Diffusion of pulmonary Nematoda in the steinbock (Capra ibex) and the chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) at the Gran Paradiso National Park and the di Valdieri Reservation]

The results obtained in a survey on the diffusion of pulmonary nematodes in 13 steinbocks (Capra ibex) and 71 chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) of the Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso, and 49 chamois of the Riserva di Valdieri, Italian Western Alps, are reported. The following species of nematodes were identified: Spiculocaulus austriacus, Protostrongylus rufescens, Protostrongylus hobmaieri in steinbocks; Protostrongylus rupicaprae, Protostrongylus hobmaieri, Protostrongylus refescens,Protostrongylus sp., Spiculocaulus austriacus and Dictyocaulus filaria in chamois. The study of two species, viz. Spiculocaulus austriacus and Protostrongylus sp., is still in progress because these nematodes show morphological peculiarities never previously described.     

Cytochrome b phylogeography of chamois (Rupicapra spp.). Population contractions, expansions and hybridizations governed the diversification of the genus

The chamois provides an excellent model for exploring the effect of historical and evolutionary events on diversification. We investigate cytochrome b (cytb) sequences in the 10 recognized subspecies of Rupicapra classified within 2 species: Rupicapra pyrenaica, with the subspecies parva, pyrenaica, and ornata, and Rupicapra rupicapra, with cartusiana, rupicapra, tatrica, carpatica, balcanica, asiatica, and caucasica. A fragment of 349 bp of the cytb was sequenced in 189 individuals. We identified 3 cytb lineages: Clade West in Iberia and Western Alps; Clade Central in the Apennines and the Massif of Chartreuse; and Clade East present in populations to the east of the Alps. The 2 proposed species were polyphyletic; the clades West and Central are represented in both, whereas the Clade East is restricted to R. rupicapra. In contrast to the current systematic, cytb phylogenies suggest the classification of the 10 subspecies of chamois into a single species, R. rupicapra. Phylogeny and geographical distribution of the 3 lineages show the effects of limited latitudinal range expansions, contractions, and hybridizations among highly divergent lineages, along with a major role of the glacial ice sheets of the Alps and the Pyrenees as barriers to gene flow, on the diversification of extant taxa.     

The conservation of the chamois Rupicapra spp.

• 1 Despite it being the most abundant mountain dwelling ungulate of Europe and the Near East, the taxonomy, systematics and biology of the chamois are still imperfectly known. Although neither species of chamois is at risk, several subspecies are threatened (Rupicapra rupicapra cartusiana, Rupicapra rupicapra tatrica and Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica; Rupicapra pyrenaica ornata. Rupicapra rupicapra asiatica is data‐deficient but probably threatened).
• 2 A life history with apparently contradictory relationships between survival, sexual dimorphism and mating system suggests a unique survival strategy not yet fully understood. Over the last century, morphologic, biometric, behavioural and genetic features have been studied to shed light on the phylogeography and monophyly or polyphyly of the chamois as well as on the number of existing species and subspecies of the genus Rupicapra.
• 3 The dispersal hypothesis, according to which R. rupicapra migrated westward from eastern Europe in the Quaternary, confining R. pyrenaica to the southernmost regions of Europe, has been recently called into question by some molecular analyses that yielded contradictory results.
• 4 In spite of subtleties relevant to each method of analysis, an overall evaluation of differences between the R. rupicapra and the R. pyrenaica groups strongly supports the functional separation of the taxa into two species.
• 5 Further studies on the ecology of chamois, as well as on the epidemiology of severe diseases, e.g. sarcoptic mange, are needed to improve the management of viable populations.
• 6 Before translocations and reintroductions are carried out, the risk of hybridization leading to genetic extinction should be evaluated.

     

Specific status and pathogenicity of syngamid nematodes in bird species (Ciconiformes, Falconiformes, Gruiformes) from Germany

