1
|
Whitehead M. Releasing gamebirds. Vet Rec 2023; 192:38-39. [PMID: 36607694 DOI: 10.1002/vetr.2619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Whitehead
- Chipping Norton Veterinary Hospital, Banbury Road, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, OX7 5SY
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Stanton IC, Bethel A, Leonard AFC, Gaze WH, Garside R. Existing evidence on antibiotic resistance exposure and transmission to humans from the environment: a systematic map. ENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE 2022; 11:8. [PMID: 35308196 PMCID: PMC8917330 DOI: 10.1186/s13750-022-00262-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is predicted to become the leading cause of death by 2050 with antibiotic resistance being an important component. Anthropogenic pollution introduces antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) to the natural environment. Currently, there is limited empirical evidence demonstrating whether humans are exposed to environmental AMR and whether this exposure can result in measurable human health outcomes. In recent years there has been increasing interest in the role of the environment and disparate evidence on transmission of AMR to humans has been generated but there has been no systematic attempt to summarise this. We aim to create two systematic maps that will collate the evidence for (1) the transmission of antibiotic resistance from the natural environment to humans on a global scale and (2) the state of antibiotic resistance in the environment in the United Kingdom. METHODS Search strategies were developed for each map. Searches were undertaken in 13 bibliographic databases. Key websites were searched and experts consulted for grey literature. Search results were managed using EndNote X8. Titles and abstracts were screened, followed by the full texts. Articles were double screened at a minimum of 10% at both stages with consistency checking and discussion when disagreements arose. Data extraction occurred in Excel with bespoke forms designed. Data extracted from each selected study included: bibliographic information; study site location; exposure source; exposure route; human health outcome (Map 1); prevalence/percentage/abundance of ARB/antibiotic resistance elements (Map 2) and study design. EviAtlas was used to visualise outputs. RESULTS For Map 1, 40 articles were included, from 11,016 unique articles identified in searches, which investigated transmission of AMR from the environment to humans. Results from Map 1 showed that consumption/ingestion was the most studied transmission route. Exposure (n = 17), infection (n = 16) and colonisation (n = 11) being studied as an outcome a similar number of times, with mortality studied infrequently (n = 2). In addition, E. coli was the most highly studied bacterium (n = 16). For Map 2, we included 62 studies quantifying ARB or resistance elements in the environment in the UK, from 6874 unique articles were identified in the searches. The most highly researched species was mixed communities (n = 32). The most common methodology employed in this research question was phenotypic testing (n = 37). The most commonly reported outcome was the characterisation of ARBs (n = 40), followed by characterisation of ARGs (n = 35). Other genetic elements, such as screening for intI1 (n = 15) (which encodes a Class 1 integron which is used as a proxy for environmental ARGs) and point mutations (n = 1) were less frequently reported. Both maps showed that research was focused towards aquatic environments. CONCLUSIONS Both maps can be used by policy makers to show the global (Map 1) and UK (Map 2) research landscapes and provide an overview of the state of AMR in the environment and human health impacts of interacting with the environment. We have also identified (1) clusters of research which may be used to perform meta-analyses and (2) gaps in the evidence base where future primary research should focus. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13750-022-00262-2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isobel Catherine Stanton
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, College of Medicine and Health, Penryn Campus, University of Exeter, Penryn, TR10 9FE UK
| | - Alison Bethel
- College of Medicine and Health, St Luke’s Campus, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX1 1TX UK
| | - Anne Frances Clare Leonard
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, College of Medicine and Health, Penryn Campus, University of Exeter, Penryn, TR10 9FE UK
| | - William Hugo Gaze
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, College of Medicine and Health, Penryn Campus, University of Exeter, Penryn, TR10 9FE UK
| | - Ruth Garside
