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Smith LA, Fox NJ, Marion G, Booth NJ, Morris AMM, Athanasiadou S, Hutchings MR. Animal Behaviour Packs a Punch: From Parasitism to Production, Pollution and Prevention in Grazing Livestock. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1876. [PMID: 38997988 PMCID: PMC11240309 DOI: 10.3390/ani14131876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Behaviour is often the fundamental driver of disease transmission, where behaviours of individuals can be seen to scale up to epidemiological patterns seen at the population level. Here we focus on animal behaviour, and its role in parasite transmission to track its knock-on consequences for parasitism, production and pollution. Livestock face a nutrition versus parasitism trade-off in grazing environments where faeces creates both a nutritional benefit, fertilizing the surrounding sward, but also a parasite risk from infective nematode larvae contaminating the sward. The grazing decisions of ruminants depend on the perceived costs and benefits of the trade-off, which depend on the variations in both environmental (e.g., amounts of faeces) and animal factors (e.g., physiological state). Such grazing decisions determine the intake of both nutrients and parasites, affecting livestock growth rates and production efficiency. This impacts on the greenhouse gas costs of ruminant livestock production via two main mechanisms: (1) slower growth results in longer durations on-farm and (2) parasitised animals produce more methane per unit food intake. However, the sensitivity of behaviour to host parasite state offers opportunities for early detection of parasitism and control. Remote monitoring technology such as accelerometers can detect parasite-induced sickness behaviours soon after exposure, before impacts on growth, and thus may be used for targeting individuals for early treatment. We conclude that livestock host x parasite interactions are at the centre of the global challenges of food security and climate change, and that understanding livestock behaviour can contribute to solving both.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lesley A Smith
- Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK
| | - Naomi J Fox
- Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK
| | - Glenn Marion
- Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland (BioSS), Kings Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3FD, UK
| | - Naomi J Booth
- Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK
| | - Alex M M Morris
- Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK
| | - Spiridoula Athanasiadou
- Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK
| | - Michael R Hutchings
- Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK
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Thorne JW, Redden R, Bowdridge SA, Becker GM, Khilji SF, Xie S, Bentley KL, Murdoch BM. Reducing fecal egg count through selective breeding alters dorper lamb response to Haemonchus contortus in an artificial challenge trial. Vet Parasitol 2024; 328:110177. [PMID: 38583271 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Infection by gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN), particularly Haemonchus contortus, can be detrimental to sheep health and performance. Genetic susceptibility to GIN varies between breeds, with those lacking high levels of natural resistance often requiring frequent anthelmintic treatment when facing parasitic challenge. Genetic technology can serve as a tool to decrease GIN susceptibility via selection for sheep with reduced fecal egg count (FEC) estimated breeding values (EBVs). However, the physiological changes that result from implementation of this strategy are not well described. Additionally, there is a need for comparison of animals from recent selective breeding against breeds with inherent GIN resistance. In this study we administered a challenge of H. contortus to Dorper x White Dorper (DWD; n = 92) lambs that have been genetically selected for either low (DWD-) or high (DWD+) FEC EBVs and Barbados Blackbelly x Mouflon (BBM; n = 19) lambs from a genetically resistant breed backgrounds. Lamb FEC, packed-cell volume (PCV) and serum IgG were measured at intermittent levels over 5 weeks. At day 21 and day 35, the selectively bred DWD- had a lower mean FEC compared to DWD+, but were higher than BBM. Reductions in both PCV and serum IgG from initial day 0 levels were observed in DWD lambs, but not in BBM. Furthermore, from a subset of lambs (n = 24) harvested at day 21, DWD- only tended (p = 0.056) to have lower mean worm counts than DWD+, with BBM having the lowest mean worm count. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified via RNA-sequencing of abomasal tissue at day 21 indicate a more pronounced Th2 immune response and more rapid worm expulsion occurred in iBBM than iDWD- and iDWD+ lambs. However, gene expression in DWD- suggests an association between reduced FEC EBV and gastric acid secretion and the ability to limit worm fecundity. Ultimately, selection of Dorper sheep for low FEC EBV can reduce susceptibility to GIN, but it will likely require multiple generations with this trait as a breeding priority before presenting a similar resistance level to Caribbean breeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob W Thorne
- Department of Animal, Veterinary, and Food Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA; Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension, San Angelo, TX, USA
| | - Reid Redden
- Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension, San Angelo, TX, USA
| | - Scott A Bowdridge
- Division of Animal and Nutritional Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Gabrielle M Becker
- Department of Animal, Veterinary, and Food Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Sarem F Khilji
- Department of Animal, Veterinary, and Food Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Shangqian Xie
- Department of Animal, Veterinary, and Food Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Kelsey L Bentley
- Division of Animal and Nutritional Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Brenda M Murdoch
- Department of Animal, Veterinary, and Food Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA.
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3
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Ortíz-Domínguez GA, González-Pech PG, Torres-Acosta JFDJ, Ventura-Cordero J, Villalba J, Sandoval-Castro CA. Relevance of Individual Data When Assessing the Gastrointestinal Nematode Infection Level, Nutritional and Productive Variables in a Tropical Farm Context: The Median Isn't the Message. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:603. [PMID: 38396571 PMCID: PMC10886404 DOI: 10.3390/ani14040603] [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: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
We evaluated the relationship between individual and herd GIN infection level, nutrition, production performance and anemia parameters in a tropical farm context. Fifty-four female goats were monitored to assess their body condition score (BCS, nutritional status indicator), live weight (LW) and LW gain (LWG, both used as production level indicators), FAMACHA© and hematocrit (HT, both used as anemia indicators). Goats browsed for 4 h in a tropical forest and received balanced feed and chopped grass. The eggs per gram of feces (EPG) indicated the GIN burden, with fecal samples obtained at 7:00 (AM) and 15:00 h (PM.) from each goat at six sampling points during the study. The variables and their relationship with GIN burdens were analyzed using Kruskall-Wallis, ANOVA and Friedman tests and Spearman correlations. The fecal samples obtained in the AM and PM can be equally representative of parasitic burdens (similar and highly correlated). However, the EPG of individual goats from periods of 30 days apart can be considered independent. The BCS and LWG varied between sampling times (p < 0.05), whereas EPG, LW and HT did not (p > 0.05). The GIN burden was negatively correlated with HT and BCS (-0.21, p = 0.01 for each one). The individual pattern of infection demonstrates the true impact of GINs on their hosts. Additionally, feeding and nutritional status may present important variations influencing the performance of the goats more than the impact of GINs under the farm conditions of the present study. However, GIN infection contributed to the variation in goat health and productivity in this tropical farm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Andrés Ortíz-Domínguez
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Km 15.5 Carretera Mérida-Xmatkuil, Mérida C.P. 97315, Yucatán, Mexico; (G.A.O.-D.); (P.G.G.-P.); (J.F.d.J.T.-A.)
| | - Pedro Geraldo González-Pech
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Km 15.5 Carretera Mérida-Xmatkuil, Mérida C.P. 97315, Yucatán, Mexico; (G.A.O.-D.); (P.G.G.-P.); (J.F.d.J.T.-A.)
| | - Juan Felipe de Jesús Torres-Acosta
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Km 15.5 Carretera Mérida-Xmatkuil, Mérida C.P. 97315, Yucatán, Mexico; (G.A.O.-D.); (P.G.G.-P.); (J.F.d.J.T.-A.)
| | - Javier Ventura-Cordero
- Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Calle 53 S/N, Col. Unidad, Esfuerzo y Trabajo #2, Escárcega C.P. 24350, Campeche, Mexico;
| | - Juan Villalba
- Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA;
| | - Carlos Alfredo Sandoval-Castro
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Km 15.5 Carretera Mérida-Xmatkuil, Mérida C.P. 97315, Yucatán, Mexico; (G.A.O.-D.); (P.G.G.-P.); (J.F.d.J.T.-A.)
