How many species of Apodemus and Rattus occur in China? A survey based on mitochondrial cyt b and morphological analyses

Apodemus(mice) and Rattus(rats) are the top rodent reservoirs for zoonoses in China, yet little is known about their diversity. We reexamined the alpha diversity of these two genera based on a new collection of specimens from China and their cyt b sequences in Gen Bank. We also tested whether species could be identified using external and craniodental measurements exclusively. Measurements from 147 specimens of Apodemus and 233 specimens of Rattus were used for morphological comparisons. We analysed 74 cyt b sequences of Apodemus and 100 cyt b sequences of Rattus to facilitate phylogenetic estimations. Results demonstrated that nine species of Apodemus and seven species of Rattus, plus a new subspecies of Rattus nitidus, are distributed in China. Principal component analysis using external and craniodental measurements revealed that measurements alone could not separate the recognized species. The occurrence of Rattus pyctoris in China remains uncertain.     

Dating of divergences within the Rattus genus phylogeny using whole mitochondrial genomes

The timing and order of divergences within the genus Rattus have, to date, been quite speculative. In order to address these important issues we sequenced six new whole mitochondrial genomes from wild-caught specimens from four species, Rattus exulans, Rattus praetor, Rattus rattus and Rattus tanezumi. The only rat whole mitochondrial genomes available previously were all from Rattus norvegicus specimens. Our phylogenetic and dating analyses place the deepest divergence within Rattus at approximately 3.5 million years ago (Mya). This divergence separates the New Guinean endemic R. praetor lineage from the Asian lineages. Within the Asian/Island Southeast Asian clade R. norvegicus diverged earliest at approximately 2.9Mya. R. exulans and the ancestor of the sister species R. rattus and R. tanezumi subsequently diverged at approximately 2.2Mya, with R. rattus and R. tanezumi separating as recently as approximately 0.4Mya. Our results give both a better resolved species divergence order and diversification dates within Rattus than previous studies.     

Isolation of Emmonsia crescens Emmons et Jellison 1960 from small mammals in Bulgaria

Authors examined a total of 3849 specimens of mammals included in 36 species from different region of Bulgaria. Adiaspiromycosis was detected microscopically in 18 mammals species. Strains of Emmonsia crescens Emmons et Jellison 1960 was isolated from 6 species--Apodemus flavicollis, Apodemus sylvaticus, Clethrionomys glareolus, Microtus arvalis, Musmusculus and Rattus norvegicus.     

Cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) and black rats (Rattus rattus) as possible reservoirs of Leishmania spp. in Lara State,Venezuela

A total of 519 wild animals belonging to eleven species were collected during a two year study in a cutaneous leishmaniasis endemic area in Venezuela (La Matica, Lara State). The animals were captured in home-made Tomahawk-like traps baited with maize, bananas or other available local fruits, and parasites were isolated from 27 specimens. Two different species were found naturally infected with flagellates, i.e., cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) and black rats (Rattus rattus). Characterization of the parasites using PCR, kDNA restriction pattern and hybridization with species-specific probes revealed the presence of Leishmania (L.) mexicana in three of the black rats and Leishmania (V.) braziliensis in two others. The latter species was also identified in the single positive specimen of S. hispidus. The results suggested both species of animals as possible reservoirs of Leishmania sp.     

中国拟家鼠分类与分布厘订

拟家鼠(Rattus pyctoris)由Hodgson在1845年命名,其模式产地为尼泊尔。该种的分类地位和是否在中国有分布都存在较大争议。近来有研究认为拟家鼠不分布于我国。2020年,在西藏吉隆县和札达县进行野外调查时采集到7号标本,皮毛、头骨和牙齿的形态特征与尼泊尔的拟家鼠相似,分子系统发育分析支持这些标本为单系(PP=1.0),与模式产地样品C_yt b基因的K2?P遗传距离为0~2.8%,确认这些标本为拟家鼠。这是第一次在我国境内采集到拟家鼠标本,丰富和完善了这个物种的生物地理资料。     

Enzyme polymorphism in Malayan rats of the Subgenus Rattus

Electrophoretic variation in nine red cell proteins was analysed in 256 specimens belonging to six species of Malayan Rattus (including one with two subspecies) of the subgenus Rattus. The average proportion of loci heterozygous per individual for the taxa analysed is 0.04. With the exception of Rattus rattus diardii, R. tiomanicus tiomanicus and R. t. jalorensis, individuals of the other species could be identified by specific electrophoretic phenotypes of one or more of the markers analysed. Relationships among the species studied were elucidated by the classical and phenetic approaches employing electrophoretic characters. The results obtained by the two approaches were similar in most respects and they corresponded better with results based on morphological characters than those based on cytological characters.     