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, College of Medicine and Health, Knowledge Spa, University of Exeter, Truro, TR1 3HD UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Dolman PM, Burnside RJ, Scotland KM, Collar NJ. Captive breeding and the conservation of the threatened houbara bustards. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2021. [DOI: 10.3354/esr01151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Translocation of captive-bred individuals to reinforce wild populations may be an important conservation approach for some species, but can be detrimental when employed to boost exploited wild populations, particularly where repeated long-term reinforcement aims to compensate for repeated unregulated offtake. We review evidence that captive breeding alters multiple physiological, life-history and temperamental traits through founder effects, genetic drift and unintended adaption to captivity; degrades learnt behaviours; and compromises biogeography, population structure and viability through introgression. We highlight these risks for the globally threatened African houbara Chlamydotis undulata and Asian houbara C. macqueenii, 2 bustard species hunted throughout much of their ranges and now subject to multiple large-scale captive-breeding programmes and translocations. In eastern Morocco, annual releases of captive-bred African houbara are 2‒3 times higher than original wild numbers, but no investigation of their potentially deleterious effects has, to our knowledge, been published, although most wild populations may now have been replaced by captive-bred domestic stock, which are reportedly not self-sustaining. Despite multiple decades of reinforcement, we are not aware of any analysis of the contribution of captive breeding to African houbara population dynamics, or of the genomic consequences. Asian houbara release programmes may also be promoting rather than preventing declines, and need to contextualise themselves through rigorous analyses of wild population numbers, demographic rates and threats, maintenance of phylogeographic concordance of released with supplemented populations, profiling of traits crucial to survival and the measurement and modelling of the impacts of reinforcement on physiological and behavioural fitness of wild populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- PM Dolman
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - RJ Burnside
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - KM Scotland
- Emirates Bird Breeding Centre for Conservation, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - NJ Collar
- BirdLife International, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hall A, Sage RA, Madden JR. The effects of released pheasants on invertebrate populations in and around woodland release sites. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:13559-13569. [PMID: 34646489 PMCID: PMC8495776 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The release of gamebirds for recreational shooting exerts a series of effects on the ecosystems into which they are placed. Pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) are omnivorous and eat invertebrates, especially when young or, if females, when breeding. Consequently, the release of large numbers of pheasants into woodland release pens may affect local invertebrate populations. Previous studies have reported mixed evidence. We conducted pitfall trapping at 13 sites (49 pens) in central England over 2 years (totaling 65 pen measures), comprising three surveys annually, immediately prior to releases in mid-summer, 4 weeks later when most birds were still in the pens, and another 5 weeks later when most birds had dispersed. We compared traps inside and 25 m outside pens in the same wood. We considered release densities and whether the birds had prior experience of eating invertebrates. While accounting for overall seasonal declines in invertebrates trapped, we detected changes for total invertebrate biomass and total counts indicative of released pheasants causing local decreases inside pens, either directly by predation or indirectly by modifying vegetation. There were also relative decreases outside pens when the pheasants start to disperse, suggesting that the released pheasants may be affecting invertebrates in those nearby areas or that their earlier effects inside the pen, modifying vegetation or increasing invertebrate activity, increased the relative susceptibility of invertebrates there to trapping. However, these effects were not seen for specific invertebrate groups believed to be especially susceptible to pheasants. For slugs and detritivores, we detected small population increases inside pens. Across the study period, decreases for most measures were greater outside pens than inside them. We conclude that any effects pheasants have on invertebrate communities at release sites in woodlands are complex and that long-term and taxon-specific studies should be considered to understand the local net ecological effects of gamebird releases on invertebrates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Hall
- Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, PsychologyUniversity of ExeterExeterUK
| | - Rufus A. Sage
- The Game and Wildlife Conservation TrustFordingbridgeUK
| | - Joah R. Madden
- Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, PsychologyUniversity of ExeterExeterUK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Linking personality and health to use of space in the gray partridge: perspectives for management. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-021-01526-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
|
6
|