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4
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Moerman TM, Albon SD, Coulson SJ, Loe LE. Climate change effects on terrestrial parasitic nematodes: Where are the knowledge gaps? J Helminthol 2023; 97:e94. [PMID: 38047417 DOI: 10.1017/s0022149x23000652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is expected to affect parasitic nematodes and hence possibly parasite-host dynamics and may have far-reaching consequences for animal health, livestock production, and ecosystem functioning. However, there has been no recent overview of current knowledge to identify how studies could contribute to a better understanding of terrestrial parasitic nematodes under changing climates. Here we screened almost 1,400 papers to review 57 experimental studies on the effects of temperature and moisture on hatching, development, survival, and behaviour of the free-living stages of terrestrial parasitic nematodes with a direct life cycle in birds and terrestrial mammals. Two major knowledge gaps are apparent. First, research should study the temperature dependency curves for hatching, development, and survival under various moisture treatments to test the interactive effect of temperature and moisture. Second, we specifically advocate for more studies that investigate how temperature, and its interaction with moisture, affect both vertical and horizontal movement of parasitic nematodes to understand infection risks. Overall, we advocate for more field experiments that test environmental effects on life-history traits and behaviour of parasitic nematodes in their free-living stages under natural and realistic circumstances. We also encourage studies to expand the range of used hosts and parasitic nematodes because 66% of results described in the available studies use sheep and cattle as hosts and 32% involve just three nematode species. This new comprehension brings attention to understudied abiotic impacts on terrestrial parasitic nematodes and will have broader implications for livestock management, wildlife conservation, and ecosystem functioning in a rapidly warming climate.
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Affiliation(s)
- T M Moerman
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, NO-1432 Ås, Norway
- The University Centre in Svalbard, P.O. Box 156, NO-9171 Longyearbyen, Norway
| | - S D Albon
- The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, AberdeenAB15 8QH, Scotland
| | - S J Coulson
- The University Centre in Svalbard, P.O. Box 156, NO-9171 Longyearbyen, Norway
| | - L E Loe
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, NO-1432 Ås, Norway
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5
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Philippon J, Serrano-Martínez E, Poirotte C. Fecal avoidance and gastrointestinal parasitism in semi-free ranging woolly monkeys (Lagothrix lagotricha poeppigii). Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-023-03317-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
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6
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Bricarello PA, Longo C, da Rocha RA, Hötzel MJ. Understanding Animal-Plant-Parasite Interactions to Improve the Management of Gastrointestinal Nematodes in Grazing Ruminants. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12040531. [PMID: 37111417 PMCID: PMC10145647 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12040531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Grazing systems have great potential to promote animal welfare by allowing animals to express natural behaviours, but they also present risks to the animals. Diseases caused by gastrointestinal nematodes are some of the most important causes of poor ruminant health and welfare in grazing systems and cause important economic losses. Reduced growth, health, reproduction and fitness, and negative affective states that indicate suffering are some of the negative effects on welfare in animals infected by gastrointestinal nematode parasitism. Conventional forms of control are based on anthelmintics, but their growing inefficiency due to resistance to many drugs, their potential for contamination of soil and products, and negative public opinion indicate an urgency to seek alternatives. We can learn to deal with these challenges by observing biological aspects of the parasite and the host’s behaviour to develop managements that have a multidimensional view that vary in time and space. Improving animal welfare in the context of the parasitic challenge in grazing systems should be seen as a priority to ensure the sustainability of livestock production. Among the measures to control gastrointestinal nematodes and increase animal welfare in grazing systems are the management and decontamination of pastures, offering multispecies pastures, and grazing strategies such as co-grazing with other species that have different grazing behaviours, rotational grazing with short grazing periods, and improved nutrition. Genetic selection to improve herd or flock parasite resistance to gastrointestinal nematode infection may also be incorporated into a holistic control plan, aiming at a substantial reduction in the use of anthelmintics and endectocides to make grazing systems more sustainable.
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7
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Pritchard AJ, Fefferman NH. Trade-offs in resource access and health by avoidance of self-fouling, motivated via disgust. Ecol Modell 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2022.110225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
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8
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Yoshihara Y, Saiga C, Tamura T, Kinugasa T. Relationships between sheep nematode infection, nutrition, and grazing behavior on improved and semi-natural pastures. Vet Anim Sci 2022; 19:100278. [PMID: 36561431 PMCID: PMC9764242 DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2022.100278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) are key parasites of grazing sheep worldwide. To understand the factors influencing GIN infections, we examined the relationships among infection and nutrition, foraging behavior, and animal performance. Further, the parasitism and nutrition of sheep between improved and semi-natural pastures in Japan were compared. Sheep were grazed for 1 month each, first on an improved and then on a semi-natural pasture. Afterward, vegetation surveys, forage analyses, and (plant) nematode larval counts were conducted in both pastures, and fecal egg counts, biochemical analyses, and bite counts were completed for each sheep. The semi-natural pasture had diverse plant species, though it contained less crude protein, and nematode larvae were rarely observed on bamboo. Consequently, fecal egg per gram decreased after grazing on the semi-natural pasture. White blood counts, hematocrit, and glucose also decreased and body weight increased after grazing on this pasture. Principal component and correlation analyses revealed a significant relationship between GIN infection and behavior, but not between nutrition and either behavior or infection. As parasitized animals may become more aggressive feeders to compensate for their reduced nutritional uptake, grazing sheep on semi-natural pastures may facilitate more stable performance due to the lower risk of nematode infection from wild plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Yoshihara
- Graduate School of Bioresources, Mie University, Kurimamachiya-cho 1577, Tsu, Mie 514-8507 Japan,Corresponding author.
