Food habits of two species of tube-nosed bats, Murina hilgendorfi and Murina ussuriensis, in Hayakawa, central Japan

Knowledge of food habits is essential for understanding the life history of a species; however, such information about the enigmatic Murina genus of bats is little known. In this study, we examined the food habits of Murina hilgendorfi and Murina ussuriensis over four years in Hayakawa, central Japan, using traditional morphological fecal analysis. Fragments of arthropods of six orders (five identified families), and of five orders (five identified families), were found in the feces of M. hilgendorfi and M. ussuriensis, respectively. Both species consumed wingless arthropods (caterpillars and spiders), insects that rarely fly (ground beetles and bush crickets), or diurnal insects (dragonflies and hoverflies; i.e., that are resting at night) during the night, which is a clear indication of gleaning behavior in these bats. In spring, the large-bodied M. hilgendorfi more frequently consumed hard-bodied insects such as beetles and bush crickets, whereas the small-bodied M. ussuriensis more frequently consumed soft-bodied insects such as caterpillars, moths, spiders, and dipterans, suggesting that the body size difference influences their food habits, which may have contributed to food resource partitioning between these closely related bats. For M. hilgendorfi, beetles were the main prey in spring and autumn, while caterpillars and grasshoppers were more frequently consumed in spring and autumn, respectively, suggesting that they may have changed prey items according to seasonal fluctuations in food availability. To our knowledge, this study provides the first record of differences in the food habits of these two species.

Diarrhea due to SARS-CoV-2-Related Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

Gastrointestinal symptoms, especially diarrhea, are common with novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 infection. Angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) receptors are heavily expressed in enterocytes and serve as entry receptors for SARS-CoV-2. ACE-2 receptors may also be responsible for pancreatic injury in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Diarrhea associated with SARS-CoV-2 is usually believed to be due to viral invasion of enterocytes. However, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency resulting from SARS-CoV-2 is another plausible mechanism leading to diarrhea in such patients. We present a case series of three SARS-CoV-2-infected patients with predominant respiratory symptoms at presentation who developed diarrhea, and further fecal analysis revealed exocrine pancreatic insufficiency as the underlying mechanism.

CASE REPORT: COLITIS ULCERATIVE AND ANCYLOSTOMA DUODENALE INFECTION IN 66 YEARS OLD MAN

ABSTRAKUlcerative colitis merupakan peradangan kronis dari colon dengan etiologi pasti yang belum diketahui. Ancylostoma duodenale adalah salah satu jenis cacing tambang yang berinfestasi pada manusia yang dapat mengakibatkan gejala anemia dan malnutrisi. Artikel ini melaporkan kasus pasien laki-laki berusia 66 tahun dengan keluhan utama BAB berdarah. BAB berdarah sejak 2 minggu sebelum masuk RS. BAB dikatakan pasien berdarah, disertai lendir, 5-6 kali per hari. Pasien juga mengeluhkan nyeri perut pada bagian tengah atas. Pada pasien ditemukan konjungtiva anemis bilateral, dan nyeri tekan pada epigastrium. Pada pemeriksaan penunjang ditemukan anemia normokrom normositik dengan normal fecal analysis, ditemukan adanya colitis dan infestasi Ancylostoma duodenale pada kolonoskopi. Hasil fecal analysis yang normal pada infeksi Ancylostoma duodenale bisa disebabkan oleh kemungkinan infeksi awal pada pasien, low infectivity, subjektivitas pemeriksa, sehingga, diperlukan analisis feses dengan perhatian atau teknik khusus.Kata kunci: Ulcerative colitis , Ancylostoma duodenale ABSTRACTUlcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammation in colon with unknown etiology. Ancylostoma duodenale is one of the hookworms that infects human, it can manifest as anemia and malnutrition. This article reported a man 66 years old with bloody stool since 2 weeks before admission. The stool was bloody, with mucous, 5-6 times per day. Patient was also complained about epigastric pain. Physical examination showed bilateral conjunctival pallor and epigastric tenderness. Laboratory examination showed normochromic normocytic anemia, with normal fecal analysis. Colitis and Ancylostoma duodenale were established in colonoscopy. Normal fecal analysis in this patient maybe due to early infection stage, low infectivity, or examiner subjectivity, so it is suggested with special attention or certain technique of fecal analysis. Keywords: Ulcerative colitis , Ancylostoma duodenale

Stool pattern is associated with prevalence of tumorigenic bacteria of the microbiota and plasma and fecal fatty acids in healthy Japanese adults