Gethöffer F, Curland N, Voigt U, Woelfing B, Ludwig T, Heffels-Redmann U, Hafez HM, Lierz M, Siebert U. Seroprevalences of specific antibodies against avian pathogens in free-ranging ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) in Northwestern Germany. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0255434. [PMID: 34347834 PMCID: PMC8336876 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Infectious diseases in captive pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) are well known, but there is a lack of knowledge about occurrence and distribution of pathogens in free-ranging pheasants in Germany. We investigated 604 sera from hunted pheasants and 152 sera from wild caught pheasants between 2011 to 2015, with the aim to determine the prevalence of specific antibodies against different viruses: Avian influenza virus (AIV) of subtypes H5, H7, H9, paramyxovirus type 1 (PMV-1), avian encephalomyelitis virus (AEV), infectious bursitis disease virus (IBDV), infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV), avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) and Salmonella sp., Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) and Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG). In addition, 178 caeca were investigated for Histomonas meleagridis. The study reveals an ongoing circulation of IBV in the wild pheasant population during the study. Also high seroprevalences of specific antibodies against aMPV depending on the area and a strong increase in prevalence of IBDV antibodies in sera of pheasants in Lower Saxony were detected. ILTV antibody prevalences differed between areas and AEV antibody detection differed between years significantly, whereas specific antibodies against PMV-1 could not be detected and antibodies against AIV-H5, -H7 and -H9 and Mycoplasma spp. were detected in very few cases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Gethöffer
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Nele Curland
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ulrich Voigt
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Benno Woelfing
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Tobias Ludwig
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ursula Heffels-Redmann
- Clinic for Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish, Justus Liebig Universität Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Michael Lierz
- Clinic for Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish, Justus Liebig Universität Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Ursula Siebert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Abstract
AbstractLarge numbers of gamebirds (pheasants Phasianus colchicus, red-legged partridges Alectoris rufa and mallard Anus platyrhynchos) are released annually in the UK to support recreational shooting. It is important to know how many of these birds are being released because their release and management has ecological effects on the wildlife and habitats of the UK. There is little regulation governing their release, and consequently, an accurate figure for the numbers being released is unknown. I took 12 different approaches, totalling 4329 estimates of the numbers of birds being released annually, based on a series of datasets that described numbers of birds being held for breeding, rearing or release, being released, managed or shot on game shoots, being shot by individual guns or being recorded during breeding bird surveys. These 12 approaches produced estimates ranging from 14.7 to 106.1 million with a mean of 43.2 million (95% CI 29.0–57.3 million). This suggests that 31.5 million pheasants (range 29.8–33.7 million), 9.1 million red-legged partridges (range 5.6–12.5 million) and 2.6 million mallard (range 0.9–6.0 million) are released annually in the UK. These figures differ substantially from both official records of gamebirds and previous published estimates, and I discuss why such differences may occur. I set these figures in the context of the number and behaviour of shoots operating in the UK. Improved estimates of numbers of gamebird being released are critical if we are to better understand the ecological effects occurring in areas where they are released and managed.
Collapse
|
8
|
Contribution of non-native galliforms to annual variation in biomass of British birds. Biol Invasions 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-021-02458-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
AbstractMillions of individuals of two species of non-native galliform birds, the Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) and Red-legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa) are released into the British countryside annually in late summer, supplementing established breeding populations of these two species. The biomass of birds involved in these releases has been compared to the British breeding bird biomass. However, the validity of this comparison is compromised because the biomass of wild birds varies across the year due to reproduction, mortality and migration. How the biomass of Common Pheasants and Red-legged Partridges compares to that of other British bird species in late summer, or across the whole year, is currently unknown. Here, we produce estimates of how British bird biomass varies across the year, to assess the contribution of the two non-native galliforms to this variation. We show that overall British bird biomass is probably lowest around the start of the breeding season in April, and peaks in late summer and autumn. We estimate that around a quarter of British bird biomass annually is contributed by Common Pheasants and Red-legged Partridges, and that at their peak in August these two species represent about half of all wild bird biomass in Britain.
