Long-Term Determinants of Tuberculosis in the Ungulate Host Community of Doñana National Park

Animal tuberculosis (TB) is endemic in wild boar (Sus scrofa), red deer (Cervus elaphus), fallow deer (Dama dama) and cattle in south and central Spain. In order to clarify the processes that operate in the medium and long-term, we studied TB at the wildlife–livestock interface in Doñana National Park for 14 years (2006–2018) in relation to host density, stochastic factors (rainfall) and environmental features (e.g., aggregation points such as waterholes). Wild boar showed the highest prevalence of TB (76.7%), followed by red deer (42.5%), fallow deer (14.4%) and cattle (10.7%). We found evidence of relevant epidemiological processes which operate over the long-term and interact with host and community ecology. Interestingly, the effect of high wild boar population density on increased TB rates was mediated by sows, which could determine high incidence in young individuals already in maternal groups. Rainfall significantly determined a higher risk of TB in male red deer, probably mediated by sex-related differences in life history traits that determined more susceptibility and/or exposure in comparison to females. The positive association between the prevalence of TB in fallow deer and cattle may indicate significant interspecies transmission (in either direction) and/or similar exposure to risk factors mediated by ecological overlapping of grazing species. The identification of long-term drivers of TB provided evidence that its control in extensive pastoral systems can only be achieved by targeting all relevant hosts and integrating measures related to all the factors involved, such as: population abundance and the aggregation of wild and domestic ungulates, environmental exposure to mycobacteria, cattle testing and culling campaigns and adjustments of appropriate densities.

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Long-Term Determinants of the Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in a Wild Ungulate Community

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10122349 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. 2349

Author(s):

Patricia Barroso ◽

Ignacio García-Bocanegra ◽

Pelayo Acevedo ◽

Pablo Palencia ◽

Francisco Carro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Wild Boar ◽

Cervus Elaphus ◽

Red Deer ◽

Fallow Deer ◽

Host Community ◽

Doñana National Park ◽

Wild Ungulate ◽

Wild Host

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan which infects warm-blooded vertebrates, including humans, worldwide. In the present study, the epidemiology of T. gondii was studied in the wild ungulate host community (wild boar, red deer, and fallow deer) of Doñana National Park (DNP, south-western Spain) for 13 years (2005–2018). We assessed several variables which potentially operate in the medium and long-term (environmental features, population, and stochastic factors). Overall, the wild ungulate host community of DNP had high seroprevalence values of T. gondii (STG; % ± confidence interval (CI) 95%; wild boar (Sus scrofa) 39 ± 3.3, n = 698; red deer (Cervus elaphus) 30.7 ± 4.4, n = 423; fallow deer (Dama dama) 29.7 ± 4.2, n = 452). The complex interplay of hosts and ecological/epidemiological niches, together with the optimal climatic conditions for the survival of oocysts that converge in this area may favor the spread of the parasite in its host community. The temporal evolution of STG oscillated considerably, mostly in deer species. The relationships shown by statistical models indicated that several factors determined species patterns. Concomitance of effects among species, indicated that relevant drivers of risk operated at the community level. Our focus, addressing factors operating at broad temporal scale, allows showing their impacts on the epidemiology of T. gondii and its trends. This approach is key to understanding the epidemiology and ecology to T. gondii infection in wild host communities in a context where the decline in seroprevalence leads to loss of immunity in humans.

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ABOMASAL PARASITES IN WILD SYMPATRIC CERVIDS, RED DEER, CERVUS ELAPHUS AND FALLOW DEER, DAMA DAMA, FROM THREE LOCALITIES ACROSS CENTRAL AND WESTERN SPAIN: RELATIONSHIP TO HOST DENSITY AND PARK MANAGEMENT

Journal of Parasitology ◽

10.1645/ge-3376 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 90 (6) ◽

pp. 1378-1386 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Mónica Santín-Durán ◽

José M. Alunda ◽

Eric P. Hoberg ◽

Concepción de la Fuente

Keyword(s):

Cervus Elaphus ◽

Red Deer ◽

Host Density ◽

Fallow Deer ◽

Park Management ◽

Dama Dama ◽

Western Spain

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Leptospiral antibodies in Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus), fallow deer (Dama dama) and European wild boar (Sus scrofa) in Asturias, Northern Spain

The Veterinary Journal ◽

10.1016/j.tvjl.2008.10.003 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 183 (2) ◽

pp. 226-227 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Alberto Espí ◽

José Miguel Prieto ◽

Vanesa Alzaga

Keyword(s):

