Characterization of Triatomine Bloodmeal Sources Using Direct Sanger Sequencing and Amplicon Deep Sequencing Methods

Abstract Knowledge of host associations of blood-feeding vectors may afford insights into managing disease systems and protecting public health. However, the ability of methods to distinguish bloodmeal sources varies widely. We used two methods—Sanger sequencing and amplicon deep sequencing—to target a 228 bp region of the vertebrate CYTB gene and determine hosts fed upon by triatomines (n = 115) collected primarily in Texas, USA. Direct sanger sequencing of PCR amplicons was successful for 36 samples (31%). Sanger sequencing revealed 15 distinct host species, which included humans, domestic animals (Canis lupus familiaris, Ovis aries, Gallus gallus, Bos taurus, Felis catus, and Capra hircus), wildlife (Rattus rattus, Bufo nebulifer, Sciurus carolinensis, Sciurus niger, Odocoileus virginianus), and captive animals (Panthera tigris, Colobus spp., Chelonoidis carbonarius). Samples sequenced by the Sanger method were also subjected to Illumina MiSeq amplicon deep sequencing. The amplicon deep sequencing results (average of 302,080 usable reads per sample) replicated the host community revealed using Sanger sequencing, and detected additional hosts in five triatomines (13.9%), including two additional blood sources (Procyon lotor, Bassariscus astutus). Up to four bloodmeal sources were detected in a single triatomine (Bufo nebulifer, Homo sapiens, Canis lupus familiaris, and Sciurus carolinensis). Enhanced understanding of vector-host-parasite networks may allow for integrated vector management programs focusing on highly-utilized and highly-infected host species.

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The case for case studies: A new approach to evaluating the effectiveness of livestock protection tools

California Fish and Wildlife Journal ◽

10.51492/cfwj.hwisi.3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 107 (3) ◽

pp. 173-183

Author(s):

Dan Macon ◽

Carolyn Whitesell

Keyword(s):

Case Studies ◽

Canis Lupus ◽

Ovis Aries ◽

Canis Lupus Familiaris ◽

New Approach ◽

Carnivore Species ◽

Private And Public ◽

Ranch Management ◽

Questionnaire Surveys ◽

Structured Questionnaire

Livestock operations in California face livestock losses due to a range of carnivore species. Simultaneously, there is an increased call to reduce the use of lethal predator control methods and replace them with nonlethal methods. Livestock guardian dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) are one such nonlethal livestock protection tool (LPT), yet research is still lacking on the factors and situations that impact their effectiveness. Using three case studies, we demonstrate the value of objective analyses that explicitly address the inherent differences in ranch management, environment, and surrounding land uses in examining livestock guardian dogs as an LPT. We used semi-structured questionnaire surveys of livestock operators to collect information on effectiveness, behavior, and producer satisfaction of LGDs protecting poultry (Gallus gallus domesticus), calves (Bovus taurus), and sheep (Ovis aries) on private and public land and in conjunction with a variety of other livestock protection tools. We aimed to address all aspects related to the use of LGDs as a means of informing livestock operators’ decisions on whether LGDs are an appropriate tool for a particular operation. The case studies demonstrated the complexities involved in applying LGDs as a LPT within the context of a livestock operation. In two of the three case studies, LGDs did not entirely eliminate livestock losses yet operator satisfaction remained high.

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Status and management of the Palila, an endangered Hawaiian honeycreeper, 1987-1996

Pacific Conservation Biology ◽

10.1071/pc980330 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 330 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Thane K. Pratt ◽

Paul C. Banko ◽

Steven G. Fancy ◽

Gerald D. Lindsey ◽

James D. Jacobi

Keyword(s):

Survival Rates ◽

Rattus Rattus ◽

Ovis Aries ◽

Capra Hircus ◽

Mosquito Vector ◽

Mammalian Predators ◽

Asio Flammeus ◽

Annual Population ◽

Principal Factors ◽

Captive Propagation

A single, relictual population of Palila Loxioides bailleui, a Hawaiian honeycreeper, survives on the slopes of Mauna Kea volcano on the island of Hawai'i, where it feeds principally on flowers and green seeds of the mamane tree Sophora chrysophylla. The Palila was listed as an endangered species by state and federal governments because of continuing damage to its habitat by browsing Feral and Mouflon Sheep Ovis aries and O. musimon and Goats Capra hircus and because of the bird's restricted range and low numbers. Ecology of the Palila was studied from 1987 to 1996. Annual population estimates fluctuated between 1 600 and 5 700 and averaged 3 400 birds. Estimates varied with availability of mamane seeds, which are less abundant in drought years. In drought years, most birds did not attempt to breed, and survival rates were lower because of a shortage of food. Availability of mamane seeds also showed large seasonal variability. While some nests were preyed upon by Owls Asio flammeus, Cats Felis catus and Rats Rattus rattus, losses were high at the end of the season from unexplained death of eggs and chicks. Genetic studies did not implicate inbreeding depression. Neither avian malaria nor avian pox appeared at this site, where the mosquito vector was absent. However, weather and food shortage worsened towards the end of the nesting season. Availability of food and habitat remain the principal factors limiting increase in the Palila population. Recovery efforts now focus on reducing numbers of feral ungulates, fire management, removing mammalian predators, and developing techniques for captive propagation and introduction to currently unoccupied sites within the bird's former range. Reforestation adjacent to the Mauna Kea Forest Reserve would allow the Palila population to expand and grow.

