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Johnson TL, Persinger KA, Taus NS, Davis SK, Poh KC, Kappmeyer LS, Laughery JM, Capelli-Peixoto J, Lohmeyer KH, Ueti MW, Olafson PU. Nilgai antelope display no signs of infection upon experimental challenge with a virulent Babesia bovis strain. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:245. [PMID: 38824598 PMCID: PMC11144341 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06316-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bovine babesiosis is caused by infection with the protozoal parasite Babesia bovis, which is transmitted by Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) spp. It can cause mortality rates up to 90% in immunologically naive Bos taurus cattle. In south Texas, R. (B.) microplus is known to infest nilgai antelope (Boselaphus tragocamelus); however, their susceptibility to infection with B. bovis and their role in the transmission of the parasite remain unknown. In this study, we challenged nilgai antelope with B. bovis and evaluated their susceptibility to infection. METHODS Nilgai were needle inoculated with ≈108 B. bovis-parasitized erythrocytes (merozoites) or a homogenate of B. bovis-infected larval ticks (sporozoite) delivered intravenously. Bos taurus beef calves were inoculated in parallel, as this strain of B. bovis is lethal to cattle. Temperature and hematocrit were monitored daily over the course of each study, and whole blood was collected for molecular [polymerase chain reaction (PCR)] and serological [indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)] diagnostic evaluation. Histological sections of nilgai cerebral tissue were examined for evidence of infection. Recipient bovine calves were sub-inoculated with blood from nilgai challenged with either stage of the parasite, and they were monitored for clinical signs of infection and evaluated by a PCR diagnostic assay. Red blood cells (RBCs) from prechallenged nilgai and B. taurus beef cattle were cultured with an in vitro B. bovis merozoite culture to examine colonization of the RBCs by the parasite. RESULTS Nilgai did not display clinical signs of infection upon inoculation with either the merozoite or sporozoite stage of B. bovis. All nilgai were PCR-negative for the parasite, and they did not develop antibodies to B. bovis. No evidence of infection was detected in histological sections of nilgai tissues, and in vitro culture analysis indicated that the nilgai RBCs were not colonized by B. bovis merozoites. Cattle subinoculated with blood from challenged nilgai did not display clinical signs of infection, and they were PCR-negative up to 45 days after transfer. CONCLUSIONS Nilgai do not appear to be susceptible to infection with a strain of B. bovis that is lethal to cattle. Tick control on these alternative hosts remains a critical priority, especially given their potential to disseminate ticks over long distances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tammi L Johnson
- Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Uvalde, TX, 78801, USA.
- Department of Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
| | | | - Naomi S Taus
- USDA-ARS, Animal Disease Research Unit, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
| | - Sara K Davis
- USDA-ARS, Animal Disease Research Unit, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
| | - Karen C Poh
- USDA-ARS, Animal Disease Research Unit, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
| | - Lowell S Kappmeyer
- USDA-ARS, Animal Disease Research Unit, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
| | - Jacob M Laughery
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
| | - Janaína Capelli-Peixoto
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
| | - Kimberly H Lohmeyer
- Livestock Arthropod Pests Research Unit, Knipling-Bushland United States Livestock Insects Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Kerrville, TX, 78028, USA
| | - Massaro W Ueti
- USDA-ARS, Animal Disease Research Unit, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
| | - Pia U Olafson
- Livestock Arthropod Pests Research Unit, Knipling-Bushland United States Livestock Insects Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Kerrville, TX, 78028, USA
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Showler AT, Harlien JL. Desiccant Dusts, With and Without Bioactive Botanicals, Lethal to Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus Canestrini (Ixodida: Ixodidae) in the Laboratory and on Cattle. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 60:346-355. [PMID: 36734019 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjad010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The exotic southern cattle fever tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini) (Ixodida: Ixodidae), since its eradication from the United States in 1943, made a strong incursion into Texas, beginning 2016. The pest is arguably the most economically detrimental ectoparasite of cattle, Bos taurus L., worldwide. Current R. (B.) microplus control mostly relies on conventional synthetic acaricides to which the ixodid has been developing resistance. Our study demonstrates that commercially available desiccant dust products, with and without bioactive botanical additives, are strongly lethal, when applied dry, against larval R. (B.) microplus in the laboratory, and after being released on dust-treated cattle. Deadzone (renamed Celite 610, a diatomaceous earth product), Drione (silica gel + pyrethrins + piperonyl butoxide synergist), and EcoVia (silica gel + thyme oil), each prophylactically prevented larval R. (B.) microplus from attaching to and feeding on stanchioned calves. Desiccant dust-based products are less likely than conventional synthetic acaricides to decline in terms of efficacy as a result of ixodid resistance, and other desiccant dust advantages, including extended residual, flexibility in terms of application methods, environmental, animal, and human safety, and possible compatibility with organic, or 'green', production systems, are discussed. We anticipate that the desiccant dusts we evaluated, and others not included in this study (e.g., kaolin, perlite, and silica gel) will be effective when used with other control tactics in integrated pest management approaches for controlling R. (B.) microplus (and other ixodid species).