| | - Chiharu Saiga
- Graduate School of Bioresources, Mie University, Kurimamachiya-cho 1577, Tsu, Mie 514-8507 Japan
| | - Takehiro Tamura
- Faculty of Agriculture, Tottori University, 4-101 Koyama-Minami, Tottori 680-8553, Japan
| | - Toshihiko Kinugasa
- Faculty of Agriculture, Tottori University, 4-101 Koyama-Minami, Tottori 680-8553, Japan
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9
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Williams EG, Davis CN, Williams M, Jones DL, Cutress D, Williams HW, Brophy PM, Rose MT, Stuart RB, Jones RA. Associations between Gastrointestinal Nematode Infection Burden and Lying Behaviour as Measured by Accelerometers in Periparturient Ewes. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:2393. [PMID: 36139252 PMCID: PMC9495098 DOI: 10.3390/ani12182393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The application of precision livestock farming (PLF) technologies will underpin new strategies to support the control of livestock disease. However, PLF technology is underexploited within the sheep industry compared to other livestock sectors, and research is essential to identify opportunities for PLF applications. These opportunities include the control of endemic sheep disease such as parasitic gastroenteritis, caused by gastrointestinal nematode infections, which is estimated to cost the European sheep industry EUR 120 million annually. In this study, tri-axial accelerometers recorded the behaviour of 54 periparturient Welsh Mule ewes to discover if gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection burden, as measured by faecal egg count (FEC), was associated with behavioural variation. Linear mixed models identified that increasing FECs in periparturient ewes were significantly associated with a greater number of lying bouts per day and lower bout durations (p = 0.013 and p = 0.010, respectively). The results demonstrate that FECs of housed periparturient ewes are associated with detectable variations in ewe behaviour, and as such, with further investigation there is potential to develop future targeted selective treatment protocols against GIN in sheep based on behaviour as measured by PLF technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eiry Gwenllian Williams
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, UK
| | - Chelsea N Davis
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, UK
| | - Manod Williams
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, UK
| | - Dewi Llyr Jones
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, UK
| | - David Cutress
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, UK
| | - Hefin Wyn Williams
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, UK
| | - Peter M Brophy
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, UK
| | - Michael T Rose
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, UK
- Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, TAS 7005, Australia
| | | | - Rhys Aled Jones
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, UK
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Morris AM, Innocent GT, Cunningham EJ, Athanasiadou S, Hutchings MR, Smith LA. Early signals of parasitism expressed through behaviour but modulated by social context. Anim Behav 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2022.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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Bonneau M, Godard X, Bambou JC. Assessing Goats' Fecal Avoidance Using Image Analysis-Based Monitoring. FRONTIERS IN ANIMAL SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2022.835516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent advances in sensor technologies and data analysis could improve our capacity to acquire long-term and individual dataset on animal behavior. In livestock management, this is particularly interesting when behavioral data could be linked to production performances, physiological or genetical information, with the objective of improving animal health and welfare management. In this study, we proposed a framework, based on computer vision and deep learning, to automatically estimate animal location within pasture and discuss the relationship with the risk of gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection. We illustrated our framework for the monitoring of goats allowed to graze an experimental plot, where feces containing GIN infective larvae were previously dropped in delimited areas. Four animals were monitored, during two grazing weeks on the same pasture (week 1 from April 12 to 19, 2021 and week 2, from June 28 to July 5, 2021). Using the monitoring framework, different components of animal behavior were analyzed, and the relationship with the risk of GIN infection was explored. First, in average, 87.95% of the goats were detected, the detected individuals were identified with an average sensitivity of 94.9%, and an average precision of 94.8%. Second, the monitoring of the ability of the animal to avoid infected feces on pasture showed an important temporal and individual variability. Interestingly, the avoidance behavior of 3 animals increased during the second grazing week (Wilcoxon rank sum, p-value < 0.05), and the level of increase was correlated with the level of infection during week 1 (Pearson's correlation coefficient = 0.9). The relationship between the time spent on GIN-infested areas and the level of infection was also studied, but no clear relationship was found. In conclusion, due to the low number of studied animals, biological results should be interpreted with caution; nevertheless, the framework provided here is a new relevant tool to explore the relationship between ruminant behavior and GIN parasitism in experimental studies.
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Bricarello PA, Costa LR, Longo C, Seugling J, Basseto CC, do Amarante AFT, Hötzel MJ. Dung avoidance behavior in Crioula Lanada lambs naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes in a rotational pasture system. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA = BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY : ORGAO OFICIAL DO COLEGIO BRASILEIRO DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA 2022; 31:e014021. [PMID: 35293429 PMCID: PMC9901890 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612022012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate foraging distance (FD) from the dung, parasitological and physiological factors in 18 Crioula Lanada lambs naturally infected by nematodes with three infection levels (IL) in a Voisin Grazing System. In the pre-experimental phase animal feces collection, deworming, observer training, animal adaptation and dung demarcation were carried out; in the experimental phase, grazing distance, feces, pasture and blood sampling. An initial exploratory analysis was carried out (Kruskal-Wallis test). Fixed predictors were selected with a cumulative logit regression model; an ordinal logistic regression mixed model identified influencing factors of ordinal responses for (i) FD, (ii) infective larvae quantity (L3). Animals approached the dung when the radiation or temperature were more intense (P < 0.05). Paddock entry/exit, IgG and L3 influenced FD over time (P < 0.05). L3, in turn, was influenced by IL, FEC and corpuscular volume (CV). In the High IL group, FD varied between 60-100 cm. Greater L3 and FEC were found in the High and Low IL from the 4th week (P < 0.05). Naturally infected Crioula Lanada lambs increased the distance from the dung, which was not related to IL but to the dynamics of solar radiation and parasitological and immunological factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Ana Bricarello
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Animal, Departamento de Zootecnia e Desenvolvimento Rural, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina - UFSC, Florianópolis, SC, Brasil
| | - Leticia Rodrigues Costa
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Animal, Departamento de Zootecnia e Desenvolvimento Rural, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina - UFSC, Florianópolis, SC, Brasil
| | - Cibele Longo
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Animal, Departamento de Zootecnia e Desenvolvimento Rural, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina - UFSC, Florianópolis, SC, Brasil.,Laboratório de Etologia Aplicada e Bem-Estar Animal, Departamento de Zootecnia e Desenvolvimento Rural, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina - UFSC, Florianópolis, SC, Brasil
| | - Jaqueline Seugling
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Animal, Departamento de Zootecnia e Desenvolvimento Rural, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina - UFSC, Florianópolis, SC, Brasil
| | - César Cristiano Basseto
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brasil
| | | | - Maria José Hötzel
- Laboratório de Etologia Aplicada e Bem-Estar Animal, Departamento de Zootecnia e Desenvolvimento Rural, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina - UFSC, Florianópolis, SC, Brasil
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13
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Ikurior SJ, Marquetoux N, Leu ST, Corner-Thomas RA, Scott I, Pomroy WE. What Are Sheep Doing? Tri-Axial Accelerometer Sensor Data Identify the Diel Activity Pattern of Ewe Lambs on Pasture. SENSORS 2021; 21:s21206816. [PMID: 34696028 PMCID: PMC8540528 DOI: 10.3390/s21206816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Monitoring activity patterns of animals offers the opportunity to assess individual health and welfare in support of precision livestock farming. The purpose of this study was to use a triaxial accelerometer sensor to determine the diel activity of sheep on pasture. Six Perendale ewe lambs, each fitted with a neck collar mounting a triaxial accelerometer, were filmed during targeted periods of sheep activities: grazing, lying, walking, and standing. The corresponding acceleration data were fitted using a Random Forest algorithm to classify activity (=classifier). This classifier was then applied to accelerometer data from an additional 10 ewe lambs to determine their activity budgets. Each of these was fitted with a neck collar mounting an accelerometer as well as two additional accelerometers placed on a head halter and a body harness over the shoulders of the animal. These were monitored continuously for three days. A classification accuracy of 89.6% was achieved for the grazing, walking and resting activities (i.e., a new class combining lying and standing activity). Triaxial accelerometer data showed that sheep spent 64% (95% CI 55% to 74%) of daylight time grazing, with grazing at night reduced to 14% (95% CI 8% to 20%). Similar activity budgets were achieved from the halter mounted sensors, but not those on a body harness. These results are consistent with previous studies directly observing daily activity of pasture-based sheep and can be applied in a variety of contexts to investigate animal health and welfare metrics e.g., to better understand the impact that young sheep can suffer when carrying even modest burdens of parasitic nematodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seer J. Ikurior
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand; (R.A.C.-T.); (I.S.); (W.E.P.)
