scholarly journals EVIDENCE FOR CHRONIC STRESS IN CAPTIVE BUT NOT FREE-RANGING CHEETAHS (ACINONYX JUBATUS) BASED ON ADRENAL MORPHOLOGY AND FUNCTION

2004 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 259-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen A. Terio ◽  
Laurie Marker ◽  
Linda Munson
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Stress ◽  
Acinonyx Jubatus ◽  
And Function ◽  
Free Ranging

scholarly journals Reference intervals for selected serum biochemistry analytes in cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus)

2016 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gavin C. Hudson-Lamb ◽  
Johan P. Schoeman ◽  
Emma H. Hooijberg ◽  
Sonja K. Heinrich ◽  
Adrian S.W. Tordiffe
Keyword(s):  
Bootstrap Method ◽  
Parametric Method ◽  
Serum Biochemistry ◽  
Reference Intervals ◽  
Dietary Factors ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Baseline Serum ◽  
Acinonyx Jubatus ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Non Parametric

Published haematologic and serum biochemistry reference intervals are very scarce for captive cheetahs and even more for free-ranging cheetahs. The current study was performed to establish reference intervals for selected serum biochemistry analytes in cheetahs. Baseline serum biochemistry analytes were analysed from 66 healthy Namibian cheetahs. Samples were collected from 30 captive cheetahs at the AfriCat Foundation and 36 free-ranging cheetahs from central Namibia. The effects of captivity-status, age, sex and haemolysis score on the tested serum analytes were investigated. The biochemistry analytes that were measured were sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride, urea and creatinine. The 90% confidence interval of the reference limits was obtained using the non-parametric bootstrap method. Reference intervals were preferentially determined by the non-parametric method and were as follows: sodium (128 mmol/L – 166 mmol/L), potassium (3.9 mmol/L – 5.2 mmol/L), magnesium (0.8 mmol/L – 1.2 mmol/L), chloride (97 mmol/L – 130 mmol/L), urea (8.2 mmol/L – 25.1 mmol/L) and creatinine (88 µmol/L – 288 µmol/L). Reference intervals from the current study were compared with International Species Information System values for cheetahs and found to be narrower. Moreover, age, sex and haemolysis score had no significant effect on the serum analytes in this study. Separate reference intervals for captive and free-ranging cheetahs were also determined. Captive cheetahs had higher urea values, most likely due to dietary factors. This study is the first to establish reference intervals for serum biochemistry analytes in cheetahs according to international guidelines. These results can be used for future health and disease assessments in both captive and free-ranging cheetahs.

Genetic characterization of feline parvovirus sequences from various carnivores

Microbiology ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
pp. 345-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Steinel ◽  
L. Munson ◽  
M. van Vuuren ◽  
U. Truyen
Keyword(s):  
Interspecies Transmission ◽  
Panthera Tigris ◽  
Acinonyx Jubatus ◽  
Feline Panleukopenia Virus ◽  
Siberian Tiger ◽  
Carnivore Species ◽  
Feline Parvovirus ◽  
Enteritis Virus ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
First Time

Infections with viruses of the feline parvovirus subgroup such as feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), mink enteritis virus (MEV) and canine parvovirus (CPV-2) [together with its new antigenic types (CPV-2a, CPV-2b)] have been reported from several wild carnivore species. To examine the susceptibility of different species to the various parvoviruses and their antigenic types, samples from wild carnivores with acute parvovirus infections were collected. Viral DNA was amplified, and subsequently analysed, from faeces or formalin-fixed small intestines from an orphaned bat-eared fox (Otocyon megalotis), a free-ranging honey badger (Mellivora capensis), six captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus), a captive Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) and a free-ranging African wild cat (Felis lybica). Parvovirus infection in bat-eared fox and honey badger was demonstrated for the first time. FPV-sequences were detected in tissues of the African wild cat and in faeces of one cheetah and the honey badger, whereas CPV-2b sequences were found in five cheetahs and the bat-eared fox. The Siberian tiger (from a German zoo) was infected with a CPV-type 2a virus. This distribution of feline parvovirus antigenic types in captive large cats suggests an interspecies transmission from domestic dogs. CPV-2 sequences were not detected in any of the specimens and no sequences with features intermediate between FPV and CPV were found in any of the animals examined.