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan T Showler
- USDA-ARS, Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory, Kerrville, TX 78028, USA
| | - Jessica L Harlien
- USDA-ARS, Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory, Kerrville, TX 78028, USA
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Sliwa KM, Baumgardt JA, DeYoung RW, Ortega‐S JA, Hewitt DG, Goolsby JA, Lohmeyer KH. Movement ecology of exotic nilgai antelope: A threat to the re‐emergence of cattle fever ticks in the southern
USA. Ecosphere 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn M. Sliwa
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University–Kingsville Kingsville Texas USA
| | - Jeremy A. Baumgardt
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University–Kingsville Kingsville Texas USA
| | - Randy W. DeYoung
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University–Kingsville Kingsville Texas USA
| | - J. Alfonso Ortega‐S
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University–Kingsville Kingsville Texas USA
| | - David G. Hewitt
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University–Kingsville Kingsville Texas USA
| | - John A. Goolsby
- USDA Agricultural Research Service Cattle Fever Tick Research Laboratory Edinburg Texas USA
| | - Kimberly H. Lohmeyer
- USDA Agricultural Research Service Knipling‐Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory and Veterinary Pest Genomics Center Kerrville Texas USA
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Dyal JR, Miller KV, Cherry MJ, D'Angelo GJ. White‐tailed deer movement in response to helicopter surveys. WILDLIFE SOC B 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jordan R. Dyal
- Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources University of Georgia Athens GA 30602 USA
| | - Karl V. Miller
- Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources University of Georgia Athens GA 30602 USA
| | - Michael J. Cherry
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University‐Kingsville 700 University Boulevard Kingsville TX 78363 USA
| | - Gino J. D'Angelo
- Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources University of Georgia Athens GA 30602 USA
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Zoromski LD, DeYoung RW, Goolsby JA, Foley AM, Ortega-S. JA, Hewitt DG, Campbell TA. Latrine ecology of nilgai antelope. J Mammal 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyac056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The use of scent for communication is widespread in mammals, yet the role of scent-marking in the social system of many species is poorly understood. Nilgai antelope (Boselaphus tragocamelus) are native to India, Nepal, and Pakistan. They were introduced to Texas rangelands in the United States during the 1920s to 1940s, and have since expanded into much of coastal South Texas and northern Mexico. The nilgai social system includes the use of latrines or repeated defecation at a localized site. We quantified and described physical and behavioral characteristics of nilgai latrine ecology to investigate drivers of latrine use at three sites in South Texas, during April 2018 to March 2019. Latrines were abundant (2.6–8.7 latrines/ha on unpaved roads, 0.4–0.9 latrines/ha off-roads), with no evidence for selection as to vegetation communities; latrines were dynamic in persistence and visitation rates. We found higher densities of latrines in Spring surveys, just after the peak of nilgai breeding activity, compared to Autumn surveys. Density of nilgai latrines was 3–10 times greater than estimated population densities, indicating individual nilgai must use multiple latrines. Camera traps and fecal DNA analysis revealed latrines were mainly (70%) visited by bulls and defecated on by bulls (92% in photos, 89% for DNA samples). The greatest frequency of visits occurred during the peak in the nilgai breeding season, from December–February; latrines were visited every 2–3 days on average. Body characteristics of photographed individuals and genetic analysis of feces indicated repeated visits from the same individuals. Nilgai cows occasionally used latrines; their use was sometimes followed by bulls showing flehmen responses after a female defecated or urinated on the latrine. We propose that dominant bulls use latrines for territory demarcation to display social dominance to both cows in estrus and subordinate bulls. Cows likely use latrines to communicate reproductive status. This study is the first intensive assessment focused on latrine ecology in nilgai. Our results directly contradict anecdotal descriptions of latrine use and behavior in nilgai but are consistent with predictions of antelope social systems based on body size, feeding type, and group dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa D Zoromski
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Kingsville , Kingsville, Texas 78363 , USA
| | - Randy W DeYoung
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Kingsville , Kingsville, Texas 78363 , USA
| | - John A Goolsby
- USDA Agricultural Research Service, Cattle Fever Tick Research Laboratory , Edinburg, Texas 78541 , USA
| | - Aaron M Foley
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Kingsville , Kingsville, Texas 78363 , USA
| | - J Alfonso Ortega-S.
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Kingsville , Kingsville, Texas 78363 , USA
| | - David G Hewitt
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Kingsville , Kingsville, Texas 78363 , USA
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Galán AP, Hamer SA, Folmar HA, Campbell TA, Light JE. Baseline Biodiversity Assessment of South Texas Small Mammals and Host-Associated Hard Ticks with No Detection of Selected Tick-Borne Pathogens. WEST N AM NATURALIST 2022. [DOI: 10.3398/064.082.0204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aleyda P. Galán
- Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
| | - Sarah A. Hamer
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
| | - Hunter A. Folmar
- Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
| | | | - Jessica E. Light
- Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
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Integrative Alternative Tactics for Ixodid Control. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13030302. [PMID: 35323601 PMCID: PMC8948879 DOI: 10.3390/insects13030302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary Hard ticks are important for economic and health reasons, and control has mainly relied upon use of synthetic acaricides. Contemporary development of resistance and concerns relating to health and environmental safety have elicited exploration into alternative tactics for hard tick management. Some examples of alternative tactics involve biological control, desiccant dusts, growth regulators, vaccines, cultural methods, and ingested medications. Abstract Ixodids (hard ticks), ectoparasitic arthropods that vector the causal agents of many serious diseases of humans, domestic animals, and wildlife, have become increasingly difficult to control because of the development of resistance against commonly applied synthetic chemical-based acaricides. Resistance has prompted searches for alternative, nonconventional control tactics that can be used as part of integrated ixodid management strategies and for mitigating resistance to conventional acaricides. The quest for alternative control tactics has involved research on various techniques, each influenced by many factors, that have achieved different degrees of success. Alternative approaches include cultural practices, ingested and injected medications, biological control, animal- and plant-based substances, growth regulators, and inert desiccant dusts. Research on biological control of ixodids has mainly focused on predators, parasitoid wasps, infective nematodes, and pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Studies on animal-based substances have been relatively limited, but research on botanicals has been extensive, including whole plant, extract, and essential oil effects on ixodid mortality, behavior, and reproduction. The inert dusts kaolin, silica gel, perlite, and diatomaceous earth are lethal to ixodids, and they are impervious to environmental degradation, unlike chemical-based toxins, remaining effective until physically removed.