A total of 549 birds from four orders were examined for nematodes in their respiratory system from 1995 to 2000. Twelve individuals of Falconiformes (n = 503), one of Gruiformes (n = 22) and one of Ciconiformes (n = 1), but no bird of the order Strigiformes (n = 23) were infected with syngamids. The syngamid species included Hovorkonema variegatum, Syngamus trachea and Cyathostoma trifurcatum from the trachea, bronchi and air sacs, with H. variegatum being the most prevalent. Cyathostoma trifurcatum from a black stork Ciconia nigra is a new record for Germany. The marsh harrier Circus aeruginosus and the white-tailed sea eagle Haliaeetus albicilla are new hosts for H. variegatum. Morphological characters such as the dorsal rays of the bursa copulatrix, length of the spicules and the mouth capsule are used to differentiate species of the family Syngamidae. Egg size is different between S. trachea and H. variegatum. In addition to morphological characters, the nucleotide sequence of the SSU ribosomal gene was determined for H. variegatum. Pairwise comparisons with the SSU sequence of S. trachea (AF036606) revealed sequence difference of 2.6%. The nucleotide sequence of the second internal transcribed spacer of ribosomal DNA for different populations of H. variegatum was also determined. Pairwise comparisons revealed two separate strains with a sequence difference of 14.0% to 14.5% suggesting the existence of a cryptic species. Pathological findings associated with H. variegatum were found in 7 of 12 cases and consisted of thickened air sac walls and lesions or granuloma at the site of attachment of the worm, which occasionally involved the underlaying tissues. Lymphoplasmocytic air sacculitis was the most prominent histological lesion found.     

Cytochrome b pseudogene originated from a highly divergent mitochondrial lineage in genus Rupicapra

We have identified a nuclear pseudogene (numt) of cytochrome b (cytb) in chamois. The comparison of a fragment of 402 nucleotides of cytb and the pseudogene between the 2 species Rupicapra rupicapra and Rupicapra pyrenaica allowed direct measurement of relative rates and patterns of evolution. Mitochondrial genes evolved 7 to 12 times faster than their nuclear counterparts. Substitutions in the nucleus include a frameshift and a stop codon. Phylogenetic analysis of nuclear and mitochondrial lineages on Rupicapra and related species showed that the nuclear branch evolved as a functional mitochondrial gene until the split of the 2 species of chamois and as a typical pseudogene later on. We propose that the pseudogene originated from a highly divergent mitochondrial lineage that did not persist in the mitochondrion and transposed to the nucleus in a time close to speciation. The concurrence of highly differentiated lineages at speciation points to hybridization between highly divergent populations.     

Protostrongylus (Protostrongylus) rufescens boevi, a new subspecies, parasite of the respiratory apparatus of chamois]

A nematode parasitic of bronchial system of Rupicapra rupicapra (chamois) of Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso (Italian Western Alps) is described and the name Protostrongylus (Protostrongylus) rufescens boevi subspecies nova, is proposed.     

Morphological variations in nematode parasites after a radioactive fall out: preliminary results

Preliminary results from a survey of abomasal parasites of wild ruminant Rupicapra rupicapra are reported. The study was carried out after the fall out of radioactive contamination from the nuclear accident at Chernobyl (May 1986) and showed the high prevalence of teratologic forms in representatives of Ostertaginae (3.1% of the entire population of male worms).     

New Pudicinae (Trichostrongylina, Heligmosomoidea) coparasites of Proechimys longicaudatus (Caviomorpha) from Bolivia. I--Description of Pudica ginsburgi n. sp. and Heligmostrongylus chiarae n. sp

Two new Pudicinae (Trichostrongylina, Heligmosomoidea, Heligmonellidae) coparasites of Proechimys longicaudatus (Caviomorph rodent) from Bolivia are described: Pudica ginsburgi n. sp. is differentiated from all the other species of the genus by the great length of the spicules and of the vestibule and by a different ratio of the length of the spicules on the length of the body. Heligmostrongylus chiarae n. sp. has very developed rays 4, strongly divergent from rays 5 as occurs in three other species, H. almeidai (Durette-Desset & Tcheprakoff, 1969), a parasite of Trichomys apereoides (= Cercomys cunicularius) from Brazil, H. squamastrongylus (Travassos, 1937), a parasite of Proechimys oris from Brazil and H. proechimysi Durette-Desset, 1970, a parasite of Proechimys semispinosus from Columbia. The specimens from Bolivia are differentiated from the three species by the division of the dorsal ray (anterior half versus posterior half) and by a different ratio of the length of the spicules on the length of the body.     

Interspecific and seasonal dietary differences of Himalayan thar, chamois and brushtail possums in the central Southern Alps, New Zealand

Himalayan thar or tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus), Alpine chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) and brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) are native to the Himalaya, Europe and Australia, respectively, but are now sympatric in parts of the central Southern Alps, New Zealand. All three species are managed as pests by the Department of Conservation. We analysed the diets of 246 thar, 78 chamois and 113 possums collected in the central Southern Alps during 1988–1996. The diets of thar and chamois strongly overlapped, but thar ate more grasses and less herbs and woody plants than chamois. The diet of possums differed from the diets of thar and chamois, containing a different suite of herbs and almost no grasses. The diets of thar, chamois and possums varied seasonally. Contrary to expectation, the diets of adult male and female thar were similar during the period when they are spatially segregated (October–May). Chamois sampled outside the thar range ate more species than those sampled inside the thar range, suggesting that the presence of thar modifies the diet of chamois. If managers wish to protect the dominant Chionochloa snow tussocks then thar should be controlled; chamois should be controlled to protect herbs such as Ranunculus spp.; and possums should be controlled if Podocarpus nivalis or Muehlenbeckia axillaris need to be protected. However, managers need to be aware of the potential for chamois to increase in abundance, at least in some sites, if thar are controlled to low abundance, and that this could lead to different impacts on plant populations.     

