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Nevermann S, Rasolofoson MF, Ratovonamana YR, Apel C, Ganzhorn JU. Lepilemur petteri latrine placement in Tsimanampetsotse National Park, Madagascar. Folia Primatol (Basel) 2022. [DOI: 10.1163/14219980-20220102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Latrine behaviour in lemurs has been interpreted as a means of olfactory communication linked to energy efficient resource defence against neighbouring individuals and/or social bonding within social groups. For social bonding, latrines might best be placed at the core of home ranges, while resource defence could be based on defending the most important part of the home range, i.e., the core area or by establishing olfactory landmarks at the periphery of the home range. Most studies on lemurs describe deposition of urine and faeces in latrines in the core of the home range. In a study at the limit of the distributional range of Lepilemur petteri, at a site with unpredictable weather conditions, we radio-tracked 12 individuals and located latrines within their home ranges. In our study, latrines were located at the periphery of the home ranges. This is interpreted as a means to defend a larger area rather than specific resource rich sites that may or may not provide food in a given year. Regardless of the flexible spatial pattern, and in common with other mammals, lemur latrines are characterized by conspicuous trees, even though urine and faeces are deposited at the base of trees. This indicates some kind of optimal structure of latrines to convey information most effectively, possibly by combining visual and olfactory cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Nevermann
- Department of Biology, Universität Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Celina Apel
- Institute of Geobotany, Leibniz Universität, 30167 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jörg U. Ganzhorn
- Department of Biology, Universität Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
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2
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Malik H, Ratovonamana YR, Rakotondranary SJ, Ganzhorn JU, Sommer S. Anthropogenic Disturbance Impacts Gut Microbiome Homeostasis in a Malagasy Primate. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:911275. [PMID: 35801106 PMCID: PMC9253676 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.911275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing anthropogenic disturbances in Madagascar are exerting constrains on endemic Malagasy lemurs and their habitats, with possible effects on their health and survival. An important component of health is the gut microbiome, which might be disrupted by various stressors associated with environmental change. We have studied the gut microbiome of gray-brown mouse lemurs (Microcebus griseorufus), one of the smallest Malagasy primates and an important model of the convergent evolution of diseases. We sampled two sites: one situated in a national park and the other consisting of a more disturbed site around human settlement. We found that more intense anthropogenic disturbances indeed disrupted the gut microbiome of this lemur species marked by a reduction in bacterial diversity and a shift in microbial community composition. Interestingly, we noted a decrease in beneficial bacteria (i.e., members of the Bacteroidaceae family) together with a slight increase in disease-associated bacteria (i.e., members of the Veillonellaceae family), and alterations in microbial metabolic functions. Because of the crucial services provided by the microbiome to pathogen resistance and host health, such negative alterations in the gut microbiome of mouse lemurs inhabiting anthropogenically disturbed habitats might render them susceptible to diseases and ultimately affecting their survival in the shrinking biodiversity seen in Madagascar. Gut microbiome analyses might thus serve as an early warning signal for pending threats to lemur populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hina Malik
- Centre for One Health, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, India
| | - Yedidya R Ratovonamana
- Institute of Zoology, Animal Ecology and Conservation, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Département Biologie Animale, Faculté des Sciences, Université d' Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Solofomalala Jacques Rakotondranary
- Institute of Zoology, Animal Ecology and Conservation, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Département Biologie Animale, Faculté des Sciences, Université d' Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Jörg U Ganzhorn
- Institute of Zoology, Animal Ecology and Conservation, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Simone Sommer
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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3