Resolution of natural groups using iterative assignment tests: an example from two species of Australian native rats (Rattus)

Sympatric individuals of Rattus fuscipes and Rattus leucopus, two Australian native rats from the tropical wet forests of north Queensland, are difficult to distinguish morphologically and are often confused in the field. When we started a study on fine-scale movements of these species, using microsatellite markers, we found that the species as identified in the field did not form coherent genetic groups. In this study, we examined the potential of an iterative process of genetic assignment to separate specimens from distinct (e.g. species, populations) natural groups. Five loci with extensive overlap in allele distributions between species were used for the iterative process. Samples were randomly distributed into two starting groups of equal size and then subjected to the test. At each iteration, misassigned samples switched groups, and the output groups from a given round of assignment formed the input groups for the next round. All samples were assigned correctly on the 10th iteration, in which two genetic groups were clearly separated. Mitochondrial DNA sequences were obtained from samples from each genetic group identified by assignment, together with those of museum voucher specimens, to assess which species corresponded to which genetic group. The iterative procedure was also used to resolve groups within species, adequately separating the genetically identified R. leucopus from our two sampling sites. These results show that the iterative assignment process can correctly differentiate samples into their appropriate natural groups when diagnostic genetic markers are not available, which allowed us to resolve accurately the two R. leucopus and R. fuscipes species. Our approach provides an analytical tool that may be applicable to a broad variety of situations where genetic groups need to be resolved.     

First record of molluscs naturally infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis (Chen, 1935) (Nematoda: Metastrongylidae) in Brazil

Seeking the identification of Angiostrongylus cantonensis as a potential etiological agent of three clinical cases of eosinophilic meningitis, mollusc specimens were collected in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. The snails were identified as Sarasinula marginata (45 specimens), Subulina octona (157), Achatina fulica (45) and Bradybaena similaris (23). Larvae obtained were submitted to polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism diagnosis. Their genetic profile were corresponded to A. cantonensis. Rattus norvegicus experimentally infected with third-stage larvae, developed menigoencephalitis, and parasites became sexually mature in the lungs. Additionally, larvae obtained from A. fulica snails, from S?o Vicente, state of S?o Paulo, also showed genetic profiles of this nematode. This is the first record of Brazilian molluscs infected with this nematode species.     

六种鼠组织中过氧化物酶和酯酶变异的比较

本文研究姬鼠属（Ａｐｏｄｅｍｕｓ）２种鼠和鼠属（Ｒａｔｕｓ）４种鼠的心组织过氧化物酶和肝组织酯酶同工酶等位基因的变异。结果表明,６种鼠心组织过氧化物酶皆为４条区带,其中社鼠和白腹巨鼠的酶带泳动速度略快于褐家鼠和黄毛鼠的酶带;鼠属４种鼠的酶带间距大致相同,而姬鼠属的酶带间距略大于鼠属,这种谱型的区别就所分析的６种鼠而言,可以认为是该同工酶表现的属间区别。肝组织酯酶区带较多,其酶带数和泳动速度的差异具有明显的种间特征;泳动最快的酶带在姬鼠中是２条,在鼠属中是１条,可以认为是属间特征的区别。从９项生化指标的异同作动物配对比较,表明褐家鼠与黄毛鼠亲缘上较近,社鼠与白腹巨鼠亲缘上也较近,而且白腹巨鼠在进化上可能要比其余３种鼠属动物更接近于姬鼠属     

Historical mammal extinction on Christmas Island (Indian Ocean) correlates with introduced infectious disease

