Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Bartonella Species Isolated from Wild Rodents in Japan

ABSTRACT Here, we describe for the first time the prevalence and genetic properties of Bartonella organisms in wild rodents in Japan. We captured 685 wild rodents throughout Japan (in 12 prefectures) and successfully isolated Bartonella organisms from 176 of the 685 rodents (isolation rate, 25.7%). Those Bartonella isolates were all obtained from the rodents captured in suburban areas (rate, 51.8%), but no organism was isolated from the animals captured in city areas. Sequence analysis of rpoB and gltA revealed that the Bartonella isolates obtained were classified into eight genetic groups, comprising isolates closely related to B. grahamii (A-I group), B. tribocorum and B. elizabethae (B-J group), B. tribocorum and B. rattimassiliensis (C-K group), B. rattimassiliensis (D-L group), B. phoceensis (F-N group), B. taylorii (G-O group), and probably two additional novel Bartonella species groups (E-M and H-P). B. grahamii, which is one of the potential causative agents of human neuroretinitis, was found to be predominant in Japanese rodents. In terms of the relationships between these Bartonella genetic groups and their rodent species, (i) the A-I, E-M, and H-P groups appear to be associated with Apodemus speciosus and Apodemus argenteus; (ii) the C-K, D-L, and F-N groups are likely implicated in Rattus rattus; (iii) the B-J group seems to be involved in Apodemus mice and R. rattus; and (iv) the G-O group is probably associated with A. speciosus and Clethrionomys voles. Furthermore, dual infections with two different genetic groups of bartonellae were found in A. speciosus and R. rattus. These findings suggest that the rodent in Japan might serve as a reservoir of zoonotic Bartonella infection.

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Rickettsia typhi IN RODENTS AND R. felis IN FLEAS IN YUCATÁN AS A POSSIBLE CAUSAL AGENT OF UNDEFINED FEBRILE CASES

Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo ◽

10.1590/s0036-46652015000200005 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 57 (2) ◽

pp. 129-132 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Gaspar PENICHE-LARA ◽

Karla DZUL-ROSADO ◽

Carlos PÉREZ-OSORIO ◽

Jorge ZAVALA-CASTRO

Keyword(s):

Rattus Rattus ◽

Conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽

Causal Agent ◽

Wild Rodents ◽

Murine Typhus ◽

Rickettsia Typhi ◽

Rickettsia Felis ◽

Vector Borne ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

First Time

Rickettsia typhi is the causal agent of murine typhus; a worldwide zoonotic and vector-borne infectious disease, commonly associated with the presence of domestic and wild rodents. Human cases of murine typhus in the state of Yucatán are frequent. However, there is no evidence of the presence of Rickettsia typhi in mammals or vectors in Yucatán. The presence of Rickettsia in rodents and their ectoparasites was evaluated in a small municipality of Yucatán using the conventional polymerase chain reaction technique and sequencing. The study only identified the presence of Rickettsia typhi in blood samples obtained from Rattus rattus and it reported, for the first time, the presence of R. felis in the flea Polygenis odiosus collected from Ototylomys phyllotis rodent. Additionally, Rickettsia felis was detected in the ectoparasite Ctenocephalides felis fleas parasitizing the wild rodent Peromyscus yucatanicus. This study’s results contributed to a better knowledge of Rickettsia epidemiology in Yucatán.

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Rodent-Borne Orthohantaviruses in Vietnam, Madagascar and Japan

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v13071343 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 1343

Author(s):

Fuka Kikuchi ◽

Kae Senoo ◽

Satoru Arai ◽

Kimiyuki Tsuchiya ◽

Nguyễn Trường Sơn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rattus Rattus ◽

