Serologic evidence of arbovirus infections in humans and wild animals in Alaska

Blood samples were collected from humans and several species of free-ranging wild animals in Alaska. Sera were tested for antibody to Jamestown Canyon (JC), snowshoe hare (SSH), Northway (NOR), Klamath (KLA), Sakhalin (SAK), Great Island (GI), and Silverwater (SIL) virus. JC antibody was found in 54% of 121 human, 89% of 97 bison (Bison bison), 51% of 84 Dall sheep (Ovis dalli), 43% of 68 snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus), and 3% of 33 arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) sera. SSH antibody was found in 42% of 121 human, 89% of 97 bison, 41% of 84 Dall sheep, and 65% of 68 snowshoe hare sera. NOR antibody was found in 14% of 121 human, 94% of 97 bison, 84% of 84 Dall sheep, 43% of 69 caribou (Rangifer tarandus), 3% of 68 snowshoe hare, 48% of 64 grizzly bear (Ursus arctos), 3% of 33 arctic fox, and 78% of 27 moose (Alces alces) sera. KLA antibody was found in 5% of 121 human and 40% of 97 bison sera. SAK antibody was found in 2% of 97 bison and 3% of 33 arctic fox sera. GI antibody was found in 1% of 97 bison sera. No SIL antibody was found in any sera tested. Thus the natural host ranges of JC, SSH, NOR, and KLA viruses have been extended by inference from the occurrence of antibody.     

Trophic niche overlap and wild ungulate consumption by red fox and wolf in a mountain area in Italy

Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and wolf (Canis lupus) are two widespread opportunistic predators living in simpatry in many areas. Nonetheless, scarce information are available on their trophic interactions. We investigated food habits of these two carnivores in a mountain area in Italy and assessed the extent of their trophic niche overlap, focusing on the consumption of wild ungulates. Thereby we analyzed the content of 669 red fox scats and 253 wolf scats collected between May 2008 and April 2009. Red foxes resulted to have a more than three times higher niche breadth than wolves. Vegetables, small mammals, wild ungulates, and invertebrates were major items (altogether 92% of volume) of the red fox annual diet. On the contrary wolf annual diet relied on wild ungulates (94% of volume) with wild boar (Sus scrofa) being the main food item. The degree of trophic niche overlap between the two species was found to be low (Pianka's O = 0.356). Diet variation between the warm and the cold seasons was limited in both species, and higher in red fox than in wolf. The two canids appeared to use wild ungulates unevenly being the former more selective for younger preys, smaller in size (newborn piglets and roe deer Capreolus capreolus fawns), whereas the latter exhibited a preference for medium-sized and large ungulates (10–35 kg wild boar and adult roe deer). Even if wild ungulates represent the main shared food category, the different use of age/weight classes by the two predators, together with their possible consumption as carrions by red fox, suggests a very limited trophic competition between wolf and red fox.This study represents a contribution to the knowledge of trophic interaction in predator–prey systems where sympatric carnivores are present.     

Serum concentrations of vitamin D metabolites, vitamins A and E, and carotenoids in six canid and four ursid species at four zoos

Nutritional status for six captive canid species (n=34) and four captive ursid species (n=18) were analyzed. The species analyzed included: African wild dog (Lycaon pictus), arctic fox (Alopex lagopus), gray wolf (Canis lupus), maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus), Mexican wolf (Canis lupus baleiyi), red wolf (Canis rufus), brown bear (Ursus arctos), polar bear (Ursus maritimus), spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus), and sun bear (Ursus malayanus). Diet information was collected for these animals from each participating zoo (Brookfield Zoo, Fort Worth Zoo, Lincoln Park Zoological Gardens, and North Carolina Zoological Park). The nutritional composition of the diet for each species at each institution met probable dietary requirements. Blood samples were collected from each animal and analyzed for vitamin D metabolites 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)(2)D, vitamin A (retinol, retinyl stearate, retinyl palmitate), vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol) and selected carotenoids. Family differences were found for 25(OH)D, retinol, retinyl stearate, retinyl palmitate and gamma-tocopherol. Species differences were found for all detectable measurements. Carotenoids were not detected in any species. The large number of animals contributing to these data, provides a substantial base for comparing the nutritional status of healthy animals and the differences among them.     