Cilia-associated respiratory (CAR) bacillus infection in adult red deer, chamois, and roe deer

Cilia-associated respiratory (CAR) bacillus is an unclassified bacterium that colonizes the ciliated epithelium of airways in laboratory rats, laboratory mice, and laboratory and conventionally reared rabbits, cattle, goats, and pigs. Data on the prevalence of CAR bacillus infection in wild animals are lacking. The present study demonstrated the occurrence of the organism in wild red deer (Cervus elaphus hippelaphus), chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) from the Val Fontana in northern Italy. Prevalence ranged from 26% for red deer to 56% for chamois, with a statistically significant negative correlation between CAR bacilli infection and the presence of lymphoid follicles.     

Antimicrobial resistance and production of toxins in Escherichia coli strains from wild ruminants and the alpine marmot

Escherichia coli strains isolated from 81 fecal samples from red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreoulus capreoulus), chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) and alpine marmot (Marmota marmota) living in the Stelvio National Park, Italy, were examined for antimicrobial resistance and production of toxic factors. Direct plating of specimens on media containing antimicrobial drugs allowed us to isolate resistant strains of E. coli from 10 of 59 (17%) specimens examined by this technique. Nine of 31 specimens from red deer (29%) contained resistant strains. Different animals were likely colonized by the same resistant strain of E. coli. Conjugative R plasmids were found in four strains isolated from the marmot, roe deer and chamois. A strain from red deer produced heat-stable enterotoxin and another strain produced both hemolysin and cytotoxic necrotizing factor. A marmot isolate produced hemolysin alone. No strains were found to produce heat-labile enterotoxin or verotoxins.     

Late Pleistocene and Holocene chamois in Italy

相似文献   

Gewicht,Schädelgröße und Gehörnwachstum von Gemsen aus dem Jura und ein Vergleich mit anderen Populationen

European Journal of Wildlife Research - Die Gemsbestände (Rupicapra r. rupicapra L.) im Jura, die auf Aussetzungen in den Jahren 1950–1962 zurückgehen, sind bis heute auf über...     

Gastro-intestinal nematode infections in four Alpine chamois herds: influence of host density on helminth egg output

A three years survey on gastro-intestinal nematode egg output was carried out in four Alpine chamois herds (Rupicapra rupicapra rupicapra) from Belluno province (Italy). Data were analysed in order to detect the influence of cattle presence and chamois density on egg output, and to evaluate the stability of host-parasite relationship. As expected, variations related to the season were present, with the major peak of egg output observed in the summer. Results highlighted an unexpected inverse influence of host density on egg counts. The results are in relation to host-parasite relationship stability. Parasites seem to be able to self-regulate in the absence of parasite-induced host mortality. No effect due to cattle presence was detected.     

Isolation of Brucella melitensis biovar 3 from a chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) in the southern French Alps

Systemic brucellosis caused by Brucella melitensis biovar 3 was identified in a chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) near the Parc National des Ecrins in the southern French Alps (France). Clinical signs included orchiepididymitis, polyarthritis, blindness and various neurological signs; necropsy findings included numerous calcified foci in testis, epididymis, kidney, subcutaneous connective tissue and brain. Brucella sp. were identified in brain by indirect immunofluorescence and B. melitensis biovar 3 was isolated from testis, kidney, eye, lung and joints. This report describes the first case of brucellosis and Brucella sp. isolation in chamois in France and the first case of B. melitensis isolation in this host species.     

