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Elati K, Daly N, Dhibi M, Laaribi H, Rekik M, Gharbi M. Repeated Cross-Sectional Survey of Ectoparasites in Sheep from Central Tunisia: Does Low Prevalence Indicate Good Hygiene or Resistance to Ectoparasites? Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:801. [PMID: 38473186 DOI: 10.3390/ani14050801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Sheep ectoparasites such as chewing lice, fleas and ticks are serious constraints to sheep productivity and are the cause of skin lesions in animals that decrease their market value. This study aims at investigating the ectoparasite fauna infesting small ruminants in the district of Sidi Bouzid (central Tunisia). A total of 1243 Barbarine and Queue Fine de l'Ouest (QFO) sheep were examined every two months for one year. Of the total animals examined, 74 were infested by at least 1 parasite group (5.95%). Three ectoparasite groups were identified as Psoroptes ovis (0.48%; 6/1243), ticks (5.3%; n = 66/1243) and one specimen of Ctenocephalides canis (0.08%; n = 1/1243). The most abundant tick among the 358 specimens was Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (n = 337; 94.1%), followed by Hyalomma impeltatum (n = 7/358; 1.9%), H. dromedarii (n = 7/358; 1.9%), H. excavatum (n = 5/358; 1.4%) and only two specimens of H. scupense (n = 2/358; 0.55%). The sheep herds showed low infestation prevalence by ectoparasite over the year, with a significant difference according to the seasons (p < 0.05). A higher infestation prevalence was recorded in March (14.36%). Barbarine sheep breed showed significantly higher infestation prevalence (16.8%) compared to QFO (0.8%) (p < 0.01). There were no differences in infestation prevalence according to sex of the animal or age groups. Knowledge of the ectoparasite population harboured by sheep, its activity dynamics and risk factors is required to develop effective ectoparasite control options. The low prevalence of ectoparasite infestation in sheep reported here may be due to possible genetic resistance or simply to successful hygiene measures implemented by farmers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khawla Elati
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Sidi Thabet 2020, Tunisia
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7, 14163 Berlin, Germany
- Veterinary Centre for Resistance Research, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-Von-Ostertag-Str. 8, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Nesrine Daly
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Sidi Thabet 2020, Tunisia
| | - Mokhtar Dhibi
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Sidi Thabet 2020, Tunisia
| | - Hela Laaribi
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Sidi Thabet 2020, Tunisia
| | - Mourad Rekik
- International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), P.O. Box 950764, Amman 11195, Jordan
| | - Mohamed Gharbi
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Sidi Thabet 2020, Tunisia
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Colombo VC, Lareschi M, Monje LD, Antoniazzi LR, Morand S, Beldomenico PM. Ecological factors shaping the ectoparasite community assembly of the Azara's Grass Mouse, Akodon azarae (Rodentia: Cricetidae). Parasitol Res 2023; 122:2011-2021. [PMID: 37341789 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07901-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Parasites are integral members of the global biodiversity. They are useful indicators of environmental stress, food web structure and diversity. Ectoparasites have the potential to transmit vector-borne diseases of public health and veterinary importance and to play an important role in the regulation and evolution of host populations. The interlinkages between hosts, parasites and the environment are complex and challenging to study, leading to controversial results. Most previous studies have been focused on one or two parasite groups, while hosts are often co-infected by different taxa. The present study aims to assess the influence of environmental and host traits on the entire ectoparasite community composition of the rodent Akodon azarae. A total of 278 rodents were examined and mites (Mesostigmata), lice (Phthiraptera), ticks (Ixodida) and fleas (Siphonaptera) were determined. A multi-correspondence analysis was performed in order to analyze interactions within the ectoparasite community and the influence of environmental and host variables on this assembly. We found that environmental variables have a stronger influence on the composition of the ectoparasite community of A. azarae than the host variables analyzed. Minimum temperature was the most influential variable among the studied. In addition, we found evidence of agonistic and antagonistic interactions between ticks and mites, lice and fleas. The present study supports the hypothesis that minimum temperature plays a major role in the dynamics that shape the ectoparasite community of A. azarae, probably through both direct and indirect processes. This finding becomes particularly relevant in a climate change scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Carolina Colombo
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET-Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL) / Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), R.P. Kreder 2805, 3080, Esperanza, Argentina.