scholarly journals Free-ranging dogs as a potential threat to Iranian mammals

Oryx ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Danial Nayeri ◽  
Alireza Mohammadi ◽  
Ali T. Qashqaei ◽  
Abi Tamim Vanak ◽  
Matthew E. Gompper
Keyword(s):  
Lynx Lynx ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Eurasian Lynx ◽  
Acinonyx Jubatus ◽  
Wildlife Species ◽  
News Websites ◽  
Media Reports ◽  
Policy Guidance ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Free-ranging domestic dogs Canis familiaris threaten wildlife species through predation, hybridization, competition for resources, and by contributing to the transmission of pathogens. The impacts of predation may be problematic, but in many regions the interactions of free-ranging dogs and wildlife are poorly studied. To determine the extent of the impacts of attacks by free-ranging dogs on Iranian mammals, we reviewed nearly 2 decades of social and traditional media reports and the scientific literature to gather data from across the country. We identified 160 free-ranging dog attacks (79 from academic articles, 14 from social media, and 67 from a variety of news websites) from 22 of the country's 31 provinces. Attacks by dogs were reported on 17 species, including nine Carnivora, six Artiodactyla, one Rodentia, and one Lagomorpha species. Most of the reported attacks on carnivores were on felids, including the Asiatic cheetah Acinonyx jubatus (n = 19), Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx (n = 18), caracal Caracal caracal (n = 10) and Pallas's cat Otocolobus manul (n = 8). Attacks on Artiodactyla were primarily reported for goitered gazelle Gazella subgutturosa (n = 47). Most of these attacks occurred within or adjacent to protected areas (n = 116, 73%), suggesting that free-ranging dogs are one of the most important human-associated threats to wildlife species even in protected landscapes. The impact of free-ranging dogs may be hampering conservation, and therefore we suggest some practical policy guidance for managing the impacts of free-ranging dogs on threatened species.

scholarly journals Cryptococcus neoformans granuloma in the lung and spinal cord of a free-ranging cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus). A clinical report and literature review : clinical communication

2005 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
I.R. Millward ◽  
M.C. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽  
Acute Onset ◽  
Clinical Report ◽  
Clinical Communication ◽  
Leukaemia Virus ◽  
Acinonyx Jubatus ◽  
Potential Pathogen ◽  
The Right ◽  
Free Ranging

A 6-year-old, male, wild-born, free-ranging cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) was evaluated for acute onset of progressive lameness in the right hind limb. Survey radiographs were unrewarding and myelography indicated an intramedullary compressive mass at the L3-L4 region. A fine needle aspirate of the lesion indicated the presence of Cryptococcus organisms. Necropsy confirmed the presence of granulomas (cryptococcoma) in the lung and the spinal cord (meningomyelitis) caused by Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii. Cryptococcus neoformans is a yeast-like organism that is a potential pathogen to many species. Initial infection is thought to be of respiratory origin and then it commonly disseminates systemically from the nasal cavity or lungs to the skin, eyes and central nervous system in particular. The cheetah tested negative for both feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), as have all the previously reported cheetah cases. C. neoformans is a non-contagious, opportunistic organism and is the most common systemic mycoses in domestic cats and the cheetah.

scholarly journals Corticosterone mediates the synaptic and behavioral effects of chronic stress at rat hippocampal temporoammonic synapses

2015 ◽  
Vol 114 (3) ◽  
pp. 1713-1724 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark D. Kvarta ◽  
Keighly E. Bradbrook ◽  
Hannah M. Dantrassy ◽  
Aileen M. Bailey ◽  
Scott M. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Memory ◽  
Chronic Stress ◽  
Glutamate Receptor ◽  
Memory Consolidation ◽  
Emotional Processing ◽  
Emotional Behavior ◽  
Synthesis Inhibitor ◽  
Excitatory Strength ◽  
Brain Structure And Function ◽  
And Function

