1
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Wang WC, Li ZM, Chen Y, Zhang, JH, Zhang JX, Zhang YH. Species recognition and the divergences in the chemical and ultrasonic signals between two coexisting Rattus species. Curr Zool 2024; 70:531-538. [PMID: 39176055 PMCID: PMC11336677 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoad035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The ability to recognize and differentiate between conspecifics and heterospecifics as well as their signals is critical for the coexistence of closely related species. In the genus Rattus, species are morphologically similar and multiple species often coexist. Here, we investigated the interspecific recognition and signal differentiation of two sympatric rat species, the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus, RN) and the Asian house rat (Rattus tanezumi, RT). In a two-way choice test, both RN and RT females showed a preference for conspecific male rats to heterospecific ones. RT females showed a significant preference for accessible urine of males of same species to those of other species, but not for the inaccessible urine. On the other hand, there were significant differences in the structural characteristics of the ultrasonic vocalization emitted by males of these two rat species. Sodium dodecyl sulphate‒polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‒PAGE) and isoelectric focusing electrophoresis unveiled that major urinary proteins (MUPs) in voided urine were more highly expressed in RN males versus RT males. The interspecific differences of urinary volatile compounds were also discussed. In conclusion, female rats had the ability to distinguish between males of either species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Chao Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi-Ming Li
- The State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Chen
- The State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jin-Hua Zhang,
- The State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Jian-Xu Zhang
- The State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yao-Hua Zhang
- The State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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2
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Wang W, Ge J, Zhang Y, Zhang J. The male's scent triggered a neural response in females despite ambiguous behavioral response in Asian house rats. Integr Zool 2024; 19:694-709. [PMID: 37804522 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
Pheromones and olfactory communication play vital roles in sex recognition and mate choice in rodents. Asian house rats (Rattus tanezumi) (RT) often startle easily, making behavioral measurements difficult to carry out accurately in the laboratory. Here, the behavioral and olfactory preferences of the female RT between males and females were not observed using a conventional two-choice device; we then explored the neuro-immunohistochemical evidence in the brains of RT females. We found that male urine elicited significantly higher c-fos expression in the accessory olfactory system and sex-related brain regions in females than female urine did. On the other hand, the differences of volatile compounds and major urinary proteins (MUPs) in both voided urine and preputial glands (PGs) of the RT were detected using gas chromatography-mass spectrometer, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing electrophoresis, and liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. We found that PG-derived 1-(4,5-dihydro-2-thiazolyl)-ethanone and total MUPs were more abundant in males versus females, suggesting these sexually divergent components might activate the female's accessory olfactory system. In conclusion, the neuro-immunohistochemical evidence indicated that potential sex pheromones might exist in RT; however, the strength of the chemical signal might be too weak to cause behavioral responses in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weichao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jingru Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yaohua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jianxu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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3
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Zhang MY, Cao RD, Chen Y, Ma JC, Shi CM, Zhang YF, Zhang JX, Zhang YH. Genomic and Phenotypic Adaptations of Rattus tanezumi to Cold Limit Its Further Northward Expansion and Range Overlap with R. norvegicus. Mol Biol Evol 2024; 41:msae106. [PMID: 38829799 PMCID: PMC11184353 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msae106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Global climate change has led to shifts in the distribution ranges of many terrestrial species, promoting their migration from lower altitudes or latitudes to higher ones. Meanwhile, successful invaders have developed genetic adaptations enabling the colonization of new environments. Over the past 40 years, Rattus tanezumi (RT) has expanded into northern China (Northwest and North China) from its southern origins. We studied the cold adaptation of RT and its potential for northward expansion by comparing it with sympatric Rattus norvegicus (RN), which is well adapted to cold regions. Through population genomic analysis, we revealed that the invading RT rats have split into three distinct populations: the North, Northwest, and Tibetan populations. The first two populations exhibited high genetic diversity, while the latter population showed remarkably low genetic diversity. These rats have developed various genetic adaptations to cold, arid, hypoxic, and high-UV conditions. Cold acclimation tests revealed divergent thermoregulation between RT and RN. Specifically, RT exhibited higher brown adipose tissue activity and metabolic rates than did RN. Transcriptome analysis highlighted changes in genes regulating triglyceride catabolic processes in RT, including Apoa1 and Apoa4, which were upregulated, under selection and associated with local adaptation. In contrast, RN showed changes in carbohydrate metabolism genes. Despite the cold adaptation of RT, we observed genotypic and phenotypic constraints that may limit its ability to cope with severe low temperatures farther north. Consequently, it is less likely that RT rats will invade and overlap with RN rats in farther northern regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Yu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Rui-Dong Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jian-Cang Ma