Foraging and diet of the red fox Vulpes vulpes in relation to variable food resources in Biatowieza National Park, Poland

Feeding ecology of red fox Vulpes vulpes was studied by scat analysis and snow-tracking m primeval temperate forest and adjacent meadows during four years (1985/86-1988/89) Winters varied from mild to unusually severe Main food resources for foxes were rodents of open meadows and river valleys (root vole Microtus oeconomus ). forest rodents (bank vole Clethrionomys glareolus and yellow-necked mouse Apodemus flavicollis ), hare Lepus europaetis and carcasses of wild boar Sus scrofa and red deer Cervus elaphus either killed by wolves and lynx or that had died from inanition Composition of fox diet m four cold seasons (autumn-winter) was compared to the abundance of main food resources Prolonged, sharp decline of Microtus was followed by only a twofold decrease of its share in fox diet Foxes continued to prey on declining Microlus The changes in the proportions of forest rodents and hare in fox diet clearly followed the fluctuations in numbers of these two prey Carcasses were alternative, buffer food to foxes and were taken considerably when Microlus and other prey were in low numbers or poorly accessible The depth of snow was the most important factor restricting foxes access to rodents Snow-tracking revealed that foxes dwelling in the forest widely used adjacent open areas In open meadows foxes mainly hunted for rodents, while in the forest the most significant foraging activity was scavenging Seasonal analysis of fox diet revealed that consumption of Microlus by foxes was stable throughout the year (37-47% of biomass consumed) Bank vole significantly contributed to fox diet in autumn, and hare in summer only Scavenging was most pronounced in winter and spring when carcasses made up 30% of biomass taken     

The prevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in some Ontario mammals

A survey of serum samples from mammals trapped in Central Ontario showed that many contained antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii. The prevalence of infection as reflected by positive reactions in the Sabin-Feldman Dye Test appeared to be related to the type of diet of each species examined, and specifically, to the proportion of rodents in the diet. Of the fox blood samples tested, 84% were positive. The percentage of positive samples diminished through, coyote, mink, bear, fisher skunk, raccoon, marten and rabbit. Blood samples from squirrel, deer, hare and groundhog were negative.     

Comparative pathological and immunohistochemical features of sarcoptic mange in five sympatric wildlife species in Northern Spain

This study collects pathological information concerning sarcoptic mange in sympatric red deer, roe deer, chamois, wolf and red fox from Northern Spain, and discusses reported variations in the response from the different species against Sarcoptes scabiei. Wolf is the only studied species which shows prevalence of the hypersensitivity (alopecic) response to the detriment of the hyperkeratotic form, usually observed in ungulates and fox. The present work shows the use of immunohistochemistry as a valuable tool for the study and diagnosis of sarcoptic mange in those species whose immune response or stage of infestation limits the number of detectable mites, not an unusual difficulty faced when working with sarcoptic mange in wildlife species.     

The ultrastructure of the heart and kidney of the pilid gastropod mollusc Marisa cornuarietis, with special reference to filtration throughout the Architaenioglossa

Transmission and scanning electron micrographs of the heart and kidney of Marisa cornuarietis (L.) reveal that the auricle is largely responsible for filtration supplemented to a small extent by the ventricle. The epicardial cells of the auricle are specialized to allow the escape of a filtrate of the blood, but do not bear any resemblance to podocytes. The posterior part of the kidney is lined by a characteristic renal epithelium excreting uric acid and resorbing glucose whilst the anterior part has an epithelium specialized for active transport of ions. A possible mechanism for filtration is suggested, and the functional significance of the structural variations in the heart and kidney of pilids, viviparids and cyclophorids is discussed.     