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Andriambeloson JB, Blanco MB, Andriantsalohimisantatra A, Rivoharison TV, Walker N, Birkinshaw C, Yoder AD. Living in tiny fragments: a glimpse at the ecology of Goodman's mouse lemurs (Microcebus lehilahytsara) in the relic forest of Ankafobe, Central Highlands, Madagascar. Primates 2021; 62:887-896. [PMID: 34541622 DOI: 10.1007/s10329-021-00947-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Habitat fragmentation is one of the major types of anthropogenic change, though fragmented landscapes predate human intervention. At present, the Central Highlands of Madagascar are covered by extensive grasslands interspersed with small discrete forest patches of unknown antiquity. Ankafobe, an actively protected site, comprises two such fragments of 12 and 30 ha, respectively, known to harbor three lemur species and other endemic wildlife. At this location, we conducted a survey of resident Goodman's mouse lemurs, Microcebus lehilahytsara, to determine baseline behavioral and ecological conditions for this isolated population. By studying primates in forest fragments, investigators can characterize the effects of shrinking habitats and decreasing connectivity on species diversity and survival, thus providing a glimpse into the potential resilience of species in the face of anthropogenic disturbance. Investigating the behavioral ecology of Goodman's mouse lemurs across their geographic range could help us understand their metabolic and ecological flexibility and predict species long-term survival prospects. We conducted night transect walks, using capture techniques and telemetry, to track eight radio-collared individuals. Preliminary density estimates based on a limited number of sightings (n = 18) were 2.19 ind/ha, and home range assessments ranged between 0.22 and 3.67 ha. Mouse lemurs traveled an average of 425 m nightly during the 5-h tracking periods and primarily fed on fruits of the mistletoe Bakerella clavata. The finding that Goodman's mouse lemurs apparently thrive in the seasonally cold and arid forest fragments in the Central Highlands indicates that they may be among the most tolerant and adaptable lemur species in Madagascar. These results point towards an exciting research program that focuses on ecological tolerance as a mechanism for long-term species survival.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marina B Blanco
- Duke Lemur Center, 3705 Erwin Road, Durham, NC, USA.
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
| | | | - Tahiry V Rivoharison
- Missouri Botanical Garden, Madagascar Research and Conservation Program, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | | | - Chris Birkinshaw
- Missouri Botanical Garden, Madagascar Research and Conservation Program, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Anne D Yoder
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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Chen DM, Narváez-Torres PR, Tiafinjaka O, Farris ZJ, Rasoloharijaona S, Louis EE, Johnson SE. Lemur paparazzi: Arboreal camera trapping and occupancy modeling as conservation tools for monitoring threatened lemur species. Am J Primatol 2021; 83:e23270. [PMID: 34010491 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Primate species face growing risks of extinction throughout the world. To better protect their populations, effective monitoring techniques are needed. The goal of this study was to evaluate the use of arboreal camera traps and occupancy modeling as conservation tools for threatened lemur species. This project aimed to (1) estimate the occupancy and detection probabilities of lemur species, (2) investigate factors potentially affecting lemur habitat use, and (3) determine whether ground or arboreal cameras are better for surveying lemur assemblages. We conducted camera trapping research in five forest fragments (total trap nights = 1770; 900 arboreal trap nights (134 photo events); 870 ground trap nights (2 photo events)) and reforestation areas (total trap nights = 608; 1 photo event) in Kianjavato, Madagascar from May to September 2019. We used arboreal trap data from fragments to estimate occupancy for five species: the red-fronted brown lemur (Eulemur rufifrons; ψ = 0.54 ± SD 0.03), Jolly's mouse lemur (Microcebus jollyae; ψ = 0.14 ± 0.17), the greater dwarf lemur (Cheirogaleus major; ψ = 0.42 ± 0.30), the red-bellied lemur (Eulemur rubriventer; ψ = 0.24 ± 0.03), and the black-and-white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata; ψ = 0.24 ± 0.08). Tree diameter, elevation, distance to village, and canopy connectivity were important predictors of occupancy, while camera height, canopy connectivity, fragment ID, and fragment size predicted detection. Arboreal cameras recorded significantly higher species richness compared with ground cameras. We suggest expanded application of arboreal camera traps in future research, but we recommend longer trapping periods to better sample rarer species. Overall, arboreal camera trapping combined with occupancy modeling can be a highly efficient and useful approach for monitoring and predicting the occurrence of elusive lemur species and has the potential to be effective for other arboreal primates and canopy taxa across the globe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devin M Chen