Wild Boar ◽

Cervus Elaphus ◽

Sus Scrofa ◽

Red Deer ◽

Fallow Deer ◽

Dama Dama ◽

Northern Spain ◽

Cervus Elaphus Hispanicus ◽

Iberian Red Deer ◽

European Wild Boar

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Composition of the wolf’s Canis lupus L. diet in the Wigry National Park

Forest Research Papers ◽

10.2478/frp-2018-0013 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 79 (2) ◽

pp. 119-124

Author(s):

Robert W. Mysłajek ◽

Sabina Nowak ◽

Maciej Romański ◽

Katarzyna Tołkacz

Keyword(s):

Wild Boar ◽

National Parks ◽

Cervus Elaphus ◽

Canis Lupus ◽

National Park ◽

Red Deer ◽

Roe Deer ◽

Capreolus Capreolus ◽

Natura 2000 ◽

Important Prey

Abstract The diet of wolves Canis lupus L. was assessed in the Wigry National Park in North-Eastern Poland, which overlaps with the Natura 2000 site “Ostoja Wigierska”. The content of a total of 149 scat samples was collected in 2017 and analysed in order to determine dietary composition. Wolves primarily feed on wild ungulates, which make up 75.4% of food biomass. Despite the fact that wild boar Sus scrofa L. and red deer Cervus elaphus L. dominate in the ungulate community in the study area, the primary prey species was observed to be roe deer Capreolus capreolus L. with 39.6%, while red deer and wild boar only constituted 18.7% and 8.3% of the food biomass, respectively. Additionally, beaver Castor fiber L. was found to be an important prey (10.9%) as well and livestock accounted for 15.1% of all biomass consumed. The livestock eaten by wolves also included carcasses of domestic animals illegally disposed of in the forest. We therefore conclude that decisions on the management of the wolf’s food base within protected areas, such as national parks or Natura 2000 sites, should be preceded by intensive local studies.

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Glycolytic potential and ultimate muscle pH values in red deer (Cervus elaphus) and fallow deer (Dama dama)

Rangifer ◽

10.7557/2.24.2.305 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 24 (2) ◽

pp. 87-94 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Eva Wiklund ◽

Timothy R. Manley ◽

Roger P. Littlejohn

Keyword(s):

Cervus Elaphus ◽

Muscle Glycogen ◽

Red Deer ◽

Glycogen Content ◽

Biceps Femoris ◽

Fallow Deer ◽

Dama Dama ◽

Triceps Brachii ◽

Total Glucose ◽

The Relationship

The ultimate pH value of meat (measured at approx. 24 hours post slaughter) gives information about the technological quality, i.e. shelf life, colour, water-holding properties and tenderness and is a direct consequence of muscle glycogen (energy) levels at slaughter. It may therefore also indicate whether or not the animal has been exposed to stressful energy depleting events prior to slaughter. In the present study, 141 animals (130 red deer (Cervus elaphus) and 11 fallow deer (Dama dama) were included to investigate the relationship between ultimate pH and residual glycogen concentration in red deer and fallow deer M. longissimus. In addition, the muscle glycogen content and ultimate pH values in three red deer muscles (Mm. triceps brachii, longissimus and biceps femoris) were studied. M. triceps brachii had higher ultimate pH and lower glycogen content compared with the other two studied muscles. The frequency of intermediate DFD (5.8≤ pH<6.2) was 5.4% in red deer M. longissimus, compared with 9.1% in fallow deer, while the frequency of DFD (pH≥ 6.2) was much lower in red deer (3.8%) than in fallow deer (54.5%). A curvilinear relationship between ultimate pH and total glucose concentration (glycogen and glucose) 30 min post slaughter in red deer and fallow deer M. longissimus was found. The relationship between muscle pH and lactic acid concentration however, was indicated to be linear. A significant variation in total glucose concentration at ultimate pH below 5.80 was observed, including values in the range from 18 to 123 mmol/kg wet tissue. It was concluded that further studies are needed to further explore the relationship between muscle glycogen content and technological and sensory quality attributes of meat from different deer species.Abstract in Swedish / Sammanfattning:Köttets pH-värde (mätt ca 24 timmar efter slakt) har stor betydelse för den teknologiska kvaliteten som t. ex. hållbarhet, färg, vattenhållande förmåga och mörhet. Glykogenförrådet (energinivån) i djurens muskulatur vid slakt är helt avgörande för köttets slutliga pH-värde. Därför kan pH-värdet också indikera om hanteringen av slaktdjur varit skonsam eller om stora mängder muskelenergi har förbrukats vid stress. I vår undersökning ingick 141 hjortar (130 kronhjortar (Cervus elaphus) och 11 dovhjortar (Dama dama) för att studera sambandet mellan köttets pH-värde och glykogeninnehållet i M. longissimus. Glykogeninnehåll och pH-värden i 3 muskler från kronhjort (Mm. triceps brachii, longissimus och biceps femoris) undersöktes också. M. triceps brachii hade högre pH-värde och lägre glykogeninnehåll jämfört med de två andra musklerna. Det var inte så stor skillnad i frekvensen av intermediär DFD (pH-värden mellan 5,8 og 6,2) mellan de två hjortarterna (5,4% för kronhjort och 9,1% för dovhjort), däremot var frekvensen av DFD (pH-värden över 6,2) mycket låg hos kronhjort (3,8%) jämfört med dovhjort (54,5%). Det fanns ett kurvlinjärt samband mellan slutligt pH-värde i köttet och total glukoskoncentration (glykogen + glukos) mätt i M. longissimus 30 min efter slakt för både kron- och dovhjort. Ett linjärt samband mellan pH-värde och koncentration av mjölksyra i M. longissimus kunde också visas. Vi fann en mycket stor varitation i glukoskoncentration (18−123 mmol/kg våtvikt) när köttets pH-värdet var 5,8 eller lägre. Det behövs fler undersökningar för att vidare klargöra sambanden mellan glykogeninnehåll i muskulaturen och teknologisk och sensorisk kvalitet i olika typer av hjortkött.

