Systemic amyloidosis derived from EFEMP1 in a captive Tsushima leopard cat

In animals, most cases of systemic amyloidosis are of amyloid A type, and the other types of systemic amyloidoses are rare. This study analyzed systemic amyloidosis in a 15-year-old female Tsushima leopard cat. Amyloid deposits strongly positive for Congo red staining were observed in the arterial walls as well as the interstitium in multiple organs. Mass spectrometry–based proteomic analysis with laser microdissection of amyloid deposits identified epidermal growth factor–containing fibulin-like extracellular matrix protein 1 (EFEMP1) as a prime amyloidogenic protein candidate. Immunohistochemistry showed that the amyloid deposits were positive for the N-terminal region of EFEMP1. From these results, the present case was diagnosed as EFEMP1-derived amyloidosis. It is the first such case in an animal. EFEMP1-derived amyloidosis in humans has recently been reported as a systemic amyloidosis, and it is known as an age-related venous amyloidosis. The present case showed different characteristics from human EFEMP1-derived amyloidosis, including the amyloid deposition sites and the amyloidogenic region of the EFEMP1 protein, suggesting a different pathogenesis between Tsushima leopard cat and human EFEMP1-derived amyloidosis.

Pest control practices of farmers in Taiwan and implications for non-target wildlife.

Pests cause devastating losses on agricultural industries worldwide. Common pest management practices include using chemical products. The efficacy of these toxins remains inconclusive, however, and their application can have adverse effects on non-target wildlife from both direct and indirect exposure. In parts of Taiwan, threatened species may be at considerable risk since they inhabit areas with agricultural activity. Therefore, in this exploratory study, we surveyed farmers using a structured questionnaire in Miaoli County, northwestern Taiwan, in agricultural areas that overlap with the distribution of the locally endangered leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), whose diet comprises a high proportion of rodents. Based on the completed questionnaires of 126 farmers, the majority stated they use at least two different types of chemical pest control products. Furthermore, pest-related factors, such as perceived worst pest, total pest problem, and number of pests, were all important determinants for pest control behavior. Farmers whose crops were afflicted by rodents were more likely to use rodenticides in addition to other types of pesticides. These agricultural areas, which include vegetable cropland, pose a risk of poisoning to non-target wildlife, like the leopard cat, through various exposure pathways including consumption of contaminated prey and dermal contact. Farmers also expressed support to use less chemical-based pest products, but not to stop using them entirely. Therefore, there may be opportunities to implement ecologically based control practices to mitigate risks to wildlife and promote increased environmental health.

The diel activity pattern of small carnivores of Western Ghats, India: a case study at Nelliampathies in Kerala, India

The diel activity pattern of small carnivores was studied using the camera trap technique at Nelliampathy Reserve Forest, Kerala, India. Six species of small carnivores were recorded during the study. These include Brown Palm Civet Paradoxurus jerdoni, Small Indian Civet Viverricula indica, Stripe-necked Mongoose Herpestes vitticollis, Brown Mongoose Herpestes fuscus, Nilgiri Marten Martes gwatkinsii, and Leopard Cat Prionailurus bengalensis. The maximum diel activity overlap was detected between the Brown Palm Civet and Small Indian Civet, while the activity overlap was minimal between the Stripe-necked Mongoose and Small Indian Civet.

Genetic Characterization of Feline Parvovirus Isolate Fe–P2 in Korean Cat and Serological Evidence on Its Infection in Wild Leopard Cat and Asian Badger

Feline parvovirus (FPV) is a small, non-enveloped, single-stranded DNA virus that infects cats. We recently isolated a feline parvovirus Fe–P2 strain from a dead stray cat in Iksan, 2017. Its partial genomic sequence (4,643 bases) was obtained, and phylogenetic analysis based on the VP2 nucleotide sequence showed that the FPV Fe-P2 strain was closely related to the FPV isolate Gigucheon in cat, 2017 (MN400978). In addition, we performed a serum neutralization (SN) test with the FPV isolates in various mammalian sera. These were from raccoon dog, water deer, Eurasian otter, Korean hare, leopard cat, and Asian badger, which were kindly provided by Chungnam Wild Animal Rescue Center. Notably, serological evidence of its infection was found in Asian badger, Meles leucurus (2/2) and leopard cat, Prionailurus bengalensis (5/8) through SN tests, whereas there was no evidence in raccoon dog, water deer, Eurasian otter, and Korean hare based on the collected sera in this study. These findings might provide partial evidence for the possible circulation of FPV or its related viruses among wild leopard cat and Asian badger in Korea. There should be additional study to confirm this through direct detection of FPVs in the related animal samples.

Density trends of wild felids in northern Laos

Determining the density trends of a guild of species can help illuminate their interactions, and the impacts that humans might have on them. We estimated the density trends from 2013 to 2017 of the clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa, leopard cat Prionailurus bengalensis and marbled cat Pardofelis marmorata in Nam Et—Phou Louey National Park (NEPL), Laos, using camera trap data and spatial capture-recapture models. Mean (± SD) density estimates (individuals/100 km2) for all years were 1.77 ± 0.30 for clouded leopard, 1.50 ± 0.30 for leopard cat, and 3.80 ± 0.70 for marbled cat. There was a declining trend in density across the study years for all three species, with a ≥ 90% probability of decline for clouded leopard and leopard cat and an 83% probability of decline for marbled cat. There was no evidence that mesopredator release occurred as a result of tiger (Panthera tigris) and leopard (P. pardus) extirpations. We believe that snaring, the factor that led to the extirpation of tiger and leopard in NEPL, is now contributing to the decline of smaller felids, to an extent that over-rides any potential effects of mesopredator release on their densities and interactions. We recommend that the NEPL managers implement a more systematic and intensified snare removal program, in concert with extensive community outreach and engagement of local people to prevent the setting of snares. These actions might be the only hope for saving the remaining members of the felid community in NEPL.