Field Mouse ◽

Mammal Species ◽

Apodemus Speciosus ◽

Black Rat ◽

Chinese White ◽

Apodemus Argenteus ◽

Host Relationships ◽

Myodes Rufocanus ◽

Small Mammal Species

Hantaviruses are harbored by multiple small mammal species in Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. To ascertain the geographic distribution and virus-host relationships of rodent-borne hantaviruses in Japan, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Madagascar, RNAlater™-preserved lung tissues of 981 rodents representing 40 species, collected in 2011–2017, were analyzed for hantavirus RNA by RT-PCR. Our data showed Hantaan orthohantavirus Da Bie Shan strain in the Chinese white-bellied rat (Niviventer confucianus) in Vietnam, Thailand; orthohantavirus Anjo strain in the black rat (Rattus rattus) in Madagascar; and Puumala orthohantavirus Hokkaido strain in the grey-sided vole (Myodes rufocanus) in Japan. The Hokkaido strain of Puumala virus was also detected in the large Japanese field mouse (Apodemus speciosus) and small Japanese field mouse (Apodemus argenteus), with evidence of host-switching as determined by co-phylogeny mapping.

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Discovery of Systenus in the Afrotropical Region with a description of a new species (Diptera: Dolichopodidae)

Zoosystematica Rossica ◽

10.31610/zsr/2009.18.2.285 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 285-290

Author(s):

I.Ya. Grichanov ◽

M.B. Mostovski

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Key To Species ◽

Afrotropical Region ◽

Species Groups ◽

First Time ◽

A New Species

The genus Systenus Loew, 1857 is recorded from Afrotropical Region for the first time. A description of a new species, Systenus africanus Grichanov sp. nov., and notes on females of another probably new Afrotropical species are provided. The genus is considered now as cosmopolitan. A key to species and species groups of the Systenus worldwide is compiled.

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A revision of the genus Morphostenophanes Pic, 1925 (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae, Stenochiinae, Cnodalonini)

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.4769.1.1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4769 (1) ◽

pp. 1-81

Author(s):

DE-YAO ZHOU

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Identification Key ◽

New Subspecies ◽

Species Groups ◽

North Vietnam ◽

First Time ◽

Coleoptera Tenebrionidae

The genus Morphostenophanes Pic, 1925 is redefined and revised. Seventeen new species and three new subspecies are described, including M. aenescens yelang Zhou, new subspecies, M. bannaensis Zhou, new species, M. brevigaster Zhou, new species, M. chongli Zhou, new species, M. crassus Zhou, new species, M. furvus Zhou, new species, M. furvus weishanus Zhou, new subspecies, M. gaoligongensis Zhou, new species, M. iridescens Zhou, new species, M. lincangensis Zhou, new species, M. linglong Zhou, new species, M. metallicus Zhou, new species, M. minor, Zhou, new species, M. planus Zhou, new species, M. purpurascens Zhou, new species, M. sinicus Zhou, new species, and M. yunnanus Zhou, new species from Yunnan, China; M. chongli glaber Zhou, new subspecies from Yunnan, China and North Vietnam; M. curvitibialis Zhou, new species from Guangxi, China, and M. luoxiaoshanus Zhou, new species from Hunan, Hubei and Jiangxi, China. M. birmanicus (Kaszab, 1980) is recorded from China (Yunnan) for the first time. M. papillatus Kaszab, 1941 is firstly recorded from Yunnan and Sichuan, China. Two poorly known species, M. aenescens Pic, 1925 and M. vietnamicus Kaszab, 1980 are redescribed. Male of M. atavus (Kaszab, 1960) is described in detail. Misidentifications of M. aenescens Pic. 1925 and M. atavus (Kaszab, 1960) in previous works are corrected. Six species groups are proposed. A species catalog, identification key and distributional maps for the genus are given.

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Ant-like stone beetles on the roof of the world. Cephenniini of Nepal and Bhutan (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Scydmaeninae)