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture, Makurdi 970231, Nigeria
- Correspondence:
| | - Nelly Marquetoux
- EpiCentre, School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand;
| | - Stephan T. Leu
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy 5371, Australia;
| | - Rene A. Corner-Thomas
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand; (R.A.C.-T.); (I.S.); (W.E.P.)
- School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand
| | - Ian Scott
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand; (R.A.C.-T.); (I.S.); (W.E.P.)
| | - William E. Pomroy
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand; (R.A.C.-T.); (I.S.); (W.E.P.)
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14
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Philippon J, Serrano-Martínez E, Poirotte C. Environmental and individual determinants of fecal avoidance in semi-free ranging woolly monkeys (Lagothrix lagotricha poeppigii). AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2021; 176:614-624. [PMID: 34169505 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.24352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Parasite selection pressures have driven the evolution of numerous behavioral defenses in host species, but recent studies revealed individual variation in their expression. As little is known about the factors causing heterogeneity among individuals in infection-avoidance behaviors, we investigated in woolly monkeys (Lagothrix lagotricha poeppigii) the influence of several environmental and individual characteristics on the tendency to avoid food contaminated by soil and by their own and conspecifics' feces. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted feeding tests on 40 semi-free ranging individuals rescued from the pet trade. Using generalized linear mixed models, we investigated the effect of season, sex, age, dominance rank, and exposure to non-natural living conditions on feeding decisions. RESULTS Woolly monkeys did not avoid soil-contaminated food and equally avoided food contaminated by their own and conspecifics' feces. Individuals varied greatly in their level of fecal avoidance. Only females exhibited strong avoidance of fecally contaminated food, but adapted their behavior to food availability, highlighting the trade-off between nutritional intake and parasite avoidance. Additionally, low-ranking females, less competitive over food resources, exhibited lower avoidance than dominant ones. Juveniles were more cautious than adults, possibly to compensate for a higher parasite susceptibility. Finally, we reported an unknown effect of exposure to non-natural living conditions on behavioral defenses, as animals kept as household pets for an extended period apparently lost their ability to avoid fecally contaminated food. CONCLUSION We argue that striving to understand variation in infection-avoidance behaviors in natural populations is crucial to predict disease spread and inform conservation policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine Philippon
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics, Cayetano Heredia Peruvian University, Lima, Peru
| | - Enrique Serrano-Martínez
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics, Cayetano Heredia Peruvian University, Lima, Peru
| | - Clémence Poirotte
- Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology Unit, German Primate Center, Göttingen, Germany
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15
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Koprivnikar J, Rochette A, Forbes MR. Risk-Induced Trait Responses and Non-consumptive Effects in Plants and Animals in Response to Their Invertebrate Herbivore and Parasite Natural Enemies. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.667030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Predators kill and consume prey, but also scare living prey. Fitness of prey can be reduced by direct killing and consumption, but also by non-consumptive effects (NCEs) if prey show costly risk-induced trait responses (RITRs) to predators, which are meant to reduce predation risk. Recently, similarities between predators and parasites as natural enemies have been recognized, including their potential to cause victim RITRs and NCEs. However, plant-herbivore and animal host-parasite associations might be more comparable as victim-enemy systems in this context than either is to prey-predator systems. This is because plant herbivores and animal parasites are often invertebrate species that are typically smaller than their victims, generally cause lower lethality, and allow for further defensive responses by victims after consumption begins. Invertebrate herbivores can cause diverse RITRs in plants through various means, and animals also exhibit assorted RITRs to increased parasitism risk. This synthesis aims to broadly compare these two enemy-victim systems by highlighting the ways in which plants and animals perceive threat and respond with a range of induced victim trait responses that can provide pre-emptive defense against invertebrate enemies. We also review evidence that RITRs are costly in terms of reducing victim fitness or abundance, demonstrating how work with one victim-enemy system can inform the other with respect to the frequency and magnitude of RITRs and possible NCEs. We particularly highlight gaps in our knowledge about plant and animal host responses to their invertebrate enemies that may guide directions for future research. Comparing how potential plant and animal victims respond pre-emptively to the threat of consumption via RITRs will help to advance our understanding of natural enemy ecology and may have utility for pest and disease control.
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16
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Effects of short-term exposure to drinking water contaminated with manure on water and feed intake, production and lying behaviour in dairy cattle. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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17
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Chubb JC, Benesh D, Parker GA. Ungulate Helminth Transmission and Two Evolutionary Puzzles. Trends Parasitol 2020; 36:64-79. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2019.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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18
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Poirotte C, Sarabian C, Ngoubangoye B, MacIntosh AJ, Charpentier M. Faecal avoidance differs between the sexes but not with nematode infection risk in mandrills. Anim Behav 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2019.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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19
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Morgan ER, Aziz NAA, Blanchard A, Charlier J, Charvet C, Claerebout E, Geldhof P, Greer AW, Hertzberg H, Hodgkinson J, Höglund J, Hoste H, Kaplan RM, Martínez-Valladares M, Mitchell S, Ploeger HW, Rinaldi L, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G, Sotiraki S, Schnyder M, Skuce P, Bartley D, Kenyon F, Thamsborg SM, Vineer HR, de Waal T, Williams AR, van Wyk JA, Vercruysse J. 100 Questions in Livestock Helminthology Research. Trends Parasitol 2018; 35:52-71. [PMID: 30477758 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2018.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2018] [Revised: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
An elicitation exercise was conducted to collect and identify pressing questions concerning the study of helminths in livestock, to help guide research priorities. Questions were invited from the research community in an inclusive way. Of 385 questions submitted, 100 were chosen by online vote, with priority given to open questions in important areas that are specific enough to permit investigation within a focused project or programme of research. The final list of questions was divided into ten themes. We present the questions and set them briefly in the context of the current state of knowledge. Although subjective, the results provide a snapshot of current concerns and perceived priorities in the field of livestock helminthology, and we hope that they will stimulate ongoing or new research efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric R Morgan
- Queen's University Belfast, School of Biological Sciences, 97, Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK.