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.
- Servicio de Neurovirosis, INEI-ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Av. Vélez Sarsfield 563, C1282AFF, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Marcela Lareschi
- Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (CEPAVE) (CONICET-UNLP), Bv. 120 S/N E/ 60 y 61, 1900, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Lucas Daniel Monje
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET-Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL) / Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), R.P. Kreder 2805, 3080, Esperanza, Argentina
| | - Leandro Raúl Antoniazzi
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET-Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL) / Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), R.P. Kreder 2805, 3080, Esperanza, Argentina
- Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA (CONICET), 9 de Julio 14, 4405, Rosario de Lerma, Argentina
| | - Serge Morand
- Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Écologie, Génétique, Évolution et Contrôle (MIVEGEC), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, 34090, Montpellier, France
| | - Pablo Martín Beldomenico
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET-Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL) / Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), R.P. Kreder 2805, 3080, Esperanza, Argentina
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López-Pérez AM, Pesapane R, Clifford DL, Backus L, Foley P, Voll A, Silva RB, Foley J. Host species and environment drivers of ectoparasite community of rodents in a Mojave Desert wetlands. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0269160. [PMID: 35653332 PMCID: PMC9162374 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Drivers of patterns of ectoparasitism in rodents in patchy Mojave Desert wetlands were investigated. A total of 1,571 ectoparasites in Mesostigmata, Trombidiformes, Siphonaptera and Ixodida were collected from 341 rodents (Microtus californicus scirpensis, Mus musculus, Reithrodontomys megalotis, Peromyscus eremicus, and Neotoma lepida) at eleven marshes. Trombiculids accounted for 82.5% of mites, followed by the mesostigmatid Ornithonyssus bacoti (17.5%), with chiggers predominating on voles and harvest mice. There were at least three genera of chiggers (Eutrombicula alfreddugesi, Euschoengastia sp. novel, and Blankaartia sp. novel). Fleas included Orchopeas leucopus (90.3% of all fleas) and O. sexdentatus (9.7%), and ticks were the novel endemic Ixodes mojavensis (82.1% of ticks) and Dermacentor similis (17.9%). On all hosts and at all marshes, coverage-based rarefaction sampling was over 96%, indicating coverage sufficient for analysis. Dissimilarities in ectoparasite community structure were driven mainly by chiggers, I. mojavensis and O. leucopus. Northern marshes were dominated by chiggers; central marshes by I. mojavensis; and southern marshes by O. leucopus. Primary determinants of ectoparasite community structure were host species, patch size, and parasite interspecific interactions. Host species richness and environmental factors such as patch distance and water and plant availability were not significantly associated with patterns of ectoparasitism. There were nine (60%) significant negative pairwise associations between ectoparasite taxa and no significant positive relationships. Ixodes mojavensis had the highest number of negative associations (with five other species), followed by chiggers and O. bacoti with two negative associations each. The study area is among the most arid in North America and supports numerous rare and endemic species in increasingly isolated wetland habitat patches; knowledge of ectoparasite ecology in this region identifies potential ectoparasite vectors, and provides information needed to design and implement programs to manage vector-borne diseases for purposes of wildlife conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés M. López-Pérez
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Risa Pesapane
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, School of Environment and Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Deana L. Clifford
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
- Wildlife Investigations Lab, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Rancho Cordova, California, United States of America
| | - Laura Backus
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Patrick Foley
