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Howell E, White A, Lurz PWW, Boots M. Immune interactions and heterogeneity in transmission drives the pathogen-mediated invasion of grey squirrels in the UK. J Anim Ecol 2024. [PMID: 38494654 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.14074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Mathematical models highlighted the importance of pathogen-mediated invasion, with the replacement of red squirrels by squirrelpox virus (SQPV) carrying grey squirrels in the UK, a well-known example. In this study, we combine new epidemiological models, with a range of infection characteristics, with recent longitudinal field and experimental studies on the SQPV dynamics in red and grey squirrel populations to better infer the mechanistic basis of the disease interaction. A key finding is that a model with either partial immunity or waning immunity and reinfection, where individuals become seropositive on the second exposure to infection, that up to now has been shown in experimental data only, can capture the key aspects of the field study observations. By fitting to SQPV epidemic observations in isolated red squirrel populations, we can infer that SQPV transmission between red squirrels is significantly (4×) higher than the transmission between grey squirrels and as a result our model shows that disease-mediated replacement of red squirrels by greys is considerably more rapid than replacement in the absence of SQPV. Our findings recover the key results of the previous model studies, which highlights the value of simple strategic models that are appropriate when there are limited data, but also emphasise the likely complexity of immune interactions in wildlife disease and how models can help infer disease processes from field data.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Howell
- Department of Mathematics and the Maxwell Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK
| | - A White
- Department of Mathematics and the Maxwell Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK
| | - P W W Lurz
- The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Roslin, UK
| | - M Boots
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, Biosciences, University of Exeter, Cornwall, UK
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2
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Wijburg SR, Montizaan MGE, Kik MJL, Joeres M, Cardron G, Luttermann C, Maas M, Maksimov P, Opsteegh M, Schares G. Drivers of infection with Toxoplasma gondii genotype type II in Eurasian red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris). Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:30. [PMID: 38263195 PMCID: PMC10804655 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-06068-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In September 2014, there was sudden upsurge in the number of Eurasian red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) found dead in the Netherlands. High infection levels with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii were demonstrated, but it was unclear what had caused this increase in cases of fatal toxoplasmosis. In the present study, we aimed to gain more knowledge on the pathology and prevalence of T. gondii infections in Eurasian red squirrels in the Netherlands, on the T. gondii genotypes present, and on the determinants of the spatiotemporal variability in these T. gondii infections. The presence of the closely related parasite Hammondia hammondi was also determined. METHODS Eurasian red squirrels that were found dead in the wild or that had died in wildlife rescue centres in the Netherlands over a period of seven years (2014-2020) were examined. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was conducted to analyse tissue samples for the presence of T. gondii and H. hammondi DNA. Toxoplasma gondii-positive samples were subjected to microsatellite typing and cluster analysis. A mixed logistic regression was used to identify climatic and other environmental predictors of T. gondii infection in the squirrels. RESULTS A total of 178 squirrels were examined (49/178 T. gondii positive, 5/178 H. hammondi positive). Inflammation of multiple organs was the cause of death in 29 squirrels, of which 24 were also T. gondii polymerase chain reaction positive. Toxoplasma gondii infection was positively associated with pneumonia and hepatitis. Microsatellite typing revealed only T. gondii type II alleles. Toxoplasma gondii infection rates showed a positive correlation with the number of days of heavy rainfall in the previous 12 months. Conversely, they showed a negative association with the number of hot days within the 2-week period preceding the sampling date, as well as with the percentage of deciduous forest cover at the sampling site. CONCLUSIONS Toxoplasma gondii infection in the squirrels appeared to pose a significant risk of acute mortality. The T. gondii genotype detected in this study is commonly found across Europe. The reasons for the unusually high infection rates and severe symptoms of these squirrels from the Netherlands remain unclear. The prevalence of T. gondii in the deceased squirrels was linked to specific environmental factors. However, whether the increase in the number of dead squirrels indicated a higher environmental contamination with T. gondii oocysts has yet to be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara R Wijburg
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, Centre for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie Van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
- Dutch Wildlife Health Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Margriet G E Montizaan
- Dutch Wildlife Health Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marja J L Kik
- Dutch Wildlife Health Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department Biomolecular Health Sciences, Pathology, Veterinair Pathologisch Diagnostisch Centrum, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Maike Joeres
- Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Garance Cardron
- Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Christine Luttermann
- Institute of Immunology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Miriam Maas
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, Centre for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie Van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Pavlo Maksimov
- Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Marieke Opsteegh
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, Centre for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie Van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Gereon Schares
- Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany.
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3
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Shannon G, Valle S, Shuttleworth CM. Capturing red squirrels ( Sciurus vulgaris) on camera: A cost-effective approach for monitoring relative abundance and habitat preference. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10536. [PMID: 37794876 PMCID: PMC10546084 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Effective methods for monitoring animal populations are crucial for species conservation and habitat management. Motion-activated cameras provide an affordable method for passively surveying animal presence across the landscape but have mainly been used for studying large-bodied mammals. This paper explores the relative abundance and habitat preferences of red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) in coniferous forests using cameras and live trapping. The study was conducted in two forests (Newborough and Pentraeth) on Anglesey, North Wales, with a total of 50 sampling locations across four habitat categories. Detailed woodland structure and composition data were gathered around each sampling location. We found a strong positive correlation between the number of individual red squirrels live trapped over 10 days with the number of camera images of squirrels recorded during a previous 5-day period. The time interval between camera deployment and the first recorded image of a red squirrel showed a significant negative correlation with the number of individuals live trapped. Red squirrel relative abundance was negatively related to forest canopy openness, while the presence of Scots pine and increased tree species diversity were positively associated with the relative abundance of squirrels. There was also a strong site difference with lower relative abundance at Newborough compared with Pentraeth, which likely reflects the heavy thinning of mature forest at Newborough reducing tree crown connectivity. The results show that remotely activated cameras are an effective method for monitoring red squirrel populations across varying animal densities. The cameras also provided crucial information on red squirrel habitat preferences that can aid in woodland management and conservation efforts. Cameras have great potential to collect data on the population status of other small mammals, but it is essential that these methods are validated on a species-by-species basis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Simon Valle