| | - Nor-Azlina A Aziz
- Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | | | | | - Claude Charvet
- ISP, INRA, Université Tours, UMR1282, 37380, Nouzilly, France
| | - Edwin Claerebout
- Laboratory for Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, B9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Peter Geldhof
- Laboratory for Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, B9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Andrew W Greer
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, P.O. Box 85084, Lincoln University, Christchurch, 7647, New Zealand
| | - Hubertus Hertzberg
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jane Hodgkinson
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool Science Park IC2, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L3 5RF, UK
| | - Johan Höglund
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, BVF-parasitology, Box 7036, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Hervé Hoste
- UMR 1225 IHAP INRA/ENVT, 23 Chemin des Capelles, 31076 Toulouse, France
| | - Ray M Kaplan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - María Martínez-Valladares
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), Finca Marzanas, Grulleros, 24346 León, Spain
| | - Siân Mitchell
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Carmarthen Veterinary Investigation Centre, Jobswell Road, Johnstown, Carmarthen, SA31 3EZ, UK
| | - Harm W Ploeger
- Utrecht University, Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Georg von Samson-Himmelstjerna
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universitaet Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Smaragda Sotiraki
- Veterinary Research Institute, HAO-DEMETER, Campus Thermi 57001, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Manuela Schnyder
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Philip Skuce
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Edinburgh EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - David Bartley
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Edinburgh EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Fiona Kenyon
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Edinburgh EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Stig M Thamsborg
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Hannah Rose Vineer
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool Science Park IC2, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L3 5RF, UK; School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK
| | - Theo de Waal
- University College Dublin, School of Veterinary Medicine, Belfield, Dublin, D04 W6F6, Ireland
| | - Andrew R Williams
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Jan A van Wyk
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Jozef Vercruysse
- Laboratory for Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, B9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
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Coulson G, Cripps JK, Garnick S, Bristow V, Beveridge I. Parasite insight: assessing fitness costs, infection risks and foraging benefits relating to gastrointestinal nematodes in wild mammalian herbivores. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2018; 373:20170197. [PMID: 29866912 PMCID: PMC6000135 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2017.0197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian herbivores are typically infected by parasitic nematodes, which are acquired through direct, faecal-oral transmission. These parasites can cause significant production losses in domestic livestock, but much less is known about impacts on wild mammalian hosts. We review three elements of parasitism from the host's perspective: fitness costs of infection, risks of infection during foraging and benefits of nutritious pasture. The majority of wildlife studies have been observational, but experimental manipulation is increasing. Treatment with anthelmintics to manipulate parasite load has revealed varied impacts of parasites on fitness variables across host species, but has not produced consistent evidence for parasite-induced anorexia or impaired body condition. Some experimental studies of infection risk have manipulated faecal contamination and detected faecal avoidance by hosts. Only two field studies have explored the trade-off between infection risk and nutritional benefit generated by avoidance of contaminated patches. Overall, field studies of costs, risks and benefits of the host-parasite relationship are limited and few have examined more than one of these elements. Parasitism has much in common with predation, and future insights into anti-parasite responses by wild hosts could be gained from the conceptual and technical developments in research on anti-predator behaviour.This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Evolution of pathogen and parasite avoidance behaviours'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graeme Coulson
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Jemma K Cripps
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Veterinary Clinical Centre, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia
- Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, 123 Brown Street, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
| | - Sarah Garnick
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
- Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Verity Bristow
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Veterinary Clinical Centre, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia
| | - Ian Beveridge
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Veterinary Clinical Centre, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia
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21
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Weinstein SB, Moura CW, Mendez JF, Lafferty KD. Fear of feces? Tradeoffs between disease risk and foraging drive animal activity around raccoon latrines. OIKOS 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.04866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sara B. Weinstein
- Dept of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology Univ. of California Santa Barbara CA 93106 USA
| | - Chad W. Moura
- Dept of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology Univ. of California Santa Barbara CA 93106 USA
| | - Jon Francis Mendez
- Dept of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology Univ. of California Santa Barbara CA 93106 USA
| | - Kevin D. Lafferty
- Dept of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology Univ. of California Santa Barbara CA 93106 USA
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22
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Parsons MH, Apfelbach R, Banks PB, Cameron EZ, Dickman CR, Frank ASK, Jones ME, McGregor IS, McLean S, Müller-Schwarze D, Sparrow EE, Blumstein DT. Biologically meaningful scents: a framework for understanding predator-prey research across disciplines. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2017; 93:98-114. [DOI: 10.1111/brv.12334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Revised: 03/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael H. Parsons
- Department of Biology; Hofstra University; Hempstead NY 11549 U.S.A
- Department of Biological Sciences; Fordham University; Bronx NY 10458 U.S.A
| | - Raimund Apfelbach
- Institut für Neurobiologie; Universität Tübingen; Tübingen 72076 Germany
| | - Peter B. Banks
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences; The University of Sydney; Camperdown 2006 Australia
| | - Elissa Z. Cameron
- School of Biological Sciences; University of Tasmania; Hobart TAS 7001 Australia
| | - Chris R. Dickman
- Desert Ecology Research Group, School of Life and Environmental Sciences; The University of Sydney; Camperdown 2006 Australia
| | - Anke S. K. Frank
- School of Biological Sciences; University of Tasmania; Hobart TAS 7001 Australia
- Botanisches Institut, AG Linstädter; Universität zu Köln; D-50674 Köln Germany
| | - Menna E. Jones
- School of Biological Sciences; University of Tasmania; Hobart TAS 7001 Australia
| | - Ian S. McGregor
- School of Psychology, Brain and Mind Centre; University of Sydney; Camperdown 2050 Australia
| | - Stuart McLean
- School of Medicine; University of Tasmania; Hobart TAS 7001 Australia
| | - Dietland Müller-Schwarze
- College of Environmental Science and Forestry; State University of New York; Syracuse NY 13210 U.S.A
| | - Elisa E. Sparrow
- Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources; Natural Resources Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges; Willunga 5172 Australia
| | - Daniel T. Blumstein
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; University of California; Los Angeles CA 90095-1606 U.S.A
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23
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Abstract
AbstractThe influence of naturally acquired nematode infections on food intake and utilization was investigated in grazing lambs. It was first demonstrated in a pilot study with penned lambs that the application of chrome-oxide in a ruminal bolus could be used for comparison of food intake in infected and uninfected lambs on grass. In a field trial, repeated in two consecutive seasons, 48 lambs grazed on clover grass in six groups. Three stocking rate groups were grazed on contaminated pastures (I-low, I-medium and I-high) and three groups on clean pastures (U-low, U-medium and U-high). Faecal dry-matter (DM) output of individual lambs was estimated in August each year by the chrome-method. DM intake and food conversion efficiency were calculated based on hand-picked herbage samples and in vitro assessment of digestibility. Substantial worm burdens, increasing from year 1 to year 2, were observed and some lambs had clinical symptoms in the 2nd year. In year 2, lambs on contaminated pastures had significantly lower DM intake (proportionately 009 lower), higher faecal protein losses and lower food conversion efficiency compared with the uninfected lambs on clean pastures. The effect of infection on food intakes was eliminated if corrected for body weight. The study showed that if exposure to nematode infections is large enough, increased protein losses in faeces and anorexia may contribute to reduced performance in lambs in late season.
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24
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Sharp JG, Garnick S, Elgar MA, Coulson G. Parasite and predator risk assessment: nuanced use of olfactory cues. Proc Biol Sci 2016; 282:20151941. [PMID: 26468246 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2015.1941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Foraging herbivores face twin threats of predation and parasite infection, but the risk of predation has received much more attention. We evaluated, experimentally, the role of olfactory cues in predator and parasite risk assessment on the foraging behaviour of a population of marked, free-ranging, red-necked wallabies (Macropus rufogriseus). The wallabies adjusted their behaviour according to these olfactory cues. They foraged less, were more vigilant and spent less time at feeders placed in the vicinity of faeces from dogs that had consumed wallaby or kangaroo meat compared with that of dogs feeding on sheep, rabbit or possum meat. Wallabies also showed a species-specific faecal aversion by consuming less food from feeders contaminated with wallaby faeces compared with sympatric kangaroo faeces, whose gastrointestinal parasite fauna differs from that of the wallabies. Combining both parasite and predation cues in a single field experiment revealed that these risks had an additive effect, rather than the wallabies compromising their response to one risk at the expense of the other.
