1
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Dickinson ER, Nwafor-Okoli C, Checkley SL, Elkin B, Branigan M, Serrano E, Kutz SJ. Direct and indirect costs of parasitism preceding a population decline of an Arctic ungulate. Sci Rep 2024; 14:17133. [PMID: 39054352 PMCID: PMC11272786 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-67904-y] [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: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Parasites negatively affect the fitness of ungulate hosts directly, and in wild ungulates, these effects may be synzootic with other stressors, such as limited nutritional resources. In the Arctic, muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) occur in a highly seasonal environment and must rely on finite energetic resources for survival and productivity. We investigated the costs of gastrointestinal nematodes on the body condition and reproductive status of 141 muskoxen, on Banks Island, Canada, when the population was at a peak in numbers and density. Using a Partial Least Squares Path Modelling approach, we found that high adult nematode abundance was associated with lower body condition, and high parasite abundance was associated with female reproduction including the indirect effect through on body condition (n = 87). These findings suggest that individuals prioritize energetic reserves for reproduction over parasite defence. In fall 2003, a severe icing event that restricted access to forage was associated with high overwinter mortality of muskoxen and a population crash. Through direct and indirect costs of parasite infection on body condition and reproduction, the high abundance of parasites may have contributed to the effects of this extreme weather event. Understanding the mechanisms in which parasites impact fitness can help explain the ecological drivers of ungulate populations and predict the interactions between the environment and populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor R Dickinson
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, 3280 University Drive, NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.
| | - Chinyere Nwafor-Okoli
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, 3280 University Drive, NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Sylvia L Checkley
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, 3280 University Drive, NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Brett Elkin
- Environment and Natural Resources, Government of the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife, NT, X1A 1Y3, Canada
| | - Marsha Branigan
- Environment and Natural Resources, Government of the Northwest Territories, Inuvik, NT, X0E 0T0, Canada
| | - Emmanuel Serrano
- Wildlife Ecology & Health Group (WE&H), Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Susan J Kutz
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, 3280 University Drive, NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
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2
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van Beest FM, Petersen HH, Krogh AK, Frederiksen ML, Schmidt NM, Hansson SV. Estimating parasite-condition relationships and potential health effects for fallow deer ( Dama dama) and red deer ( Cervus elaphus) in Denmark. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2023; 21:143-152. [PMID: 37215531 PMCID: PMC10196918 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.05.002] [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] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Parasites can exert a substantial influence on the ecology of wildlife populations by altering host condition. Our objectives were to estimate single and multiparasite-condition relationships for fallow deer (Dama dama) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Denmark and to assess potential health effects along the parasite burden gradient. Fallow deer hosted on average two endoparasite taxa per individual (min = 0, max = 5) while red deer carried on average five parasite taxa per individual (min = 2, max = 9). Body condition of both deer species was negatively related to presence of Trichuris ssp. eggs while body condition of red deer was positively related to antibodies of the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. For the remaining parasite taxa (n = 12), we either found weak or no apparent association between infection and deer body condition or low prevalence levels restricted formal testing. Importantly, we detected a strong negative relationship between body condition and the sum of endoparasite taxa carried by individual hosts, a pattern that was evident in both deer species. We did not detect systemic inflammatory reactions, yet serology revealed reduced total protein and iron concentrations with increased parasite load in both deer species, likely due to maldigestion of forage or malabsorption of nutrients. Despite moderate sample sizes, our study highlights the importance of considering multiparasitism when assessing body condition impacts in deer populations. Moreover, we show how serum chemistry assays are a valuable diagnostic tool to detect subtle and sub-clinical health impacts of parasitism, even at low-level infestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Floris M. van Beest
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej, 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Heidi H. Petersen
- Center for Diagnostics, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Anne K.H. Krogh
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Dyrlægevej 16, 1870, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | | | - Niels M. Schmidt
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej, 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Sophia V. Hansson
- Laboratoire Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement (UMR- 5245), CNRS, Université de Toulouse, Ave. de l'Agrobiopole, 31326 Castanet Tolosan, France
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3
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The influence of the host sex on parasitemia of parasite lineages belonging to Haemoproteus majoris in a natural bird community. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:895-901. [PMID: 36781472 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07793-8] [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: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Immunological capability shows a sexual dimorphism in diverse animal species. Females are generally more immunocompetent than males, leading to the higher susceptibility of males to infection compared to females and thus greater infection-related pathology in males. These sex-differences in immunity remain understudied in birds. Here, we compared the percentage of parasitemia of three different parasite lineages belonging to the morphological species Haemoproteus majoris (namely, PARUS1, PHSIB1 and WW2) in terms of the sex of birds living in a natural community. We found that parasitemia (percentage of erythrocytes infected with parasites) of WW2 lineage, but not of the other two lineages of H. majoris, is higher in male birds compared to female birds. Similarly, we showed that the total parasitemia of these three H. majoris lineages is higher in male birds compared to female birds. Our study points out that male birds at the community level may be more susceptible to infection by certain parasites than female birds. We propose that sexual dimorphism in parasitemia of certain parasites in host birds might be more common than previously thought, similar to what is observed in other species, influencing host population dynamics in a sex-specific manner. Therefore, it can be speculated that infection by certain parasites might differentially affect male and female birds, possibly resulting in a bias in survival rates between sexes due to infections, in certain contexts.