- School of Natural SciencesBangor UniversityBangorUK
- IUCN Species Survival Commission Conservation Planning Specialist GroupSt. PaulMinnesotaUSA
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4
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Yang R, Yu X, Nie P, Cao R, Feng J, Hu X. Climatic niche and range shifts of grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis Gmelin) in Europe: An invasive pest displacing native squirrels. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2023; 79:3731-3739. [PMID: 37194192 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As an invasive pest from North America, grey squirrels (GSs; Sciurus carolinensis Gmelin) are displacing native squirrels in Europe. However, the climatic niche and range dynamics of GSs in Europe remain largely unknown. Through niche and range dynamic models, we investigated climatic niche and range shifts between introduced GSs in Europe and native GSs in North America. RESULTS GSs in North America can survive in more variable climatic conditions and have much wider climatic niche breadth than do GSs in Europe. Based on climate, the potential range of GSs in Europe included primarily Britain, Ireland, and Italy, whereas the potential range of GSs in North America included vast regions of western and southern Europe. If GSs in Europe could occupy the same climatic niche space and potential range as GSs in North America, they would occupy an area ca. 2.45 times the size of their current range. The unfilling ranges of GSs in Europe relative to those of GSs in North America were primarily in France, Italy, Spain, Croatia, and Portugal. CONCLUSION Our observations implied that GSs in Europe have significant invasion potential, and that range projections based on their occurrence records in Europe may underestimate their invasion risk. Given that small niche shifts between GSs in Europe and in North America could lead to large range shifts, niche shifts could be a sensitive indicator in invasion risk assessment. The identified unfilling ranges of the GS in Europe should be prioritized in combating GS invasions in the future. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rujing Yang
- College of Agriculture and Biological Science, Dali University, Dali, China
- Research Center for Agroecology in Erhai Lake Watershed of Dali University, Dali, China
- Cangshan Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Yunnan Province, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Xiaoli Yu
- College of Agriculture and Biological Science, Dali University, Dali, China
- Research Center for Agroecology in Erhai Lake Watershed of Dali University, Dali, China
- Cangshan Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Yunnan Province, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Peixiao Nie
- College of Agriculture and Biological Science, Dali University, Dali, China
- Research Center for Agroecology in Erhai Lake Watershed of Dali University, Dali, China
- Cangshan Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Yunnan Province, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Runyao Cao
- College of Agriculture and Biological Science, Dali University, Dali, China
- Research Center for Agroecology in Erhai Lake Watershed of Dali University, Dali, China
- Cangshan Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Yunnan Province, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Jianmeng Feng
- College of Agriculture and Biological Science, Dali University, Dali, China
- Research Center for Agroecology in Erhai Lake Watershed of Dali University, Dali, China
- Cangshan Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Yunnan Province, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Xiaokang Hu
- College of Agriculture and Biological Science, Dali University, Dali, China
- Research Center for Agroecology in Erhai Lake Watershed of Dali University, Dali, China
- Cangshan Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Yunnan Province, Dali University, Dali, China
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5
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Everest DJ, Green C, Dastjerdi A, Davies H, Cripps R, McKinney C, Podgornik G, Stinson M, O'Hare S, Sapsford B, Mill A, Van der Waal Z, Robinson N, Trotter S, Shuttleworth CM. Opportunistic viral surveillance confirms the ongoing disease threat grey squirrels pose to sympatric red squirrel populations in the UK. Vet Rec 2023; 192:e2834. [PMID: 37024300 DOI: 10.1002/vetr.2834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Red Squirrels United was a UK landscape-scale grey squirrel management programme undertaken between 2016 and 2020. METHODS A total of 11034 grey squirrels were removed by culling, with 1506 necropsied and 1405 suitable for adenovirus (AdV) or squirrelpox virus (SQPV) quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis. Spleen, lip or hair were extracted, and DNA was isolated, with samples tested in duplicate by qPCR. RESULTS Of 1378 tissue samples, 43% were positive for AdV and 10% for SQPV. Of 1031 hair samples, 11% were positive for AdV and 10% for SQPV. Overall, 762 of 1405 (54%) animals were positive for one or both viruses. LIMITATIONS Ad hoc sampling was undertaken from limited geographical areas but provided the only dataset from that period, instead of extrapolating from historical data. CONCLUSIONS The grey squirrel is an asymptomatic reservoir host for AdV and SQPV. Interspecific infection transmission potential is demonstrated. Grey squirrel management by culling is essential for mainland red squirrel viability until other suitable management tools are available.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chalin Green
- Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Addlestone, UK
| | | | - Hannah Davies
- Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Addlestone, UK
| | - Rachel Cripps
- Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Seaforth Nature Reserve, Liverpool, UK
| | | | | | | | - Simon O'Hare
- Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | | | - Aileen Mill
- Centre for Wildlife Management, School of Biology, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Zelda Van der Waal
- Centre for Wildlife Management, School of Biology, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
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6
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Wauters LA, Lurz PWW, Santicchia F, Romeo C, Ferrari N, Martinoli A, Gurnell J. Interactions between native and invasive species: A systematic review of the red squirrel-gray squirrel paradigm. Front Ecol Evol 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2023.1083008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) has been labeled as one of the 100 worst invasive alien species by the IUCN. In Europe, the species has been introduced to Britain, Ireland and Italy, and its subsequent spread has resulted in wide-scale extinction of native Eurasian red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) from the areas colonized by the gray squirrel. This replacement of a native by an alien competitor is one of the best documented cases of the devastating effects of biological invasions on native fauna. To understand how this replacement occurs, we present a systematic review of the literature on competition and interactions between red and gray squirrels. We describe the patterns of red and gray squirrel distribution in those parts of Europe where gray squirrels occur and summarize the evidence on the different processes and mechanisms determining the outcome of competition between the native and alien species including the influence of predators and pathogens. Some of the drivers behind the demise of the red squirrel have been intensively studied and documented in the past 30 years, but recent field studies and mathematical models revealed that the mechanisms underlying the red-gray paradigm are more complex than previously thought and affected by landscape-level processes. Therefore, we consider habitat type and multi-species interactions, including host-parasite and predator-prey relationships, to determine the outcome of the interaction between the two species and to better address gray squirrel control efforts.