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.4349.1.1 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4349 (1) ◽

pp. 1 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

PAWEŁ JAŁOSZYŃSKI

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

The World ◽

Species Groups ◽

First Time ◽

The Himalaya ◽

Himalaya Mountains

The tribe Cephenniini is for the first time reported to occur in the Himalaya Mountains, and 58 species are described: Cephennomicrus arunensis sp. n., Cm. acupunctatus sp. n., Cm. taplejungensis sp. n., Hlavaciellus primitivus sp. n., Cephennodes (s. str.) cavifrons sp. n., C. (s. str.) pampinosus sp. n., C. (s. str.) bagmatianus sp. n., C. (s. str.) popeye sp. n., C. (s. str.) clavodentatus sp. n., C. (s. str.) meredaranus sp. n., C. (s. str.) yangrianus sp. n., C. (s. str.) suturalis sp. n., C. (s. str.) karnaliensis sp. n., C. (s. str.) churtanus sp. n., C. (s. str.) sermathangensis sp. n., C. (s. str.) tipulipes sp. n., C. (s. str.) yeti sp. n., C. (s. str.) inflaticornis sp. n., C. (s. str.) dolakhanus sp. n., C. (s. str.) manangensis sp. n., C. (s. str.) martensi sp. n., C. (s. str.) paramartensi sp. n., C. (s. str.) monolaminatus sp. n., C. (s. str.) thakanus sp. n., C. (s. str.) annapurnaensis sp. n., C. (s. str.) parbatensis sp. n., C. (s. str.) letheanus sp. n., C. (s. str.) myagdiensis sp. n., C. (s. str.) malla sp. n., C. (s. str.) gorkha sp. n., C. (s. str.) tharepatianus sp. n., C. (s. str.) minisulcatus sp. n., C. (s. str.) mustangensis sp. n., C. (s. str.) lalitpuranus sp. n., C. (s. str.) paralalitpuranus sp. n., C. (s. str.) bahrabisensis sp. n., C. (s. str.) bilaminatus sp. n., C. (s. str.) ghorepanianus sp. n., C. (s. str.) cordilaminatus sp. n., C. (s. str.) mangmayanus sp. n. C. (s. str.) bilobatus sp. n., C. (s. str.) gokarnaensis sp. n., C. (s. str.) pseudogokarnaensis sp. n., C. (s. str.) mahisapala sp. n., C. (s. str.) licchavi sp. n., C. (s. str.) gopala sp. n., C. (s. str.) paniporuanus sp. n., C. (s. str.) brachyclavatus sp. n., C. (s. str.) phulchokianus sp. n., C. (s. str.) pokharensis sp. n., C. (s. str.) newar sp. n., C. (s. str.) kusunda sp. n., C. (s. str.) sindhupalchowk sp. n., C. (s. str.) furcatus sp. n., C. (s. str.) penicillipes sp. n., C. (s. str.) sulcatus sp. n., C. (s. str.) kalopanianus sp. n., and C. (s. str.) poonensis sp. n. Cephennodes popeye occurs in Bhutan; all remaining species inhabit Nepal. Four new species groups are established in Cephennodes, and a checklist of all Cephennodes species placed in species groups is given. The presumably plesiomorphic morphological structures of H. primitivus are discussed, and comparative notes on the Himalayan Cephenniini fauna are presented.

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Genetic and Antigenic Characterization of Avian Avulavirus Type 6 (AAvV-6) Circulating in Canadian Wild Birds (2005–2017)

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v13040543 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 543

Author(s):

Tamiko Hisanaga ◽

Catherine Soos ◽

Nicola Lewis ◽

Oliver Lung ◽

Matthew Suderman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Symptoms ◽

Fusion Gene ◽

Full Genome ◽

Genome Sequences ◽

Viral Shedding ◽

Genetic Groups ◽

Antigenic Characterization ◽

Specific Pathogen ◽

First Time

We describe for the first time the genetic and antigenic characterization of 18 avian avulavirus type-6 viruses (AAvV-6) that were isolated from wild waterfowl in the Americas over the span of 12 years. Only one of the AAvV-6 viruses isolated failed to hemagglutinate chicken red blood cells. We were able to obtain full genome sequences of 16 and 2 fusion gene sequences from the remaining 2 isolates. This is more than double the number of full genome sequences available at the NCBI database. These AAvV-6 viruses phylogenetically grouped into the 2 existing AAvV-6 genotype subgroups indicating the existence of an intercontinental epidemiological link with other AAvV-6 viruses isolated from migratory waterfowl from different Eurasian countries. Antigenic maps made using HI assay data for these isolates showed that the two genetic groups were also antigenically distinct. An isolate representing each genotype was inoculated in specific pathogen free (SPF) chickens, however, no clinical symptoms were observed. A duplex fusion gene based real-time assay for the detection and genotyping of AAvV-6 to genotype 1 and 2 was developed. Using the developed assay, the viral shedding pattern in the infected chickens was examined. The chickens infected with both genotypes were able to shed the virus orally for about a week, however, no significant cloacal shedding was detected in chickens of both groups. Chickens in both groups developed detectable levels of anti-hemagglutinin antibodies 7 days after infection.