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Affiliation(s)
- John G Sharp
- School of BioScience, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Sarah Garnick
- School of BioScience, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Mark A Elgar
- School of BioScience, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Graeme Coulson
- School of BioScience, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
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25
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Cripps JK, Martin JK, Coulson G. Anthelmintic Treatment Does Not Change Foraging Strategies of Female Eastern Grey Kangaroos, Macropus giganteus. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0147384. [PMID: 26784582 PMCID: PMC4718527 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0147384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Large mammalian herbivores are commonly infected with gastrointestinal helminths. Heavily parasitised hosts are likely to have increased nutritional requirements and would be predicted to increase their food intake to compensate for costs of being parasitised, but experimental tests of the impacts of these parasites on the foraging efficiency of hosts are lacking, particularly in free-ranging wildlife. We conducted a field experiment on a population of free-ranging eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) to test this prediction, removing nematodes from one group of adult females using an anthelmintic treatment. We then carried out observations before and following treatment to assess the influence of parasites on foraging behaviour. Contrary to our predictions, the manipulation of parasite burdens did not result in changes in any of the key foraging variables we measured. Our results suggest that despite carrying large burdens of gastrointestinal parasites, the foraging strategy of female kangaroos is likely be driven by factors unrelated to parasitism, and that kangaroos in high nutritional environments may be able acquire sufficient nutrients to offset the costs of parasitism. We conclude that the drivers of forage intake likely differ between domesticated and free-ranging herbivores, and that free-ranging hosts are likely more resilient to parasitism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jemma K. Cripps
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Veterinary Clinical Centre, Werribee, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Jennifer K. Martin
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Graeme Coulson
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Turner WC, Kausrud KL, Krishnappa YS, Cromsigt JPGM, Ganz HH, Mapaure I, Cloete CC, Havarua Z, Küsters M, Getz WM, Stenseth NC. Fatal attraction: vegetation responses to nutrient inputs attract herbivores to infectious anthrax carcass sites. Proc Biol Sci 2015; 281:rspb.2014.1785. [PMID: 25274365 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2014.1785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasites can shape the foraging behaviour of their hosts through cues indicating risk of infection. When cues for risk co-occur with desired traits such as forage quality, individuals face a trade-off between nutrient acquisition and parasite exposure. We evaluated how this trade-off may influence disease transmission in a 3-year experimental study of anthrax in a guild of mammalian herbivores in Etosha National Park, Namibia. At plains zebra (Equus quagga) carcass sites we assessed (i) carcass nutrient effects on soils and grasses, (ii) concentrations of Bacillus anthracis (BA) on grasses and in soils, and (iii) herbivore grazing behaviour, compared with control sites, using motion-sensing camera traps. We found that carcass-mediated nutrient pulses improved soil and vegetation, and that BA is found on grasses up to 2 years after death. Host foraging responses to carcass sites shifted from avoidance to attraction, and ultimately to no preference, with the strength and duration of these behavioural responses varying among herbivore species. Our results demonstrate that animal carcasses alter the environment and attract grazing hosts to parasite aggregations. This attraction may enhance transmission rates, suggesting that hosts are limited in their ability to trade off nutrient intake with parasite avoidance when relying on indirect cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy C Turner
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066 Blindern, Oslo 0361, Norway Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, 137 Mulford Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720-3112, USA
| | - Kyrre L Kausrud
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066 Blindern, Oslo 0361, Norway
| | - Yathin S Krishnappa
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066 Blindern, Oslo 0361, Norway
| | - Joris P G M Cromsigt
- Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skogsmarksgränd, Umeå 90183, Sweden Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, PO Box 77000, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - Holly H Ganz
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, 137 Mulford Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720-3112, USA Genome Center and Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Isaac Mapaure
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Namibia, Private Bag 13301, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Claudine C Cloete
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Namibia, Private Bag 13301, Windhoek, Namibia Etosha Ecological Institute, Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Etosha National Park, PO Box 6, Okaukuejo, Namibia
| | - Zepee Havarua
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Namibia, Private Bag 13301, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Martina Küsters
- Berkeley Etosha Anthrax Research Project, Swakopmund, Namibia
| | - Wayne M Getz
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, 137 Mulford Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720-3112, USA School of Mathematical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Nils Chr Stenseth
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066 Blindern, Oslo 0361, Norway
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27
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Seó HLS, Pinheiro Machado Filho LC, Honorato LA, da Silva BF, do Amarante AFT, Bricarello PA. The effect of gastrointestinal nematode infection level on grazing distance from dung. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0126340. [PMID: 26039729 PMCID: PMC4454583 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0126340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2014] [Accepted: 04/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Avoiding grazing near feces is an efficient strategy to prevent parasitic infection and contamination; therefore, in the evolution of herbivorous species, this behavior may have developed as a mechanism to protect the host against infection by gastrointestinal nematodes. The aim of this study was to assess whether grazing distance from dung is related to the level of parasitic infection in cattle. Based on Fecal Egg Count (FEC) means, 18 castrated male steers, aged 18 months, were divided into three groups: High (FEC ≥ 315); Medium (FEC = 130–160); and Low (FEC = 40–70). To analyze the response to a new natural infection by gastrointestinal nematodes and to standardize infection levels, all animals received anthelmintic treatment at twenty days prior to field observation. Three observers simultaneously collected data on grazing behavior for 2.5 hours/week for 12 weeks. Observers recorded the distance when grazing occurred at less than one meter from dung. Every two weeks, fecal samples were collected for FEC, as well as serum samples to measure immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels against larvae and adult antigens of the parasitic species Haemonchus placei. All groups grazed farther from the dung on days of greater insolation (r = 0.62; P = 0.03). Animals with high levels of parasitism grazed farther from the dung (P < 0.05) but had lower levels (P < 0.0001) of IgG serum levels compared to those with medium and low levels of infection. FEC values varied over the experiment, remaining below 200 for the low and medium group and reaching 1000 (P < 0.01) for the animals with the highest rates of parasitism. Our results indicate that cattle showing high levels of parasitism are more likely to avoid contaminated areas than animals with lower infection levels, and the immune system seems to be involved in such behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hizumi Lua Sarti Seó
- Laboratório de Etologia Aplicada e Bem-Estar Animal, Departamento de Zootecnia e Desenvolvimento Rural, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Luiz Carlos Pinheiro Machado Filho
- Laboratório de Etologia Aplicada e Bem-Estar Animal, Departamento de Zootecnia e Desenvolvimento Rural, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| | - Luciana Aparecida Honorato
- Laboratório de Etologia Aplicada e Bem-Estar Animal, Departamento de Zootecnia e Desenvolvimento Rural, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | | | | | - Patrizia Ana Bricarello
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Animal, Departamento de Zootecnia e Desenvolvimento Rural, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
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Fox NJ, Marion G, Davidson RS, White PCL, Hutchings MR. Climate-driven tipping-points could lead to sudden, high-intensity parasite outbreaks. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2015; 2:140296. [PMID: 26064647 PMCID: PMC4453250 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.140296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2014] [Accepted: 04/23/2015] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Parasitic nematodes represent one of the most pervasive and significant challenges to grazing livestock, and their intensity and distribution are strongly influenced by climate. Parasite levels and species composition have already shifted under climate change, with nematode parasite intensity frequently low in newly colonized areas, but sudden large-scale outbreaks are becoming increasingly common. These outbreaks compromise both food security and animal welfare, yet there is a paucity of predictions on how climate change will influence livestock parasites. This study aims to assess how climate change can affect parasite risk. Using a process-based approach, we determine how changes in temperature-sensitive elements of outbreaks influence parasite dynamics, to explore the potential for climate change to influence livestock helminth infections. We show that changes in temperate-sensitive parameters can result in nonlinear responses in outbreak dynamics, leading to distinct 'tipping-points' in nematode parasite burdens. Through applying two mechanistic models, of varying complexity, our approach demonstrates that these nonlinear responses are robust to the inclusion of a number of realistic processes that are present in livestock systems. Our study demonstrates that small changes in climatic conditions around critical thresholds may result in dramatic changes in parasite burdens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi J. Fox
