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Lancaster A, Corti P, Fernández T, Moraga CA, Radic‐Schilling S, Hardenberg A. Changes in foraging behaviour suggest competition between wild and domestic ungulates: Guanaco and domestic sheep in southern Patagonia. J Zool (1987) 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Lancaster
- Conservation Biology Research Group Department of Biological Sciences University of Chester Chester UK
| | - P. Corti
- Laboratorio de Manejo y Conservación de Vida Silvestre Instituto de Ciencia Animal y Programa de Investigación Aplicada en Fauna Silvestre Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias Universidad Austral de Chile Valdivia Chile
| | - T. Fernández
- Laboratorio de Manejo y Conservación de Vida Silvestre Instituto de Ciencia Animal y Programa de Investigación Aplicada en Fauna Silvestre Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias Universidad Austral de Chile Valdivia Chile
- Programa de Magister en Ecología Aplicada Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Evolutivas Facultad de Ciencias Universidad Austral de Chile Valdivia Chile
| | - C. A. Moraga
- Centro de Estudios del Cuaternario de Fuego‐Patagonia y Antártica (Fundación CEQUA) Punta Arenas Chile
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation School of Natural Resources and the Environment University of Florida Gainesville FL USA
| | - S. Radic‐Schilling
- Departamento de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Acuícolas Facultad de Ciencias Universidad de Magallanes Punta Arenas Chile
| | - A. Hardenberg
- Conservation Biology Research Group Department of Biological Sciences University of Chester Chester UK
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Kavčić K, Radočaj T, Corlatti L, Safner T, Gračanin A, Mikac KM, Šprem N. Spatio-temporal response of forest-dwelling chamois to red deer presence. Mamm Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-021-00147-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Bacigalupo SA, Dixon LK, Gubbins S, Kucharski AJ, Drewe JA. Towards a unified generic framework to define and observe contacts between livestock and wildlife: a systematic review. PeerJ 2020; 8:e10221. [PMID: 33173619 PMCID: PMC7594637 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Wild animals are the source of many pathogens of livestock and humans. Concerns about the potential transmission of economically important and zoonotic diseases from wildlife have led to increased surveillance at the livestock-wildlife interface. Knowledge of the types, frequency and duration of contacts between livestock and wildlife is necessary to identify risk factors for disease transmission and to design possible mitigation strategies. Observing the behaviour of many wildlife species is challenging due to their cryptic nature and avoidance of humans, meaning there are relatively few studies in this area. Further, a consensus on the definition of what constitutes a 'contact' between wildlife and livestock is lacking. A systematic review was conducted to investigate which livestock-wildlife contacts have been studied and why, as well as the methods used to observe each species. Over 30,000 publications were screened, of which 122 fulfilled specific criteria for inclusion in the analysis. The majority of studies examined cattle contacts with badgers or with deer; studies involving wild pig contacts with cattle or with domestic pigs were the next most frequent. There was a range of observational methods including motion-activated cameras and global positioning system collars. As a result of the wide variation and lack of consensus in the definitions of direct and indirect contacts, we developed a unified framework to define livestock-wildlife contacts that is sufficiently flexible to be applied to most wildlife and livestock species for non-vector-borne diseases. We hope this framework will help standardise the collection and reporting of contact data; a valuable step towards being able to compare the efficacy of wildlife-livestock observation methods. In doing so, it may aid the development of better disease transmission models and improve the design and effectiveness of interventions to reduce or prevent disease transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Simon Gubbins
- The Pirbright Institute, Woking, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Adam J. Kucharski
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, University of London, London, United Kingdom
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Chirichella R, Stephens PA, Mason THE, Apollonio M. Contrasting Effects of Climate Change on Alpine Chamois. J Wildl Manage 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Chirichella
- Department of Veterinary Medicine University of Sassari via Vienna 2, I‐07100 Sassari Italy
| | - Philip A. Stephens
- Conservation Ecology Group, Department of Biosciences Durham University South Road Durham DH1 3LE United Kingdom
| | - Tom H. E. Mason
- Conservation Ecology Group, Department of Biosciences Durham University South Road Durham DH1 3LE United Kingdom
| | - Marco Apollonio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine University of Sassari via Vienna 2, I‐07100 Sassari Italy