- Department of Anthropology & Archaeology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Olivia Tiafinjaka
- Faculty of Sciences, Technologies, and the Environment, University of Mahajanga, Mahajanga, Madagascar
| | - Zach J Farris
- Department of Health & Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Edward E Louis
- Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership, Manakambahiny, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Steig E Johnson
- Department of Anthropology & Archaeology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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5
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Bernard AB, Marshall AJ. Assessing the state of knowledge of contemporary climate change and primates. Evol Anthropol 2020; 29:317-331. [DOI: 10.1002/evan.21874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew B. Bernard
- Department of Anthropology University of Michigan Ann Arbor Michigan USA
| | - Andrew J. Marshall
- Department of Anthropology University of Michigan Ann Arbor Michigan USA
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology University of Michigan Ann Arbor Michigan USA
- Program in the Environment University of Michigan Ann Arbor Michigan USA
- School for Environment and Sustainability University of Michigan Ann Arbor Michigan USA
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Adenovirus infection is associated with altered gut microbial communities in a non-human primate. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13410. [PMID: 31527752 PMCID: PMC6746978 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49829-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Adenovirus (AdV) infections are one of the main causes of diarrhea in young children. Enteric AdVs probably disrupt gut microbial defences, which can result in diarrhea. To understand the role of the gut microbiome in AdV-induced pathologies, we investigated the gut microbiome of a naturally AdV-infected non-human primate species, the Malagasy mouse lemur (Microcebus griseorufus), which represents an important model in understanding the evolution of diseases. We observed that AdV infection is associated with disruption of the gut microbial community composition. In AdV+ lemurs, several commensal taxa essential for a healthy gut microbiome decreased, whereas genera containing potential pathogens, such as Neisseria, increased in abundance. Microbial co-occurrence networks revealed a loss of important microbial community interactions in AdV+ lemurs and an overrepresentation of Prevotellaceae. The observation of enteric virus-associated loss of commensal bacteria and associated shifts towards pathobionts may represent the missing link for a better understanding of AdV-induced effects in humans, and also for their potential as drivers of co-infections, an area of research that has been largely neglected so far.
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Ectoparasites of endemic and domestic animals in southwest Madagascar. Acta Trop 2019; 196:83-92. [PMID: 31082365 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Revised: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Human encroachment of natural habitats bears the threat of disease transmission between native and introduced species that had not come into contact before, thus promoting the spread of new diseases in both directions. This is a matter of concern especially in areas where human-wildlife contact has not been intense in the recent past. In southwest Madagascar, we collected ectoparasites from various mammalian hosts and chicken, and examined their host preferences and their prevalence in relation to season and habitat degradation. Field-work took place in the northern portion of Tsimanampetsotsa National Park and the adjacent coastal strip (littoral) in the dry and in the rainy season of 2016/2017. Endemic mammals were trapped with live traps placed in habitats of different degrees of degradation: 1) relatively pristine forest, 2) degraded forest, 3) cultivated and shrub land. Rats and mice were also trapped in 4) villages. We identified 17 species of ectoparasites (296 individuals of ticks [5 species], 535 lice [7 spp.], 389 fleas [4 spp.] and 13 mites [1 sp.]) collected from 15 host species. There was no indication for seasonal or habitat effects on parasite infection. A large portion of the parasites was host-specific. Some ectoparasite species were shared either by several endemic or by several introduced species, but apart from the introduced flea species Echidnophaga gallinacea (collected from six different hosts including the endemic carnivore Galidictis grandidieri) no other ectoparasite species was shared between endemic and introduced host species.