- Zhangye Maize Stock Production Base, Zhangye 734024, Gansu, China
| | - Cheng-Min Shi
- College of Plant Protection, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, Hebei, China
| | - Yun-Feng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Jian-Xu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yao-Hua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, China
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4
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Mirkov I, Tucovic D, Kulas J, Malesevic A, Kataranovski D, Kataranovski M, Popov Aleksandrov A. Physiological strategies in wild rodents: immune defenses of commensal rats. Integr Zool 2024; 19:350-370. [PMID: 37814602 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
The importance of issues associated with urban/commensal rats and mice (property damage, management costs, and health risks) press upon research on these animals. While the demography of commensal rodents is mostly studied, the need for understanding factors influencing their natural morbidity/mortality is also stressed. In this respect, more attention is expected to be paid to immunity, the physiological mechanism of defense against host survival threats (pathogens, parasites, diseases). Commensal rats and mice carry numerous pathogens that evoke diverse immune responses. The state of immunity in commensal house mice is studied in great detail, owing to the use of laboratory strains in biomedical research. Because commensal rats are, compared to mice, carriers of more zoonotic agents, rats' immunity is studied mainly in that context. Some of these zoonotic agents cause chronic, asymptomatic infections, which justified studies of immunological mechanisms of pathogen tolerance versus clearance regulation in rats. Occurrence of some infections in specific tissues/organs pressed upon analysis of local/regional immune responses and/or immunopathology. A survey of immunological activity/responses in commensal rats is given in this review, with mention of existing data in commensal mice. It should throw some light on the factors relevant to their morbidity and lifespan, supplementing the knowledge of commensal rodent ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Mirkov
- Immunotoxicology Group, Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research "Sinisa Stankovic"-National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dina Tucovic
- Immunotoxicology Group, Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research "Sinisa Stankovic"-National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jelena Kulas
- Immunotoxicology Group, Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research "Sinisa Stankovic"-National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Anastasija Malesevic
- Immunotoxicology Group, Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research "Sinisa Stankovic"-National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dragan Kataranovski
- Immunotoxicology Group, Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research "Sinisa Stankovic"-National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milena Kataranovski
- Immunotoxicology Group, Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research "Sinisa Stankovic"-National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Aleksandra Popov Aleksandrov
- Immunotoxicology Group, Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research "Sinisa Stankovic"-National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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5
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Su Q, Chen Y, He H. Molecular evolution of Toll-like receptors in rodents. Integr Zool 2024; 19:371-386. [PMID: 37403417 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs), the key sensor molecules in vertebrates, trigger the innate immunity and prime the adaptive immune system. The TLR family of rodents, the largest order of mammals, typically contains 13 TLR genes. However, a clear picture of the evolution of the rodent TLR family has not yet emerged and the TLR evolutionary patterns are unclear in rodent clades. Here, we analyzed the natural variation and the evolutionary processes acting on the TLR family in rodents at both the interspecific and population levels. Our results showed that rodent TLRs were dominated by purifying selection, but a series of positively selected sites (PSSs) primarily located in the ligand-binding domain was also identified. The numbers of PSSs differed among TLRs, and nonviral-sensing TLRs had more PSSs than those in viral-sensing TLRs. Gene-conversion events were found between TLR1 and TLR6 in most rodent species. Population genetic analyses showed that TLR2, TLR8, and TLR12 were under positive selection in Rattus norvegicus and R. tanezumi, whereas positive selection also acted on TLR5 and TLR9 in the former species, as well as TLR1 and TLR7 in the latter species. Moreover, we found that the proportion of polymorphisms with potentially functional change was much lower in viral-sensing TLRs than in nonviral-sensing TLRs in both of these rat species. Our findings revealed the first thorough insight into the evolution of the rodent TLR genetic variability and provided important novel insights into the evolutionary history of TLRs over long and short timescales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Su
- College of Forestry, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, China
- National Research Center for Wildlife-Borne Diseases, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Chen
- College of Forestry, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Hongxuan He
- National Research Center for Wildlife-Borne Diseases, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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6