Collapse
|
9
|
Kent E, Schwartz ALW, Perkins SE. Life in the fast lane: roadkill risk along an urban–rural gradient. JOURNAL OF URBAN ECOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/jue/juaa039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Wildlife-vehicle collisions are a major cause of mortality in animal populations and can cause significant population-level effects. Urban areas are typically associated with higher road densities and unique wildlife communities in comparison to rural areas, and therefore have the potential to be associated with high numbers of collisions, and roadkill risk. Here, we use a citizen science database of wildlife roadkill and species distribution models to assess how roadkill risk (probability of roadkill observation per km2) varied along an urban–rural gradient for British wildlife. Roadkill risk was positively associated with road density, until around 5000 m/km2, a value representing villages or the outskirts of towns and cities. Beyond 5000 m/km2, risk remained high for some species (hedgehog, fox, pigeons and gulls) but reduced for other species (badger, rabbit, pheasant). Roadkill risk was a function of live species distribution for badger, hedgehog and rabbit, with significant overlap between spatial patterns of roadkill risk and the species’ live distribution. This was not the case for fox, pheasant, pigeons and gulls. Fox roadkill risk was underrepresented in rural areas, possibly due to low road density, while pheasant risk was overrepresented. For pigeons and gulls—well-known urban exploiters—roadkill risk was overrepresented in urban areas given their live distributions, possibly due to risks associated with foraging, particularly roadkill scavenging by gulls. Our results highlight the dangers of the UK’s dense road networks to wildlife, even to species considered adapted to urban environments and human disturbance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eleri Kent
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, The Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Amy L W Schwartz
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, The Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Sarah E Perkins
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, The Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
He C, Zhao L, Xiao L, Xu K, Ding J, Zhou H, Zheng Y, Han C, Akinyemi F, Luo H, Yang L, Luo L, Yuan H, Lu X, Meng H. Chromosome level assembly reveals a unique immune gene organization and signatures of evolution in the common pheasant. Mol Ecol Resour 2020; 21:897-911. [PMID: 33188724 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The common pheasant Phasianus colchicus, belonging to the order Galliformes and family Phasianidae, is the most widespread species. Despite a long history of captivity, the domestication of this bird is still at a preliminary stage. Recently, the demand for accelerating its transformation to poultry for meat and egg production has been increasing. In this study, we assembled high quality, chromosome scale genome of the common pheasant by using PacBio long reads, next-generation short reads, and Hi-C technology. The primary assembly has contig N50 size of 1.33 Mb and scaffold N50 size of 59.46 Mb, with a total size of 0.99 Gb, resolving most macrochromosomes into single scaffolds. A total of 23,058 genes and 10.71 Mb interspersed repeats were identified, constituting 30.31% and 10.71% of the common pheasant genome, respectively. Our phylogenetic analysis revealed that the common pheasant shared common ancestors with turkey about 24.7-34.5 million years ago (Ma). Rapidly evolved gene families, as well as branch-specific positively selected genes, indicate that calcium-related genes are potentially related to the adaptive and evolutionary change of the common pheasant. Interestingly, we found that the common pheasant has a unique major histocompatibility complex B locus (MHC-B) structure: three major inversions occurred in the sequence compared with chicken MHC-B. Furthermore, we detected signals of selection in five breeds of domestic common pheasant, several of which are production-oriented.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chuan He
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lele Zhao
- Shanghai Animal Disease Control Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Lu Xiao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ke Xu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinmei Ding
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Zhou
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuming Zheng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chengxiao Han
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fisayo Akinyemi
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huaixi Luo
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lingyu Yang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lingxiao Luo
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongyan Yuan
- Shanghai Xinhao Rare Poultry Breeding Co. Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Xuelin Lu
- Shanghai Animal Disease Control Center, Shanghai, China
| | - He Meng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Daszkiewicz T, Janiszewski P. The effect of sex on the quality of meat from farmed pheasants (
Phasianus colchicus
). Anim Sci J 2020; 91:e13404. [PMID: 32519405 DOI: 10.1111/asj.13404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Daszkiewicz
- Departments of Commodity Science and Processing of Animal Raw Materials University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn Olsztyn Poland