Chronic stress is thought to impart risk for depression via alterations in brain structure and function, but contributions of specific mediators in generating these changes remain unclear. We test the hypothesis that stress-induced increases in corticosterone (CORT), the primary rodent glucocorticoid, are the key mediator of stress-induced depressive-like behavioral changes and synaptic dysfunction in the rat hippocampus. In rats, we correlated changes in cognitive and affective behavioral tasks (spatial memory consolidation, anhedonia, and neohypophagia) with impaired excitatory strength at temporoammonic-CA1 (TA-CA1) synapses, an archetypical stress-sensitive excitatory synapse. We tested whether elevated CORT was sufficient and necessary to generate a depressive-like behavioral phenotype and decreased excitatory signaling observed at TA-CA1 after chronic unpredictable stress (CUS). Chronic CORT administration induced an anhedonia-like behavioral state and neohypophagic behavior. Like CUS, chronic, but not acute, CORT generated an impaired synaptic phenotype characterized by reduced α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA)-preferring glutamate receptor-mediated excitation at TA-CA1 synapses, decreased AMPA-type glutamate receptor subunit 1 protein expression, and altered serotonin-1B receptor-mediated potentiation. Repeatedly blunting stress-induced increases of CORT during CUS with the CORT synthesis inhibitor metyrapone (MET) prevented these stress-induced neurobehavioral changes. MET also prevented the CUS-induced impairment of spatial memory consolidation. We conclude that corticosterone is sufficient and necessary to mediate glutamatergic dysfunction underlying stress-induced synaptic and behavioral phenotypes. Our results indicate that chronic excessive glucocorticoids cause specific synaptic deficits in the hippocampus, a major center for cognitive and emotional processing, that accompany stress-induced behavioral dysfunction. Maintaining excitatory strength at stress-sensitive synapses at key loci throughout corticomesolimbic reward circuitry appears critical for maintaining normal cognitive and emotional behavior.

scholarly journals Isolation ofBartonella henselae, Bartonella koehleraesubsp.koehlerae, Bartonella koehleraesubsp.bothieriand a new subspecies ofB. koehleraefrom free-ranging lions (Panthera leo) from South Africa, cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) from Namibia and captive cheetahs from California

2016 ◽  
Vol 144 (15) ◽  
pp. 3237-3243 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. MOLIA ◽  
R. W. KASTEN ◽  
M. J. STUCKEY ◽  
H. J. BOULOUIS ◽  
J. ALLEN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Lynx Rufus ◽  
Panthera Leo ◽  
Emerging Pathogens ◽  
Acinonyx Jubatus ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
New Subspecies ◽  
Felis Concolor ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Free Ranging

SUMMARYBartonellae are blood- and vector-borne Gram-negative bacteria, recognized as emerging pathogens. Whole-blood samples were collected from 58 free-ranging lions (Panthera leo) in South Africa and 17 cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) from Namibia. Blood samples were also collected from 11 cheetahs (more than once for some of them) at the San Diego Wildlife Safari Park. Bacteria were isolated from the blood of three (5%) lions, one (6%) Namibian cheetah and eight (73%) cheetahs from California. The lionBartonellaisolates were identified asB. henselae(two isolates) andB. koehleraesubsp.koehlerae. The Namibian cheetah strain was close but distinct from isolates from North American wild felids and clustered betweenB. henselaeandB. koehlerae. It should be considered as a new subspecies ofB. koehlerae. All the Californian semi-captive cheetah isolates were different fromB. henselaeorB. koehleraesubsp.koehleraeand from the Namibian cheetah isolate. They were also distinct from the strains isolated from Californian mountain lions (Felis concolor) and clustered with strains ofB. koehleraesubsp.bothieriisolated from free-ranging bobcats (Lynx rufus) in California. Therefore, it is likely that these captive cheetahs became infected by an indigenous strain for which bobcats are the natural reservoir.