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Molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii among commensal rodents from the Sahiwal division, Punjab, Pakistan. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:299-306. [PMID: 36401141 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07729-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease in humans and animals caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Rodents not only act as intermediate hosts for T. gondii but are also a significant source of T. gondii infection for other hosts. There is limited information about the prevalence of this protozoan within rodents in Pakistan. The current study was conducted to determine the prevalence of T. gondii in commensal rodents as well as associated risk factors. A total of 236 rats including Rattus rattus and Rattus norvegicus were captured from three districts of the Sahiwal division in Punjab province, Pakistan. Brain samples were collected from each specimen. Data was gathered about rodent species, gender, age, location, districts, seasonality, and habitat type. PCR assays were used to screen for T. gondii from the brain samples. A Chi-square analysis was used to investigate the association between positive samples and risk factors. A total of 236 rodent spleen samples were examined for detection of the B1 and SAG3 genes of T. gondii DNA by conventional PCR, and 14 (5.9%) were positive. T. gondii prevalence was higher in R. norvegicus (8.2%) compared to R. rattus (4.6%). All risk factors were statistically non-significant. This study provides evidence of T. gondii in rodents in the Sahiwal division and indicates that other animals and humans are at risk of infection.
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7
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Jing M, Chen Y, Yao K, Wang Y, Huang L. Comparative phylogeography of two commensal rat species ( Rattus tanezumi and Rattus norvegicus) in China: Insights from mitochondrial DNA, microsatellite, and 2b-RAD data. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9409. [PMID: 36254297 PMCID: PMC9557235 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9409] [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: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Rattus norvegicus and Rattus tanezumi are dominant species of Chinese house rats, but the colonization and demographic history of two species in China have not been thoroughly explored. Phylogenetic analyses with mitochondrial DNA including 486 individuals from 31 localities revealed that R. norvegicus is widely distributed in China, R. tanezumi is mainly distributed in southern China with currently invading northward; northeast China was the natal region of R. norvegicus, while the spread of R. tanezumi in China most likely started from the southeast coast. A total of 123 individuals from 18 localities were subjected to 2b-RAD analyses. In neighbor-joining tree, individuals of R. tanezumi grouped into geographic-specific branches, and populations from southeast coast were ancestral groups, which confirmed the colonization route from southeast coast to central and western China. However, individuals of R. norvegicus were generally grouped into two clusters instead of geographic-specific branches. One cluster comprised inland populations, and another cluster included both southeast coast and inland populations, which indicated that spread history of R. norvegicus in China was complex; in addition to on-land colonization, shipping transportation also have played great roles. ADMIXTURE and principal component analyses provided further supports for the colonization history. Demographic analyses revealed that climate changes at ~40,000 to 18,000 years ago and ~4000 years ago had led to population declines of both species; the R. norvegicus declined rapidly while the population of R. tanezumi continuously expanded since ~1500 years ago, indicating the importance of interspecies' competition in their population size changes. Our study provided a valuable framework for further investigation on phylogeography of two species in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meidong Jing
- School of Life SciencesNantong UniversityNantongChina
| | - Yingjie Chen
- School of Life SciencesNantong UniversityNantongChina
| | - Keying Yao
- School of Life SciencesNantong UniversityNantongChina
| | - Youming Wang
- School of Life SciencesNantong UniversityNantongChina
| | - Ling Huang
- School of Life SciencesNantong UniversityNantongChina
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8
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Haemoplasma Prevalence and Diversity in Three Invasive Rattus Species from Gauteng Province, South Africa. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10081632. [PMID: 36014050 PMCID: PMC9413481 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10081632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive Rattus species are carriers of haemotropic Mycoplasmas (haemoplasmas) globally, but data from Africa are lacking. Using a PCR-sequencing approach, we assessed haemoplasma prevalence and diversity in kidney and buccal swabs collected from three invasive Rattus species (Rattus rattus, R. norvegicus and R. tanezumi) in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Whilst the overall sequence-confirmed haemoplasma prevalence was 38.4%, infection rates in R. rattus (58.3%) were significantly higher (χ2 = 12.96; df = 2; n = 99 p < 0.05) than for R. tanezumi (14.3%). Differences between host sex (χ2 = 3.59 × 10−31; df = 1; n = 99; p = 1.00) and age (χ2 = 4.28; df = 2; n = 99; p = 0.12) were not significant. Whilst buccal (1.01%) and ectoparasite positivity (2.13%) were low, these results suggest that multiple transmission routes are possible. Three phylogenetically distinct lineages, consistent with global rat-associated strains described to date, were detected, namely, ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemomuris subsp. Ratti’, and two Rattus-specific haemoplasmas that are yet to be formally described. These results expand the known distribution of invasive rat-associated haemoplasmas and highlight the potential for pathogen co-invasion of new territories together with invading rodent hosts.