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7
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Slade A, White A, Lurz PW, Shuttleworth C, Tosh DG, Twining JP. Indirect effects of pine marten recovery result in benefits to native prey through suppression of an invasive species and a shared pathogen. Ecol Modell 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2022.110216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
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8
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Sigaud M, Kitade T, Sarabian C. Exotic animal cafés in Japan: A new fashion with potential implications for biodiversity, global health, and animal welfare. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.12867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marie Sigaud
- Centre d'Ecologie et des Sciences de la Conservation (CESCO) Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Sorbonne Université Paris France
- Primate Research Institute (PRI) Kyoto University Inuyama Japan
| | | | - Cécile Sarabian
- Primate Research Institute (PRI) Kyoto University Inuyama Japan
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Hong Kong Hong Kong China
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9
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Twining JP, Lawton C, White A, Sheehy E, Hobson K, Montgomery WI, Lambin X. Restoring vertebrate predator populations can provide landscape-scale biological control of established invasive vertebrates: Insights from pine marten recovery in Europe. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2022; 28:5368-5384. [PMID: 35706099 PMCID: PMC9542606 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Invasive species pose one of the greatest global threats to biodiversity. There has been a long history of importing coevolved natural enemies to act as biological control agents to try to suppress densities of invasive species, with historically limited success and frequent adverse impacts on native biodiversity. Our understanding of the processes and drivers of successful biological control has been focussed on invertebrates and is evidently limited and potentially ill-suited with respect to biological control of vertebrate populations. The restoration of native vertebrate predator populations provides a promising nature-based solution for slowing, halting, or even reversing the spread of some invasive vertebrates over spatial scales relevant to the management of wildlife populations. Here, we first review the growing literature and data from the pine marten-red and grey squirrel system in Europe. We synthesise a multi-decadal dataset to show that the recovery of a native predator has resulted in rapid, landscape-scale declines of an established invasive species. We then use the model system, predator-prey interaction theory, and examples from the literature to develop ecological theory relating to natural biological control in vertebrates and evolutionary processes in native-invasive predator-prey interactions. We find support for the hypotheses that evolutionary naivety of invasive species to native predators and lack of local refuges results in higher predation of naive compared to coevolved prey. We apply lessons learnt from the marten-squirrel model system to examine the plausibility of specific native predator solutions to some of the Earth's most devastating invasive vertebrates. Given the evidence, we conclude that depletion of vertebrate predator populations has increased ecosystem vulnerability to invasions and thus facilitated the spread of invasive species. Therefore, restoration of vertebrate predator populations is an underappreciated, fundamental, nature-based solution to the crisis of invasive species and should be a priority for vertebrate invasive species management globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua P. Twining
- Department of Natural ResourcesCornell UniversityIthacaNew YorkUSA
- School of Biological SciencesQueen's UniversityBelfastUK
| | - Colin Lawton
- School of Natural Sciences, Ryan InstituteNational University of Ireland GalwayGalwayIreland
| | - Andy White
- Maxwell Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Department of MathematicsHeriot‐Watt UniversityEdinburghUK
| | - Emma Sheehy
- School of Natural Sciences, Ryan InstituteNational University of Ireland GalwayGalwayIreland
| | - Keziah Hobson
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of AberdeenAberdeenUK
| | | | - Xavier Lambin
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of AberdeenAberdeenUK
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10
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Rahman T, Candolin U. Linking animal behavior to ecosystem change in disturbed environments. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.893453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental disturbances often cause individuals to change their behavior. The behavioral responses can induce a chain of reactions through the network of species interactions, via consumptive and trait mediated connections. Given that species interactions define ecosystem structure and functioning, changes to these interactions often have ecological repercussions. Here, we explore the transmission of behavioral responses through the network of species interactions, and how the responses influence ecological conditions. We describe the underlying mechanisms and the ultimate impact that the behavioral responses can have on ecosystem structure and functioning, including biodiversity and ecosystems stability and services. We explain why behavioral responses of some species have a larger impact than that of others on ecosystems, and why research should focus on these species and their interactions. With the work, we synthesize existing theory and empirical evidence to provide a conceptual framework that links behavior responses to altered species interactions, community dynamics, and ecosystem processes. Considering that species interactions link biodiversity to ecosystem functioning, a deeper understanding of behavioral responses and their causes and consequences can improve our knowledge of the mechanisms and pathways through which human activities alter ecosystems. This knowledge can improve our ability to predict the effects of ongoing disturbances on communities and ecosystems and decide on the interventions needed to mitigate negative effects.
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11
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Brian JI, Reynolds SA, Aldridge DC. Parasitism dramatically alters the ecosystem services provided by freshwater mussels. Funct Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.14092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua I. Brian
- Aquatic Ecology Group, The David Attenborough Building, Department of Zoology University of Cambridge Cambridge United Kingdom
| | - Sam A. Reynolds
- Aquatic Ecology Group, The David Attenborough Building, Department of Zoology University of Cambridge Cambridge United Kingdom
| | - David C. Aldridge
- Aquatic Ecology Group, The David Attenborough Building, Department of Zoology University of Cambridge Cambridge United Kingdom
- BioRISC, St Catharine’s College Cambridge UK
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12
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You X, Kallies R, Kühn I, Schmidt M, Harms H, Chatzinotas A, Wick LY. Phage co-transport with hyphal-riding bacteria fuels bacterial invasion in a water-unsaturated microbial model system. THE ISME JOURNAL 2022; 16:1275-1283. [PMID: 34903848 PMCID: PMC9039081 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-021-01155-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Nonmotile microorganisms often enter new habitats by co-transport with motile microorganisms. Here, we report that also lytic phages can co-transport with hyphal-riding bacteria and facilitate bacterial colonization of a new habitat. This is comparable to the concept of biological invasions in macroecology. In analogy to invasion frameworks in plant and animal ecology, we tailored spatially organized, water-unsaturated model microcosms using hyphae of Pythium ultimum as invasion paths and flagellated soil-bacterium Pseudomonas putida KT2440 as carrier for co-transport of Escherichia virus T4. P. putida KT2440 efficiently dispersed along P. ultimum to new habitats and dispatched T4 phages across air gaps transporting ≈0.6 phages bacteria−1. No T4 displacement along hyphae was observed in the absence of carrier bacteria. If E. coli occupied the new habitat, T4 co-transport fueled the fitness of invading P. putida KT2440, while the absence of phage co-transport led to poor colonization followed by extinction. Our data emphasize the importance of hyphal transport of bacteria and associated phages in regulating fitness and composition of microbial populations in water-unsaturated systems. As such co-transport seems analogous to macroecological invasion processes, hyphosphere systems with motile bacteria and co-transported phages could be useful models for testing hypotheses in invasion ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin You
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Environmental Microbiology, Permoserstr. 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany
| | - René Kallies
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Environmental Microbiology, Permoserstr. 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ingolf Kühn
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Community Ecology, Theodor-Lieser-Str. 4, 06120, Halle, Germany.,Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany.,German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Matthias Schmidt
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Isotope Biogeochemistry, Permoserstr. 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Hauke Harms
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Environmental Microbiology, Permoserstr. 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany.,German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Antonis Chatzinotas
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Environmental Microbiology, Permoserstr. 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany.,German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.,Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Talstr. 33, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
| | - Lukas Y Wick
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Environmental Microbiology, Permoserstr. 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany.