It is now widely accepted that novel infectious disease can be a leading cause of serious population decline and even outright extinction in some invertebrate and vertebrate groups (e.g., amphibians). In the case of mammals, however, there are still no well-corroborated instances of such diseases having caused or significantly contributed to the complete collapse of species. A case in point is the extinction of the endemic Christmas Island rat (Rattus macleari): although it has been argued that its disappearance ca. AD 1900 may have been partly or wholly caused by a pathogenic trypanosome carried by fleas hosted on recently-introduced black rats (Rattus rattus), no decisive evidence for this scenario has ever been adduced. Using ancient DNA methods on samples from museum specimens of these rodents collected during the extinction window (AD 1888–1908), we were able to resolve unambiguously sequence evidence of murid trypanosomes in both endemic and invasive rats. Importantly, endemic rats collected prior to the introduction of black rats were devoid of trypanosome signal. Hybridization between endemic and black rats was also previously hypothesized, but we found no evidence of this in examined specimens, and conclude that hybridization cannot account for the disappearance of the endemic species. This is the first molecular evidence for a pathogen emerging in a naïve mammal species immediately prior to its final collapse.     

六种鼠乳酸脱氢酶和超氧化物歧化酶位点变异的研究

用电泳比较分析了鼠科动物６个种的组织ＬＤＨ同工酶的Ａ、Ｂ、Ｃ亚基和ＳＯＤ同工酶位点的种属差异。结果表明,ＬＤＨ的Ａ和Ｂ亚基在进化上的可变性程度不同。在被分析的２个属共６种鼠中,首次发现Ｂ亚基的结构具有属的特征,同属的鼠种Ｂ亚基泳动度相同,在垂直凝胶电泳板上处于同一泳动线上。不同属的鼠其Ｂ亚基泳动度不同,家鼠属的鼠Ｂ亚基比姬鼠属的泳动快;Ａ亚基的结构既有属的特性,更具有种的特征,同属不同种的鼠Ａ亚基泳动速度不同,表现为ＬＤＨ同工酶带的间距不同。ＬＤＨ的Ｃ亚基结构因鼠种不同而异,由Ｃ亚基组成的ＬＤＨ－Ｘ带黄毛鼠位于自身的ＬＤＨ－３和ＬＤＨ－４之间,社鼠和褐家鼠此带位于自身的ＬＤＨ－４和ＬＤＨ－５之间,白腹巨鼠此带位于自身的ＬＤＨ－５以外的阴极端,与黑线姬鼠此带的位置特征相同。ＳＯＤ同工酶带只表现种的差异,其３条带泳动速度的改变具有协同而变的共同特点。被分析的鼠种经配对法比较生化特征的相同程度,初步表明黄毛鼠亲缘上与褐家鼠比较近,白腹巨鼠亲缘上又比其余３种鼠更近于姬鼠属。     

Brachylaima apoplania n. sp. (Digenea: Brachylaimidae) from the Polynesian rat, Rattus exulans (Rodentia: Muridae), in New Zealand: origins and zoogeography

Brachylaima apoplania n. sp. is described from the small intestine of the Polynesian rat (Rattus exulans) on Tiritiri Matangi Island, New Zealand. The new species is most similar to Brachylaima ratti Baugh, 1962, from Rattus rattus. The two species differ only in morphometric characters, B. apoplania possessing significantly smaller suckers, pharynx, testes, ovary, and cirrus sac. The close resemblance between B. apoplania and B. ratti, the close relationship between their hosts, and archaeological evidence on the origin and early dispersal of R. exulans are used to hypothesize a common Southeast Asian origin for the 2 Brachylaima species. Brachylaima apoplania is believed to have dispersed subsequently throughout the South Pacific islands, along with its rodent host, in the canoes of the ancestors of the modern Polynesians and Maoris.     

Genetics of the ceramide/sphingosine-1-phosphate rheostat in blood pressure regulation and hypertension

Background

South Africa's long and extensive trade activity has ensured ample opportunities for exotic species introduction. Whereas the rich biodiversity of endemic southern African fauna has been the focus of many studies, invasive vertebrates are generally overlooked despite potential impacts on biodiversity, health and agriculture. Genetic monitoring of commensal rodents in South Africa which uncovered the presence of Rattus tanezumi, a South-East Asian endemic not previously known to occur in Africa, provided the impetus for expanded studies on all invasive Rattus species present.