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9
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Li K, Sommer S, Yang Z, Guo Y, Yue Y, Ozgul A, Wang D. Distinct body-size responses to warming climate in three rodent species. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20220015. [PMID: 35414239 PMCID: PMC9006008 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.0015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
In mammals, body-size responses to warming climates are diverse, and the mechanisms underlying these different responses have been little investigated. Using temporal and spatial datasets of three rodent species distributed across different climatic zones in China, we investigated temporal and spatial trends of body size (length and mass), identified the critical drivers of these trends, and inferred the potential causes underlying the distinct body-size responses to the critical drivers. We found that body mass of all species remained stable over time and across space. Body length, however, increased in one species over time and in two species across space. Generally, body-length variation was predicted best by minimum ambient temperature. Moreover, in two species, body length changed linearly with temperature differences between ancestral and colonization areas. These distinct temperature-length patterns may jointly be caused by species-specific temperature sensitivities and experienced magnitudes of warming. We hypothesize that species or populations distributed across distinct temperature gradients evolved different intrinsic temperature sensitivities, which affect how their body sizes respond to warming climates. Our results suggest that size trends associated with climate change should be explored at higher temporal and spatial resolutions, and include clades of species with similar distributions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Li
- College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, 2 Yuanmingyuan West Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, People's Republic of China.,College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, 2 Yuanmingyuan West Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, People's Republic of China
| | - Stefan Sommer
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Zaixue Yang
- Yuqing Plant Protection and Quarantine Station, Yuqing County, Guizhou 564400, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongwang Guo
- National Agro-tech Extension and Service Center, 20 Maizidian Avenue, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100026, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaxian Yue
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, 2 Yuanmingyuan West Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, People's Republic of China
| | - Arpat Ozgul
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Deng Wang
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, 2 Yuanmingyuan West Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, People's Republic of China
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10
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Chen Y, Hou G, Jing M, Teng H, Liu Q, Yang X, Wang Y, Qu J, Shi C, Lu L, Zhang J, Zhang Y. Genomic analysis unveils mechanisms of northward invasion and signatures of plateau adaptation in the Asian house rat. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:6596-6610. [PMID: 34564921 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The Asian house rat (AHR), Rattus tanezumi, has recently invaded the northern half of China. The AHR is a highly adaptive rat species that has also successfully conquered the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) and replaced the brown rat (BR), R. norvegicus, at the edge of the QTP. Here, we assembled a draft genome of the AHR and explored the mechanisms of its northward invasion and the genetic basis underlying plateau adaptation in this species. Population genomic analyses revealed that the northwardly invasive AHRs consisted of two independent and genetically distinct populations which might result from multiple independent primary invasion events. One invasive population exhibited reduced genetic diversity and distinct population structure compared with its source population, while the other displayed preserved genetic polymorphisms and little genetic differentiation from its source population. Genes involved in G-protein coupled receptors and carbohydrate metabolism may contribute to the local adaptation of northern AHRs. In particular, RTN4 was identified as a key gene for AHRs in the QTP that favours adaptation to high-altitude hypoxia. Coincidently, the physiological performance and transcriptome profiles of hypoxia-exposed rats both showed better hypoxia adaptation in AHRs than in BRs that failed to colonize the heart of the QTP, which may have facilitated the replacement of the BR population by the invading AHRs at the edge of the QTP. This study provides profound insights into the multiple origins of the northwardly invasive AHR and the great tolerance to hypoxia in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guanmei Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Meidong Jing
- School of Life Sciences, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Huajing Teng
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Quansheng Liu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xingen Yang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management in Agriculture, Institute of Plant Protection, Shanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Dongting Lake Station for Wetland Ecosystem Research, Key Laboratory of Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, China