Native and non-native mammals disperse exotic ectomycorrhizal fungi at long distances from pine plantations

We aimed to evaluate if exotic ectomycorrhizal fungi from exotic pine plantations disperse through non-native, but also native, mammals in a mountain ecosystem devoid of native ECM plants. Among four non-native and three native mammal species, feces of non-native wild boar (Sus scrofa) and brown hare (Lepus europaeus), and native pampa fox (Lycalopex gymnocercus) were selected to inoculate seedlings of Pinus elliottii. These feces came from two transects in an elevation gradient (1350–2250 m asl) and different distances from a pine plantation (100–6000 m). We show that feces of wild boar, brown hare (non-native), and pampa fox (native) were effective as inoculum for establishing ectomycorrhizal pine seedlings. Through molecular analyses, we determined that two species are mostly consumed and successfully form ectomycorrhizas with pine roots: Suillus granulatus and Rhizopogon pseudoroseolus. We provide novel evidence for the long-distance dispersal of exotic ectomycorrhizal fungi by non-native and native animal vectors.     

Fine structure of the excretory system of Amphioxus (Branchiostoma floridae) and its response to osmotic stress

Summary The excretory organs of Amphioxus occur as segmentally arranged structures throughout the pharyngeal region and may be divided into three components: the solenocytes, the renal tubule, and the renal glomerulus.The solenocytes possess foot processes that rest upon the coelomic surface of the ligamentum denticulatum. The tubular apparatus of the solenocytes consists of ten triangular rods surrounding a central flagellum. The distal end of the tubular apparatus enters branches of the renal tubule. The renal tubule eventually opens into the atrial cavity of Amphioxus. The renal glomerulus is a sinus within the connective tissue of the ligamentum dentieculatum where it connects elements of the branchial circulation with the dorsal aorta. The renal glomerulus, like other blood vessels of Amphioxus, lacks an endothelial lining.If Amphioxus is adapted to artificial sea water at different concentrations there is no change in kidney morphology suggesting that Amphioxus is either is osmotic with its environment or is osmoregulating with other organs.This work was supported by U.S. Public Health Service Grant 5-T01-GM 00582.     

犬科的线粒体细胞色素b DNA序列及其分子系统学研究

通过对犬科的赤狐、蓝狐、貉和狼４种的线粒体细胞色素ｂ约３７２ｂｐＤＮＡ片段序列分析,结合ＧｅｎＢａｎｋ中狗、西门豺和非洲野犬３种的该区段ＤＮＡ序列的比较,共发现１１３个核苷酸位点存在变异（约３０％）。ＮＪ法构建的分子系统树显示,非洲野犬最先从犬科动物中分化出来;犬属的我狼、狗和西门豺等３种为系统树上独立的一支,且其分歧的时间较赤狐、蓝狐和貉早;赤狐和蓝狐具有较近的亲缘关系。上述结果与形态的观点基本     

Epizootiologic and ecologic investigations of European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) in selected populations from Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