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ENDO PARASITES OF DANISH RED DEER (CERVUS ELAPHUS L.) AND OF DANISH FALLOW DEER (DAMA DAMA(L))

Proceedings of the First International Congress of Parasitology ◽

10.1016/b978-1-4832-2913-3.50367-1 ◽

1966 ◽

pp. 459-461

Author(s):

J.A. GUILDAL

Keyword(s):

Cervus Elaphus ◽

Red Deer ◽

Fallow Deer ◽

Dama Dama

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Some Remarks on Deer (Cervidae) in Ancient Egypt

The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology ◽

10.1177/030751338707300133 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 73 (1) ◽

pp. 238-243

Author(s):

Patrick F. Houlihan

Keyword(s):

Cervus Elaphus ◽

Red Deer ◽

Fallow Deer ◽

Ancient Egypt ◽

Dama Dama ◽

Naturally Occurring ◽

Dama Mesopotamica ◽

In The Wild

The evidence for deer (Cervidae) in ancient Egypt is reviewed briefly. The question of whether deer ever existed in the wild as an element of the Egyptian fauna, or were only known from rare exotic imports, cannot be conclusively answered yet. It is quite likely, however, based upon the records of the Egyptians themselves, that deer were native, whether naturally occurring or introduced. While the identification of the species depicted as the Persian Fallow Deer (Dama dama mesopotamica) is probably correct, the Barbary Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) remains a possibility.

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Cortisol levels in red deer (Cervus elaphus) and fallow deer (Dama dama) after an acute ACTH administration

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z93-317 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 71 (11) ◽

pp. 2258-2261 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

George A. Bubenik ◽

Ludek Bartos

Keyword(s):

Cervus Elaphus ◽

Intramuscular Injection ◽

Red Deer ◽

Fallow Deer ◽

Cortisol Concentration ◽

Evolutionary Adaptation ◽

Dama Dama ◽

Interindividual Differences ◽

Cortisol Levels ◽

June July

Cortisol levels were determined in seven 2.5-year-old male red deer (Cervus elaphus) and 8 yearling male fallow deer (Dama dama) after an acute intramuscular injection of 0, 10, or 40 international units (IU) of ACTH, administered in June, July, or August. In both species a highly significant increase in cortisol concentration was observed within the first hour after both doses of ACTH. At the end of the rapid cortisol elevation (60 min post ACTH) the response in both species was equal for the 10 and 40 IU doses. Average pretreatment levels were around 1–2 μg/100 mL; peak levels registered in red deer were around 10 μg/100 mL, and in fallow deer maximal concentrations reached around 8 μg/100 mL. Although all deer responded to ACTH, strong interindividual differences in intensity of cortisol elevation were detected. The extent of increase of blood cortisol levels in response to ACTH appears to be an evolutionary adaptation of various cervid species to their respective environmental conditions.

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