Results

To this end, intensified sampling at 28 South African localities and at one site in Swaziland, identified 149 Rattus specimens. Cytochrome b gene sequencing revealed the presence of two R. tanezumi, seven Rattus rattus and five Rattus norvegicus haplotypes in south Africa. Phylogenetic results were consistent with a single, recent R. tanezumi introduction and indicated that R. norvegicus and R. rattus probably became established following at least two and three independent introductions, respectively. Intra- and inter-specific diversity was highest in informal human settlements, with all three species occurring at a single metropolitan township site. Rattus norvegicus and R. rattus each occurred sympatrically with Rattus tanezumi at one and five sites, respectively. Karyotyping of selected R. rattus and R. tanezumi individuals identified diploid numbers consistent with those reported previously for these cryptic species. Ordination of bioclimatic variables and MaxEnt ecological niche modelling confirmed that the bioclimatic niche occupied by R. tanezumi in south Africa was distinct from that occupied in its naturalised range in south-east Asia suggesting that factors other than climate may influence the distribution of this species.

Conclusions

This study has highlighted the value of genetic typing for detecting cryptic invasive species, providing historical insights into introductions and for directing future sampling. The apparent ease with which a cryptic species can become established signals the need for broader implementation of genetic monitoring programmes. In addition to providing baseline data and potentially identifying high-risk introduction routes, the predictive power of ecological niche modelling is enhanced when species records are genetically verified.     

A mathematical epidemiological model of gram-negative Bartonella bacteria: does differential ectoparasite load fully explain the differences in infection prevalence of Rattus rattus and Rattus norvegicus?

We postulate that the large difference in infection prevalence, 24% versus 5%, in R. norvegicus and R. rattus, respectively, between these two co-occurring host species may be due to differences in ectoparasite and potential vector infestation rates. A compartmental model, representative of an infectious system containing these two Rattus species and two ectoparasite vectors, was constructed and the coefficients of the forces of infection determined mathematically. The maximum difference obtained by the model in the prevalence of Bartonella in the two Rattus species amounts to 4.6%, compared to the observed mean difference of 19%. Results suggest the observed higher Bartonella infection prevalence in Rattus norvegicus compared to Rattus rattus, cannot be explained solely by higher ectoparasite load. The model also highlights the need for more detailed biological research on Bartonella infections in Rattus and the importance of the flea vector in the spread of this disease.     

Morphological variation of Moniliformis moniliformis (Bremser 1811) Travassos 1915 and Moniliformis clarki (Ward 1917) Chandler 1921.

A two-way fixed model analysis of variance was used to test Moniliformis moniliformis and M. clarki for inter- and intraspecific differences with respect to 7 morphological characters used to distinguish species of the genus. M. clarki was sexually dimorphic in more characters than was M. moniliformis when specimens from their usual definitive hosts, Spermophilus tridecemlineatus and Rattus norvegicus, respectively, were compared. More characters were sexually dimorphic in both species reared in hamsters, Mesocricetus auratus, than in their usual definitive hosts or M. clarki from rats. Moniliformis clarki and M. moniliformis (n = 25 each sex, each species) from their usual hosts were significantly different at the 1% level in 6 of 7 characters studied. Further M. clarki of either sex from ground squirrels did not differ significantly in any of the 7 characters from those of the same sex from rats. When reared in hamsters, the range in number of longitudinal rows of proboscis hooks of female M. moniliformis included that of M. clarki, but the 2 species were distinct in each of the other features which distinguished them in rats and ground squirrels.     

Recent and rapid speciation with limited morphological disparity in the genus Rattus