From 1997-99 European brown hare (Lepus europaeus) population densities were estimated by spotlight surveys within different areas in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. These areas showed a wide variation in local hare population densities. In addition, red fox (Vulpes vulpes) densities were estimated in 1997 by surveys of fox dens and litters. Sera of 321 hares (shot between 1998-2000) from four study areas were examined for antibodies against European brown hare syndrome virus (EBHSV) by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Yersinia spp. (n = 299) and Francisella tularensis (n = 299) by western blotting, Brucella spp. by Rose Bengal test, and Toxoplasma gondii by Sabin-Feldman test (n = 318). Tissue samples comprising lung, liver, spleen, kidney, heart, and adrenal glands were collected for histopathology. Liver (n = 201) and spleen (n = 201) samples were processed for the detection of T. gondii-antigen in tissue sections and 321 liver and spleen samples were investigated for EBHSV-antigen by ELISA. Furthermore, 116 hares were examined macro- and microscopically for lungworms. Significant negative correlations between hare and fox densities were found in spring and autumn 1997. Antibodies against EBHSV were detected in 92 of 321 (29%), against Yersinia spp. in 163 of 299 (55%), and against T. gondii in 147 of 318 (46%) hares. We evaluated the potential influence of origin and hunting season on exposure rates of hares using logistic regression analysis. A strong association between hare densities and exposure rates was observed for various agents. One hundred and eight of 201 (57%) hares were positive for T. gondii-antigen. All sera were negative for antibodies against Brucella spp. and F. tularensis and all lung samples were negative for lungworms. In conclusion, variation in red fox densities may have an impact on the hare populations examined and the infectious diseases we studied seem to play a subordinate role in the dynamics of European brown hare populations from Schleswig-Holstein.     

赤狐线粒体全基因组及系统发育分析

测定了赤狐的线粒体基因组全序列,总长度为16 723 bp,碱基组成为：31.3% A、26.1% C、14.8% G、27.8% T。和大多数哺乳动物一样,赤狐的线粒体全基因组包含13个蛋白质编码基因、2个核糖体RNA基因、22个转运RNA基因和1个控制区。除ND3基因起始密码子为不常见的ATT外,赤狐与北极狐、狼、家犬、郊狼的线粒体蛋白质编码遵循相同模式。在控制区的保守序列区段1和2之间发现一段较长的富含AC的随机重复序列。为了验证赤狐与其他犬科动物的系统发育关系,利用12个重链蛋白质编码基因,分别通过邻接法和最大简约法构建了系统发育树。结果表明：赤狐与北极狐是姐妹群,它们在犬科中都属于赤狐型分支,而灰狼、家犬和郊狼则属于狼型分支,与现有的系统进化研究结果一致。     

Influence of age on saline hypertension in subtotal nephrectomized rats

In uninephrectomised immature and adult male rats 34% renal tissue was removed from the remaining kidney and after 60-days exposure to saline treatment (0.17 mol/l NaCl solution as only drinking fluid) the mean arterial blood pressure, plasma urea concentration, plasma and extracellular fluid volumes were estimated. In comparison with water drinking uninephrectomised age-matched controls it has been found that: in both age groups, the loss of tissue from the remaining kidney was fully replaced by compensatory growth of the renal stump, plasma urea concentration remained unchanged in animals operated on when adult, but increased in animals operated on when immature, the interstitial fluid volume increased in both age groups--the plasma volume as well as blood pressure remained unchanged in animals treated when adult, but increased in animals treated when immature. It is concluded that under conditions of elevated salt intake the loss of renal mass in immature rats was compensated by growth of tissue with a lower excretory ability than in adult ones, this being responsible for the development of hypertension in the younger group.     

Biotic and abiotic factors modulating wild boar relative abundance in Atlantic Spain

The population dynamics of wild ungulates, particularly wild boar (Sus scrofa), are modulated by biotic (e.g. predation) and abiotic (environmental) determinants. Despite the evident potential interference of predation in the environmental patterns of wild boar population abundance, studies including both predation and abiotic factors are scarce. Here, using spatially explicit predictive models, we investigated the effects of habitat features on the relative abundance of wild boar populations and how the abundance of boars is related to frequency of Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus; hereafter, wolf) in the area. Wild boar relative abundance was determined by hunting bag statistics, including hunting effort-related variables (in order to avoid problems derived from modeling rates) as covariates, while wolf attacks to livestock were considered as a proxy of wolf frequency in the drive. After modeling, variation partitioning procedures were used to determine the relative importance of each factor and their overlaid effects. Our results showed that wild boar and wolf relative abundances are associated. According to previous knowledge on the wild boar ecology, we found that the species abundance is positively related to the percentage of surface occupied by mature forest and heather providing high food diversity and refuge, but these environmental variables achieved a low explanatory capacity in the models in relation to wolf frequency. The holistic approach followed in this study was attended to open new perspectives for thinking on the wolf-livestock conflict and to adequate wild boar management strategies taking into account hunting interests and natural processes.     