| | - Jiapeng Qu
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qinghai, China
| | - Chengmin Shi
- College of Plant Protection, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Liang Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Jianxu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yaohua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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11
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Gao YW, Wan ZW, Wu Y, Li XF, Tang SX. PCR-based screening and phylogenetic analysis of rat pegivirus (RPgV) carried by rodents in China. J Vet Med Sci 2020; 82:1464-1471. [PMID: 32713889 PMCID: PMC7653312 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.19-0530] [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: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Rodent-borne pegiviruses were initially identified in serum samples from desert wood-rats in 2013, and subsequently in serum samples from commensal rats in 2014. However, the prevalence and phylogenetic characteristics of rodent pegiviruses in China are poorly understood. In this study, we screened serum samples collected from wild rats in southern China between 2015 and 2016 for the presence of rat pegivirus (RPgV) by PCR. Among the 314 serum samples from murine rodents (Rattus norvegicus, Rattus tanezumi, and Rattus losea) and house shrews (Suncus murinus), 21.66% (68/314) tested positive for RPgV. Out of these, 23.81% (62/219) of samples from R. norvegicus tested positive, which was significantly higher than that for the other species: 7.69% (1/13), 5.88% (2/34), and 6.25% (3/48) for R. tanezumi, R. losea, and S. murinus, respectively (χ2=18.91, P<0.001). Phylogenetic analysis revealed clustering of viral sequences in the main rodent clade. Analysis of the 3 near-full-length genome sequences of RPgV obtained in this study showed that these viruses exhibited mean nucleic acid and amino acid identities of 94.1% and 98.5% with Chinese RPgV strains, and 90.3 and 97.1% with an RPgV strain from the USA, respectively. This study provides novel insights into the geographic distribution of rodent pegiviruses in China, and identifies potential animal hosts for future studies of these pegiviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- You-Wen Gao
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou North Road Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Zheng-Wei Wan
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou North Road Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yue Wu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou North Road Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xiu-Fen Li
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou North Road Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Shing-Xing Tang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou North Road Guangzhou 510515, China
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12
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Su Q, Chen Y, Wang B, Huang C, Han S, Yuan G, Zhang Q, He H. Epidemiology and genetic diversity of zoonotic pathogens in urban rats (Rattus spp.) from a subtropical city, Guangzhou, southern China. Zoonoses Public Health 2020; 67:534-545. [PMID: 32452163 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Commensal rats (Rattus spp.), which are globally distributed, harbour many pathogens responsible for significant human diseases. Despite this, we have a poor understanding of the epidemiology and genetic diversity of some recently neglected zoonotic pathogens, such as Leptospira spp., Bartonella spp. and hepatitis E virus (HEV), which constitute a major public health threat. Thus, we surveyed the occurrences, co-infection and genetic diversity of these pathogens in 129 urban rats from China. For Rattus tanezumi, the prevalences of Leptospira spp., Bartonella spp. and HEV infection were 6.67%, 0% and 46.67%, respectively. The prevalences of Leptospira spp., Bartonella spp. and HEV infection were 57.89%, 9.65% and 57.89% for Rattus norvegicus respectively. Leptospira spp. and HEV infections were more likely to occur in mature R. norvegicus. Phylogenetic analyses showed that pathogenic Leptospira interrogans and Leptospira borgpetersenii might exist. We also found that Bartonella spp. showed high similarity to Bartonella elizabethae, Bartonella rochalimae and Bartonella tribocorum, which are implicated in human disease. Dual and triple infections were both detected. Moreover, dual infections with Leptospira spp. and HEV represented the most frequent co-infection, and there was a significantly positive association between them. High genetic diversity was observed in genes segments from Leptospira, Bartonella and HEV. Our results first discover the occurrence of multiple co-infections and genetic diversity of Leptospira, Bartonella and HEV in commensal rats from China. Altogether, the present study provides an insight into evaluating the risk of rat-borne zoonoses in urban China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Su
- National Research Center for Wildlife-Borne Diseases, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Chen
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Wang
- National Research Center for Wildlife-Borne Diseases, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chengmei Huang
- National Research Center for Wildlife-Borne Diseases, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shuyi Han