Review of self-initiated behaviors of free-ranging cetaceans directed towards human swimmers and waders during open water encounters

2010 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 442-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Scheer
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Whale Watching ◽  
Human Behaviors ◽  
Research Designs ◽  
And Function ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Comparability Of Results

Open water encounters of swimming and wading humans with wild cetaceans have increased worldwide. Behaviors being self-initiated by cetaceans during encounters and addressed towards humans still have received little study and their structure and function mostly remain unclear. This study reviews the scientific literature describing such behaviors. Unhabituated, habituated, lone and sociable and food-provisioned cetaceans from 10 odontocete and one mysticeti species were reported to show altogether 53 different behaviors which were affi liative (33 behaviors), aggressive/threatening (18) and sexual (2) in nature. Behaviors are listed in an ethogram. Due to varying research designs, observational biases cannot be excluded and comparability of results is sometimes hindered. Aggressive/threatening behaviors were reported mainly for food-provisioned and lone and sociable dolphins and these might be responses to inappropriate human behaviors. Sexual behaviors were only described for lone and sociable dolphins. Keywords: human–dolphin interactions; ethogram; swim-with-dolphin programs; whale watching

scholarly journals The effects of chronic stress on hippocampal morphology and function: An evaluation of chronic restraint paradigms

2007 ◽  
Vol 1161 ◽  
pp. 56-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie J. McLaughlin ◽  
Juan L. Gomez ◽  
Sarah E. Baran ◽  
Cheryl D. Conrad
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Stress ◽  
And Function ◽  
Hippocampal Morphology

scholarly journals Seroprevalences to Viral Pathogens in Free-Ranging and Captive Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) on Namibian Farmland

2010 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 232-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne Thalwitzer ◽  
Bettina Wachter ◽  
Nadia Robert ◽  
Gudrun Wibbelt ◽  
Thomas Müller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Leukemia Virus ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
First Record ◽  
Feline Leukemia Virus ◽  
Mortality Data ◽  
Acinonyx Jubatus ◽  
Wild Carnivores ◽  
Sustainable Conservation ◽  
Free Ranging

ABSTRACT Cheetah populations are diminishing rapidly in their natural habitat. One reason for their decline is thought to be a high susceptibility to (infectious) diseases because cheetahs in zoos suffer from high disease-induced mortality. Data on the health status of free-ranging cheetahs are scarce, and little is known about their exposure and susceptibility to infectious diseases. We determined seroprevalences to nine key viruses (feline herpesvirus 1, feline calicivirus, feline parvovirus, feline coronavirus, canine distemper virus, feline immunodeficiency virus [FIV], puma lentivirus, feline leukemia virus, and rabies virus) in 68 free-ranging cheetahs on east-central Namibian farmland, 24 nonvaccinated Namibian captive cheetahs, and several other wild carnivore species and conducted necropsies of cheetahs and other wild carnivores. Eight of 11 other wild carnivores were seropositive for at least one of the viruses, including the first record of an FIV-like infection in a wild felid west of the Kalahari, the caracal (Felis caracal). Seroprevalences of the free-ranging cheetahs were below 5% for all nine viruses, which is significantly lower than seroprevalences in nonvaccinated captive cheetahs and those for five of seven viruses in previously studied free-ranging cheetahs from north-central Namibia (L. Munson, L. Marker, E. Dubovi, J. A. Spencer, J. F. Evermann, and S. J. O'Brien, J. Wildl. Dis. 40:23-31, 2004). There was no clinical or pathological evidence of infectious diseases in living or dead cheetahs. The results suggest that while free-ranging wild carnivores may be a source of pathogens, the distribution of seroprevalences across studies mirrored local human population density and factors associated with human habitation, probably reflecting contact opportunities with (nonvaccinated) domestic and feral cats and dogs. They also suggest that Namibian cheetahs respond effectively to viral challenges, encouraging consistent and sustainable conservation efforts.

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