Angiotensinase A in the renomedullary interstitial cells

Aminopeptidase A (angiotensinase A; APA) was demonstrated by histochemical means in the renomedullary interstitial cells of the golden hamster, rat, guinea pig and hare. The highest APA activities were shown in the interstitial cells of the hamster. Ultracytochemical studies of the kidney medulla of the hamster indicated that APA is localized mainly on the cell membranes of interstitial cells. Reaction product was also observed intracellularly in the nuclear membrane region. Besides the interstitial cells, APA was demonstrable ultracytochemically in the endothelial cell membranes of medullary blood vessels. Biochemical studies of APA in the renal medulla of experimental animals (sodium loaded and sodium depleted hamsters) have shown that significant changes of APA activities were available only after sodium loading, namely a decrease of APA activities in comparison to control animals. - APA through its degradation of angiotensin, is presumed, to have a bearing on the angiotensin induced prostaglandin biosynthesis of renomedullary interstitial cells.     

Surveillance and management of Echinococcus multilocularis in a wildlife park

The fox tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis is the causative agent of alveolar echinococcosis, a severe zoonotic disease that may be fatal if untreated. A broad spectrum of mammalian species may be accidentally infected even in captivity. In April 2011, liver lesions due to E. multilocularis were observed during the necropsy of a captive-born nutria (Myocastor coypus) in a French wildlife park, leading to initiation of a study to survey the parasite's presence in the park. A comparable environmental contamination with fox's feces infected by E. multilocularis was reported inside (17.8%) and outside (20.6%) the park. E. multilocularis worms were found in the intestines of three of the five roaming foxes shot in the park. Coprological analyses of potential definitive hosts in captivity (fox, lynx, wildcat, genet, wolf, bear and raccoon) revealed infection in one Eurasian wolf. Voles trapped inside the park also had a high prevalence of 5.3%. After diagnosis of alveolar echinococcosis in a Lemur catta during necropsy, four other cases in L. catta were detected by a combination of ultrasound and serology. These animals were treated twice daily with albendazole. The systematic massive metacestode development and numerous protoscoleces in L. catta confirmed their particular sensitivity to E. multilocularis infection. The autochthonous origin of the infection in all the captive animals infected was genetically confirmed by EmsB microsatellite analysis. Preventive measures were implemented to avoid the presence of roaming foxes, contact with potential definitive hosts and contaminated food sources for potential intermediate hosts.     

Long-term changes in the feeding pattern of red foxes Vulpes vulpes and their predation on brown hares Lepus europaeus in western Poland

The aim of this study was to estimate long-term changes in the winter feeding pattern of red foxes Vulpes vulpes and in their predation on brown hares Lepus europaeus in relation to the decreasing abundance of hares in western Poland in 1965/1966–2006/2007. The frequencies of occurrence in the stomachs of culled foxes (N?=?726) were used as indices of prey capture rates. The average autumn density of brown hares in the study area decreased from 48 individuals/km² at the turn of the 1960s and 1970s to seven individuals/km² in 1999–2006. Hares and small rodents were the main food classes of foxes in western Poland at the turn of the 1960s and 1970s; however, the occurrence of hares in the fox diet subsequently decreased, and they were replaced by livestock carrion. The relationship between the occurrence frequency of hares in the fox diet and the hare density was best described by sigmoid equation. It indicates that the red fox showed a type III functional response to long-term changes in hare abundance. When predation rate index was estimated on the basis of functional response, the potential fox predation was density-dependent at low to intermediate hare densities (<25 individuals/km²). This finding suggests that the increase in the number of low-density hare populations may require intensive management measures, e.g. simultaneous use of fox control and habitat improvement.     