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Falkenberg SM, Bauermann FV, Scoles GA, Bonilla D, Dassanayake RP. A Serosurvey for Ruminant Pestivirus Exposure Conducted Using Sera From Stray Mexico Origin Cattle Captured Crossing Into Southern Texas. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:821247. [PMID: 35372539 PMCID: PMC8964521 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.821247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program (CFTEP) monitor a quarantine zone along the Texas border to prevent the introduction of stray livestock carrying cattle fever ticks entering the United States from Mexico. Stray cattle collected by CFTEP are checked for ticks and several infectious disease-causing pathogens, but not for bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). BVDV is one of the most economically impactful viruses affecting US cattle producers. BVDV is present in all parts of the world, but it has been demonstrated that another distantly related pestivirus, HoBi-like pestivirus (HoBiPev), can also cause BVD. To date, HoBiPev has not been detected in the United States, but is commonly found in Brazil, and sporadically in Europe and Asia. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of pestiviruses, with a specific focus on HoBiPev, in stray cattle. Virus neutralization (VN) assay was used to determine seroprevalence (or antibody titers) of BVDV-1, BVDV-2, and HoBiPev. Approximately 50% (67 of 134) of the samples were seropositive for pestiviruses; all 67 positive samples were positive (50%) for BVDV-1, 66 samples of the 67 were positive (49.3%) for BVDV-2, and the same 66 samples of the 67 were also positive (49.3%) for HoBiPev. Due to the antigenic cross-reactivity among Pestiviruses, the comparative antibody against each pestivirus was calculated from all VN-positive samples. Titers were clearly higher against BVDV-1, and only one sample had a titer clearly higher against BVDV-2. No sample had an antibody titer higher for HoBiPev, and while this does not prove the absence of HoBiPev, it does provide evidence that the prevalence of HoBiPev is less predominant than BVDV-1. Additionally, data from these samples provide evidence on the susceptibility of animals that may enter into the United States, with ~50% of the animals seronegative for bovine pestiviruses. This cattle population provides a unique opportunity to evaluate and monitor changes in seroprevalence of economically important cattle diseases affecting the cattle industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shollie M. Falkenberg
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Ruminant Disease and Immunology Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Ames, IA, United States
- *Correspondence: Shollie M. Falkenberg
| | - Fernando V. Bauermann
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
| | - Glen A. Scoles
- USDA, ARS, Animal Disease Research Unit, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Denise Bonilla
- USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Rohana P. Dassanayake
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Ruminant Disease and Immunology Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Ames, IA, United States
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Gunner RM, Holton MD, Scantlebury DM, Hopkins P, Shepard ELC, Fell AJ, Garde B, Quintana F, Gómez-Laich A, Yoda K, Yamamoto T, English H, Ferreira S, Govender D, Viljoen P, Bruns A, van Schalkwyk OL, Cole NC, Tatayah V, Börger L, Redcliffe J, Bell SH, Marks NJ, Bennett NC, Tonini MH, Williams HJ, Duarte CM, van Rooyen MC, Bertelsen MF, Tambling CJ, Wilson RP. How often should dead-reckoned animal movement paths be corrected for drift? ANIMAL BIOTELEMETRY 2021; 9:43. [PMID: 34900262 PMCID: PMC7612089 DOI: 10.1186/s40317-021-00265-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding what animals do in time and space is important for a range of ecological questions, however accurate estimates of how animals use space is challenging. Within the use of animal-attached tags, radio telemetry (including the Global Positioning System, 'GPS') is typically used to verify an animal's location periodically. Straight lines are typically drawn between these 'Verified Positions' ('VPs') so the interpolation of space-use is limited by the temporal and spatial resolution of the system's measurement. As such, parameters such as route-taken and distance travelled can be poorly represented when using VP systems alone. Dead-reckoning has been suggested as a technique to improve the accuracy and resolution of reconstructed movement paths, whilst maximising battery life of VP systems. This typically involves deriving travel vectors from motion sensor systems and periodically correcting path dimensions for drift with simultaneously deployed VP systems. How often paths should be corrected for drift, however, has remained unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS Here, we review the utility of dead-reckoning across four contrasting model species using different forms of locomotion (the African lion Panthera leo, the red-tailed tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda, the Magellanic penguin Spheniscus magellanicus, and the imperial cormorant Leucocarbo atriceps). Simulations were performed to examine the extent of dead-reckoning error, relative to VPs, as a function of Verified Position correction (VP correction) rate and the effect of this on estimates of distance moved. Dead-reckoning error was greatest for animals travelling within air and water. We demonstrate how sources of measurement error can arise within VP-corrected dead-reckoned tracks and propose advancements to this procedure to maximise dead-reckoning accuracy. CONCLUSIONS We review the utility of VP-corrected dead-reckoning according to movement type and consider a range of ecological questions that would benefit from dead-reckoning, primarily concerning animal-barrier interactions and foraging strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard M. Gunner
- Swansea Lab for Animal Movement, Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK
| | - Mark D. Holton
- Swansea Lab for Animal Movement, Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK
| | - David M. Scantlebury
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast BT9 5DL, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Phil Hopkins
- Swansea Lab for Animal Movement, Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK
| | - Emily L. C. Shepard
- Swansea Lab for Animal Movement, Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK
| | - Adam J. Fell
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, Scotland, UK
| | - Baptiste Garde
- Swansea Lab for Animal Movement, Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK
| | - Flavio Quintana
- Instituto de Biología de Organismos Marinos (IBIOMAR), CONICET. Boulevard Brown, 2915, U9120ACD Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
| | - Agustina Gómez-Laich
- Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución & Instituto de Ecología, Genética Y Evolución de Buenos Aires (IEGEBA), CONICET, Pabellón II Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ken Yoda
- Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Takashi Yamamoto
- Organization for the Strategic Coordination of Research and Intellectual Properties, Meiji University, Nakano, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Holly English
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sam Ferreira
- Savanna and Grassland Research Unit, Scientific Services Skukuza, South African National Parks, Kruger National Park, Skukuza 1350, South Africa
| | - Danny Govender
- Savanna and Grassland Research Unit, Scientific Services Skukuza, South African National Parks, Kruger National Park, Skukuza 1350, South Africa
| | - Pauli Viljoen