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University Sacramento, Sacramento, California, United States of America
| | - Ashley Voll
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Ricardo Bassini Silva
- Zoological Collections Laboratory, Butantan Institute, Butantã, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences-UNESP, Department of Pathology, Reproduction and Unique Health, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Janet Foley
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
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Parasite species co-occurrence patterns on Peromyscus: Joint species distribution modelling. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2020; 12:199-206. [PMID: 32637312 PMCID: PMC7327296 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Hosts are often infested by multiple parasite species, but it is often unclear whether patterns of parasite co-occurrence are driven by parasite habitat requirements or parasite species interactions. Using data on infestation patterns of ectoparasitic arthropods (fleas, trombiculid mites, cuterebrid botflies) from deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), we analyzed species associations using joint species distribution modelling. We also experimentally removed a flea (Orchopeas leucopus) from a subset of deer mice to examine the effect on other common ectoparasite species. We found that the mite (Neotrombicula microti) and botfly (Cuterebra sp.) had a negative relationship that is likely a true biotic species interaction. The flea had a negative association with the mite and a positive association with the botfly species, both of which appeared to be influenced by host traits or parasite life-history traits. Furthermore, experimental removal of the flea did not have a significant effect on ectoparasite prevalence of another species. Overall, these findings suggest that complex parasite species associations can be present among multiple parasite taxa, and that aggregation is not always the rule for ectoparasite communities of small mammals. A negative species interaction was identified between a mite and botfly species. Additional parasite associations appear to be influenced by host traits or parasite life-history traits. Removal of the flea species did not have an effect on prevalence of another species.
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Medger K, Bennett NC, Prins A, Lutermann H, Ganswindt A. Sex and dose-dependent responses of urinary and faecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations following an ACTH challenge in eastern rock sengis (Elephantulus myurus). Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2020; 245:110696. [PMID: 32268194 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2020.110696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Non-invasive methods for measuring glucocorticoids and their metabolites are frequently used in ecological, behavioural and physiological studies of mammals. Using faeces, urine and other matrices for such a measurement has considerable advantages in comparison to more traditional methods, but also requires thorough validation of the methods used. Eastern rock sengis (Elephantulus myurus) are fascinating African mammals and the non-invasive monitoring of the adrenocortical activity opens up new opportunities to study their biology. We were able to validate two assays for measuring urinary (uGCM) and faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) concentrations in this species using a dose-dependent challenge with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). A higher concentration of ACTH elicited higher uGCM and fGCM concentrations in both males and females. Interestingly, uGCM and fGCM concentrations and the responses to ACTH were higher in females than in males and small changes in faecal glucocorticoid metabolites could not be reliably detected in males. In contrast to ACTH, a saline injection did not result in an increase in uGCM or fGCM concentrations. The study also provided insight into when responses to a stressor are likely to be detected in the urine and faeces of sengis and opens up new opportunities to study the stress physiology of this and other sengi species. It further emphasises the importance of thoroughly validating non-invasive methods for measuring hormones in both sexes of a species and for incorporating dose-dependent approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Medger
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa.
