV status alters disease severity and immune cell responses in beta variant SARS-CoV-2 infection wave

eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farina Karim ◽  
Inbal Gazy ◽  
Sandile Cele ◽  
Yenzekile Zungu ◽  
Robert Krause ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Disease Severity ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Supplemental Oxygen ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Cell Changes ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Second Wave ◽  
Hiv Negative

There are conflicting reports on the effects of HIV on COVID-19. Here we analyzed disease severity and immune cell changes during and after SARS-CoV-2 infection in 236 participants from South Africa, of which 39% were people living with HIV (PLWH), during the first and second (beta dominated) infection waves. The second wave had more PLWH requiring supplemental oxygen relative to HIV negative participants. Higher disease severity was associated with low CD4 T cell counts and higher neutrophil to lymphocyte ratios (NLR). Yet, CD4 counts recovered and NLR stabilized after SARS-CoV-2 clearance in wave 2 infected PLWH, arguing for an interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and HIV infection leading to low CD4 and high NLR. The first infection wave, where severity in HIV negative and PLWH was similar, still showed some HIV modulation of SARS-CoV-2 immune responses. Therefore, HIV infection can synergize with the SARS-CoV-2 variant to change COVID-19 outcomes.

scholarly journals PHYSIOLOGICAL STATUS, BLOOD PROFILE AND BODY COMPOSITION OF SHEEP FED WITH CA-SAPONIFIED LEMURU OIL COATED BY HERBS

2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 116
Author(s):  
Dewi Apri Astuti ◽  
Asep Sudarman
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Respiration Rate ◽  
Body Fat ◽  
Rectal Temperature ◽  
Zingiber Officinale ◽  
Physiological Status ◽  
Total Body Fat ◽  
Total Body ◽  
Blood Profiles

<p>This study was aimed to evaluate the physiological status, blood profiles and body composition of sheep fed with Ca-saponified lemuru oil coated by herbs. Twenty fat-tailed sheep (av. BW 23±1.2 kg) were used in this experiment by using Completely Randomized Design with five treatments ration and four replications of each. Sheep fed with concentrate containing 3% Ca-saponified lemuru oil and king grass (1:1) ad libitum. Treatments were control diet without herbs (R1); Ca-saponified lemuru oil coated by curcumae domestica (R2); coated by Zingiber officinale Rosc (R3); coated by Eugenia polyantha (R4) and coated by Pluchea indica Less (R5). Data of physiological parameters were measured three times a day, in the morning, at noon and afternoon. Blood samples were collected at the end of the experiment through jugular vein, together with zero sample for Urea Space measurement. The variables observed were physiological data (heart rate, respiration rate, and rectal temperature), blood profiles (erythrocyte, hemoglobin, packed cell volume (PCV), leucocytes) and body composition (water, protein and fat) measured using Urea Space technique. Results of the study showed that sheep fed with Ca-saponified lemuru oil coated by herbs was not significantly different on heart rate, respiration rate and rectal temperature among treatments. Meanwhile, total leucocytes, neutrophil cell, and lymphocytes significantly increased (P&lt;0.05) by the treatment. Body composition percentage (water, protein and fat) were same in all treatments, except the total body fat and energy retained. In conclusion, supplementation of 3% Ca-saponified lemuru oil coated by Curcumae domestica, Zingiber officinale Rosc, Eugenia polyantha and Pluchea indica Less in fat-tailed sheep had no effect on physiological parameters, but improved the leucocyte and neutrophil cells. Total body fat and energy retained lower compared to control treatment.</p><p>(Key words: Body composition, Ca-saponified, Herbs, Lemuru oil, Urea space)</p>

scholarly journals Bearded pig (Sus barbatus) utilisation of a fragmented forest–oil palm landscape in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (8) ◽  
pp. 603 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kieran Love ◽  
David J. Kurz ◽  
Ian P. Vaughan ◽  
Alison Ke ◽  
Luke J. Evans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Oil Palm ◽  
Secondary Forest ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Wildlife Sanctuary ◽  
Good Body Condition ◽  
Minimum Group ◽  
Lower Kinabatangan ◽  
Malaysian Borneo

Context Oil palm plantations have become a dominant landscape in Southeast Asia, yet we still understand relatively little about the ways wildlife are adapting to fragmented mosaics of forest and oil palm. The bearded pig is of great ecological, social and conservation importance in Borneo and is declining in many parts of its range due to deforestation, habitat fragmentation and overhunting. Aims We assessed how the bearded pig is adapting to oil palm expansion by investigating habitat utilisation, activity patterns, body condition and minimum group size in a mosaic landscape composed of forest fragments and surrounding oil palm plantations. Methods We conducted our study in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, in and around the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, a protected area consisting of secondary forest fragments (ranging 1200–7400ha) situated within an extensive oil palm matrix. We modelled bearded pig habitat use in forest fragments and oil palm plantations using survey data from line transects. Camera traps placed throughout the forest fragments were used to assess pig activity patterns, body condition and minimum group size. Key results All forest transects and 80% of plantation transects showed pig presence, but mean pig signs per transect were much more prevalent in forest (70.00±13.00s.e.) than in plantations (0.91±0.42s.e.). Pig tracks had a positive relationship with leaf cover and a negative relationship with grass cover; pig rooting sites had a positive relationship with wet and moderate soils compared with drier soils. Ninety-five percent of pigs displayed ‘good’ or ‘very good’ body condition in forests across the study area. Pigs also aggregated in small groups (mean=2.7±0.1s.e. individuals), and showed largely diurnal activity patterns with peak activity taking place at dawn and dusk. Groups with piglets and juveniles were more active during the day and less active at night as compared to overall activity patterns for all groups. Conclusions Our findings suggest that bearded pigs in our study area regularly utilise oil palm as habitat, as indicated by their signs in most oil palm sites surveyed. However, secondary forest fragments are used much more frequently and for a wider range of behaviours (e.g. nesting, wallowing) than adjacent oil palm plantations. These forests clearly remain the most important habitat for the bearded pig in the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, and their protection is a high conservation priority for this species. Implications Consistent bearded pig presence in oil palm is potentially an indication of successful adaptation to agricultural expansion in the study area. The apparently good body condition displayed by the vast majority of pigs in our study likely results from year-round cross-border fruit subsidies from surrounding oil palm plantations. The consistent diurnal activity displayed by groups containing piglets and juveniles may indicate predator avoidance strategies, whereas the substantial nocturnal activity we observed by other groups could suggest fewer threats for larger individuals. However, the overall effects of oil palm expansion in the region on bearded pig population health, foraging ecology, and movement ecology remain unknown.A

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