- Savanna and Grassland Research Unit, Scientific Services Skukuza, South African National Parks, Kruger National Park, Skukuza 1350, South Africa
| | - Angela Bruns
- Veterinary Wildlife Services, South African National Parks, 97 Memorial Road, Old Testing Grounds, Kimberley 8301, South Africa
| | - O. Louis van Schalkwyk
- Department of Agriculture, Government of South Africa, Land Reform and Rural Development, Pretoria 001, South Africa
- Department of Migration, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, 78315 Radolfzell, Germany
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Nik C. Cole
- Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Les Augrès Manor, Channel Islands, Trinity JE3 5BP, Jersey, UK
- Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, Grannum Road, Indian Ocean, Vacoas, Mauritius
| | - Vikash Tatayah
- Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, Grannum Road, Indian Ocean, Vacoas, Mauritius
| | - Luca Börger
- Swansea Lab for Animal Movement, Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK
- Centre for Biomathematics, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - James Redcliffe
- Swansea Lab for Animal Movement, Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK
| | - Stephen H. Bell
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast BT9 5DL, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Nikki J. Marks
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast BT9 5DL, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Nigel C. Bennett
- Mammal Research Institute. Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 002., South Africa
| | - Mariano H. Tonini
- Instituto Andino Patagónico de Tecnologías Biológicas y Geoambientales, Grupo GEA, IPATEC-UNCO-CONICET, San Carlos de Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina
| | - Hannah J. Williams
- Department of Migration, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, 78315 Radolfzell, Germany
| | - Carlos M. Duarte
- Red Sea Research Centre, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Martin C. van Rooyen
- Mammal Research Institute. Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 002., South Africa
| | - Mads F. Bertelsen
- Center for Zoo and Wild Animal Health, Copenhagen Zoo, Roskildevej 38, DK-2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Craig J. Tambling
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Fort Hare, Alice Campus, Ring Road, Alice 5700, South Africa
| | - Rory P. Wilson
- Swansea Lab for Animal Movement, Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK
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Automatic Camera-Trap Classification Using Wildlife-Specific Deep Learning in Nilgai Management. JOURNAL OF FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 2021. [DOI: 10.3996/jfwm-20-076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Camera traps provide a low-cost approach to collect data and monitor wildlife across large scales but hand-labeling images at a rate that outpaces accumulation is difficult. Deep learning, a subdiscipline of machine learning and computer science, can address the issue of automatically classifying camera-trap images with a high degree of accuracy. This technique, however, may be less accessible to ecologists or small-scale conservation projects, and has serious limitations. In this study, we trained a simple deep learning model using a dataset of 120,000 images to identify the presence of nilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus, a regionally specific nonnative game animal, in camera-trap images with an overall accuracy of 97%. We trained a second model to identify 20 groups of animals and one group of images without any animals present, labeled as “none,” with an accuracy of 89%. Lastly, we tested the multigroup model on images collected of similar species, but in the southwestern United States, resulting in significantly lower precision and recall for each group. This study highlights the potential of deep learning for automating camera-trap image processing workflows, provides a brief overview of image-based deep learning, and discusses the often-understated limitations and methodological considerations in the context of wildlife conservation and species monitoring.
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Showler AT, Pérez de León A, Saelao P. Biosurveillance and Research Needs Involving Area-Wide Systematic Active Sampling to Enhance Integrated Cattle Fever Tick (Ixodida: Ixodidae) Eradication. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:1601-1609. [PMID: 33822110 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The one-host cattle fever tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus (Say), and southern cattle fever tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini), are important ectoparasitic pests of cattle, Bos taurus L., mostly for transmitting the causal agents of bovine babesiosis. Bovine babesiosis inflicted substantial cattle production losses in the United States before the vectors were eliminated by 1943, with the exception of a Permanent Quarantine Zone in South Texas, a buffer along the Mexico border where the invasive ixodids remain. As suitable hosts, infested white-tailed deer and nilgai antelope populations disperse R. annulatus and R. microplus, which increases the risk for emergence of bovine babesiosis in the United States. A R. microplus incursion first detected in 2016 on the South Texas coastal plain wildlife corridor involved infestations on cattle, nilgai antelope, white-tailed deer, and vegetation. Efforts at passive sampling of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) spp. on hosts are concentrated in the Permanent Quarantine Zone. Hence, a knowledge gap exists on the full extent of the recent incursions. Area-wide, systematic, active sampling and supportive research, involving the Permanent Quarantine Zone, Temporary Quarantine Zone, most of the coastal plain, and other parts of Texas outside of the quarantine zones, are needed to bridge the knowledge gap. Herein, we provide research perspectives and rationale to develop and implement systematic active sampling that will provide an increasingly accurate assessment of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) spp. distribution in Texas. We suggest that this is essential to advance integrated vector-borne animal disease eradication approaches for keeping cattle free of bovine babesiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan T Showler
- USDA-ARS, Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory, 2700 Fredericksburg Road, Kerrville, TX 78028, USA
| | - Adalberto Pérez de León
- USDA-ARS, San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center, 9611 South Riverbend Avenue, Parlier, CA 93648, USA
| | - Perot Saelao
- USDA-ARS, Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory, 2700 Fredericksburg Road, Kerrville, TX 78028, USA