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Forest without prey: livestock sustain a leopard Panthera pardus population in Pakistan

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605313001026 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 49 (2) ◽

pp. 248-253 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

Wasim Shehzad ◽

Muhammad Ali Nawaz ◽

François Pompanon ◽

Eric Coissac ◽

Tiayyba Riaz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bos Taurus ◽

Human Life ◽

Domestic Animals ◽

Ovis Aries ◽

Diet Analysis ◽

Domestic Dog ◽

Capra Hircus ◽

Generalist Predator ◽

Panthera Pardus ◽

Canis Lupus Familiaris

AbstractHuman–carnivore conflict is one of the major challenges in the management of populations of large carnivores. Concerns include the increasing human population; habitat loss as a result of degradation and fragmentation of forest; and livestock predation as a result of a lack of natural prey, leading to retaliatory killings of wild carnivores. Conflicts may be further aggravated by occasional attacks that result in injury and loss of human life. The level of consumption of prey species by a predator is a benchmark to evaluate the scale of this conflict. We used a newly developed DNA-based diet analysis to study the prey profile of common leopards Panthera pardus in Ayubia National Park, Pakistan. The results suggest that the common leopard is a generalist predator, subsisting mainly on domestic animals. Based on the frequency of occurrence of prey items in 57 faecal samples, the diet of the leopard is dominated by domestic goat Capra hircus (64.9%), followed by domestic dog Canis lupus familiaris (17.5%) and cow Bos taurus (12.3%). Domestic animals (goat, dog, cow, water buffalo Bubalus bubalis, horse Equus caballus and sheep Ovis aries) occurred in 54 (95%) of the 57 samples. We recommend a two-step strategy to mitigate this conflict: (1) introducing incentives for increased acceptance of leopards among local communities in the vicinity of the protected area and (2) increasing the availability of wild prey. We hope that the results of this study will contribute to the survival of the leopard in Pakistan.

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Transcriptome-Wide Comparative Analysis of microRNA Profiles in the Telogen Skins of Liaoning Cashmere Goats (Capra hircus) and Fine-Wool Sheep (Ovis aries) by Solexa Deep Sequencing

DNA and Cell Biology ◽

10.1089/dna.2015.3161 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 35 (11) ◽

pp. 696-705 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Jianping Li ◽

HaiE Qu ◽

Huaizhi Jiang ◽

Zhihui Zhao ◽

Qiaoling Zhang

Keyword(s):

Comparative Analysis ◽

Deep Sequencing ◽

Ovis Aries ◽

Capra Hircus ◽

Cashmere Goats ◽

Solexa Deep Sequencing

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Genetic variability of Haemonchus contortus (Nematoda: Trichostrongyloidea) in alpine ruminant host species

Journal of Helminthology ◽

10.1017/s0022149x09990587 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 84 (3) ◽

pp. 276-283 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

M.C. Cerutti ◽

C.V. Citterio ◽

C. Bazzocchi ◽

S. Epis ◽

S. D'Amelio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Variability ◽

Host Species ◽

Haemonchus Contortus ◽

Roe Deer ◽

Capreolus Capreolus ◽

Ovis Aries ◽

Internal Transcribed Spacers ◽

Capra Hircus ◽

Mitochondrial Haplotype ◽

Wild Ruminants

AbstractGenetic variability of the ovine parasite Haemonchus contortus from the Alpine area was investigated using mitochondrial DNA (nd4 gene), internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2 and microsatellites, in order to assess whether cross-transmission between domestic and wild ruminants occurs. The dataset was composed of 78 individual adult male H. contortus collected from chamois (Rupicapra r. rupicapra), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), alpine ibex (Capra ibex ibex), domestic goat (Capra hircus) and sheep (Ovis aries) from different alpine areas. The data obtained show low host specificity and high genetic variation within H. contortus populations. The analyses indicate the presence of two mitochondrial haplotype clusters among host species and the absence of cryptic parasite species, confirming H. contortus as a generalist nematode and suggesting that parasite transmission between populations of domestic and wild ruminants normally occurs.

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