Recent and rapid radiations provide rich material to examine the factors that drive speciation. Most recent and rapid radiations that have been well-characterized involve species that exhibit overt ecomorphological differences associated with clear partitioning of ecological niches in sympatry. The most diverse genus of rodents, Rattus (66 species), evolved fairly recently, but without overt ecomorphological divergence among species. We used multilocus molecular phylogenetic data and five fossil calibrations to estimate the tempo of diversification in Rattus, and their radiation on Australia and New Guinea (Sahul, 24 species). Based on our analyses, the genus Rattus originated at a date centered on the Pliocene-Pleistocene boundary (1.84-3.17 Ma) with a subsequent colonization of Sahul in the middle Pleistocene (0.85-1.28 Ma). Given these dates, the per lineage diversification rates in Rattus and Sahulian Rattus are among the highest reported for vertebrates (1.1-1.9 and 1.6-3.0 species per lineage per million years, respectively). Despite their rapid diversification, Rattus display little ecomorphological divergence among species and do not fit clearly into current models of adaptive radiations. Lineage through time plots and ancestral state reconstruction of ecological characters suggest that diversification of Sahulian Rattus was most rapid early on as they expanded into novel ecological conditions. However, rapid lineage accumulation occurred even when morphological disparity within lineages was low suggesting that future studies consider other phenotypes in the diversification of Rattus.     

The flea genus Sigmactenus (Siphonaptera: Leptopsyllidae): a new species from timor and new material from New Guinea and the Philippines

Both sexes of Sigmactenus timorensis n. sp. are described from Rattus tanezumi and Rattus exulans collected in West Timor, Indonesia. The true host presumably is a native murine rat such as the extant, endemic Rattus timorensis or 1 of several extinct, endemic Timorese rats. Analyses of new collections of Sigmactenus cavifrons and Sigmactenus toxopeusi from New Guinea demonstrate that these fleas show considerable morphological variation. We propose that they represent a single species with the name S. toxopeusi having priority. New collections of Sigmactenus werneri from the Philippines expand the known hosts and geographical distribution of this flea.     

中国云南洱海周边大足鼠的体表寄生螨

用U检验和相关分析的统计方法对2003～2004年云南洱海(中国滇西北著名的淡水湖泊)周边251只大足鼠体表寄生螨进行了调查.调查点是我国11大鼠疫自然疫源地之一,也是我国恙虫病和出血热的流行地区.大足鼠已经被鉴定为鼠疫、汉坦病毒、恙虫病和流行性出血热的储存宿主.我们的研究发现大足鼠携带好几种与人兽共患病有关的螨类.为了丰富大足鼠体表寄生螨的研究,在此,对大足鼠的体表寄生螨群落和体表寄生螨医学和兽医学的重要性进行了描述.有191只大足鼠寄生有体表寄生螨,侵染率为76%.采集到的体表寄生螨有35种,包括15种恙螨和20种革螨.其中6种以前已经被证明是人类疾病的主要媒介.因此大足鼠很显然成为流行性出血热和恙虫病等病原体的贮存宿主.     

Dual exposure of Rickettsia typhi and Orientia tsutsugamushi in the field‐collected Rattus rodents from Thailand

Field‐collected rodents and fleas from ten provinces covering four regions of Thailand were investigated for possible rickettsial pathogen infections. The 257 trapped‐rodents belonged to 12 species. Five species of Genus Rattus accounted for 93% of the total capture, of which Rattus exulans and Rattus norvegicus were the two major species caught. All flea specimens, removed from trapped rodents, were identified as Xenopsylla cheopis. The PCR technique was performed on ectoparasite specimens to detect the presence of murine typhus pathogen (Rickettsia typhi) and scrub typhus pathogen (Orientia tsutsugamushi). Thirteen flea specimens (2.6 %) were found to be positive for R. typhi but none for O. tsutsugamushi. An ELISA technique was used to detect the rodent's antibodies against R. typhi and O. tsutsugamushi. Sixty‐one rodent serum samples (23.7%) were positive for R. typhi specific IgM, IgG, or both, while 47 of the samples (18.3%) were positive for O. tsutsugamushi. Twenty serum samples from R. norvegicus (7.8%) had detectable antibodies against both R. typhi and O. tsutsugamushi. Our findings revealed the existence of the dual infection of rickettsial pathogens in the same natural hosts.     

陕西省啮齿动物区系与区划

陕西省地处我国的中部偏东,气侯和植被兼具亚热带和暖温带特点,在动物地理上横跨古北与东洋两大界,啮齿动物种类比较丰富。计有53种另附9亚种,分隶于2目8科6亚科,几乎占全国啮齿动物总种数的三分之一。大足鼠为陕西省首次记录。文中就区系特征作了分析。根据自然地理要素和动物区系的差别,陕西省可划为六个三级地理省。