- National Research Center for Wildlife-Borne Diseases, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guohui Yuan
- National Research Center for Wildlife-Borne Diseases, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qingxun Zhang
- National Research Center for Wildlife-Borne Diseases, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hongxuan He
- National Research Center for Wildlife-Borne Diseases, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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13
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Su Q, Chen Y, Li M, Ma J, Wang B, Luo J, He H. Genetic Characterization and Molecular Evolution of Urban Seoul Virus in Southern China. Viruses 2019; 11:v11121137. [PMID: 31835357 PMCID: PMC6950471 DOI: 10.3390/v11121137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Seoul virus (SEOV), which causes hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in humans, has spread all over the world, especially in mainland China. Understanding basic mechanisms of SEOV evolution is essential to better combat and prevent viral diseases. Here, we examined SEOV prevalence and evolution in the residential area of four districts in Guangzhou city, China. The carriage of SEOV was observed in 33.33% of the sampled rodents, with 35.96% of the sampled Rattus norvegicus and 13.33% of R. tanezumi. Based on the comprehensive analyses of large (L), medium (M), and small (S) segments, our study first demonstrated that the genetic characterization of urban SEOV was shaped by high nucleotide substitution rates, purifying selection, and recombination. Additionally, we detected mutational saturation in the S segment of SEOV, which may lead to the biases of genetic divergence and substitution rates in our study. Importantly, we have filled the gap of SEOV evolution in the urban area. The genetic variation of SEOV may highlight the risk of HFRS, which merits further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Su
- National Research Center for Wildlife-Borne Diseases, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; (Q.S.); (M.L.); (J.M.); (B.W.); (J.L.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China;
| | - Yi Chen
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China;
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Meng Li
- National Research Center for Wildlife-Borne Diseases, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; (Q.S.); (M.L.); (J.M.); (B.W.); (J.L.)
| | - Jiajun Ma
- National Research Center for Wildlife-Borne Diseases, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; (Q.S.); (M.L.); (J.M.); (B.W.); (J.L.)
| | - Bo Wang
- National Research Center for Wildlife-Borne Diseases, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; (Q.S.); (M.L.); (J.M.); (B.W.); (J.L.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China;
| | - Jing Luo
- National Research Center for Wildlife-Borne Diseases, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; (Q.S.); (M.L.); (J.M.); (B.W.); (J.L.)
| | - Hongxuan He
- National Research Center for Wildlife-Borne Diseases, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; (Q.S.); (M.L.); (J.M.); (B.W.); (J.L.)
- Correspondence:
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14
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Liu S, Wei Y, Han X, Cai Y, Han Z, Zhang Y, Xu Y, Qi S, Li Q. Long-term retrospective observation reveals stabilities and variations of hantavirus infection in Hebei, China. BMC Infect Dis 2019; 19:765. [PMID: 31477045 PMCID: PMC6721381 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-019-4402-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is an emerging zoonotic infectious disease caused by hantaviruses which circulate worldwide. So far, it was still considered as one of serious public health problems in China. The present study aimed to reveal the stabilities and variations of hantavirus infection in Hebei province located in North China through a long-term retrospective observation. METHODS The epidemiological data of HFRS cases from all 11 cities of Hebei province since 1981 through 2016 were collected and descriptively analyzed. The rodent densities, species compositions and virus-carrying rates of different regions were collected from six separated rodent surveillance points which set up since 2007. The molecular diversity and phylogenetic relationship of hantaviruses circulating among rodents were analyzed based on partial viral glycoprotein gene. RESULTS HFRS cases have been reported every year in Hebei province, since the first local case was identified in 1981. The epidemic history can be artificially divided into three phases and a total of 55,507 HFRS cases with 374 deaths were reported during 1981-2016. The gender and occupational factors of susceptible population were invarible throughout, however age of that was gradually aging. The annual outbreak peak always present in spring, while the main epidemic region had gradully altered from south to northeast. Surveillance of rodents revealed that residential rodents significantly possessed higher density and virus-carring rate than field rodents. The house rat, Rattus norvegicus, was the dominant rodent species and Seoul virus S3 sub-genotype which is continued but slightly evolving perhaps to be the sole pathogen for local HFRS cases of Hebei province. CONCLUSIONS This long-term province-wide surveillance and epidemiological analysis has revealed the stabilities and variations of hantavirus infection in North China. In order to improve current prevention and control strategies of HFRS in China, all surveillance should be continuously enhanced and variations should be paid more attentions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyou Liu