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Rossi L, Tizzani P, Rambozzi L, Moroni B, Meneguz PG. Sanitary Emergencies at the Wild/Domestic Caprines Interface in Europe. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9110922. [PMID: 31694211 PMCID: PMC6912786 DOI: 10.3390/ani9110922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Even if it is an important achievement from a biodiversity conservation perspective, the documented increase in abundance of the four native European wild Caprinae (Rupicapra rupicapra, R. pyrenaica, Capra ibex, C. pyrenaica) can also be a matter of concern, since tighter and more frequent contact with sympatric livestock implies a greater risk of transmission of emerging and re-emerging pathogens. This article reviews the main transmissible diseases that, in a European scenario, are of greater significance from a conservation perspective. Epidemics causing major demographic downturns in wild Caprinae populations during recent decades were often triggered by pathogens transmitted at the livestock/wildlife interface. Abstract Population density and distribution of the four native European wild Caprines (Rupicapra rupicapra, Rupicapra pyrenaica, Capra ibex, Capra pyrenaica) have increased in recent decades. The improved conservation status of this valuable wildlife, while a welcome event in general terms, is at the same time a matter of concern since, intuitively, frequent and tighter contacts with sympatric livestock imply a greater risk of cross-transmission of emerging and re-emerging pathogens, and offer unexpected opportunities for pathogens to spread, persist and evolve. This article recalls the transmissible diseases that are perceived in Europe to be of major significance from a conservation perspective, namely brucellosis (BRC) by Brucella melitensis, infectious kerato-conjunctivitis (IKC) by Mycoplasma conjunctivae, pestivirosis (PV) by the border disease virus strain 4 and mange by Sarcoptes scabiei. Special emphasis has been put on the epidemiological role played by small domestic ruminants, and on key knowledge needed to implement evidence-based prevention and control strategies. Remarkably, scientific evidence demonstrates that major demographic downturns in affected wild Caprinae populations in recent decades have often been triggered by pathogens cross-transmitted at the livestock/wildlife interface.
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Fattorini N, Brunetti C, Baruzzi C, Chiatante G, Lovari S, Ferretti F. Temporal variation in foraging activity and grouping patterns in a mountain-dwelling herbivore: Environmental and endogenous drivers. Behav Processes 2019; 167:103909. [PMID: 31330169 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2019.103909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In temperate ecosystems, seasonality influences animal behaviour. Food availability, weather, photoperiod and endogenous factors relevant to the biological cycle of individuals have been shown as major drivers of temporal changes in activity rhythms and group size/structure of herbivorous species. We evaluated how diurnal female foraging activity and grouping patterns of a mountain herbivore, the Apennine chamois Rupicapra pyrenaica ornata, varied during a decreasing gradient of pasture availability along the summer-autumn progression (July-October), a crucial period for the life cycle of mountain ungulates. Females increased diurnal foraging activity, possibly because of constrains elicited by variation in environmental factors. Size of mixed groups did not vary, in contrast with the hypothesis that groups should be smaller when pasture availability is lower. Proportion of females in groups increased, possibly suggesting that they concentrated on patchily distributed nutritious forbs. Occurrence of yearlings in groups decreased, which may have depended on dispersal of chamois in this age class. Presence of kids in groups did not show variation through summer-autumn, suggesting a close mother-juvenile relationship even at the end of weaning and/or, possibly, low summer mortality. Both endogenous and environmental factors contribute to shape variation in foraging activity and grouping behaviour in mountain-dwelling herbivores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niccolò Fattorini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena. Via P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Claudia Brunetti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena. Via P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Carolina Baruzzi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena. Via P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Gianpasquale Chiatante
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 1, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Sandro Lovari
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena. Via P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy; Maremma Natural History Museum, Strada Corsini 5, 58100 Grosseto, Italy
| | - Francesco Ferretti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena. Via P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