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4
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Aleuy OA, Gassó D, Tvarijonaviciute A, Risco D, Garcia W, Gonçalves P, Fernández-Llario P, Mentaberre G, Velarde R, Serrano E, Cuenca R. Tissue-specific assessment of oxidative status: Wild boar as a case study. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1089922. [PMID: 36950542 PMCID: PMC10025543 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1089922] [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: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, there has been a fast-growing interest in using biomarkers of oxidative stress (BOS) in conservation programs of many vertebrate species. Biomarkers of oxidative stress can be measured in different biological samples (e.g., body fluids and tissues). However, since comparisons of the same battery of BOS among tissues of the same individual are scarce in the literature, the chosen target tissues regularly rely on arbitrary decisions. Our research aimed to determine if the oxidative status of free-ranging wild boar (Sus scrofa) naturally infected with Mycobacterium spp (etiological agent of tuberculosis, TB), varies depending on the sample where it was quantified. We compared antioxidant p-nitrophenyl esterase activity (EA), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) concentrations, and total oxidative status (TOS) in serum, lung, spleen, kidney, and muscle of 63 wild boar hunter-harvested in central Spain. Biomarkers of oxidative stress in serum had higher concentrations than in other tissues. The poor agreement between serum and other tissues highlights the importance of running complete BOS assessments in the same fluid or tissue. Further, low concentrations of BOS in tissues of TB-affected individuals were observed, and significant differences between healthy and sick boar were only detected in the serum of individuals developing mild TB and in the muscle of individuals with mild or severe disease status. However, all organs from wild boars affected with mild TB were not in oxidative imbalance compared to healthy control animals, suggesting that wild boars may cope well with TB. Our data indicate that serum and other tissues can be used as BOS in field conservation programs to monitor wildlife population health. Still, context-specific validations are needed to determine the most appropriate samples to use.
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Affiliation(s)
- O. Alejandro Aleuy
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States
| | - Diana Gassó
- Wildlife Ecology and Health Group (WE&H), Departament de Ciència Animal, Escola Tècnica Superior d'Enginyeria Agrària (ETSEA), Universitat de Lleida (UdL), Lleida, Spain
| | - Asta Tvarijonaviciute
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - David Risco
- Innovación en Gestión y Conservación de Ungulados S.L., Cáceres, Spain
- Departamento de Medicina Animal, Faculta de Veterinaria, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Waldo Garcia
- Innovación en Gestión y Conservación de Ungulados S.L., Cáceres, Spain
| | - Pilar Gonçalves
- Innovación en Gestión y Conservación de Ungulados S.L., Cáceres, Spain
| | | | - Gregorio Mentaberre
- Wildlife Ecology and Health Group (WE&H), Departament de Ciència Animal, Escola Tècnica Superior d'Enginyeria Agrària (ETSEA), Universitat de Lleida (UdL), Lleida, Spain
| | - Roser Velarde
- Wildlife Health and Ecology Group (WE&H), Servei d' Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Emmanuel Serrano
- Wildlife Health and Ecology Group (WE&H), Servei d' Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
- *Correspondence: Emmanuel Serrano
| | - Rafaela Cuenca
- Wildlife Health and Ecology Group (WE&H), Servei d' Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
- Servei d'Hematologia Clínica Veterinaria (SHCV) – Veterinary Clinical Hematology Service, Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
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5
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Wesołowska A. Sex—the most underappreciated variable in research: insights from helminth-infected hosts. Vet Res 2022; 53:94. [PMID: 36397174 PMCID: PMC9672581 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-022-01103-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The sex of a host affects the intensity, prevalence, and severity of helminth infection. In many cases, one sex has been found to be more susceptible than the other, with the prevalence and intensity of helminth infections being generally higher among male than female hosts; however, many exceptions exist. This observed sex bias in parasitism results primarily from ecological, behavioural, and physiological differences between males and females. Complex interactions between these influences modulate the risk of infection. Indeed, an interplay among sex hormones, sex chromosomes, the microbiome and the immune system significantly contributes to the generation of sex bias among helminth-infected hosts. However, sex hormones not only can modulate the course of infection but also can be exploited by the parasites, and helminths appear to have developed molecules and pathways for this purpose. Furthermore, host sex may influence the efficacy of anti-helminth vaccines; however, although little data exist regarding this sex-dependent efficacy, host sex is known to influence the response to vaccines. Despite its importance, host sex is frequently overlooked in parasitological studies. This review focuses on the key contributors to sex bias in the case of helminth infection. The precise nature of the mechanisms/factors determining these sex-specific differences generally remains largely unknown, and this represents an obstacle in the development of control methods. There is an urgent need to identify any protective elements that could be targeted in future therapies to provide optimal disease management with regard to host sex. Hence, more research is needed into the impact of host sex on immunity and protection.