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Tsao JI, Hamer SA, Han S, Sidge JL, Hickling GJ. The Contribution of Wildlife Hosts to the Rise of Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases in North America. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:1565-1587. [PMID: 33885784 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Wildlife vertebrate hosts are integral to enzootic cycles of tick-borne pathogens, and in some cases have played key roles in the recent rise of ticks and tick-borne diseases in North America. In this forum article, we highlight roles that wildlife hosts play in the maintenance and transmission of zoonotic, companion animal, livestock, and wildlife tick-borne pathogens. We begin by illustrating how wildlife contribute directly and indirectly to the increase and geographic expansion of ticks and their associated pathogens. Wildlife provide blood meals for tick growth and reproduction; serve as pathogen reservoirs; and can disperse ticks and pathogens-either through natural movement (e.g., avian migration) or through human-facilitated movement (e.g., wildlife translocations and trade). We then discuss opportunities to manage tick-borne disease through actions directed at wildlife hosts. To conclude, we highlight key gaps in our understanding of the ecology of tick-host interactions, emphasizing that wildlife host communities are themselves a very dynamic component of tick-pathogen-host systems and therefore complicate management of tick-borne diseases, and should be taken into account when considering host-targeted approaches. Effective management of wildlife to reduce tick-borne disease risk further requires consideration of the 'human dimensions' of wildlife management. This includes understanding the public's diverse views and values about wildlife and wildlife impacts-including the perceived role of wildlife in fostering tick-borne diseases. Public health agencies should capitalize on the expertise of wildlife agencies when developing strategies to reduce tick-borne disease risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean I Tsao
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Sarah A Hamer
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, and Schubot Center for Avian Health, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Seungeun Han
- Department of Disease Control and Epidemiology, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jennifer L Sidge
- Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Graham J Hickling
- Center for Wildlife Health, Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
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Wang HH, Grant WE, Teel PD, Lohmeyer KH, Pérez de León AA. Simulated dynamics of southern cattle fever ticks (Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus) in south Texas, USA: investigating potential wildlife-mediated impacts on eradication efforts. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:231. [PMID: 33933151 PMCID: PMC8088722 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04724-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cattle fever ticks (CFT), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus and R. (B.) microplus, are vectors of microbes causing bovine babesiosis and pose a threat to the economic viability of the US livestock industry. Efforts by the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program (CFTEP) along the US-Mexico border in south Texas are complicated by the involvement of alternate hosts, including white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus). Methods In the present study, we use a spatially explicit, individual-based model to explore the potential effects of host species composition and host habitat use patterns on southern cattle fever ticks (SCFT, R. (B.) microplus) infestation dynamics and efficacy of eradication schemes. Results In simulations without eradication efforts, mean off-host larval densities were much higher when cattle were present than when only white-tailed deer and nilgai were present. Densities in mesquite and meadows were slightly higher, and densities in mixed brush were much lower, than landscape-level densities in each of these scenarios. In eradication simulations, reductions in mean off-host larval densities at the landscape level were much smaller when acaricide was applied to cattle only, or to cattle and white-tailed deer, than when applied to cattle and nilgai. Relative density reductions in mesquite, mixed brush, and meadows depended on host habitat use preferences. Shifting nilgai habitat use preferences increasingly toward mixed brush and away from mesquite did not change mean off-host larval tick densities noticeably at the landscape level. However, mean densities were increased markedly in mesquite and decreased markedly in mixed brush, while no noticeable change in density was observed in meadows. Conclusions Our results suggest that continued integration of field data into spatially explicit, individual-based models will facilitate the development of novel eradication strategies and will allow near-real-time infestation forecasts as an aid in anticipating and preventing wildlife-mediated impacts on SCFT eradication efforts.![]() Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-04724-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiao-Hsuan Wang
- Ecological Systems Laboratory, Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
| | - William E Grant
- Ecological Systems Laboratory, Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Pete D Teel
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Kimberly H Lohmeyer
- Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory and Veterinary Pest Genomics Center, United States Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service, Kerrville, TX, 78028, USA
| | - Adalberto A Pérez de León
- Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory and Veterinary Pest Genomics Center, United States Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service, Kerrville, TX, 78028, USA.,San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center, United States Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service, Parlier, CA, 93648, USA
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Shapiro-Ilan DI, Goolsby JA. Evaluation of Barricade® to enhance survival of entomopathogenic nematodes on cowhide. J Invertebr Pathol 2021; 184:107592. [PMID: 33882276 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2021.107592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), Steinernema riobrave and Heterorhabditis floridensis are under evaluation for eradication of the southern cattle fever tick, Rhipicephalus microplus infesting nilgai antelope, in South Texas. Cattle fever ticks are a significant threat to the U.S. livestock industry. Although they have been eradicated in the U.S. they frequently re-invade along the Texas-Mexico border. Remotely operated field sprayers have been developed to directly treat nilgai antelope with EPNs as they transit fence crossings and as they contact wetted foliage and soil from the surrounding area. EPNs are known to be susceptible to mortality from ultraviolet light (UV) and desiccation. A sprayable fire gel, Barricade®, has been reported to protect EPNs from UV and desiccation but has not been tested on animal hides. Barricade® at 1 and 2 percent rates was mixed with the water solution of S. riobrave and H. floridensis and applied to cowhides (to mimic direct treatment of nilgai) and filter paper and then these substrates were placed out of doors in 0, 30, 60 or 120 min of sunlight. Wax moth larvae, Galleria mellonella, were exposed to the cowhides and filter paper to determine efficacy of the EPNs. Efficacy of S. riobrave with 1 and 2% Barricade® gel applied to cowhides was significantly improved at 30 and 60 min as compared to the control. At 120 min mortality of the wax moth larvae was near zero for both the control and the treatments. Similar results were found with the filter paper test. In contrast, efficacy of H. floridensis with Barricade® applied to cowhides or filter paper was not significantly improved at 30, 60 or 120 min as compared to the water only control. Barricade® has the potential to improve the efficacy of S. riobrave and other EPNs by reducing mortality and desiccation, especially when used in the remotely operated sprayer developed for treatment of cattle fever tick infested nilgai.
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Affiliation(s)
- David I Shapiro-Ilan
- USDA-ARS, Southeastern Fruit and Tree Nut Research Laboratory, Byron, GA 31008, United States
| | - John A Goolsby
- United States Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Plains Area, Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory, Cattle Fever Tick Research Laboratory, Edinburg, TX 78541, United States.
