Host related factors determine co-occurrence patterns between pathogenic bacteria, protozoa, and helminths in populations of the multimammate mouse, Mastomys natalensis

Advances in experimental and theoretical work increasingly suggest that parasite interactions within a single host can affect the spread and severity of wildlife diseases. Yet empirical data to support predicted co-infection patterns are limited due to the practical challenges of gathering convincing data from animal populations and the stochastic nature of parasite transmission. Here, we investigated co-infection patterns between micro- (bacteria and protozoa) and macroparasites (gastrointestinal helminths) in natural populations of the multimammate mouse (Mastomys natalensis). Fieldwork was performed in Morogoro (Tanzania), where we trapped 211 individual M. natalensis and tested their behavior using a modified open-field arena. All animals were checked on the presence of helminths in their gastrointestinal tract, three bacteria (Anaplasma, Bartonella, and Borrelia) and two protozoan genera (Piroplasma and Hepatozoon). Besides the presence of eight different helminth genera (reported earlier), we found that 21% of M. natalensis were positive for Anaplasma, 13% for Bartonella, and 2% for Hepatozoon species. Hierarchical modelling of species communities was used to investigate the effect of the different host-related factors on these parasites infection probability and community structure. Our results show that the infection probability of Anaplasma and Bartonella was higher in adults than juveniles. We also observed that females and less explorative individuals had a higher infection probability with Bartonella. We found limited support for within-host interactions between micro-and macroparasites, as only animals infected with Bartonella were significantly more likely to be infected with Protospirura, Trichuris, and Trichostrongylidae helminths.

The effects of defaunation on plants’ capacity to track climate change

Seed dispersal in decline Most plant species depend on animals to disperse their seeds, but this vital function is threatened by the declines in animal populations, limiting the potential for plants to adapt to climate change by shifting their ranges. Using data from more than 400 networks of seed dispersal interactions, Fricke et al . quantified the changes in seed disposal function brought about globally by defaunation. Their analyses indicate that past defaunation has severely reduced long-distance seed dispersal, cutting by more than half the number of seeds dispersed far enough to track climate change. In addition, their approach enables the prediction of seed dispersal interactions using species traits and an estimation of how these interactions translate into ecosystem functioning, thus informing ecological forecasting and the consequences of animal declines. —AMS

Cefotax-magnetic nanoparticles as an alternative approach to control Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from different sources

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of magnetic nanocomposite of cefotax against MRSA. A total of 190 samples were collected from milk, farm personnel and different environmental components from the dairy farm under the study to isolate S. aureus. Cefotax based magnetic nanoparticles was synthetized by the adsorption method and marked using Fourier-transform infrared spectrum (FT-IR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), then it was characterized using Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscope (SEM and TEM). The obtained results revealed that number of positive samples of S. aureus isolation were 63 (33.1%), mainly from feed manger followed by milk machine swabs (60.0 and 53.3%, respectively) at X2 = 48.83 and P < 0.001. Obtained isolates were identified biochemically and by using molecular assays (PCR), also mec A gene responsible for resistance to cefotax was detected. Testing the sensitivity of 63 isolates of S. aureus showed variable degree of resistance to different tested antibiotics and significant sensitivity to cefotax based magnetic nanoparticles at P < 0.05. It was concluded that dairy environment might act a potential source for transmission of MRSA between human and animal populations. In addition, cefotax based magnetic nanoparticles verified an extreme antimicrobial efficacy against MRSA.

Complete Genomic Sequencing of Canine Distemper Virus With Nanopore Technology During an Epizootic Event

Canine distemper virus (CDV) endangers a wide range of wild animal populations and can cross species barriers, representing a significant conservational and animal health risk around the globe. During spring to autumn 2021, according to our current estimates a minimum of 50 wild live red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) died of CDV in Hungary, with CDV lesions. Oral, nasal and rectal swab samples were RT-PCR screened for Canine Distemper Virus from red fox carcasses. To investigate in more detail the origins of these CDV strains, 19 complete genomes were sequenced with a pan-genotype CDV-specific amplicon-based sequencing method developed by our laboratory and optimized for Oxford Nanopore Technologies platform. Phylogenetic analysis of the complete genomic sequences and separately the hemagglutinin gene sequences revealed the role of the Europe lineage of CDV as a causative agent for the current epizootic. Here we highlight the growing importance of fast developing rapid sequencing technologies to aid rapid response activities during epidemics or epizootic events. We also emphasize the urgent need for improved surveillance of CDV, considering the epizootic capability of enzootic strains as reported in the current study. For such future efforts, we provide a novel NGS protocol, which facilitates future genomic surveillance studies.