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13
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Shuttleworth CM, Everest D, Holmes P, Bell S, Cripps R. An Opportunistic Assessment of the Impact of Squirrelpox Disease Outbreaks upon a Red Squirrel Population Sympatric with Grey Squirrels in Wales. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12010099. [PMID: 35011205 PMCID: PMC8749610 DOI: 10.3390/ani12010099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In Europe, squirrelpox virus is carried by non-native grey squirrels and spread into native red squirrel populations. The virus causes a large proportion of infected red squirrels to die and contributes to local declines and the replacement by grey squirrels. There are relatively few published studies quantifying the impact of disease amongst red squirrels. We present findings from a short-term study in north Wales, United Kingdom. Abstract Native red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) persisted in the coastal mainland woodlands of northern Gwynedd whilst sympatric with an invasive grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) population suppressed by culling. Squirrelpox disease in the red squirrel population was recorded in 2017 and 2020/21. An autumn 2020 outbreak was associated with only 17.4% of animals caught and marked in the preceding June known to be present in March 2021. Despite an opportunistic data collection lacking the rigour of empirical experimental design, we observed low local survival rates similar to previously published accounts reported during major squirrelpox outbreaks. The use of a conservation dog to detect red squirrel carcasses resulted in positive detection and confirmation of a temporal and spatial expansion of one disease outbreak. The study is the first in Wales to use conservation dogs and the findings reinforce the vital strategic importance of geographical isolation reducing sympatry of red with grey squirrels in European regions where the introduced congener is a source of the squirrelpox infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Paul Holmes
- APHA Shrewsbury, Veterinary Investigation Centre, Shrewsbury SY1 4HD, UK; (P.H.); (S.B.)
| | - Suzi Bell
- APHA Shrewsbury, Veterinary Investigation Centre, Shrewsbury SY1 4HD, UK; (P.H.); (S.B.)
| | - Rachel Cripps
- Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Bamber Bridge PR5 6BY, UK;
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14
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Rovenolt FH, Tate AT. The Impact of Coinfection Dynamics on Host Competition and Coexistence. Am Nat 2022; 199:91-107. [DOI: 10.1086/717180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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15
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Roberts MG, Heesterbeek JAP. Infection dynamics in ecosystems: on the interaction between red and grey squirrels, pox virus, pine martens and trees. J R Soc Interface 2021; 18:20210551. [PMID: 34637641 PMCID: PMC8513127 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2021.0551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ecological and epidemiological processes and interactions influence each other, positively and negatively, directly and indirectly. The invasion potential of pathogens is influenced by the ecosystem context of their host species' populations. This extends to the capacity of (multiple) host species to maintain their (common) pathogen and the way pathogen dynamics are influenced by changes in ecosystem composition. This paper exemplifies these interactions and consequences in a study of red and grey squirrel dynamics in the UK. Differences and changes in background habitat and trophic levels above and below the squirrel species lead to different dynamic behaviour in many subtle ways. The range of outcomes of the different interactions shows that one has to be careful when drawing conclusions about the mechanisms and processes involved in explaining observed phenomena concerning pathogens in their natural environment. The dynamic behaviour also shows that planning interventions, for example for conservation purposes, benefits from understanding the complexity of interactions beyond the particular pathogen and its threatened host species.
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Affiliation(s)
- M G Roberts
- School of Natural and Computational Sciences, New Zealand Institute for Advanced Study and the Infectious Disease Research Centre, Massey University, Private Bag 102 904, North Shore Mail Centre, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - J A P Heesterbeek
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, Yalelaan 7, Utrecht 3584 CL, The Netherlands
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16
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Natural Infection of a European Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) with Francisella tularensis subsp. Holarctica. J Wildl Dis 2021; 57:970-973. [PMID: 34424987 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-20-00182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Postmortem examination and immunohistochemical and bacteriologic analyses on a free-ranging European red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) revealed a systemic infection with Francisella tularensis. Genome sequencing and single-nucleotide polymorphism analysis were consistent with F. tularensis subs. holarctica clade B.45. Tularemia has not previously been reported in this species.
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17
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Herrero-Cófreces S, Mougeot F, Lambin X, Luque-Larena JJ. Linking Zoonosis Emergence to Farmland Invasion by Fluctuating Herbivores: Common Vole Populations and Tularemia Outbreaks in NW Spain. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:698454. [PMID: 34458354 PMCID: PMC8397442 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.698454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The expansion and intensification of agriculture are driving profound changes in ecosystems worldwide, favoring the (re)emergence of many human infectious diseases. Muroid rodents are a key host group for zoonotic infectious pathogens and frequently invade farming environments, promoting disease transmission and spillover. Understanding the role that fluctuating populations of farm dwelling rodents play in the epidemiology of zoonotic diseases is paramount to improve prevention schemes. Here, we review a decade of research on the colonization of farming environments in NW Spain by common voles (Microtus arvalis) and its public health impacts, specifically periodic tularemia outbreaks in humans. The spread of this colonizing rodent was analogous to an invasion process and was putatively triggered by the transformation and irrigation of agricultural habitats that created a novel terrestrial-aquatic interface. This irruptive rodent host is an effective amplifier for the Francisella tularensis bacterium during population outbreaks, and human tularemia episodes are tightly linked in time and space to periodic (cyclic) variations in vole abundance. Beyond the information accumulated to date, several key knowledge gaps about this pathogen-rodent epidemiological link remain unaddressed, namely (i) did colonizing vole introduce or amplified pre-existing F. tularensis? (ii) which features of the “Francisella—Microtus” relationship are crucial for the epidemiology of tularemia? (iii) how virulent and persistent F. tularensis infection is for voles under natural conditions? and (iv) where does the bacterium persist during inter-epizootics? Future research should focus on more integrated, community-based approaches in order to understand the details and dynamics of disease circulation in ecosystems colonized by highly fluctuating hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Herrero-Cófreces
- Dpto. Ciencias Agroforestales, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenierías Agrarias, Universidad de Valladolid, Palencia, Spain.,Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Gestión Forestal Sostenible, Universidad de Valladolid, Palencia, Spain
| | - François Mougeot
- Grupo de Gestión de Recursos Cinegéticos y Fauna Silvestre, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Xavier Lambin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Juan José Luque-Larena
- Dpto. Ciencias Agroforestales, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenierías Agrarias, Universidad de Valladolid, Palencia, Spain.,Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Gestión Forestal Sostenible, Universidad de Valladolid, Palencia, Spain
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18
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Disease monitoring and surveillance: case studies in the applied conservation of fragmented red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) populations in England and Wales. Mamm Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-021-00157-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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19
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Fingland K, Ward SJ, Bates AJ, Bremner‐Harrison S. A systematic review into the suitability of urban refugia for the Eurasian red squirrel
Sciurus vulgaris. Mamm Rev 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Fingland
- School of Animal Rural and Environmental Sciences Nottingham Trent University Southwell NottinghamshireNG25 0QFUK
| | - Samantha J. Ward
- School of Animal Rural and Environmental Sciences Nottingham Trent University Southwell NottinghamshireNG25 0QFUK
| | - Adam J. Bates
- School of Animal Rural and Environmental Sciences Nottingham Trent University Southwell NottinghamshireNG25 0QFUK