Bioelectric properties and ion transport of airways excised from adult and fetal sheep

Segments of fetal and maternal trachea, maternal bronchi from near-term sheep, and trachea and bronchi from nonpregnant adult sheep were excised and mounted as sheets in Ussing chambers. The conductance (G) for each group of tissues was similar (approximately 4 mS/cm-2); the short circuit current (Isc) ranged from 45-90 microA/cm-2. Under short-circuit or open-circuit conditions trachea and bronchi from pregnant and nonpregnant adult animals absorbed Na+, whereas fetal trachea secreted Cl-. Short-circuited maternal bronchi secreted K+, whereas maternal and fetal trachea did not. Isoproterenol induced an increase in Isc, G, and Cl- secretion of fetal trachea. Maternal trachea and bronchi were not affected. Amiloride reduced Na+ absorption and Isc of maternal trachea and bronchi, but had little effect on fetal trachea. The permeability of fetal trachea to 14C-mannitol was 17 X 10(-7) cm/s and was not affected by isoproterenol. The permeation of dextran (10 K) and horseradish peroxidase across fetal trachea and of all three probes across maternal airways did not reach steady state, but the relative rates were compatible with an equivalent pore radius greater than 4 nm. We conclude that ion transport in fetal large airways contributes to the Cl- and liquid secretion by the entire fetal pulmonary epithelium, whereas resting ion transport of large airways from adult sheep, like that of mature airways of many species, is dominated by Na+ absorption. All of these airway epithelia are characterized by large paracellular aqueous paths.     

Immune responses to Mycoplasma conjunctivae in alpine ibex, alpine chamois, and domestic sheep in Switzerland

The humoral immune response of three alpine chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra rupicapra), two alpine ibex (Capra ibex ibex) and three domestic sheep naturally affected with infectious keratoconjunctivitis (IKC), and four ibex and two sheep experimentally infected with Mycoplasma conjunctivae was analysed. In addition, the local immune response to M. conjunctivae was analysed using conjunctival washes from chamois and sheep. Immunoblot analysis of sera using whole cell antigens of M. conjunctivae revealed the major immunogenic proteins which had molecular masses of 175, 83, 68, 60, 50, 42, 36, and 33 kDa. Major antigens were found at 83, 68, 60, and 42 kDa in both sera and conjunctival washes from naturally infected animals of all three Caprinae species. In experimentally infected animals, antibodies to the 68 and 60 kDa antigens were dominant. Naturally infected animals showed much stronger immune reactions than those experimentally infected, and specific antibodies appeared 2 to 4 wk after experimental infection. To evaluate possible cross-reactions, whole cell antigen of M. conjunctivae was analysed by immunoblot against hyperimmune sera of closely related Mycoplasma spp. Antibodies to the 175, 73, 68, 60, and 33 kDa antigens appeared to be specific to M. conjunctivae. Cross-reactions mainly with 83, 50, and 42 kDa antigens were detected, in particular with M. ovipneumoniae and M. bovoculi hyperimmune sera, but also with antisera against M. capricolum capricolum and M. putrefaciens.     

Cryptic diversity in European bats

Different species of bat can be morphologically very similar. In order to estimate the amount of cryptic diversity among European bats we screened the intra- and interspecific genetic variation in 26 European vespertilionid bat species. We sequenced the DNA of subunit 1 of the mitochondrial protein NADH dehydrogenase (ND1) from several individuals of a species, which were sampled in a variety of geographical regions. A phylogeny based on the mitochondrial (mt) DNA data is in good agreement with the current classification in the family. Highly divergent mitochondrial lineages were found in two taxa, which differed in at least 11% of their ND1 sequence. The two mtDNA lineages in Plecotus austriacus correlated with the two subspecies Plecotus austriacus austriacus and Plecotus austriacus kolombatovici. The two mtDNA lineages in Myotis mystacinus were partitioned among two morphotypes. The evidence for two new bat species within Europe is discussed. Convergent adaptive evolution might have contributed to the morphological similarity among distantly related species if they occupy similar ecological niches. Closely related species may differ in their ecology but not necessarily in their morphology. On the other hand, two morphologically clearly different species (Eptesicus serotinus and Eptesicus nilssonii) were found to be genetically very similar. Neither morphological nor mitochondrial DNA sequence analysis alone can be guaranteed to identify species.     

Serosurvey of roe deer, chamois and domestic sheep in the central Italian Alps

Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), chamois (Rupicapra rupricapra rupicapra), and domestic sheep in the Orobie Alps, Italy, were serologically tested for antibodies to selected pathogens that may be transmitted across species. Antibodies against Brucella spp. and bovine herpesvirus 1 (roe deer and chamois only) were not detected in any species. In roe deer, antibodies were detected against Toxoplasma gondii (13%) and Neospora caninum (3%). Chamois tested positive for antibodies to T. gondii (5%), N. caninum (21%), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) (41%), bovine parainfluenza type-3 virus (17%), pestiviruses (18%), and Mycoplasma conjunctivae (17%). In the sheep, particularly high antibody prevalence rates were found for T. gondii (78%), Chlamydophila spp. (20%), pestiviruses (90%), BRSV (82%), and M. conjunctivae (81%).