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Peterson MK, Foley AM, Tri AN, Hewitt DG, DeYoung RW, DeYoung CA, Campbell TA. Mark‐Recapture Distance Sampling for Aerial Surveys of Ungulates on Rangelands. WILDLIFE SOC B 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mary K. Peterson
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University–Kingsville Kingsville TX 78363 USA
| | - Aaron M. Foley
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University–Kingsville Kingsville TX 78363 USA
| | - Andrew N. Tri
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University–Kingsville Kingsville TX 78363 USA
| | - David G. Hewitt
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University–Kingsville Kingsville TX 78363 USA
| | - Randy W. DeYoung
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University–Kingsville Kingsville TX 78363 USA
| | - Charles A. DeYoung
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University–Kingsville Kingsville TX 78363 USA
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Olafson PU, Buckmeier BG, May MA, Thomas DB. Molecular screening for rickettsial bacteria and piroplasms in ixodid ticks surveyed from white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus) and nilgai antelope ( Boselaphus tragocamelus) in southern Texas. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2020; 13:252-260. [PMID: 33294364 PMCID: PMC7691163 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
A survey of ixodid ticks parasitizing white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and nilgai antelope (Boselaphus tragocamelus) was completed during the 2018–2019 public hunt season on the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge (Cameron County, Texas) and the East Foundation's El Sauz Ranch in nearby Willacy County (Texas). Anocenter nitens was the predominant tick species identified with 5% of these ticks collected from nilgai. All life stages were encountered in high numbers on white-tailed deer, indicating that deer may be a primary host in this region. Amblyomma maculatum and Amblyomma inornatum were identified from both hosts, while Ixodes scapularis was encountered only on white-tailed deer. This is the first published record of A. inornatum on nilgai. A subset of ticks was used in PCR assays to detect Rickettsia spp., family Anaplasmataceae, Borrelia spp., and Theileria-Babesia spp. Borrelia spp. were not detected in any of the ticks analyzed. Rickettsia parkeri was detected in three A. maculatum adult ticks from deer, Rickettsia sp. endosymbiont sequences were present in all I. scapularis ticks, and Rickettsia amblyommatis was detected in three A. inornatum adult ticks from deer. Sequence analysis of Anaplasmataceae-positive amplicons from A. nitens and A. maculatum had low percent identity to published Anaplasma spp. sequences, suggesting a unique Anaplasma sp. may be circulating in the population. Anaplasma platys was detected from A. nitens larvae and an Ehrlichia sp. Delta strain was present in A. maculatum, both of unknown pathogenicity towards deer. Theileria cervi was detected in all stages of A. nitens ticks, and positive ticks originated from 27 of 31 deer and a single nilgai sampled from throughout the survey site. The primary vector for T. cervi is absent from this region, suggesting T. cervi is possibly maintained by a different tick species. Anocenter nitens predominates on white-tailed deer and nilgai in southern Texas. Theileria cervi was detected in Anocenter nitens ticks from deer and a single nilgai. Three Theileria cervi genotypes were detected in this region of southern Texas. Unique Anaplasma sp. detected in A. nitens; low identity to known Anaplasma sp. Amblyomma inornatum ticks were identified on nilgai; a first record on this host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pia U Olafson
- USDA-ARS Knipling-Bushland Livestock Insects Research Laboratory, 2700 Fredericksburg Rd., Kerrville, TX, 78028, USA
| | - Beverly Greta Buckmeier
- USDA-ARS Knipling-Bushland Livestock Insects Research Laboratory, 2700 Fredericksburg Rd., Kerrville, TX, 78028, USA
| | - Melinda A May
- USDA-ARS Knipling-Bushland Livestock Insects Research Laboratory, 2700 Fredericksburg Rd., Kerrville, TX, 78028, USA
| | - Donald B Thomas
- USDA-ARS Cattle Fever Tick Research Laboratory, 22675 N. Moorefield Road, Moore Air Base, Edinburg, TX, 78541, USA
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Esteve-Gasent MD, Rodríguez-Vivas RI, Medina RF, Ellis D, Schwartz A, Cortés Garcia B, Hunt C, Tietjen M, Bonilla D, Thomas D, Logan LL, Hasel H, Alvarez Martínez JA, Hernández-Escareño JJ, Mosqueda Gualito J, Alonso Díaz MA, Rosario-Cruz R, Soberanes Céspedes N, Merino Charrez O, Howard T, Chávez Niño VM, Pérez de León AA. Research on Integrated Management for Cattle Fever Ticks and Bovine Babesiosis in the United States and Mexico: Current Status and Opportunities for Binational Coordination. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9110871. [PMID: 33114005 PMCID: PMC7690670 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9110871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine babesiosis is a reportable transboundary animal disease caused by Babesia bovis and Babesiabigemina in the Americas where these apicomplexan protozoa are transmitted by the invasive cattle fever ticks Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus and Rhipicephalus(Boophilus) annulatus. In countries like Mexico where cattle fever ticks remain endemic, bovine babesiosis is detrimental to cattle health and results in a significant economic cost to the livestock industry. These cattle disease vectors continue to threaten the U.S. cattle industry despite their elimination through efforts of the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program. Mexico and the U.S. share a common interest in managing cattle fever ticks through their economically important binational cattle trade. Here, we report the outcomes of a meeting where stakeholders from Mexico and the U.S. representing the livestock and pharmaceutical industry, regulatory agencies, and research institutions gathered to discuss research and knowledge gaps requiring attention to advance progressive management strategies for bovine babesiosis and cattle fever ticks. Research recommendations and other actionable activities reflect commitment among meeting participants to seize opportunities for collaborative efforts. Addressing these research gaps is expected to yield scientific knowledge benefitting the interdependent livestock industries of Mexico and the U.S. through its translation into enhanced biosecurity against the economic and animal health impacts of bovine babesiosis and cattle fever ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria D. Esteve-Gasent
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA;
| | - Roger I. Rodríguez-Vivas
- Campus de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, FMVZ, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, km. 15.5 Carretera Mérida-Xmatkuil, Mérida, Yucatán 97000, Mexico
- Correspondence:
| | - Raúl F. Medina
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA;
| | - Dee Ellis
- Institute for Infectious Animal Diseases, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (D.E.); (C.H.)
| | - Andy Schwartz
- Texas Animal Health Commission, Austin, TX 78758, USA;
| | - Baltazar Cortés Garcia
- Departamento de Rabia Paralítica y Garrapata, Dirección de Campañas Zoosanitarias, Servicio Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (SENASICA), Avenida Insurgentes Sur N° 489 Piso 9, Colonia Hipódromo, Alcaldía Cuauhtémoc, Ciudad de Mexico 06100, Mexico;
| | - Carrie Hunt
- Institute for Infectious Animal Diseases, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (D.E.); (C.H.)