| | - Samantha Bremner‐Harrison
- School of Animal Rural and Environmental Sciences Nottingham Trent University Southwell NottinghamshireNG25 0QFUK
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20
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Shuttleworth CM, Brady D, Cross P, Gardner L, Greenwood A, Jackson N, McKinney C, Robinson N, Trotter S, Valle S, Wood K, Hayward MW. Recalibrating risk: Implications of squirrelpox virus for successful red squirrel translocations within mainland
UK. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Paul Cross
- School of Natural Sciences, College Road, Bangor University Gwynedd Wales UK
| | | | - Andrew Greenwood
- Wildlife Vets International, Station House Keighley West Yorkshire UK
| | - Nick Jackson
- National Zoological Society of Wales Colwyn Bay, Conwy UK
| | | | - Nikki Robinson
- The Wildlife Trusts, The Kiln, Waterside Newark, Nottinghamshire UK
| | | | - Simon Valle
- School of Natural Sciences, College Road, Bangor University Gwynedd Wales UK
| | - Kim Wood
- National Zoological Society of Wales Colwyn Bay, Conwy UK
| | - Matt W. Hayward
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle Callaghan New South Wales Australia
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela University Port Elizabeth South Africa
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21
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Mead D, Fingland K, Cripps R, Portela Miguez R, Smith M, Corton C, Oliver K, Skelton J, Betteridge E, Doulcan J, Quail MA, McCarthy SA, Howe K, Sims Y, Torrance J, Tracey A, Challis R, Durbin R, Blaxter M. The genome sequence of the eastern grey squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis Gmelin, 1788. Wellcome Open Res 2020; 5:27. [PMID: 33215047 PMCID: PMC7653645 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.15721.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
We present a genome assembly from an individual male
Sciurus carolinensis (the eastern grey squirrel; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Eutheria; Rodentia; Sciuridae). The genome sequence is 2.82 gigabases in span. The majority of the assembly (92.3%) is scaffolded into 21 chromosomal-level scaffolds, with both X and Y sex chromosomes assembled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Mead
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute,Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Kathryn Fingland
- Nottingham Trent University, School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham, NG25 0QF, UK
| | - Rachel Cripps
- Red Squirrel Officer, The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside, The Barn, Berkeley Drive, Bamber Bridge, Preston, PR5 6BY, UK
| | | | - Michelle Smith
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute,Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Craig Corton
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute,Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Karen Oliver
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute,Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Jason Skelton
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute,Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Emma Betteridge
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute,Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Jale Doulcan
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute,Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Michael A Quail
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute,Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Shane A McCarthy
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute,Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Kerstin Howe
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute,Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Ying Sims
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute,Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - James Torrance
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute,Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Alan Tracey
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute,Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Richard Challis
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute,Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Richard Durbin
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute,Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Mark Blaxter
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute,Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
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22
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Cox PG, Morris PJR, Hennekam JJ, Kitchener AC. Morphological and functional variation between isolated populations of British red squirrels (
Sciurus vulgaris
). J Zool (1987) 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- P. G. Cox
- Department of Archaeology University of York York UK
- Hull York Medical School University of York York UK
| | - P. J. R. Morris
- School of Geosciences and Department of Integrative Biology University of South Florida Tampa FL USA
| | | | - A. C. Kitchener
- Department of Natural Sciences National Museums Scotland Edinburgh UK
- Institute of Geography School of Geosciences University of Edinburgh Edinburgh UK
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23
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Sainsbury AW, Chantrey J, Ewen JG, Gurnell J, Hudson P, Karesh WB, Kock RA, Lurz PWW, Meredith A, Tompkins DM. Implications of squirrelpox virus for successful red squirrel translocations within mainland
UK. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Julian Chantrey
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool Liverpool UK
| | - John G. Ewen
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London Regent's Park, London UK
- IUCN SSC Conservation Translocation Specialist Group UK
| | | | - Peter Hudson
- Nelson Mandela African Institute—Arusha, A co‐hire of The Huck Institutes & The Institutes of Energy & The Environment Penn State University Pennsylvania USA
| | - William B. Karesh
- IUCN SSC Wildlife Health Specialist Group Chair, EcoHealth Alliance New York New York USA
| | | | - Peter W. W. Lurz
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh Roslin, Midlothian UK
| | - Anna Meredith
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh Roslin, Midlothian UK
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne Parkville VIC Australia
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24
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Mead D, Fingland K, Cripps R, Portela Miguez R, Smith M, Corton C, Oliver K, Skelton J, Betteridge E, Dolucan J, Dudchenko O, Omer AD, Weisz D, Lieberman Aiden E, Fedrigo O, Mountcastle J, Jarvis E, McCarthy SA, Sims Y, Torrance J, Tracey A, Howe K, Challis R, Durbin R, Blaxter M. The genome sequence of the Eurasian red squirrel, Sciurus vulgaris Linnaeus 1758. Wellcome Open Res 2020; 5:18. [PMID: 32587897 PMCID: PMC7309416 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.15679.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
We present a genome assembly from an individual male Sciurus vulgaris (the Eurasian red squirrel; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Eutheria; Rodentia; Sciuridae). The genome sequence is 2.88 gigabases in span. The majority of the assembly is scaffolded into 21 chromosomal-level scaffolds, with both X and Y sex chromosomes assembled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Mead
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Kathryn Fingland
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG25 0QF, UK
| | - Rachel Cripps
- The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside, Preston, PR5 6BY, UK
| | | | - Michelle Smith
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Craig Corton
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Karen Oliver
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Jason Skelton
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Emma Betteridge
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Jale Dolucan
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | | | | | - David Weisz
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | | | - Olivier Fedrigo
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics of Language, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Jacquelyn Mountcastle
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics of Language, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Erich Jarvis
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics of Language, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, USA
| | - Shane A. McCarthy
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Ying Sims
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - James Torrance
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Alan Tracey
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Kerstin Howe
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Richard Challis
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Richard Durbin
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Mark Blaxter
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
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25