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Espunyes J, Bartolomé J, Garel M, Gálvez-Cerón A, Fernández Aguilar X, Colom-Cadena A, Calleja JA, Gassó D, Jarque L, Lavín S, Marco I, Serrano E. Seasonal diet composition of Pyrenean chamois is mainly shaped by primary production waves. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0210819. [PMID: 30673757 PMCID: PMC6343923 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In alpine habitats, the seasonally marked climatic conditions generate seasonal and spatial differences in forage availability for herbivores. Vegetation availability and quality during the growing season are known to drive life history traits of mountain ungulates. However, little effort has been made to understand the association between plant phenology and changes in the foraging strategies of these mountain dwellers. Furthermore, this link can be affected by the seasonal presence of livestock in the same meadows. The objective of this work was to study the seasonal changes in diet composition of Pyrenean chamois (Rupicapra p. pyrenaica) and its relationship to primary production trends in a Mediterranean alpine environment. Moreover, diet composition in two populations with contrasting livestock pressure was compared in order to study the effect of sheep flocks on the feeding behaviour of chamois. From 2009 to 2012, monthly diet composition was estimated by cuticle microhistological analysis of chamois faeces collected in the eastern Pyrenees. The primary production cycle was assessed by remote sensing, using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index. Additionally, the diet of sheep sharing seasonally the subalpine and alpine meadows with chamois was analysed. Diet selection of chamois and sheep and their overlap was also assessed. Our results show an intra-annual variation in the diet composition of Pyrenean chamois and demonstrate a strong relationship between plant consumption dynamics and phenology in alpine areas. In addition, Calluna vulgaris, Cytisus spp. and Festuca spp., as well as forbs in the summer, are found to be key forage species for Pyrenean chamois. Furthermore, this study couldn’t detect differences between both chamois populations despite the presence of sheep flocks in only one area. However, the detection of a shift in the diet of chamois in both areas after the arrival of high densities of multi-specific livestock suggest a general livestock effect. In conclusion, Pyrenean chamois are well adapted to the variations in the seasonal availability of plants in alpine habitats but could be disturbed by the seasonal presence of livestock. Due to the key plants in their diet, we suggest that population management programmes should focus on the preservation of mixed grasslands composed of patches of shrubs and herbs. The effects of climate change and shrub expansion should be studied as they may potentially affect chamois population dynamics through changes in habitat composition and temporal shifts in forage availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Espunyes
- Wildlife Ecology and Health Group (WE&H), and Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
- * E-mail: (JE); (ES)
| | - Jordi Bartolomé
- Ruminant Research Group, Departament de Ciència Animal i dels Aliments, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mathieu Garel
- Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage, Unité Ongulés Sauvages, Gières, France
| | - Arturo Gálvez-Cerón
- Wildlife Ecology and Health Group (WE&H), and Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
- Facultad de Ciencias Pecuarias, Universidad de Nariño, Pasto, Colombia
| | - Xavier Fernández Aguilar
- Wildlife Ecology and Health Group (WE&H), and Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Andreu Colom-Cadena
- Wildlife Ecology and Health Group (WE&H), and Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Antonio Calleja
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Botánica, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
- CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Diana Gassó
- Wildlife Ecology and Health Group (WE&H), and Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laia Jarque
- Wildlife Ecology and Health Group (WE&H), and Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
- Ruminant Research Group, Departament de Ciència Animal i dels Aliments, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Santiago Lavín
- Wildlife Ecology and Health Group (WE&H), and Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ignasi Marco
- Wildlife Ecology and Health Group (WE&H), and Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Emmanuel Serrano
- Wildlife Ecology and Health Group (WE&H), and Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
- * E-mail: (JE); (ES)