| | - Nigel C Bennett
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa; Department of Zoology and Entomology, SARChI Chair of Mammal Behavioural Ecology and Physiology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
| | - André Prins
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
| | - Heike Lutermann
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
| | - Andre Ganswindt
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa; Endocrine Research Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
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Lutermann H, Archer EK, Ueckermann EA, Junker K, Bennett NC. Surveys and Literature Review of Parasites among African Mole-Rats: Proposing Hypotheses for the Roles of Geography, Ecology, and Host Phylogenetic Relatedness in Parasite Sharing. J Parasitol 2020. [DOI: 10.1645/18-103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Heike Lutermann
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
| | - Elizabeth K. Archer
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
| | - Edward A. Ueckermann
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Potchefstroom Campus, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
| | - Kerstin Junker
- Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Agricultural Research Council, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa
| | - Nigel C. Bennett
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
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Smales LR, Halajian A, Junker K. Redescription of Maupasina weissi (Seurat, 1913) (Nematoda: Ascaridida) from sengis, Elephantulus spp. and Macroscelides proboscideus (Shaw) (Macroscelidea), in Africa. Syst Parasitol 2018; 95:943-951. [PMID: 30341721 DOI: 10.1007/s11230-018-9823-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Maupasina weissi (Seurat, 1913), is redescribed from the eastern rock sengi, Elephantulus myurus Thomas & Schwann, from Limpopo Province and compared with material collected from Free State and North West Provinces, South Africa, as well as the description of the type-material from South Tunisia. Distinguishing features of the species include a corona radiata of 12 pointed leaflike elements, a complex bipartite buccal capsule with 3 large bicuspid denticular lobes and 4 smaller club-shaped lobes and 11 (occasionally 10) pairs of cloacal papillae in the male. The complex taxonomic history of the genus Maupasina Seurat, 1917 is discussed. The probable misidentification of Macroscelides proboscideus Shaw, the short eared sengi, from North West Province, South Africa, as a host of M. weissi is explained, indicating that M. weissi occurs only in species of the genus Elephantulus Thomas & Schwann. The widely separated geographical regions, stretching the length of the African continent, in which M. weissi has been found are indicative of a conservative species with a broad geographical distribution. Tenebrionid beetles, up to 50% of stomach contents of E. myurus in Limpopo Province may act as intermediate hosts in the life-cycle of M. weissi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lesley R Smales
- Parasitology Section, South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia.
| | - Ali Halajian
- Department of Biodiversity, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga, 0727, South Africa
| | - Kerstin Junker
- ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Private Bag X05, Onderstepoort, Pretoria, 0110, South Africa
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Carvalho J, Serrano E, Pettorelli N, Granados JE, Habela MA, Olmeda S, Fonseca C, Pérez JM. Sarcoptes scabiei infestation does not alter the stability of ectoparasite communities. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:379. [PMID: 27370780 PMCID: PMC4930578 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1659-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The host represents a heterogeneous ecosystem where multiple parasite species co-occur and interact with each other for space and resources. Although these interactions may rule the features of an infracommunity and may shape the infracommunity response to external perturbations, the resilience of ectoparasite communities to new infestations remains poorly explored. Methods We analysed the composition of the ectoparasite communities found on 214 individual Iberian ibexes (Capra pyrenaica) inhabiting the Sierra Nevada Natural Space, southern Spain. Using classification and regression trees, we explored how the presence of Sarcoptes scabiei (a highly contagious mite), the off-host environment and the host sex govern the prevalence and abundance of lice and ticks. Null model analysis was applied to assess the impact of S. scabiei on the structure of the ectoparasite communities. Results Our results suggest that S. scabiei infestation acts in tandem with off-host environment and host sex to define the prevalence and abundance of lice and ticks. We also provided evidence for differences in species co-occurrence only at the early stages of S. scabiei infestation. Regarding species diversity, we recorded that ectoparasite communities in scabietic ibexes reached a high richness faster than those in healthy individuals. Conclusions Even though we show that ectoparasite burden is correlated with S. scabiei infestation, off-host environment and host sex, the species response to S. scabiei infestation and climate seem to be highly variable and influenced by ectoparasite life-history traits. Ectoparasite communities also appear resilient to perturbations which is in agreement with what was previously reported for endoparasites. Future refinement of sample collection and the incorporation of ecological and epidemiological-related variables may allow us to establish causal effects and deepen the knowledge about the mechanisms and consequences of ectoparasite interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Carvalho
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal. .,Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Emmanuel Serrano
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.,Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nathalie Pettorelli
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK
| | - José E Granados
- Espacio Natural de Sierra Nevada, Carretera Antigua de Sierra Nevada, km 7, E-18071, Pinos Genil, Granada, Spain
| | - Miguel A Habela
- Parasitology & Parasitic Diseases Animal Health Department, Veterinary Faculty, University of Extremadura Av. Universidad, s.n., E-10003, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Sonia Olmeda
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Av. Puerta de Hierro, s.n., E-28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Fonseca
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Jesús M Pérez
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Universidad de Jaén, Campus Las Lagunillas, s.n., E-23071, Jaén, Spain.