Effects of endothelin on the renal microcirculation of the split hydronephrotic rat kidney.

We have examined the effects of endothelin (ET) on the renal microcirculation by in vivo microscopy using the model of the split hydronephrotic rat kidney. ET, a potent vasoconstrictor peptide synthesized by vascular endothelial cells, showed marked and long-lasting effects on glomerular blood flow and vessel diameters in various segments of the renal vascular bed. Intravenously applied ET (100 ng/min/kg) increased systemic blood pressure from 123 +/- 7 to 156 +/- 4 mm Hg, decreased glomerular blood flow by 70%, and preferentially constricted larger preglomerular vessels, e.g. the arcuate artery. The competitive leukotriene antagonist FPL55712 significantly attenuated the vasoconstrictor response of the larger vessels. Local ET administration decreased glomerular blood flow in a dose-dependent manner (50% reduction at a concentration of 2.6 +/- 0.7 x 10(-9) M) and constricted smaller vessel segments, e.g. the afferent and efferent arterioles near the glomerulus. The constriction induced by ET was not significantly affected by the Ca2+ channel blocker nitrendipine (2.8 x 10(-6) to 1.1 x 10(-5) M). We conclude that intravenous ET effects are probably mediated by leukotrienes, inducing constriction of larger renal vessels. Locally administered ET acts directly on the renal vasculature, especially on smaller vessels.     

Occurrence of Enterococci in Animals in a Wild Environment

Enterococci were obtained from the feces of 71% of 216 mammals, 86% of 70 reptiles, and 32% of 22 birds sampled in a truly wild environment, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Patterns of food dependence and also of species dependence were observed. Among the lower classes of the primarily herbivorous mammals, the enterococci occurred sporadically; however, of the six species of Sciuridae, the gray squirrel, and of four species of Cricetidae, the red-backed mouse, the enterococci appear to be natural hosts. The enterococci were not obtained from most specimens of moles, shrews, or rabbits but they were obtained from most specimens of bats and from the carnivorous mammals, such as fox, bear, raccon, skunk, and boar. Streptococcus faecalis was obtained from 12 reptiles, and a caseolytic variant was obtained from 37 specimens of the reptiles. The strongly reducing, tellurite-tolerant species, S. faecalis, its caseolytic variant, and S. faecalis var. zymogenes were isolated from 127 or 41% of 308 specimens cultured. S. faecium was recovered from 87 or 28% of the animals, chiefly from the wild boar (60 of 64 trials) and the black bear. S. zymogenes was obtained from 1 of 31 bats, 3 of 12 raccoons, and 1 of 3 owls.     

Dietary protein-induced changes in excretory function: a general animal design feature

Mammals are ureotelic and respond to an increased protein intake with an increase in glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow. Birds and terrestrial insects are uricotelic and following a high protein intake increase tubular urate secretion by the kidney (birds) or Malpighian tubule (insects). Ureogenic fish given NH₄Cl increase gill and renal clearance of urea and gill clearance of ammonia. Renal mass increases in mammals, birds and reptiles given a high protein intake. Thus, animals in general respond to an increase in protein intake with a change in excretory function such as to increase the clearance of the major nitrogenous end-products of protein metabolism. The components of this general animal excretory response include; a redistribution of regional perfusion with increased renal and gill blood flow, increased GFR and gill ammonia clearance, increased renal tubular urate clearance, changes in urea transport protein abundance and/or function and renal hypertrophy. Animal groups differ as to which components are accentuated. Amino acid catabolism with generation of ammonia appears to be a necessary prerequisite for this excretory response to occur. A hypothesis is put forward that ammonia itself is a regulatory molecule and an important signal communicating between amino acid catabolism following an increase in protein intake and the sequence of events leading to a change in excretory function.