Background: Colibactin-producing Escherichia coli containing polyketide synthase (pks+ E. coli) has been shown involved in colorectal cancer (CRC) development through gut microbiota analysis in animal models. Stool status has been associated with potentially adverse gut microbiome profiles from fecal analysis in adults. We examined the association between stool patterns and the prevalence of pks+ E. coli isolated from microbiota in fecal samples of 224 healthy Japanese individuals. Results: Stool patterns were determined by factorial analysis using a previously validated questionnaire including stool frequency, volume, color, shape, and odor. Factor scores were classified by tertile. The prevalence of pks+ E. coli was determined using specific primers for pks+ E. coli in fecal samples. Plasma and fecal fatty acids were measured via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The prevalence of pks+ E. coli was 26.8%. Three stool patterns contributed 70.1 % of all patterns seen (factor 1: lower frequency, darker color, and softer shape, factor 2: higher volume and harder shape, and factor 3: darker color and stronger odor). Multivariable adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of the prevalence of pks+ E. coli for the highest versus the lowest third of the factor 1 score was 3.16 (1.38 to 7.24; P for trend = 0.006). This stool pattern correlated with some plasma and fecal fatty acids. No other stool patterns were significant. Conclusions: These results suggest that stool pattern may be useful for evaluating gut microbiota, including the presence of tumorigenic bacteria and fecal fatty acids. It may provide useful insight for effective early discovery strategies for CRC.

Comparison of anticoagulant rodenticide concentrations in liver and feces from apparently healthy red foxes

Exposure of wildlife and domestic animals to anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) is a worldwide concern, but few methods exist to determine residue levels in live animals. Traditional liver detection methods preclude determining exposure in live wildlife. To determine the value of assessing AR exposure by fecal analysis, we compared fecal and liver residues of ARs in the same animals. We collected liver and fecal samples from 40 apparently healthy red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes) potentially exposed to ARs, and quantified brodifacoum, bromadiolone, coumatetralyl, difenacoum, difethialone, and flocoumafen residues by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Residues of ARs were detected in 53% of the fecal samples and 83% of the liver samples. We found good concordance between AR residues in feces and liver for coumatetralyl, difenacoum, and difethialone. Bromadiolone occurred in significantly greater frequency in livers compared to feces, but no significant difference in concentration between feces and liver in individual foxes could be detected. Brodifacoum displayed a significant difference in concentration and occurrence of positive samples between liver and feces. Our findings demonstrate that fecal analysis of ARs provides a feasible and valuable non-lethal means of determine AR exposure in live wildlife.

Ultrasound evaluation of female reproductive system in free ranging Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla): case report

ABSTRACT An adult, female, 31kg body weight, free range Myrmecophaga tridactyla was referred for medical consultation due to apathy, dehydration, intense flatulence and fetid stools. The animal was submitted to chemical restraint and physical examination, blood count, fecal analysis, and vaginal cytology and abdominal ultrasonography were performed. Good nutritional status and clinical variables within the normal range were observed at physical examination. At vaginal cytology leukocytes, spermatozoa and a large proportion of cornified cells (superficial) were observed, indicating estrus and recent copula. At ultrasound examination it was possible to locate, identify, evaluate and measure the ovaries and the uterine structures, cervix, body, lumen, myometrium and endometrium, a fact never reported in the literature for this species. These data can be used as reference for clinical evaluation of the reproductive tract in Myrmecophaga tridactyla females considered vulnerable species, for the diagnosis of reproductive pathologies, biotechnologies application or estrous cycle evaluation.

Diet of Natalus mexicanus (Chiroptera, Natalidae) in a semi-evergreen forest in Oaxaca, Mexico

We investigated the diet composition of Natalus mexicanus in a semi-evergreen forest in the state of Oaxaca, in the southeast of Mexico, using fecal analysis. The diet was composed of eight arthropod orders, the most abundant and important preys being members of the orders Diptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, and Hymenoptera. We did not observe significant differences in diet composition between males and females or in proportions consumed by the bats and those obtained through collections with light traps. In the study area, N. mexicanus is a species with a generalist opportunist diet.