Ain’t Nothing like Family—Female Brown Bears Share Their Home Range with Relatives

Sociality in animal populations is a continuum, and interactions between conspecifics are meaningful for all vertebrates. Ignorance of social structures can lead to misunderstanding their ecology and, consequently, to unsuccessful species management. Here, we combined genetic and spatial data on radio-collared brown bears (Ursus arctos) to investigate kin-related home range overlap and kin-related centroid distance within central and eastern Finland. We found that the extent of home range overlap was positively correlated with relatedness among adult females. In addition, home range centroid distance decreased as relatedness increased. Moreover, there were significant differences between the two studied regions: female brown bears in central Finland were more closely related to each other, and the sizes of their home ranges were larger than those in eastern Finland. The smaller home ranges and lower degree of relatedness among bears in eastern Finland might be a result of the substantially higher hunting pressure in the area, combined with immigration of new unrelated individuals from Russia.

Effects of Long-Term Habitat Protection on Montane Small Mammals: Are Sorex araneus and S. minutus More Sensitive Than Previously Considered?

Protection of natural areas by restricting human activities aims to preserve plant and animal populations and whole communities, ensuring the conservation of biological diversity and enhancement of ecosystem services. Therefore, it is expected that the longer the protection, the stronger the desired effects. We evaluated the responses of small mammals at the population and community levels under protection in the southern Carpathian Mountains. We surveyed small mammals for five years in sites with long- and short-term protection and non-protected. Besides protection status, we included elevation, habitat heterogeneity, and the month of survey as predictors in our models. As response variables, we considered abundance, presence, species composition and species richness. Community abundance responded to all four predictors and species composition was influenced by protection status and month of study. The shrews Sorex araneus and S. minutus had positive responses to protection, both in terms of abundance and relative abundance (their ratio within the community). Our results suggest that overall, montane small mammal communities respond positively to long-term protection, especially S. araneus and S. minutus. These shrew species are considered habitat generalists, but they appear to be in fact sensitive to the habitat quality enhanced through protection.

Systematic review of the changes in the microbiome following spinal cord injury: animal and human evidence

Study design Systematic review. Objectives To investigate the changes in the microbiome among human and animal populations with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods Four databases (EMBASE, Medline (Ovid), Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Trials (CENTRAL)) and Google Scholar were searched. No language restrictions were applied. Data extraction was done in parallel and independently by two reviewers. The search was last conducted on 07 April 2021. Results There were 6869 studies retrieved, 43 full-text studies reviewed, and 19 studies included. There were seven animal gut studies, six human gut studies, and six urinary tract studies identified. There were no publications found on other body sites. Among the included studies, we observed a consistent and significant difference in gut microbiome composition between populations with SCI and able-bodied populations. This is characterized by a decrease in beneficial butyrate-producing bacteria (Faecalbacterium, Megamonas, Roseburia) and an increase in inflammation-associated bacteria (Alistipes, Anaerotruncus, and Lachnoclostridium). On the other hand, the urine of individuals with SCI was polymicrobial and members of Enterobacteriaceae (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae) were frequently observed. Probiotics were shown to induce a significant but transient shift in the urinary tract microbiome. The studies had low to moderate risks of bias. Conclusions There are limited studies on the changes in microbiome among SCI populations. The gut microbiome was characterized by bacterial profiles associated with chronic inflammation and metabolic disorder while the studies of the urinary tract microbiome show the dominance of bacterial genera associated with urinary tract infection.