| | - Mackenzie Tietjen
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA–ARS), Knipling–Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory and Veterinary Pest Genomics Center, Kerrville, TX 78028, USA; (M.T.); (A.A.P.d.L.)
| | - Denise Bonilla
- Veterinary Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service International Services, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA-APHIS), Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA;
| | - Don Thomas
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Cattel Fever Tick Research Laboratory, Moore Air Base, Edinburg, TX 78541, USA;
| | - Linda L. Logan
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA;
| | - Hallie Hasel
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, (USDA-APHIS-VS), Austin, TX 78701, USA;
| | - Jesús A. Alvarez Martínez
- CENID-SAI, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales Agricolas y Pecuarias, Carr. Fed. Cuernavaca-Cuautla No. 8534, Col. Progreso. Jiutepec, Morelos 62390, Mexico;
| | - Jesús J. Hernández-Escareño
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, General Francisco Villa S/N, Hacienda del Canada, Ciudad General Escobedo, Nuevo León 66054, Mexico;
| | - Juan Mosqueda Gualito
- Immunology and Vaccines Laboratory, C. A. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Carretera a Chichimequillas, Ejido Bolaños, Queretaro Queretaro 76140, Mexico;
| | - Miguel A. Alonso Díaz
- Centro de Enseñanza, Investigación y Extensión en Ganadería Tropical, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Km. 5.5 Carretera Federal Tlapacoyan-Martínez de la Torre, Martínez de la Torre, Veracruz 93600, Mexico;
| | - Rodrigo Rosario-Cruz
- BioSA Research Lab., Natural Sciences College, Campus el ‘Shalako’ Las Petaquillas, Autonomous Guerrero State University, Chilpancingo, Guerrero 62105, Mexico;
| | - Noé Soberanes Céspedes
- Lapisa S.A. de C.V. Carretera La Piedad-Guadalajara Km 5.5, Col. Camelinas, La Piedad, Michoacán 59375, Mexico;
| | - Octavio Merino Charrez
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Km. 5 Carretera Victoria-Mante, Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas 87000, Mexico;
| | - Tami Howard
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, (USDA-APHIS-VS), Field Operations, Southern Border Ports, Albuquerque, NM 87109, USA;
| | - Victoria M. Chávez Niño
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, International Services, (USDA-APHIS-IS), Mexico, Sierra Nevada 115, Col. Lomas de Chapultepec, Mexico City 11000, Mexico;
| | - Adalberto A. Pérez de León
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA–ARS), Knipling–Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory and Veterinary Pest Genomics Center, Kerrville, TX 78028, USA; (M.T.); (A.A.P.d.L.)
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Showler AT, Pérez de León A. Landscape Ecology of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Ixodida: Ixodidae) Outbreaks in the South Texas Coastal Plain Wildlife Corridor Including Man-Made Barriers. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2020; 49:546-552. [PMID: 32338280 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvaa038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Landscape features and the ecology of suitable hosts influence the phenology of invasive tick species. The southern cattle fever tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini) (Ixodida: Ixodidae), vectors causal agents of babesiosis in cattle and it infests exotic, feral nilgai, Bosephalus tragocamelus Pallas, and indigenous white-tailed deer, Odocoilus virginianus (Zimmerman), on the South Texas coastal plain wildlife corridor. The corridor extends from the Mexico border to cattle ranches extending north from inside Willacy Co. Outbreaks of R. microplus infesting cattle and nondomesticated ungulate hosts since 2014 in the wildlife corridor have focused attention on host infestation management and, by extension, dispersal. However, there is a knowledge gap on the ecology of R. microplus outbreaks in the South Texas coastal plain wildlife corridor. Ixodid distribution on the wildlife corridor is strongly influenced by habitat salinity. Saline habitats, which constitute ≈25% of the wildlife corridor, harbor few ixodids because of occasional salt toxicity from hypersaline wind tides and infrequent storm surges, and from efficient egg predation by mud flat fiddler crabs, Uca rapax (Smith). Rhipicephalus microplus infestations on nilgai were more prevalent in part of the corridor with mixed low salinity and saline areas than in an area that is more extensively saline. The different levels of R. microplus infestation suggest that man-made barriers have created isolated areas where the ecology of R. microplus outbreaks involve infested nilgai. The possible utility of man-made barriers for R. microplus eradication in the lower part of the South Texas coastal plain wildlife corridor is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan T Showler
- USDA-ARS, Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory and Veterinary Pest Genomics Center, 2700 Fredericksburg Road, Kerrville, TX
| | - Adalberto Pérez de León
- USDA-ARS, Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory and Veterinary Pest Genomics Center, 2700 Fredericksburg Road, Kerrville, TX
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Pérez-Arteaga A, Guerrero-Vázquez S. PRESENCE OF FREE-RANGING NILGAI BOSELAPHUS TRAGOCAMELUS (ARTIODACTYLA: BOVIDAE) IN NUEVO LEÓN, MEXICO. SOUTHWEST NAT 2020. [DOI: 10.1894/0038-4909-64-2-145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Pérez-Arteaga
- Facultad de Biología, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico 58194 (APA)
| | - Sergio Guerrero-Vázquez
- Centro de Estudios en Zoología, Centro Universitario de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad de Guadalajara, Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico 44600 (SGV)
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20
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Brown VR, Bevins SN. Potential role of wildlife in the USA in the event of a foot-and-mouth disease virus incursion. Vet Rec 2019; 184:741. [DOI: 10.1136/vr.104895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vienna R Brown
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), National Wildlife Research Center; Oak Ridge Tennessee USA
| | - Sarah N Bevins
- Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC); Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA); Fort Collins Washington District of Columbia USA