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Hoffmann S, Horak IG, Bennett NC, Lutermann H. Evidence for interspecific interactions in the ectoparasite infracommunity of a wild mammal. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:58. [PMID: 26830510 PMCID: PMC4735965 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1342-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2015] [Accepted: 01/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Co-infection with multiple parasite species is commonly observed in nature and interspecific interactions are likely to occur in parasite infracommunities. Such interactions may affect the distribution of parasites among hosts but also the response of infracommunities to perturbations. However, the response of infracommunities to perturbations has not been well studied experimentally for ectoparasite communities of small mammal hosts. Methods In the current study we used experimental perturbations of the ectoparasite infracommunity of sengis from Africa. We suppressed tick recruitment by applying an acaride and monitored the effects on the ectoparasite community. Results Our treatment affected the target as well as two non-target species directly. The experimental removal of the dominant tick (Rhipicephalus spp.) resulted in increases in the abundance of chiggers and lice. However, while these effects were short-lived in chiggers, which are questing from the environment, they were long-lasting for lice which spend their entire life-cycle on the host. In addition, the recruitment rates of some ectoparasite species were high and did not always correspond to total burdens observed. Conclusion These findings indicate that infracommunity interactions may contribute to patterns of parasite burdens. The divergent responses of species with differing life-history traits suggest that perturbation responses may be affected by parasite life-history and that the ectoparasite infracommunity of sengis may lack resilience to perturbations. The latter observation contrasts with the high resilience reported previously for endoparasite communities and also suggests that anti-parasite treatments can affect the distribution of non-target species. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1342-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sasha Hoffmann
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa.
| | - Ivan G Horak
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa.
| | - Nigel C Bennett
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa.
| | - Heike Lutermann
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa.
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Biguezoton A, Adehan S, Adakal H, Zoungrana S, Farougou S, Chevillon C. Community structure, seasonal variations and interactions between native and invasive cattle tick species in Benin and Burkina Faso. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:43. [PMID: 26819238 PMCID: PMC4729031 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1305-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2015] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The variation of tick abundance on ruminants had received little attention in West Africa before Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus started to invade this region in the early 2000s. Ten years later, R. microplus was suspected to have replaced the native ticks. In addition to testing this hypothesis, this study investigated the interactions between native and invasive ticks and the relative role of climatic and geographical variables in the variations of tick community composition (beta diversity) on cattle herds. Methods A one-year-long survey was performed in Benin and Burkina Faso during which adult ticks were collected from 144 steers from 12 localities in four different areas once a month. Morphological features were used to assign the collected ticks to different species (A. variegatum, R. annulatus, R. decoloratus, R. microplus and R. geigyi). Beta diversity analyses and generalized linear models allowed characterizing the geographical variations in species assemblage and the effect of co-infestation patterns on the seasonal variations in the abundance and incidence rates of each taxon. Results About 68 % (22,491/32,148) of all the adult ticks collected in one year were R. microplus. The most heterogeneously distributed taxa were Hyalomma spp and R. microplus and the lowest specific diversity was found in Central Burkina Faso. Although climatic variables did not provide any additional information on the variation in species assemblages compared with the sampling geography, adult tick abundance tended to peak during the late (Boophilus subgenus) or early (other taxa) rainy season. In most taxon-per-locality analyses, the abundance and incidence rate of a given tick taxon significantly increased when the host was co-infested by other taxa. The comparison with previous estimates (when possible) did not support the hypothesis that R. microplus invasion led to a decrease in native tick species abundance. Conclusions The co-infestation patterns among native and invasive tick species are key factors for the determination of the community structure and the infestation dynamics of each tick taxon in West African cattle. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1305-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abel Biguezoton
- Unité de Recherche en Biotechnologie de la Production et de la Santé Animales (URBPSA), Laboratoire de Recherche en Biologie Appliquée, Ecole Polytechnique d'Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 2009, Cotonou, Bénin. .,Unité de Recherche sur les bases biologiques de la Lutte Intégrée (URBIO), Centre International de Recherche-Développement sur l'Elevage en zone Subhumide (CIRDES), 559, 3-51 Avenue du Gouverneur Louveau, 01 B.P. 454, Bobo-Dioulasso 01, Burkina Faso. .,IRD, UR 224 'Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle (MIVEGEC), Montpellier, France.