| | - Paweł Janiszewski
- Fur‐Bearing Animal Breeding and Game Management University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn Olsztyn Poland
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Vázquez‐Miranda H, Olson MJ, Zink RM. Evolutionary Origin and Genetic Diversity of Ring‐necked Pheasants in the Upper Midwest United States. WILDLIFE SOC B 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hernán Vázquez‐Miranda
- School of Natural Resources, and Nebraska State Museum, University of Nebraska Lincoln NE 68583 USA
| | - Magdalena J. Olson
- School of Natural Resources, and Nebraska State Museum, University of Nebraska Lincoln NE 68583 USA
| | - Robert M. Zink
- School of Natural Resources, School of Biological Sciences, Nebraska State Museum, University of Nebraska Lincoln NE 68583 USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Langley EJG, Adams G, Beardsworth CE, Dawson DA, Laker PR, van Horik JO, Whiteside MA, Wilson AJ, Madden JR. Heritability and correlations among learning and inhibitory control traits. Behav Ecol 2020; 31:798-806. [PMID: 32821079 PMCID: PMC7428062 DOI: 10.1093/beheco/araa029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
To understand the evolution of cognitive abilities, we need to understand both how selection acts upon them and their genetic (co)variance structure. Recent work suggests that there are fitness consequences for free-living individuals with particular cognitive abilities. However, our current understanding of the heritability of these abilities is restricted to domesticated species subjected to artificial selection. We investigated genetic variance for, and genetic correlations among four cognitive abilities: inhibitory control, visual and spatial discrimination, and spatial ability, measured on >450 pheasants, Phasianus colchicus, over four generations. Pheasants were reared in captivity but bred from adults that lived in the wild and hence, were subject to selection on survival. Pheasant chicks are precocial and were reared without parents, enabling us to standardize environmental and parental care effects. We constructed a pedigree based on 15 microsatellite loci and implemented animal models to estimate heritability. We found moderate heritabilities for discrimination learning and inhibitory control (h2 = 0.17-0.23) but heritability for spatial ability was low (h2 = 0.09). Genetic correlations among-traits were largely positive but characterized by high uncertainty and were not statistically significant. Principle component analysis of the genetic correlation matrix estimate revealed a leading component that explained 69% of the variation, broadly in line with expectations under a general intelligence model of cognition. However, this pattern was not apparent in the phenotypic correlation structure which was more consistent with a modular view of animal cognition. Our findings highlight that the expression of cognitive traits is influenced by environmental factors which masks the underlying genetic structure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ellis J G Langley
- Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Washington Singer Labs, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Gracie Adams
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, Alfred Denny Building, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, UK
| | - Christine E Beardsworth
- Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Washington Singer Labs, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Deborah A Dawson
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, Alfred Denny Building, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, UK
| | - Philippa R Laker
- Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Washington Singer Labs, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Jayden O van Horik
- Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Washington Singer Labs, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Mark A Whiteside
- Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Washington Singer Labs, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Alastair J Wilson
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, UK
| | - Joah R Madden
- Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Washington Singer Labs, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Feber RE, Johnson PJ, Macdonald DW. Shooting pheasants for sport: What does the death of Cecil tell us? PEOPLE AND NATURE 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ruth E. Feber
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit Recanati‐Kaplan Centre Department of Zoology University of Oxford Oxford UK
| | - Paul J. Johnson
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit Recanati‐Kaplan Centre Department of Zoology University of Oxford Oxford UK
| | - David W. Macdonald
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit Recanati‐Kaplan Centre Department of Zoology University of Oxford Oxford UK