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Brock CM, Temeyer KB, Tidwell J, Yang Y, Blandon MA, Carreón-Camacho D, Longnecker MT, Almazán C, Pérez de León AA, Pietrantonio PV. The leucokinin-like peptide receptor from the cattle fever tick, Rhipicephalus microplus, is localized in the midgut periphery and receptor silencing with validated double-stranded RNAs causes a reproductive fitness cost. Int J Parasitol 2019; 49:287-299. [PMID: 30673587 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2018.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The cattle fever tick, Rhipicephalus microplus (Canestrini) (Acari: Ixodidae), is a one-host tick that infests primarily cattle in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. This species transmits deadly cattle pathogens, especially Babesia spp., for which a recombinant vaccine is not available. Therefore, disease control depends on tick vector control. Although R. microplus was eradicated in the USA, tick populations in Mexico and South America have acquired resistance to many of the applied acaricides. Recent acaricide-resistant tick reintroductions detected in the U.S. underscore the need for novel tick control methods. The octopamine and tyramine/octopamine receptors, both G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR), are believed to be the main molecular targets of the acaricide amitraz. This provides the proof of principle that investigating tick GPCRs, especially those that are invertebrate-specific, may be a feasible strategy for discovering novel targets and subsequently new anti-tick compounds. The R. microplus leucokinin-like peptide receptor (LKR), also known as the myokinin- or kinin receptor, is such a GPCR. While the receptor was previously characterized in vitro, the function of the leucokinin signaling system in ticks remains unknown. In this work, the LKR was immunolocalized to the periphery of the female midgut and silenced through RNA interference (RNAi) in females. To optimize RNAi experiments, a dual-luciferase system was developed to determine the silencing efficiency of LKR-double stranded RNA (dsRNA) constructs prior to testing those in ticks placed on cattle. This assay identified two effective dsRNAs. Silencing of the LKR with these two validated dsRNA constructs was verified by quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) of female tick dissected tissues. Silencing was significant in midguts and carcasses. Silencing caused decreases in weights of egg masses and in the percentages of eggs hatched per egg mass, as well as delays in time to oviposition and egg hatching. A role of the kinin receptor in tick reproduction is apparent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina M Brock
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2475, USA
| | - Kevin B Temeyer
- Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory and Veterinary Pest Genomics Center, United States Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service, 2700 Fredericksburg Road Kerrville, TX 78028-9184, USA
| | - Jason Tidwell
- Cattle Fever Tick Research Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service, 22675 N. Moorefield Rd. Building 6419 Edinburg, TX 78541-5033, USA
| | - Yunlong Yang
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2475, USA
| | - Maria A Blandon
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2475, USA
| | - Diana Carreón-Camacho
- Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, CP87000 Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico
| | - Michael T Longnecker
- Department of Statistics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2475, USA
| | - Consuelo Almazán
- Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, CP87000 Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico
| | - Adalberto A Pérez de León
- Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory and Veterinary Pest Genomics Center, United States Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service, 2700 Fredericksburg Road Kerrville, TX 78028-9184, USA
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TICK VECTOR AND DISEASE PATHOGEN SURVEILLANCE OF NILGAI ANTELOPE ( BOSELAPHUS TRAGOCAMELUS) IN SOUTHEASTERN TEXAS, USA. J Wildl Dis 2018; 54:734-744. [PMID: 29863973 DOI: 10.7589/2017-09-239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Nilgai ( Boselaphus tragocamelus) are nonnative bovines that were originally introduced as game animals to one large, south Texas, US ranch but that are now present throughout southeastern Texas from Baffin Bay to Harlingen and in northern Mexico at least as far west as Durango. Between October 2014 and January 2017, nilgai ( n=517) were examined for the presence of tick ectoparasites, with particular interest in the cattle fever tick, Rhipicephalus ( Boophilus) microplus. These animals were either hunter killed or they were culled as part of federal cooperative harvesting from Cameron and Willacy counties in southeastern Texas. The proportion of fever tick-infested animals differed in a N-to-S pattern, and this was at least partly attributed to differences in habitat. The southern area is a lowland floodplain predominated by halophytes, whereas the northerly area is upland thorn scrub, the latter of which provides a vegetative canopy that is more conducive to tick survival and persistence. A subset of nilgai, all from the Texas-Mexico border area, were screened for livestock pathogens using molecular and serological assays. All nilgai were seronegative for Babesia ( Theileria) equi and Babesia cabalii. Although 11 animals were seropositive for Anaplasma marginale by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA), these were interpreted with caution because of the lack of concordance between cELISA and molecular detection assays. All animals were PCR negative for presence of Babesia spp. DNA, and a single nilgai was seropositive for Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina by complement fixation. It remains unknown whether cattle Babesia spp. can establish an infection in nilgai.
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Lohmeyer KH, May MA, Thomas DB, Pérez de León AA. Implication of Nilgai Antelope (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) in Reinfestations of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Acari: Ixodidae) in South Texas: A Review and Update. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2018; 55:515-522. [PMID: 29438533 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjy004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program was the first parasite eradication program of veterinary importance in the United States and is considered to be one of the greatest disease eradication programs of all time. The program's utilization of pasture vacation and dipping of cattle in acaricide has been extremely successful for controlling Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini) and R. (B.) annulatus (Say), collectively known as cattle fever ticks, on cattle along the Texas border with Mexico for decades. However, the increase of white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmermann), populations in South Texas over the last 50 yr has compromised the success of the program. R. (B.) microplus and R. (B.) annulatus infestation data have confirmed that O. virginianus can support the maintenance and movement of both species of cattle fever tick within the permanent quarantine or buffer zone in South Texas along the Rio Grande, and also in the cattle fever tick-free area north and east of the buffer zone. Over the last two decades, increasing populations of exotic nilgai antelope, Boselaphus tragocamelus (Pallas), in South Texas have further complicated cattle fever tick eradication efforts. Historical cattle fever tick infestation data, host source data, and geographical data support the continued role of O. virginianus in maintaining reinfestations of R. (B.) microplus and R. (B.) annulatus in South Texas as well as the increasing role of nilgai antelope in cattle fever tick maintenance and dispersal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly H Lohmeyer
- USDA-ARS Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory, Kerrville, TX
| | - Melinda A May
- USDA-ARS Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory, Kerrville, TX
| | - Donald B Thomas
- USDA-ARS Cattle Fever Tick Research Laboratory, Edinburg, TX
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