| | - Safiou Adehan
- Unité de Recherche en Biotechnologie de la Production et de la Santé Animales (URBPSA), Laboratoire de Recherche en Biologie Appliquée, Ecole Polytechnique d'Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 2009, Cotonou, Bénin.
| | - Hassane Adakal
- Unité de Recherche sur les bases biologiques de la Lutte Intégrée (URBIO), Centre International de Recherche-Développement sur l'Elevage en zone Subhumide (CIRDES), 559, 3-51 Avenue du Gouverneur Louveau, 01 B.P. 454, Bobo-Dioulasso 01, Burkina Faso. .,Département des Sciences et Techniques de l'Elevage (DSTE/FASE), Université Dan Dicko Dan Koulodo, BP 465, Maradi, Niger.
| | - Sébastien Zoungrana
- Unité de Recherche sur les bases biologiques de la Lutte Intégrée (URBIO), Centre International de Recherche-Développement sur l'Elevage en zone Subhumide (CIRDES), 559, 3-51 Avenue du Gouverneur Louveau, 01 B.P. 454, Bobo-Dioulasso 01, Burkina Faso.
| | - Souaïbou Farougou
- Unité de Recherche en Biotechnologie de la Production et de la Santé Animales (URBPSA), Laboratoire de Recherche en Biologie Appliquée, Ecole Polytechnique d'Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 2009, Cotonou, Bénin.
| | - Christine Chevillon
- IRD, UR 224 'Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle (MIVEGEC), Montpellier, France. .,CNRS, Université Montpellier, UMR 5290 MIVEGEC, Montpellier, France.
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Colombo VC, Nava S, Antoniazzi LR, Monje LD, Racca AL, Guglielmone AA, Beldomenico PM. Ecology of the interaction between Ixodes loricatus (Acari: Ixodidae) and Akodon azarae (Rodentia: Criceridae). Parasitol Res 2015; 114:3683-91. [PMID: 26122994 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-015-4596-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2015] [Accepted: 06/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The present study explores associations of different factors (i.e. host parameters, presence of other ectoparasites and [mainly biotic] environmental factors) with burdens of Ixodes loricatus immature stages in one of its main hosts in Argentina, the rodent Akodon azarae. For 2 years, rodents were trapped and sampled monthly at 16 points located in four different sites in the Parana River Delta region. Data were analysed with generalized linear mixed models with a negative binomial response (counts of larvae or nymphs). The independent variables assessed were (a) environmental: trapping year, presence of cattle, type of vegetation, rodent abundance; (b) host parameters: body length, sex, body condition, blood cell counts, natural antibody titers and (c) co-infestation with other ectoparasites. Two-way interaction terms deemed a priori as relevant were also included in the analysis. Most of the associations investigated were found significant, but in general, the direction and magnitude of the associations were context-dependent. An exception was the presence of cattle, which was consistently negatively associated with both larvae and nymphs independently of all other variables considered and had the strongest effect on tick burdens. Mites, fleas and Amblyomma triste were also significantly associated (mostly positively) with larval and nymph burdens, and in many cases, they influenced associations with environmental or host factors. Our findings strongly support that raising cattle may have a substantial impact on the dynamics of I. loricatus and that interactions within the ectoparasite community may be an important-but generally ignored-driver of tick dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria C Colombo
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades (LEcEn), ICiVet, UNL-CONICET, RP Kreder 2805, CP 3080, Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
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