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Colom-Cadena A, Espunyes J, Cabezón O, Fernández-Aguilar X, Rosell R, Marco I. New insights on pestivirus infections in transhumant sheep and sympatric Pyrenean chamois ( Rupicapra p. pyrenaica ). Vet Microbiol 2018; 217:82-89. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2018.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Revised: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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The weather dictates the rhythms: Alpine chamois activity is well adapted to ecological conditions. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-016-2137-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Morgia VL, Balbo C, Memoli S, Isaia M. Rodents in grassland habitats: does livestock grazing matter? A comparison of two Alpine sites with different grazing histories. ZOOSYSTEMA 2015. [DOI: 10.5252/z2015n4a3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Šprem N, Zanella D, Ugarković D, Prebanić I, Gančević P, Corlatti L. Unimodal activity pattern in forest-dwelling chamois: typical behaviour or interspecific avoidance? EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-015-0939-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Mason THE, Apollonio M, Chirichella R, Willis SG, Stephens PA. Environmental change and long-term body mass declines in an alpine mammal. Front Zool 2014. [DOI: 10.1186/s12983-014-0069-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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Darmon G, Bourgoin G, Marchand P, Garel M, Dubray D, Jullien JM, Loison A. Do ecologically close species shift their daily activities when in sympatry? A test on chamois in the presence of mouflon. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/bij.12228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gaëlle Darmon
- Laboratoire d'écologie Alpine CNRS UMR5553; Université de Savoie; Bâtiment Belledonne Le Bourget-du-Lac F-73376 France
- CNRS, UMR5558, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive; Université de Lyon, F-69000, Lyon; Université Lyon 1; Villeurbanne F-69622 France
| | - Gilles Bourgoin
- CNRS, UMR5558, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive; Université de Lyon, F-69000, Lyon; Université Lyon 1; Villeurbanne F-69622 France
- VetAgro Sup - Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon; Université de Lyon, F-69000, Lyon; 1 avenue Bourgelat Marcy l'étoile 69280 France
| | - Pascal Marchand
- Laboratoire d'écologie Alpine CNRS UMR5553; Université de Savoie; Bâtiment Belledonne Le Bourget-du-Lac F-73376 France
- Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage; Centre National d'étude et de Recherche Appliquée Faune de Montagne; 147 Route de Lodève Les Portes du Soleil Juvignac F-34990 France
| | - Mathieu Garel
- Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage; Centre National d'étude et de Recherche Appliquée Faune de Montagne; 147 Route de Lodève Les Portes du Soleil Juvignac F-34990 France
| | - Dominique Dubray
- Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage; Centre National d'étude et de Recherche Appliquée Faune de Montagne; 147 Route de Lodève Les Portes du Soleil Juvignac F-34990 France
| | - Jean-Michel Jullien
- Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage; Centre National d'étude et de Recherche Appliquée Faune de Montagne; 147 Route de Lodève Les Portes du Soleil Juvignac F-34990 France
| | - Anne Loison
- Laboratoire d'écologie Alpine CNRS UMR5553; Université de Savoie; Bâtiment Belledonne Le Bourget-du-Lac F-73376 France
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O'brien JM, O'brien CS, MCcarthy C, Carpenter TE. Incorporating foray behavior into models estimating contact risk between bighorn sheep and areas occupied by domestic sheep. WILDLIFE SOC B 2014. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua M. O'brien
- Center for Animal Diseases Modeling and Surveillance; School of Veterinary Medicine; University of California; 1 Shields Avenue Davis CA 95616 USA
| | | | - Clinton MCcarthy
- United States Forest Service; Intermountain Region; Ogden UT 84401 USA
| | - Tim E. Carpenter
- Center for Animal Diseases Modeling and Surveillance; School of Veterinary Medicine; University of California; 1 Shields Avenue Davis CA 95616 USA
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Chirichella R, Ciuti S, Apollonio M. Effects of livestock and non-native mouflon on use of high-elevation pastures by Alpine chamois. Mamm Biol 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2013.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Casaubon J, Vogt HR, Stalder H, Hug C, Ryser-Degiorgis MP. Bovine viral diarrhea virus in free-ranging wild ruminants in Switzerland: low prevalence of infection despite regular interactions with domestic livestock. BMC Vet Res 2012; 8:204. [PMID: 23107231 PMCID: PMC3514304 DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-8-204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2012] [Accepted: 10/10/2012] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED BACKGROUND In the frame of an eradication program for bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) in Swiss livestock, the question was raised whether free-ranging wildlife could threaten the success of this sanitary measure. Therefore, we conducted serological and virological investigations on BVD virus (BVDV) infections in the four indigenous wild ruminant species (roe deer, red deer, Alpine chamois and Alpine ibex) from 2009 to 2011, and gathered information on interactions between wild and domestic ruminants in an alpine environment by questionnaire survey. RESULTS Thirty-two sera out of 1'877 (1.