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French RK, Holmes EC. An Ecosystems Perspective on Virus Evolution and Emergence. Trends Microbiol 2019; 28:165-175. [PMID: 31744665 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2019.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 10/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the emergence of pathogenic viruses has dominated studies of virus evolution. However, new metagenomic studies imply that relatively few of an immense number of viruses may lead to overt disease. This suggests a change in emphasis, from viruses as habitual pathogens to integral components of ecosystems. Here we show how viruses alter interactions between host individuals, populations, and ecosystems, impacting ecosystem health, resilience, and function, and how host ecology in turn impacts viral abundance and diversity. Moving to an ecosystems perspective will put virus evolution and disease emergence in its true context, and enhance our understanding of ecological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca K French
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Charles Perkins Centre, School of Life and Environmental Sciences and Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Edward C Holmes
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Charles Perkins Centre, School of Life and Environmental Sciences and Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
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26
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Holmes P, Everest DJ, Spiro S, Wessels M, Shuttleworth C. First report of dermatophilosis in wild European red squirrels (
Sciurus vulgaris
). VETERINARY RECORD CASE REPORTS 2019. [DOI: 10.1136/vetreccr-2019-000838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paul Holmes
- Shrewsbury Veterinary Investigation CentreAnimal and Plant Health AgencyShrewsburySY1 4HDUK
| | - David J Everest
- Pathology and Animal SciencesAPHA WeybridgeWoodham LaneAddlestoneSurreyKT15 3NBUK
| | - Simon Spiro
- Pathology and Animal SciencesAPHA WeybridgeWoodham LaneAddlestoneSurreyKT15 3NBUK
- Department of Pathobiology and Population SciencesRoyal Veterinary CollegeHatfieldHertfordshireAL9 7TAUK
| | - Mark Wessels
- Departemnt of HistopathologyFinn PathologistsDissUK
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27
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Chantrey J, Dale T, Jones D, Begon M, Fenton A. The drivers of squirrelpox virus dynamics in its grey squirrel reservoir host. Epidemics 2019; 28:100352. [PMID: 31327730 DOI: 10.1016/j.epidem.2019.100352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Many pathogens of conservation concern circulate endemically within natural wildlife reservoir hosts and it is imperative to understand the individual and ecological drivers of natural transmission dynamics, if any threat to a related endangered species is to be assessed. Our study highlights the key drivers of infection and shedding dynamics of squirrelpox virus (SQPV) in its reservoir grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) population. To clarify SQPV dynamics in this population, longitudinal data from a 16-month mark-recapture study were analysed, combining serology with real-time quantitative PCR to identify periods of acute viraemia and chronic viral shedding. At the population level, we found SQPV infection prevalence, viral load and shedding varied seasonally, peaking in autumn and early spring. Individually, SQPV was shown to be a chronic infection in >80% of grey squirrels, with viral loads persisting over time and bouts of potential recrudescence or reinfection occurring. A key recurring factor significantly associated with SQPV infection risk was the presence of co-infecting squirrel adenovirus (ADV). In dual infected squirrels, longitudinal analysis showed that prior ADV viraemia increased the subsequent SQPV load in the blood. However, there was a strong, negative association between prior ADV viraemia and subsequent SQPV shedding from the forearm, probably caused by ADV prolonging the SQPV acute viraemic phase, so delaying onset of the chronic shedding phase, and thereby altering viral shedding patterns over the time scales examined here. Hence, co-circulating ADV infection may be involved in mediating both the quantitative levels of SQPV infection and the timing and degree of subsequent infectiousness of grey squirrels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Chantrey
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Biosciences Building, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK; Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, CH64 7TE, UK.
| | - Timothy Dale
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Biosciences Building, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK
| | - David Jones
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, CH64 7TE, UK
| | - Michael Begon
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Biosciences Building, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Andy Fenton
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Biosciences Building, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK
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28
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Schilling AK, Avanzi C, Ulrich RG, Busso P, Pisanu B, Ferrari N, Romeo C, Mazzamuto MV, McLuckie J, Shuttleworth CM, Del-Pozo J, Lurz PWW, Escalante-Fuentes WG, Ocampo-Candiani J, Vera-Cabrera L, Stevenson K, Chapuis JL, Meredith AL, Cole ST. British Red Squirrels Remain the Only Known Wild Rodent Host for Leprosy Bacilli. Front Vet Sci 2019; 6:8. [PMID: 30775369 PMCID: PMC6367869 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Eurasian red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) in the British Isles are the most recently discovered animal reservoir for the leprosy bacteria Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis. Initial data suggest that prevalence of leprosy infection is variable and often low in different squirrel populations. Nothing is known about the presence of leprosy bacilli in other wild squirrel species despite two others (Siberian chipmunk [Tamias sibiricus], and Thirteen-lined ground squirrel [Ictidomys tridecemlineatus]) having been reported to be susceptible to experimental infection with M. leprae. Rats, a food-source in some countries where human leprosy occurs, have been suggested as potential reservoirs for leprosy bacilli, but no evidence supporting this hypothesis is currently available. We screened 301 squirrel samples covering four species [96 Eurasian red squirrels, 67 Eastern gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis), 35 Siberian chipmunks, and 103 Pallas's squirrels (Callosciurus erythraeus)] from Europe and 72 Mexican white-throated woodrats (Neotoma albigula) for the presence of M. leprae and M. lepromatosis using validated PCR protocols. No DNA from leprosy bacilli was detected in any of the samples tested. Given our sample-size, the pathogen should have been detected if the prevalence and/or bacillary load in the populations investigated were similar to those found for British red squirrels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Katarina Schilling
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Moredun Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Charlotte Avanzi
- Global Health Institute, Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Rainer G Ulrich
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Philippe Busso
- Global Health Institute, Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Benoit Pisanu
- Département Homme et Environment, Centre d'Ecologie et des Sciences de la Conservation, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France.,Agence Française pour la Biodiversité, Centre d'expertise et de Données sur la Nature, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France
| | - Nicola Ferrari
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Romeo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Vittoria Mazzamuto
- Dipartimento di Scienze Teoriche ed Applicate, Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | | | | | - Jorge Del-Pozo
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Peter W W Lurz
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Wendy G Escalante-Fuentes
- Laboratorio Interdisciplinario de Investigación Dermatológica, Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Universitario, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Jorge Ocampo-Candiani
- Laboratorio Interdisciplinario de Investigación Dermatológica, Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Universitario, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Lucio Vera-Cabrera
- Laboratorio Interdisciplinario de Investigación Dermatológica, Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Universitario, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Mexico
| | | | - Jean-Louis Chapuis
- Département Homme et Environment, Centre d'Ecologie et des Sciences de la Conservation, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France
| | - Anna L Meredith
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Stewart T Cole
- Global Health Institute, Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Institut Pasteur de Paris, Paris, France
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29