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Stanton IC, Bethel A, Leonard AFC, Gaze WH, Garside R. What is the research evidence for antibiotic resistance exposure and transmission to humans from the environment? A systematic map protocol. ENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE 2020; 9:12. [PMID: 32518638 PMCID: PMC7268584 DOI: 10.1186/s13750-020-00197-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a public health crisis that is predicted to cause 10 million deaths per year by 2050. The environment has been implicated as a reservoir of AMR and is suggested to play a role in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Currently, most research has focused on measuring concentrations of antibiotics and characterising the abundance and diversity of ARGs and antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) in the environment. To date, there has been limited empirical research on whether humans are exposed to this, and whether exposure can lead to measureable impacts on human health. Therefore, the objective of this work is to produce two linked systematic maps to investigate previous research on exposure and transmission of AMR to humans from the environment. The first map will investigate the available research relating to exposure and transmission of ARB/ARGs from the environment to humans on a global scale and the second will investigate the prevalence of ARB/ARGs in various environments in the UK. These two maps will be useful for policy makers and research funders to identify where there are significant gluts and gaps in the current research, and where more primary and synthesis research needs to be undertaken. METHODS Separate search strategies will be developed for the two maps. Searches will be run in 13 databases, and grey literature will be sought from key websites and engagement with experts. Hits will be managed in EndNote and screened in two stages (title/abstract then full text) against predefined inclusion criteria. A minimum of 10% will be double screened with ongoing consistency checking. All included studies will have data extracted into a bespoke form designed and piloted for each map. Data to be extracted will include bibliographic details, study design, location, exposure source, exposure route, health outcome (Map 1); and prevalence/percentage of ARB/ARG (Map 2). No validity appraisal will be undertaken. Results will be tabulated and presented narratively, together with graphics showing the types and areas of research that has been undertaken and heatmaps for key exposure-health outcomes (Map 1) and exposure-prevalence (Map 2).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isobel C. Stanton
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, College of Medicine and Health, Penryn Campus, University of Exeter, Penryn, TR10 9FE UK
| | - Alison Bethel
- College of Medicine and Health, St Luke’s Campus, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX1 1TX UK
| | - Anne F. C. Leonard
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, College of Medicine and Health, Penryn Campus, University of Exeter, Penryn, TR10 9FE UK
| | - William H. Gaze
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, College of Medicine and Health, Penryn Campus, University of Exeter, Penryn, TR10 9FE UK
| | - Ruth Garside
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, College of Medicine and Health, Knowledge Spa, University of Exeter, Truro, TR1 3HD UK
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Pain DJ, Dickie I, Green RE, Kanstrup N, Cromie R. Wildlife, human and environmental costs of using lead ammunition: An economic review and analysis. AMBIO 2019; 48:969-988. [PMID: 30879269 PMCID: PMC6675822 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-019-01157-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Revised: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
A proposed European Union (EU)-wide restriction on the use of lead gunshot for shooting in and over wetlands estimated that the societal benefits of a restriction outweighed costs, despite few identified benefits being quantified economically. A subsequent Annex XV Investigation Report on the evidence of impacts of lead ammunition in terrestrial environments concluded that additional measures to control its use are warranted, although to date this has not been further evaluated. To help inform this process, we review the literature and undertake new analyses to estimate the costs of continued use of lead ammunition associated with impacts on wildlife, people and the environment. We estimate minimum annual direct costs across the EU and Europe of c. €383 million-€960 million and €444 million-€1.3 thousand million respectively. The value that society places on being able to avoid these losses, estimated using a 'willingness to pay' approach, was c. €2.2 thousand million for wildfowl alone. Our estimated costs of the continued use of lead ammunition across the EU appear to be considerably greater than the likely costs of switching to non-toxic alternative ammunition types, although these have not been formally estimated in full.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deborah J. Pain
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ UK
- Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Slimbridge, Gloucestershire GL2 7BT UK
| | - Ian Dickie
- eftec - economics for the environment, 4 City Road, London, EC1Y 2AA UK
| | - Rhys E. Green
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ UK
| | - Niels Kanstrup
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Grenåvej 14, 8410 Rønde, Denmark
| | - Ruth Cromie
- Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Slimbridge, Gloucestershire GL2 7BT UK
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Pringle H, Wilson M, Calladine J, Siriwardena G. Associations between gamebird releases and generalist predators. J Appl Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Mark Wilson
- British Trust for Ornithology (Scotland), Beta Centre Stirling University Innovation Park Scotland
| | - John Calladine
- British Trust for Ornithology (Scotland), Beta Centre Stirling University Innovation Park Scotland
| | | |
Collapse
|