Comparison of feeding habits and habitat use between invasive raccoons and native raccoon dogs in Hokkaido, Japan

Background In Japan, invasive raccoons cause severe ecological and social problems by transmitting pathogens to humans, livestock, and native species, causing substantial crop damage, and competing with native species. Possible competition between invasive raccoons and native raccoon dogs is of concern in Japan because Japanese raccoon dogs have a limited distribution and are native only to Japan and the two species have similar characteristics. We assessed potential competition between raccoons and raccoon dogs by comparing feeding habits and habitat use. Results Both species were captured in Hokkaido, Japan from 2004 to 2017. More raccoons were captured close to agricultural land at the forest periphery (70.1%, 358/511); conversely, more raccoon dogs were captured in the forest core (74.9%, 253/338). Feeding habits were then examined by fecal analysis and stable isotope analyses. Fecal analysis revealed both species to be opportunistic omnivores that consumed easily found food items. However, raccoon feces contained more crops, whereas raccoon dog feces contained more insects, reflecting the different locations in which the species were trapped. Moreover, stable isotope ratios were significantly higher in raccoons than raccoon dogs (Corn has the highest carbon stable isotope (δ13C) value, and amphibians and reptiles are high in nitrogen stable isotope (δ15N); forest resources such as insects and wild fruits are low in δ13C and δ15N). Conclusions We conclude that both species ate similar food types, but their food preferences appeared to differ. Raccoon and raccoon dog habitat use also differed, possibly because the two species inhabited areas where they could easily obtain their preferred foods. Therefore, the current feeding habits and habitat use of raccoons do not appear to overlap sufficiently with those of raccoon dogs to impact the latter. The results of this study, particularly the stable isotope data, may provide a useful precedent for future studies of competition in medium-sized mammals, particularly canids.

Alimentación del cacomixtle (Bassariscus astutus) en un ambiente urbano y uno agrícola en los valles centrales de Oaxaca

ResumenEn este estudio se determinó la dieta de una población urbana y una rural de Bassariscus astutus en los valles centrales de Oaxaca, con base en el examen de 139 excretas recolectadas durante el 2018. En él se identificaron 48 elementos, que representan ocho categorías alimentarias, de las cuales frutos y artrópodos conforman la dieta básica de la población urbana (58.18%) y rural (88.49%). Las aves fueron más consumidas en la población urbana (19.23%) que en la rural (5.31%). Asimismo, se encontró que la población urbana consumió dulces y chocolates (9.13%) y huevos de aves (1.92%), categorías que no estuvieron representadas en la población rural. Por su parte, los mamíferos, pastos y productos antropogénicos complementaron la dieta de ambas poblaciones. La amplitud del nicho trófico fue menor en la población urbana (Bs = 0.30) en comparación con la población rural (Bs = 0.35), así como las dietas resultaron ser significativamente diferente entre ambas poblaciones (X2 = 19.92, g.l. = 5, p = 0.001). La sobreposición del nicho trófico entre las dos poblaciones fue O = 0.72. Tanto en la población urbana como en la población rural se encontraron diferencias estacionales en la dieta, debido al consumo diferencial de algunas categorías alimentarias. Bassariscus astutus es un carnívoro oportunista y generalista que aprovecha otros recursos alimenticios diferentes a los de su medio natural, por lo que puede persistir en el ambiente urbano.Palabras clave: análisis de excretas, Bassariscus astutus, carnívoros urbanos, dieta, oportunista, valles centrales de Oaxaca.AbstractWe present here an analysis of an urban and a rural population of the ring-tailed cat, Bassariscus astutus, from the Central Valleys of Oaxaca. From an analysis of 139 fecal pellets, 48 prey types, representing eight food categories, were identified. Fruits and arthropods part of the basic diet of the urban (58.18%) and rural (88.49%) ring-tailed cat populations. Birds were more consumed in the urban population (19.23%) than in the rural (5.13%) population. Likewise, the urban ring-tailed population consumed candies (9.13%) and bird eggs (1.92%); food categories not represented in the rural population. Mammals, grasses and other anthropogenic products complement the diet of both populations. The amplitude of the trophic niche was lower in the urban population (Bs = 0.30) compared to the rural population (Bs = 0.35). The differences in diet between both populations were significantly different (X2 = 19.92, g.l. = 5, p = 0.001), and the trophic niche overlap between the two populations was O = 0.72. In both populations there were differences in the diet between some seasons of the year, due to the differential consumption of some food categories. The ring-tailed cat is an opportunistic and generalist carnivore, that can take advantage of food resources different from those of its natural environment, by which it can persist in the urban environment.Key words: Bassariscus astutus, central valleys of Oaxaca, diet, fecal analysis, opportunism, urban carnivores.