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-2.4) were seropositive for BVDV, and a BVDV1 sub genotype h virus was found in a seropositive chamois (0.05%, 95% CI 0.001-0.3). The seropositive animals originated from sub-alpine or alpine regions and significantly more seropositive red deer, chamois and ibex than roe deer were found. There were no statistically significant differences between sampling units, age classes, genders, and sampling years. The obtained prevalences were significantly lower than those documented in livestock, and most positive wild ruminants were found in proximity of domestic outbreaks. Additionally, BVDV seroprevalence in ibex was significantly lower than previously reported from Switzerland. The survey on interspecific interactions revealed that interactions expected to allow BVDV transmission, from physical contacts to non-simultaneous use of the same areas, regularly occur on pastures among all investigated ruminant species. Interactions involving cervids were more often observed with cattle than with small ruminants, chamois were observed with all three domestic species, and ibex interacted mostly with small ruminants. Interactions related to the use of anthropogenic food sources were frequently observed, especially between red deer and cattle in wintertime. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first report of BVDV RNA isolated from an Alpine chamois. Nevertheless, our results suggest that BVDV infections are only sporadic in Swiss wild ruminants, despite regular occurrence of interactions with potentially infected livestock. Overall, serological, virological and ethological data indicate that wildlife is currently an incidental spill-over host and not a reservoir for BVDV in Switzerland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Casaubon
- Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health (FIWI), Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Hans-Rudolf Vogt
- Institute of Veterinary Virology (IVV), Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Hanspeter Stalder
- Institute of Veterinary Virology (IVV), Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Corinne Hug
- Institute of Veterinary Virology (IVV), Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Woodroffe R, Prager KC, Munson L, Conrad PA, Dubovi EJ, Mazet JAK. Contact with domestic dogs increases pathogen exposure in endangered African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus). PLoS One 2012; 7:e30099. [PMID: 22238695 PMCID: PMC3253127 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0030099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2011] [Accepted: 12/09/2011] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infectious diseases have contributed to the decline and local extinction of several wildlife species, including African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus). Mitigating such disease threats is challenging, partly because uncertainty about disease dynamics makes it difficult to identify the best management approaches. Serious impacts on susceptible populations most frequently occur when generalist pathogens are maintained within populations of abundant (often domestic) "reservoir" hosts, and spill over into less abundant host species. If this is the case, disease control directed at the reservoir host might be most appropriate. However, pathogen transmission within threatened host populations may also be important, and may not be controllable by managing another host species. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We investigated interspecific and intraspecific transmission routes, by comparing African wild dogs' exposure to six canine pathogens with behavioural measures of their opportunities for contact with domestic dogs and with other wild dogs. Domestic dog contact was associated with exposure to canine parvovirus, Ehrlichia canis, Neospora caninum and perhaps rabies virus, but not with exposure to canine distemper virus or canine coronavirus. Contact with other wild dogs appeared not to increase the risk of exposure to any of the pathogens. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE These findings, combined with other data, suggest that management directed at domestic dogs might help to protect wild dog populations from rabies virus, but not from canine distemper virus. However, further analyses are needed to determine the management approaches--including no intervention--which are most appropriate for each pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosie Woodroffe
- Institute of Zoology, Regent's Park, London, United Kingdom.
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Feeding habits, forage selection, and diet overlap in Alpine chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra L.) and domestic sheep. Ecol Res 2009. [DOI: 10.1007/s11284-008-0581-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Zimmermann L, Jambresic S, Giacometti M, Frey J. Specificity of Mycoplasma conjunctivae strains for alpine chamois Rupicapra r. rupicapra. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2008. [DOI: 10.2981/0909-6396(2008)14[118:somcsf]2.0.co;2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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