Rabies virus spread in central and north-eastern regions of Ukraine

Annually, 30,000-45,000 cases of rabies in animals and humans are reported worldwide. The aim of the study was to present data on the incidence of rabies among humans and animals in central and north-eastern regions of Ukraine (Poltava and Sumy) between the years 2007 and 2020. The statistical data were obtained from the anti-epizootic measures division at the Department of Food Safety and Veterinary Medicine of the State Food and Consumer Service in the Poltava and Sumy regions of Ukraine. Between 2012 and 2020, the largest number of bite cases in the Poltava region were recorded in 2012 (4,234 cases), and the lowest in 2018 (1,951 cases). The vast majority of bites were caused by dogs and cats that had an owner. During the successive years, the number of rabies cases increased. Between 2017 and 2019, over 50% of rabies cases in the Sumy region occurred in domestic animals. Although combating rabies among dogs through vaccination, as well as extermination of homeless animals, may reduce the incidence of rabies in humans, rabies in dogs is still not uncommon in the Poltava and Sumy regions of Ukraine. Moreover, rabid dogs in these two regions still account for over 90% of rabies cases and 99% of deaths due to rabies among humans. The red fox was the leader in the incidence of rabies among wild animals between 2009 and 2019. In the Poltava region, the highest number of rabies cases occurred in 2017 (10 cases), whereas in the Sumy region the peak if infections was observed in 2010 (42 cases). Rabies in animals tended to decrease due to the oral immunization of free-ranging animals. It is difficult, however, to assess the overall global situation of rabies using data solely on human mortality. Rabies is not a purely human disease. It is rather a disease that occurs in wild and domestic animals, from which it may be transferred to humans. Therefore, a more accurate prediction of its impact should include an assessment of its prevalence in animal populations, especially pets, and the costs associated with preventing the spread of rabies from animals to humans. Effective measures for prevention and eradication of rabies, as well as better knowledge, are crucial to check further spread of the disease. Obligatory preventive measures should include vaccination of pets and oral immunization of red foxes.

Partial Results Regarding the Genetic Determinism of Growth Process in a Native Horse Breed using Wither’s Height

Study of variability in domestic animal populations is the foundation of quantitative genetics. Based on statistical methods, the weights of the total phenotype variation that belong to its different fractions (causal components) are quantified: variation due to gene additive effect, variation due to allelic and non-allelic interactions, variation due to environment (general and special), variation due to genotype-environment interaction and possibly variation due to the association between genotype and environment. In this study, during 2017-2020, we used the method of analysis of variance with two sources of variation. The material was represented by 538 individuals from Hucul horse breed analyzed at 18, 30 and 42 months old). The heritability of character was 0.3402±0.1546 (18 months), 0.5549±0.2225 (30 months), 0.4506±0.1895 (42 months), suggest that this is a hereditary condition that follows a quantitative model of inheritance, where the influence of additive genetic factors is moderate to intense. We can conclude that, in this native breed and for this character, a significant share of the phenotypic value is due to the additive effect of genes.

Red Spot on the European Green Map: Will the Extra Catastrophic Phenomenon Take the Polish Poaching-Pressured Ospreys to the Brink of Extinction?

Poland is the only European country where the Osprey population is declining due to the mortality of adult birds from poaching, which impacts not only single breeding attempts but also the Lifetime Reproductive Success (LRS) of specimens. However, what if there came an extra mortality factor in the moment of the lowest numbers of Osprey, already vulnerable in the country? In the years 2018–2020, we installed 22 trail cameras and five digital cameras (live online video feeds) on the nests. The total failure level observed in cameras (18.5%) was high. We observed, using these cameras, the extra mortality of chicks (10.7% of potentially fledged chicks) and even adult birds by unexpected predation by Northern Goshawk and White-tailed Eagle. This phenomenon is also common in the national population, as we found a total of ten cases of total losses by predators (eight or nine of them were birds of prey), including nests not covered by camera monitoring. The extra adult-predation by Goshawks means an extra drop in LRS. Those adult and chick predations are an example of exceptional catastrophic phenomena, which have been described as the direct cause of the extinction of animal populations throughout history. Only active conservation and stop poaching of the Polish population could stop the decline and save the Polish Ospreys.