- Disease Systems Team, SRUC, King's Building, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK
- Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland, King's Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JZ, UK
- Department of Environment, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Glenn Marion
- Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland, King's Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JZ, UK
| | - Ross S. Davidson
- Disease Systems Team, SRUC, King's Building, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK
| | - Piran C. L. White
- Department of Environment, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Michael R. Hutchings
- Disease Systems Team, SRUC, King's Building, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK
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Abstract
Evolutionary developmental psychology typically utilizes an evolutionary lens to explain various phenomena that occur throughout development. In this paper, I argue that the converse is also important: Developmental evidence can inform evolutionary theory. In particular, knowledge about the developmental origins of a psychological trait can be used to evaluate theoretical claims about its evolved function. I use the emotion of disgust as a case study to illustrate this approach. Disgust is commonly thought to be a behavioral adaptation for avoiding the ingestion of pathogens. Given this claim, disgust should be expected to develop at a time when humans are especially vulnerable to the dangers of ingesting pathogens, during the immediate post-weaning period from about 3 to 5 years of age. Despite a strong selective pressure at this point in development, research has suggested that the emotion of disgust and the recognition of the "disgust face" do not reliably emerge until later in ontogeny, at 5 years of age or after. Given the late developmental appearance of disgust, I re-evaluate claims about its adaptive role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Rottman
- Department of Psychology, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
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30
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Elliott GN, Hough RL, Avery LM, Maltin CA, Campbell CD. Environmental risk factors in the incidence of Johne’s disease. Crit Rev Microbiol 2014; 41:488-507. [DOI: 10.3109/1040841x.2013.867830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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31
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Fox NJ, Marion G, Davidson RS, White PCL, Hutchings MR. Modelling parasite transmission in a grazing system: the importance of host behaviour and immunity. PLoS One 2013; 8:e77996. [PMID: 24223133 PMCID: PMC3819330 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0077996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2013] [Accepted: 09/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasitic helminths present one of the most pervasive challenges to grazing herbivores. Many macro-parasite transmission models focus on host physiological defence strategies, omitting more complex interactions between hosts and their environments. This work represents the first model that integrates both the behavioural and physiological elements of gastro-intestinal nematode transmission dynamics in a managed grazing system. A spatially explicit, individual-based, stochastic model is developed, that incorporates both the hosts' immunological responses to parasitism, and key grazing behaviours including faecal avoidance. The results demonstrate that grazing behaviour affects both the timing and intensity of parasite outbreaks, through generating spatial heterogeneity in parasite risk and nutritional resources, and changing the timing of exposure to the parasites' free-living stages. The influence of grazing behaviour varies with the host-parasite combination, dependent on the development times of different parasite species and variations in host immune response. Our outputs include the counterintuitive finding that under certain conditions perceived parasite avoidance behaviours (faecal avoidance) can increase parasite risk, for certain host-parasite combinations. Through incorporating the two-way interaction between infection dynamics and grazing behaviour, the potential benefits of parasite-induced anorexia are also demonstrated. Hosts with phenotypic plasticity in grazing behaviour, that make grazing decisions dependent on current parasite burden, can reduce infection with minimal loss of intake over the grazing season. This paper explores how both host behaviours and immunity influence macro-parasite transmission in a spatially and temporally heterogeneous environment. The magnitude and timing of parasite outbreaks is influenced by host immunity and behaviour, and the interactions between them; the incorporation of both regulatory processes is required to fully understand transmission dynamics. Understanding of both physiological and behavioural defence strategies will aid the development of novel approaches for control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi J. Fox
- Disease Systems Team, SRUC, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Environment Department, University of York, York, United Kingdom
- Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Glenn Marion
- Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Ross S. Davidson
- Disease Systems Team, SRUC, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Kimball BA, Yamazaki K, Kohler D, Bowen RA, Muth JP, Opiekun M, Beauchamp GK. Avian influenza infection alters fecal odor in mallards. PLoS One 2013; 8:e75411. [PMID: 24146753 PMCID: PMC3797728 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0075411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2013] [Accepted: 08/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Changes in body odor are known to be a consequence of many diseases. Much of the published work on disease-related and body odor changes has involved parasites and certain cancers. Much less studied have been viral diseases, possibly due to an absence of good animal model systems. Here we studied possible alteration of fecal odors in animals infected with avian influenza viruses (AIV). In a behavioral study, inbred C57BL/6 mice were trained in a standard Y-maze to discriminate odors emanating from feces collected from mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) infected with low-pathogenic avian influenza virus compared to fecal odors from non-infected controls. Mice could discriminate odors from non-infected compared to infected individual ducks on the basis of fecal odors when feces from post-infection periods were paired with feces from pre-infection periods. Prompted by this indication of odor change, fecal samples were subjected to dynamic headspace and solvent extraction analyses employing gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to identify chemical markers indicative of AIV infection. Chemical analyses indicated that AIV infection was associated with a marked increase of acetoin (3-hydroxy-2-butanone) in feces. These experiments demonstrate that information regarding viral infection exists via volatile metabolites present in feces. Further, they suggest that odor changes following virus infection could play a role in regulating behavior of conspecifics exposed to infected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce A. Kimball
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Kunio Yamazaki
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Dennis Kohler
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Richard A. Bowen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Jack P. Muth
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Maryanne Opiekun
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Gary K. Beauchamp
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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Brambilla A, von Hardenberg A, Kristo O, Bassano B, Bogliani G. Don't spit in the soup: faecal avoidance in foraging wild Alpine ibex, Capra ibex. Anim Behav 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2013.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Hogan LA, Lisle AT, Johnston SD. Eliminative behavior of captive numbats, Myrmecobius fasciatus (Mammalia; Marsupialia): pattern and identification of fecal deposits. Zoo Biol 2013; 32:324-31. [PMID: 23386548 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2012] [Accepted: 12/31/2012] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the spatial defecation patterns of numbats within captivity and tested the efficacy of a food colorant as a fecal marker in this species. Rather than randomly distributing scats throughout their environment, the numbats aggregated their feces at specific sites forming latrines. It is unclear whether the strong inclination for latrine formation was due to this species' inherent behavior or is a direct result of captivity. Males were found to have a higher daily defecation rate, different defecation time, larger number of latrines, and greater number of scats per quadrant, as compared to females. In this study, the majority of scats were deposited along enclosure boundaries and for both sexes there was a higher probability of latrines being placed along enclosure fencing shared with a female neighbor. The high concentration of latrines along boundaries suggests that they may play a role in territorial defense. The results also indicated that captive numbats tend to choose defecation points away from food and refuge sites. Transit and total retention time of the marker through the GIT was ≤3 hr and between 24 and 27 hr, respectively. A marker dose of 3 gtts feed(-1) × 2 feeds day(-1) was required to reach a steady and detectable state of marker output, which enabled accurate identification of individual samples during the breeding season. Reliable labeling was obtained using blue and red colored food dye, and there was no evidence that incorporation of the marker into the diet had any negative effects on food intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay A Hogan
- Wildlife Biology Unit, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia.