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Sheehy E, Sutherland C, O'Reilly C, Lambin X. The enemy of my enemy is my friend: native pine marten recovery reverses the decline of the red squirrel by suppressing grey squirrel populations. Proc Biol Sci 2019. [PMID: 29514972 PMCID: PMC5879625 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.2603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Shared enemies may instigate or modify competitive interactions between species. The dis-equilibrium caused by non-native species introductions has revealed that the outcome of such indirect interactions can often be dramatic. However, studies of enemy-mediated competition mostly consider the impact of a single enemy, despite species being embedded in complex networks of interactions. Here, we demonstrate that native red and invasive grey squirrels in Britain, two terrestrial species linked by resource and disease-mediated apparent competition, are also now linked by a second enemy-mediated relationship involving a shared native predator recovering from historical persecution, the European pine marten. Through combining spatial capture–recapture techniques to estimate pine marten density, and squirrel site-occupancy data, we find that the impact of exposure to predation is highly asymmetrical, with non-native grey squirrel occupancy strongly negatively affected by exposure to pine martens. By contrast, exposure to pine marten predation has an indirect positive effect on red squirrel populations. Pine marten predation thus reverses the well-documented outcome of resource and apparent competition between red and grey squirrels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Sheehy
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Zoology building, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen AB24 2TZ, UK.,Department of Science, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland
| | - Chris Sutherland
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Catherine O'Reilly
- Department of Science, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland
| | - Xavier Lambin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Zoology building, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen AB24 2TZ, UK
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30
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Kuhnen VV, Wedekin LL, Setz EZF. Coupled population dynamics of two Neotropical marsupials driven by mesopredator's abundance. POPUL ECOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/1438-390x.1013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa V. Kuhnen
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia; Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas; Campinas Brazil
| | - Leonardo L. Wedekin
- LAGE do Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade de São Paulo; São Paulo Brazil
| | - Eleonore Z. F. Setz
- Departamento de Biologia Animal; Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas; Campinas Brazil
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31
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d'Ovidio D, Pirrone F. A cross-sectional survey to evaluate the pet squirrel population and ownership profiles. Prev Vet Med 2018; 159:65-71. [PMID: 30314792 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2018.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Revised: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
While the presence of squirrels in households is growing, little data is published on their status in captivity. A web-based questionnaire for owners was devised eliciting information about them, their squirrels and their squirrels' husbandry and health. One hundred owners answered the survey, with most respondents being located in Europe (n = 81). Only data from these respondents were analysed. Twenty-five percents of the owners housed an invasive non-native species of European Union concern (S. carolinensis and T. sibiricus), some of which were younger than three years of age and all but one were sexually intact. This is of particular concern, as the acquisition of these invasive species is illegal since 2015 (European Union Regulation 1143/2014), due to the severe threats they pose to biodiversity. Moreover, escapes derived from improper keeping of intact specimens may augment feral populations or establish new colonies. Among 81 cases, only 5% were neutered, mostly for health reasons. Sixty-three percents of the squirrels had health problems, particularly dermatologic (52%) and intestinal disorders (34%). Most owners reported to visit the veterinarian only if their pet was ill rather than for preventive care. This is the first survey on pet squirrel ownership reported to date. Information that emerges from this study will be useful in implementing rational veterinary strategies for managing pet squirrels properly and, in parallel, meeting the challenges arising from private keeping of alien species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Federica Pirrone
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
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32
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Romeo C, McInnes CJ, Dale TD, Shuttleworth C, Bertolino S, Wauters LA, Ferrari N. Disease, invasions and conservation: no evidence of squirrelpox virus in grey squirrels introduced to Italy. Anim Conserv 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C. Romeo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine Università degli Studi di Milano Milan Italy
| | | | - T. D. Dale
- Institute of Integrative Biology University of Liverpool Liverpool UK
| | - C. Shuttleworth
- School of Environment, Natural Resources and Geography Bangor University Bangor Gwynedd UK
| | - S. Bertolino
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology Università degli Studi di Torino Torino Italy
| | - L. A. Wauters
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences Università degli Studi dell'Insubria Varese Italy
| | - N. Ferrari
- Department of Veterinary Medicine Università degli Studi di Milano Milan Italy
- Centro di Ricerca Coordinata Epidemiologia e Sorveglianza Molecolare delle Infezioni Università degli Studi di Milano Milan Italy
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33
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Borisevich SV, Stovba LF, Paveliev DI. POXVIRUS DISEASE OF SQUIRRELS (POXVIRIDAE, CHORDOPOXVIRINAE, SQPV - SQUIRREL POXVIRUS). Vopr Virusol 2018; 63:53-57. [PMID: 36494921 DOI: 10.18821/0507-4088-2018-63-2-53-57] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
A new taxon of the subfamily Chordopoxvirinae that may represent a new genus of smallpox viruses is considered in this review. The distribution of gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) throughout the UK during the 20th century and the decrease in the population of red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) is one of the most well-documented cases of ecological change of local fauna by the introduced species. The tendency to expand the distribution of the smallpox virus from Great Britain to the Western part of Europe has been noted. The genetic peculiarities of the genome of the poxvirus of squirrels, which determine its biological properties, as well as evolutionary relationships with other poxviruses, are separately described. Determination of the size of the genome by restriction analysis, sequencing of the whole genome, determination of the content of G/C nucleotide pairs, and functional mapping of the majority of genes made it possible to construct a phylogenetic tree. Phylogenetic analysis shows that this is a new representative of the subfamily Chordоpoxvirinae located between the viruses of the molluscum contagiosum and parapoxviruses. Serological and molecular biological methods are used to reveal and identify the causative agent of smallpox. The use of electron microscopy is limited in grey squirrels, due to the absence of organ damage and reproduction of the virus. Identification of the DNA of the causative agent of poxvirus of squirrels based on the use of different types of polymerase chain reaction (nested and in real time) overcomes all these limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - L F Stovba
- 48th Central Scientific Research Institute
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34
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O’Meara DB, McDevitt AD, O’Neill D, Harrington AP, Turner P, Carr W, Desmond M, Lawton C, Marnell F, Rubalcava S, Sheehy E, Sleeman DP, Tosh D, Waters C, O’Reilly C. Retracing the history and planning the future of the red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) in Ireland using non-invasive genetics. MAMMAL RES 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s13364-018-0353-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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35
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McGowan N, Scantlebury D, McInnes C, Reid N. Squirrelpox virus antibodies detected in red squirrels. Vet Rec 2018; 182:355. [PMID: 29572422 DOI: 10.1136/vr.k1296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Natasha McGowan
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL
| | - David Scantlebury
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL.,Institute for Global Food Security (IGFS), 13 Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5AF
| | - Colin McInnes
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Midlothian EH26 0PZ
| | - Neil Reid
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL.,Institute for Global Food Security (IGFS), 13 Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5AF
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36