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Study of the genus Meleonoma Meyrick, 1914 (Lepidoptera: Autostichidae) from China (III), with descriptions of eighteen new species

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.4995.2.5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4995 (2) ◽

pp. 303-333

Author(s):

SHUXIA WANG ◽

XIAOJU ZHU ◽

ZHULIN TAO

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Species Group ◽

Group A ◽

Species Groups ◽

First Time

Eighteen new species of the genus Meleonoma Meyrick are described: M. arcivalvata sp. nov., M. chongqingensis sp. nov., M. curvativa sp. nov., M. curvitaeniana sp. nov., M. dilatifasciata sp. nov., M. fasciptera sp. nov., M. globoidea sp. nov., M. graciliclavata sp. nov., M. grandivalvula sp. nov., M. lunata sp. nov., M. medispinea sp. nov., M. proapicalis sp. nov., M. raphidacantha sp. nov., M. sinuaclavata sp. nov., M. tenuiclavata sp. nov., M. tetrodonta sp. nov. M. ventridentata sp. nov. and M. ventrisinuata sp. nov. The female of M. similifloralis (Wang, 2006) is described for the first time. Images of both adults and genitalia are provided. All species are divided into two species-groups, the dentivalvata species-group and the fasciptera species-group. A key to each group and maps showing the distribution of each group in China are given.

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Introduced predators and cavity-nesting seabirds: unexpected low level of interaction at breeding sites

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z08-070 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 86 (9) ◽

pp. 1068-1073 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

L. Ruffino ◽

K. Bourgeois ◽

E. Vidal ◽

J. Icard ◽

F. Torre ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rattus Rattus ◽

Breeding Cycle ◽

Mediterranean Islands ◽

Breeding Sites ◽

Low Level ◽

Black Rat ◽

Cavity Nesting ◽

Introduced Predators ◽

Puffinus Yelkouan ◽

First Time

The mechanisms by which introduced predators and long-lived seabirds interact and even coexist are still poorly known. Here, the interactions between the widely introduced black rat ( Rattus rattus (L., 1758)) and an endemic Mediterranean cavity-nesting seabird, the yelkouan shearwater ( Puffinus yelkouan (Acerbi, 1827)), were for the first time investigated for a set of 60 suitable breeding cavities throughout the entire breeding cycle of this seabird. Our results pointed out that rat visits to cavities were significantly higher when shearwaters had left the colony for their interbreeding exodus. Among the set of suitable breeding cavities, yelkouan shearwaters preferentially selected the deepest and the most winding cavities for breeding. Very few rat visits were recorded at the shearwater-occupied cavities and no predation event was recorded. These intriguing results reveal a low level of interaction between introduced black rats and yelkouan shearwaters, which may have facilitated their long-term coexistence for thousands of years on some Mediterranean islands.

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DESCRIPTIONS AND OBSERVATIONS ON HOST ASSOCIATIONS OF SOME LARVAL ARRENUROIDEA (PROSTIGMATA: PARASITENGONA), WITH COMMENTS ON PHYLOGENY IN THE SUPERFAMILY

The Canadian Entomologist ◽

10.4039/ent110957-9 ◽

1978 ◽

Vol 110 (9) ◽

pp. 957-1001 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Ian M. Smith

Keyword(s):

Species Groups ◽

First Time ◽

Host Associations

AbstractLarvae of 13 species representing eight genera and seven families of Arrenuroidea are described, including those of Momonia marciae Habeeb, Midea expansa Marshall, Midea alaris Young (? = M. determina Marshall), Laversia berulophila Cook, Mideopsis (s.s.) crassipes Soar, Mideopsis (s.s.) borealis Habeeb, Mideopsis (s.s.) marshallae Cook, and Mideopsis (Xystonotus) aspera (Wolcott) for the first time. Diagnoses and keys are provided for the genera, subgenera, and species groups involved. Information on host associations is given for each species. Observations on morphology and host associations of these larvae provide the basis for an original, though preliminary, outline of phylogeny in the superfamily.