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Pathogens and Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Hebei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 97 Huaian East Road, Shijiazhuang, 050021, Hebei, China
| | - Yamei Wei
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Pathogens and Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Hebei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 97 Huaian East Road, Shijiazhuang, 050021, Hebei, China
| | - Xu Han
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Pathogens and Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Hebei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 97 Huaian East Road, Shijiazhuang, 050021, Hebei, China
| | - Yanan Cai
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Pathogens and Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Hebei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 97 Huaian East Road, Shijiazhuang, 050021, Hebei, China
| | - Zhanying Han
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Pathogens and Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Hebei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 97 Huaian East Road, Shijiazhuang, 050021, Hebei, China
| | - Yanbo Zhang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Pathogens and Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Hebei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 97 Huaian East Road, Shijiazhuang, 050021, Hebei, China
| | - Yonggang Xu
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Pathogens and Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Hebei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 97 Huaian East Road, Shijiazhuang, 050021, Hebei, China
| | - Shunxiang Qi
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Pathogens and Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Hebei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 97 Huaian East Road, Shijiazhuang, 050021, Hebei, China
| | - Qi Li
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Pathogens and Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Hebei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 97 Huaian East Road, Shijiazhuang, 050021, Hebei, China.
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15
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Brunke J, Radespiel U, Russo IR, Bruford MW, Goossens B. Messing about on the river: the role of geographic barriers in shaping the genetic structure of Bornean small mammals in a fragmented landscape. CONSERV GENET 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-019-01159-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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16
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Zhao F, Zhang T, Su J, Huang Z, Wu A, Lin G. Genetic differentiation of the oriental rat flea, Xenopsylla cheopis, from two sympatric host species. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:343. [PMID: 29884224 PMCID: PMC5994103 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2903-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The oriental rat flea (Xenopsylla cheopis), which infests several mammals, primarily rats (Rattus spp.), is the most notorious vector of human plague. In this study, we measured the genetic differentiation among populations of fleas from the Asian house rat (Rattus tanezumi) and the brown rat (R. norvegicus) using microsatellite markers in order to investigate the extent of host-switching in this parasite. Results We developed 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci for our study, nine of which showed high potential for inbreeding. AMOVA showed that the majority (84.07%, P < 0.001) of the variation was derived from within populations, followed by variation among groups (14.96%, P < 0.001); in contrast, variation within groups of populations was nearly absent (0.97%, P > 0.05). Analyses of the pairwise fixation index revealed that most of the ten allopatric population pairs but none of the five sympatric population pairs were significantly differentiated. Moreover, based on genetic structure clustering analysis, there was obvious differentiation between allopatric populations but not between sympatric population pairs. Conclusions These results indicate the presence of frequent migrations of the oriental rat flea between the sympatric Asian house rat and brown rat, causing a high rate of gene flow and limited genetic differentiation. We suggest that there is no clear boundary limiting the migration of oriental rat fleas between the two hosts, and thus both rat species should be monitored equally for the purposes of plague prevention and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Jinggangshan University, Ji'an, 343009, China
| | - Tongzuo Zhang
- Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Ecological Genomics, Xining, 810001, China.,Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, 810001, China
| | - Jianping Su
- Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Ecological Genomics, Xining, 810001, China.,Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, 810001, China
| | - Zuhao Huang
- School of Life Sciences, Jinggangshan University, Ji'an, 343009, China
| | - Aiguo Wu
- Yunnan Institute of Endemic Disease Control and Prevention, Dali, 671000, China.
| | - Gonghua Lin
- Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Ecological Genomics, Xining, 810001, China. .,Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, 810001, China.
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