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Steffens KJE, Jacques Rakotondranary S, Ratovonamana YR, Ganzhorn JU. Vegetation Thresholds for the Occurrence and Dispersal of Microcebus griseorufus in Southwestern Madagascar. INT J PRIMATOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10764-017-0003-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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9
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Setash CM, Zohdy S, Gerber BD, Karanewsky CJ. A biogeographical perspective on the variation in mouse lemur density throughout Madagascar. Mamm Rev 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Casey M. Setash
- Colorado Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit; Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology; Colorado State University; Fort Collins CO 80523-1484 USA
| | - Sarah Zohdy
- Centre ValBio Research Station; BP 33 Ranomafana 312 Ifanadiana Madagascar
- School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences; Auburn University; Auburn AL 36849 USA
- College of Veterinary Medicine; Auburn University; Auburn AL 36849 USA
| | - Brian D. Gerber
- Colorado Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit; Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology; Colorado State University; Fort Collins CO 80523-1484 USA
| | - Caitlin J. Karanewsky
- Centre ValBio Research Station; BP 33 Ranomafana 312 Ifanadiana Madagascar
- Department of Ecology and Evolution; Stony Brook University; Stony Brook NY 11794 USA
- Department of Biochemistry; Stanford University; Stanford CA 94305-5307 USA
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Testing the Influence of Habitat Structure and Geographic Distance on the Genetic Differentiation of Mouse Lemurs (Microcebus) in Madagascar. INT J PRIMATOL 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s10764-015-9855-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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11
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Sommer S, Rakotondranary SJ, Ganzhorn JU. Maintaining microendemic primate species along an environmental gradient - parasites as drivers for species differentiation. Ecol Evol 2014; 4:4751-65. [PMID: 25558366 PMCID: PMC4278824 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2014] [Revised: 10/10/2014] [Accepted: 10/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the drivers of species adaptations to changing environments on the one hand and the limits for hybridization on the other hand is among the hottest questions in evolutionary biology. Parasites represent one of the major selective forces driving host evolution and at least those with free-living stages are at the same time dependent on the ecological conditions of their host's habitat. Local immunological adaptations of host species to varying parasite pressure are therefore expected and might represent the genetic basis for ecological speciation and the maintenance of recently diverged species. Madagascar provides one of the rare examples where two partially sympatric primate species (Microcebus griseorufus, M. murinus) and their hybrids, as well as an allopatric species (M. cf rufus) live in close proximity along a very steep environmental gradient ranging from southern dry spiny bush to gallery forest to evergreen eastern humid rain forest, thus mimicking the situation encountered during extensions and retreats of vegetation formations under changing climatic conditions. This system was used to study parasite infection and immune gene (MHC) adaptations to varying parasite pressure that might provide selective advantages to pure species over hybrids. Parasite burdens increased with increasing humidity. M. griseorufus, M. murinus, and their hybrids but not M. rufus shared the same MHC alleles, indicating either retention of ancestral polymorphism or recent gene flow. The hybrids had much higher prevalence of intestinal parasites than either of the parent species living under identical environmental conditions. The different representation of parasites can indicate a handicap for hybrids that maintains species identities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Sommer
- Evolutionary Genetics, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo- and Wildlife ResearchAlfred-Kowalke-Strasse 10, Berlin, 10315, Germany
- Institute for Experimental Ecology, University of UlmAlbert-Einstein Allee 11, Ulm, 89069, Germany
| | - Solofomalla Jacques Rakotondranary
- Department of Animal Ecology and Conservation, University of Hamburg, Biozentrum GrindelMartin-Luther-King Platz 3, Hamburg, 20146, Germany
| | - Jörg U Ganzhorn
- Department of Animal Ecology and Conservation, University of Hamburg, Biozentrum GrindelMartin-Luther-King Platz 3, Hamburg, 20146, Germany
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Borkin KM, Parsons S. Effects of clear-fell harvest on bat home range. PLoS One 2014; 9:e86163. [PMID: 24465938 PMCID: PMC3899175 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0086163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2013] [Accepted: 12/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated effects of roost loss due to clear-fell harvest on bat home range. The study took place in plantation forest, inhabited by the New Zealand long-tailed bat (Chalinolobus tuberculatus), in which trees are harvested between the ages 26-32 years. We determined home ranges by radiotracking different bats in areas that had and had not been recently clear-fell harvested. Home ranges were smaller in areas that had been harvested. Adult male bats selected 20-25 year old stands within home ranges before and after harvest. Males selected edges with open unplanted areas when harvest had not occurred but no longer selected these at proportions greater than their availability post harvest, probably because they were then readily available. This is the first radiotracking study to demonstrate a change in home range size and selection concomitant with felling of large areas of plantation forest, and thus quantify negative effects of forestry operations on this speciose group. The use of smaller home ranges post-harvest may reflect smaller colony sizes and lower roost availability, both of which may increase isolation of colonies and vulnerability to local extinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry M. Borkin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Stuart Parsons
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Rasoma RVJ, Raselimanana AP, Ratovonamana YR, Ganzhorn JU. Habitat Use and Diet ofAstrochelys radiatain the Subarid Zone of Southern Madagascar. CHELONIAN CONSERVATION AND BIOLOGY 2013. [DOI: 10.2744/ccb-0909.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Distribution and Morphological Variation of Microcebus spp. Along an Environmental Gradient in Southeastern Madagascar. INT J PRIMATOL 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s10764-011-9521-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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