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Millins C, Gilbert L, Medlock J, Hansford K, Thompson DB, Biek R. Effects of conservation management of landscapes and vertebrate communities on Lyme borreliosis risk in the United Kingdom. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2018; 372:rstb.2016.0123. [PMID: 28438912 PMCID: PMC5413871 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2016.0123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Landscape change and altered host abundance are major drivers of zoonotic pathogen emergence. Conservation and biodiversity management of landscapes and vertebrate communities can have secondary effects on vector-borne pathogen transmission that are important to assess. Here we review the potential implications of these activities on the risk of Lyme borreliosis in the United Kingdom. Conservation management activities include woodland expansion, management and restoration, deer management, urban greening and the release and culling of non-native species. Available evidence suggests that increasing woodland extent, implementing biodiversity policies that encourage ecotonal habitat and urban greening can increase the risk of Lyme borreliosis by increasing suitable habitat for hosts and the tick vectors. However, this can depend on whether deer population management is carried out as part of these conservation activities. Exclusion fencing or culling deer to low densities can decrease tick abundance and Lyme borreliosis risk. As management actions often constitute large-scale perturbation experiments, these hold great potential to understand underlying drivers of tick and pathogen dynamics. We recommend integrating monitoring of ticks and the risk of tick-borne pathogens with conservation management activities. This would help fill knowledge gaps and the production of best practice guidelines to reduce risks. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Conservation, biodiversity and infectious disease: scientific evidence and policy implications’.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Millins
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK .,The Boyd Orr Centre for Population and Ecosystem Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK.,School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Lucy Gilbert
- The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB15 8QH, UK
| | - Jolyon Medlock
- Medical Entomology Group, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, UK.,Health Protection Research Unit in Environment and Health, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Kayleigh Hansford
- Medical Entomology Group, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Des Ba Thompson
- Scottish Natural Heritage, 231 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh, EH12 7AT, UK
| | - Roman Biek
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK.,The Boyd Orr Centre for Population and Ecosystem Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
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37
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The implications of significant adenovirus infection in UK captive red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) collections: How histological screening can aid applied conservation management. Mamm Biol 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2017.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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38
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39
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Faillace CA, Lorusso NS, Duffy S. Overlooking the smallest matter: viruses impact biological invasions. Ecol Lett 2017; 20:524-538. [PMID: 28176452 DOI: 10.1111/ele.12742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Revised: 09/28/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Parasites and pathogens have recently received considerable attention for their ability to affect biological invasions, however, researchers have largely overlooked the distinct role of viruses afforded by their unique ability to rapidly mutate and adapt to new hosts. With high mutation and genomic substitution rates, RNA and single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) viruses may be important constituents of invaded ecosystems, and could potentially behave quite differently from other pathogens. We review evidence suggesting that rapidly evolving viruses impact invasion dynamics in three key ways: (1) Rapidly evolving viruses may prevent exotic species from establishing self-sustaining populations. (2) Viruses can cause population collapses of exotic species in the introduced range. (3) Viruses can alter the consequences of biological invasions by causing population collapses and extinctions of native species. The ubiquity and frequent host shifting of viruses make their ability to influence invasion events likely. Eludicating the viral ecology of biological invasions will lead to an improved understanding of the causes and consequences of invasions, particularly as regards establishment success and changes to community structure that cannot be explained by direct interspecific interactions among native and exotic species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara A Faillace
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 14 College Farm Rd, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Nicholas S Lorusso
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 14 College Farm Rd, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Siobain Duffy
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 14 College Farm Rd, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
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40
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Dale TD, Watts PC, Jones D, Pounder K, Everest DJ, Begon ME, Chantrey J. Enhancement of wildlife disease surveillance using multiplex quantitative PCR: development of qPCR assays for major pathogens in UK squirrel populations. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2016; 62:589-599. [PMID: 32214943 PMCID: PMC7088385 DOI: 10.1007/s10344-016-1031-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Revised: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Rapid development in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology has revolutionised the speed and accuracy of many diagnostic assays. However, comparatively few wildlife epidemiological studies use quantitative PCR (qPCR) for pathogen detection, even fewer employ an internal control, to ensure confidence in negative results, and PCR's ability to multiplex and therefore detect several targets in a single reaction is underutilised. Here, we describe the development of two multiplex qPCR assays for the red and grey squirrel that detect the pathogens squirrelpox virus (SQPV) and adenovirus in squirrels (SADV), both of which cause mortality in the red squirrel. Both assays use a section of the squirrel phosphoglycerate kinase gene as an endogenous internal control that identifies and compensates for both, inadequate sampling or PCR inhibition. Tests on infected squirrel tissue demonstrate that simple swab samples (particularly from distal antebrachial skin) are sufficient to detect and identify the relative quantity of SQPV DNA in both squirrel species, while rectal swabs and blood cell pellets can be used to reliably indicate SADV infection. These assays are sensitive and specific with an endogenous internal control providing confidence in negative results and allowing comparison across laboratories. Using such assays should prove advantageous in wildlife studies with limited resources while allowing the maximum data yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy D. Dale
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Biosciences Building, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZB UK
| | | | - David Jones
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Kieran Pounder
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Biosciences Building, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZB UK
| | - David J. Everest
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Weybridge, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB UK
| | - Michael E. Begon
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Biosciences Building, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZB UK
| | - Julian Chantrey
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Biosciences Building, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZB UK
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41
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Fiegna C, Dagleish M, Coulter L, Milne E, Meredith A, Finlayson J, Di Nardo A, McInnes C. Host-pathogen dynamics of squirrelpox virus infection in red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris). Vet Microbiol 2016; 182:18-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2015.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Revised: 10/12/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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42
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Macpherson MF, Davidson RS, Duncan DB, Lurz PW, Jarrott A, White A. Incorporating habitat distribution in wildlife disease models: conservation implications for the threat of squirrelpox on the Isle of Arran. Anim Conserv 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. F. Macpherson
- Department of Mathematics and the Maxwell Institute for Mathematical Sciences; Heriot-Watt University; Edinburgh UK
- Disease Systems; SRUC; Edinburgh UK
- Computing Science and Mathematics; School of Natural Sciences; University of Stirling; Stirling UK
| | | | - D. B. Duncan
- Department of Mathematics and the Maxwell Institute for Mathematical Sciences; Heriot-Watt University; Edinburgh UK
| | - P. W. Lurz
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies; The University of Edinburgh; Midlothian UK
| | - A. Jarrott
- Galloway Forest District; Forestry Commission Scotland; Newton Stewart UK
| | - A. White
- Department of Mathematics and the Maxwell Institute for Mathematical Sciences; Heriot-Watt University; Edinburgh UK
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43
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Evolution of resistance by a native competitor can lead to invasion collapse in disease-mediated invasions. Biol Invasions 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-015-0916-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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