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Revision of the pollen beetle genus Meligethes (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae)

Fragmenta Entomologica ◽

10.4081/fe.2014.71 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 46 (1-2) ◽

pp. 19 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Paolo Audisio ◽

Simone Sabatelli ◽

Josef Jelìnek

Keyword(s):

Taxonomic Revision ◽

Central China ◽

Pollen Beetle ◽

Sw China ◽

Species Complexes ◽

Western Palearctic ◽

Specific Rank ◽

Species Groups ◽

Available Information ◽

First Time

A taxonomic revision of members of the genus Meligethes Stephens, 1830 is carried out. Taxonomic and distributional notes are provided on fiftythree Meligethes species, mostly known from the Eastern Palearctic and marginally from the Western Palearctic and the Oriental Regions. Among these, twentythree new species of Meligethes are diagnosed, figured and described: M. argentithorax sp. n. (Central China: Shaanxi, Shanxi), M. aurantirugosus sp. n. (Nepal), M. aureolineatus sp. n. (Central China: Sichuan), M. aurifer sp. n. (Central China: Shaanxi, Shanxi), M. brassicogethoides sp. n. (SW China: Yunnan), M. clinei sp. n. (SW China: Yunnan), M. elytralis sp. n. (Central China: Sichuan), M. ferruginoides sp. n. (Central China: Sichuan), M. cinereoargenteus sp. n. (Central China: Sichuan), M. henan sp. n. (Central China: Henan), M. luteoornatus sp. n. (SW China: Yunnan), M. marmota sp. n. (Nepal), M. nivalis sp. n. (SW and central China: Xizang and Chongqing), M. martes sp. n. (Central China: Shaanxi, Shanxi, Sichuan), M. nigroaeneus sp. n. (SW China: Yunnan), M. occultus sp. n. (SW China: Yunnan), M. pseudochinensis sp. n. (Central China: Hubei), M. pseudopectoralis sp. n. (SW China: Yunan), M. schuelkei sp. n. (Central China: Sichuan, Shaanxi), M. simulator sp. n. (Central-N China: Shanxi), M. stenotarsus sp. n. (SW China: Yunnan, Xizang), M. tryznai sp. n. (SW China: Yunnan), and M. volkovichi sp. n. (SW China: Yunnan). Revaluations at specific rank from synonymy are introduced for Meligethes lutra Solsky 1860, and for M. melleus Grouvelle, 1908. Three new synonymies are established: Meligethes brevipilus Kirejtshuk, 1980 = M. auripilis Reitter, 1889 (syn. n.), Meligethes zakharenkoi Kirejtshuk, 2005 = M. shirakii Sadanari Hisamatsu, 1956 (syn. n.), and Meligethes shirozui Sadanari Hisamatsu, 1965 = M. wagneri Rebmann, 1956 (syn. n.). Complete redescriptions are given for Meligethes binotatus Grouvelle, 1894, M. castanescens Grouvelle, 1903, M. ferrugineus Reitter, 1873, and M. melleus Grouvelle, 1908. The male of Meligethes lloydi Easton, 1968, is described and figured for the first time. The female genitalia of Meligethes auricomus Rebmann, 1956, M. cinereus Jelínek, 1978, and M. griseus Jelínek, 1978 are described and figured for the first time. Available information on insect-host-plant relationships and ecology are summarized for each species; probably all are associated as larvae with flowers of Rosaceae, chiefly of members of the closely related genera Rosa L., Rubus L., Prunus L., and Crataegus Tourn. ex L. All treated species are grouped in two here revaluated subgenera (Meligethes s.str. and Odonthogethes Reitter, 1871), and tentatively grouped also in species-groups and (when necessary) species-complexes, based on their morphology.

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