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Curtis V, de Barra M, Aunger R. Disgust as an adaptive system for disease avoidance behaviour. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2011; 366:389-401. [PMID: 21199843 PMCID: PMC3013466 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2010.0117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 361] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Disgust is an evolved psychological system for protecting organisms from infection through disease avoidant behaviour. This ‘behavioural immune system’, present in a diverse array of species, exhibits universal features that orchestrate hygienic behaviour in response to cues of risk of contact with pathogens. However, disgust is also a dynamic adaptive system. Individuals show variation in pathogen avoidance associated with psychological traits like having a neurotic personality, as well as a consequence of being in certain physiological states such as pregnancy or infancy. Three specialized learning mechanisms modify the disgust response: the Garcia effect, evaluative conditioning and the law of contagion. Hygiene behaviour is influenced at the group level through social learning heuristics such as ‘copy the frequent’. Finally, group hygiene is extended symbolically to cultural rules about purity and pollution, which create social separations and are enforced as manners. Cooperative hygiene endeavours such as sanitation also reduce pathogen prevalence. Our model allows us to integrate perspectives from psychology, ecology and cultural evolution with those of epidemiology and anthropology. Understanding the nature of disease avoidance psychology at all levels of human organization can inform the design of programmes to improve public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Curtis
- The Hygiene Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK.
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36
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Animal grazing selectivity and plant chemistry issues impact on the potential of Rhagodia preissii as an anthelmintic shrub. Parasitology 2011; 138:628-37. [PMID: 21281562 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182010001769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Rhagodia preissii had shown significant in vitro anthelmintic activity in a previous study, we examined the effect of including this shrub in the diet of sheep infected with Trichostrongylus colubriformis. Worm-infected merino wethers were grazed for 7 weeks on either R. preissii or annual pasture, and faecal egg counts (FECs) were conducted weekly. Plant material was collected weekly from eaten and uneaten plants, and analysed for levels of plant secondary metabolites (tannins, oxalates, saponins) and in vitro anthelmintic activity. While mean FECs were consistently lower in sheep grazing R. preissii compared to pasture (reductions of 20-74%), the differences were not significant. There was no relationship between grazing preference (eaten or uneaten) and in vitro anthelmintic activity of plant extracts. The levels of saponins and oxalates did not correlate with grazing preference or in vitro anthelmintic activity, while tannins were not responsible for the anthelmintic activity. While the identity of the grazing deterrent and in vitro anthelmintic compounds remain unknown, the presence of plants which were both highly preferred by the sheep and showed in vitro anthelmintic activity indicates a potential to develop the species as an anthelmintic shrub through selection of shrub populations dominated by such plants.
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37
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Soil and plant contamination with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis after exposure to naturally contaminated mouflon feces. Curr Microbiol 2011; 62:1405-10. [PMID: 21279514 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-011-9875-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2010] [Accepted: 01/08/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to demonstrate the persistence of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) in soil and colonization of different plant parts after deliberate exposure to mouflon feces naturally contaminated with different amounts of MAP. Samples of aerial parts of plants, their roots, and the soil below the roots were collected after 15 weeks and examined using IS900 real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) and cultivation. Although the presence of viable MAP cells was not demonstrated, almost all samples were found to be positive using qPCR. MAP IS900 was not only found in the upper green parts, but also in the roots and soil samples (from 1.00 × 10(0) to 6.43 × 10(3)). The level of soil and plant contamination was influenced mainly by moisture, clay content, and the depth from which the samples were collected, rather than by the initial concentration of MAP in the feces at the beginning of the experiment.
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39
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40
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Garnick SW, Elgar MA, Beveridge I, Coulson G. Foraging efficiency and parasite risk in eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus). Behav Ecol 2009. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arp162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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41
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Smith L, Marion G, Swain D, White P, Hutchings M. The effect of grazing management on livestock exposure to parasites via the faecal–oral route. Prev Vet Med 2009; 91:95-106. [DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2009.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2008] [Revised: 05/25/2009] [Accepted: 05/26/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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42
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Smith LA, White PC, Marion G, Hutchings MR. Livestock grazing behavior and inter- versus intraspecific disease risk via the fecal–oral route. Behav Ecol 2008. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arn143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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43
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Inter- and intra-specific exposure to parasites and pathogens via the faecal-oral route: a consequence of behaviour in a patchy environment. Epidemiol Infect 2008; 137:630-43. [PMID: 18812011 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268808001313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Livestock herbivores are at risk of inter- and intra-specific exposure to parasites/pathogens via the faecal-oral route during grazing. Each contact between livestock and faeces in the environment is a potential parasite/pathogen transmission event. Cattle grazing contact with faeces varies in relation to the species depositing the faeces and the distribution of the faeces. We used a foraging model to simulate the grazing behaviour of beef cattle in two grazing systems to compare the relative inter-specific and intra-specific exposure risks to parasites/pathogens. Overall, there is a greater level of intra- vs. inter-specific risk via the faecal-oral route. However, under certain conditions, particularly for microparasite infections, e.g. paratuberculosis in rabbits and bovine tuberculosis in badgers, wildlife may pose a significant exposure risk to parasites/pathogens. These risks can be enhanced when cattle are first turned out onto pasture and in situations where intra-specific variations in wildlife behaviour result in more dispersed defecation patterns.
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44
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Swain DL, Friend MA, Mayes RW, Wilson LA, Hutchings MR. Combining an active transponder system with sprayed n-alkanes to quantify investigative and ingestive grazing behaviour of dairy cattle in pastures treated with slurry. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2007.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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45
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46
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Hughes DP, Cremer S. Plasticity in antiparasite behaviours and its suggested role in invasion biology. Anim Behav 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2006.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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47
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Böhm M, White PCL, Chambers J, Smith L, Hutchings MR. Wild deer as a source of infection for livestock and humans in the UK. Vet J 2007; 174:260-76. [PMID: 17258479 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2006.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2006] [Revised: 08/31/2006] [Accepted: 11/03/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Wild deer can feature in the epidemiology of a wide range of livestock and human diseases in the United Kingdom by representing a source of disease via various transmission routes. This review highlights current and possible future infections of deer in the UK which may have an impact on livestock and/or human health. Increases in deer abundance as well as range expansion are likely to exacerbate the potential for disease persistence due to the formation of multi-species deer assemblages, which may act as disease reservoirs. Climatic changes are likely to have a direct impact on the presence and abundance of various pathogens and their vectors, so that with a warming climate exotic diseases may play a role in future UK livestock and wildlife disease management. This paper highlights the need for a monitoring strategy for wildlife diseases, in particular infections in wild deer, in the UK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Böhm
- Environment Department, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK
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48
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Dung avoidance as a possible mechanism in competition between wild and domestic ungulates: two experiments with chamois Rupicapra rupicapra. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2007. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-007-0115-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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49
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JUDGE JOHANNA, DAVIDSON ROSSS, MARION GLENN, WHITE PIRANC, HUTCHINGS MICHAELR. Persistence of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in rabbits: the interplay between horizontal and vertical transmission. J Appl Ecol 2007. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2664.2007.01282.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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50
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Rosell F, Sanda J. Potential risks of olfactory signaling: the effect of predators on scent marking by beavers. Behav Ecol 2006. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arl022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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