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Smiley RA, Wagler BL, LaSharr TN, Denryter KA, Stephenson TR, Courtemanch AB, Mong TW, Lutz D, McWhirter D, Brimeyer D, Hnilicka P, Lowrey B, Monteith KL. Heterogeneity in risk‐sensitive allocation of somatic reserves in a long‐lived mammal. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A. Smiley
- Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Physiology University of Wyoming Laramie Wyoming USA
| | - Brittany L. Wagler
- Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Physiology University of Wyoming Laramie Wyoming USA
| | - Tayler N. LaSharr
- Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Physiology University of Wyoming Laramie Wyoming USA
| | | | - Thomas R. Stephenson
- Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Recovery Program, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Bishop California USA
| | | | - Tony W. Mong
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department Cody Wyoming USA
| | - Daryl Lutz
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department Lander Wyoming USA
| | | | - Doug Brimeyer
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department Cheyenne Wyoming USA
| | | | - Blake Lowrey
- Fish and Wildlife Ecology and Management Program, Department of Ecology Montana State University Bozeman Montana USA
| | - Kevin L. Monteith
- Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Physiology University of Wyoming Laramie Wyoming USA
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7
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Shanebeck KM, Besson AA, Lagrue C, Green SJ. The energetic costs of sub-lethal helminth parasites in mammals: a meta-analysis. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2022; 97:1886-1907. [PMID: 35678252 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Parasites, by definition, have a negative effect on their host. However, in wild mammal health and conservation research, sub-lethal infections are commonly assumed to have negligible health effects unless parasites are present in overwhelming numbers. Here, we propose a definition for host health in mammals that includes sub-lethal effects of parasites on the host's capacity to adapt to the environment and maintain homeostasis. We synthesized the growing number of studies on helminth parasites in mammals to assess evidence for the relative magnitude of sub-lethal effects of infection across mammal taxa based on this expanded definition. Specifically, we develop and apply a framework for organizing disparate metrics of parasite effects on host health and body condition according to their impact on an animal's energetic condition, defined as the energetic burden of pathogens on host physiological and behavioural functions that relate directly to fitness. Applying this framework within a global meta-analysis of helminth parasites in wild, laboratory and domestic mammal hosts produced 142 peer-reviewed studies documenting 599 infection-condition effects. Analysing these data within a multiple working hypotheses framework allowed us to evaluate the relative weighted contribution of methodological (study design, sampling protocol, parasite quantification methods) and biological (phylogenetic relationships and host/parasite life history) moderators to variation in the magnitude of health effects. We found consistently strong negative effects of infection on host energetic condition across taxonomic groups, with unusually low heterogeneity in effect sizes when compared with other ecological meta-analyses. Observed effect size was significantly lower within cross-sectional studies (i.e. observational studies that investigated a sub-set of a population at a single point in time), the most prevalent methodology. Furthermore, opportunistic sampling led to a weaker negative effect compared to proactive sampling. In the model of host taxonomic group, the effect of infection on energetic condition in carnivores was not significant. However, when sampling method was included, it explained substantial inter-study variance; proactive sampling showing a strongly significant negative effect while opportunistic sampling detected only a weak, non-significant effect. This may partly underlie previous assumptions that sub-lethal parasites do not have significant effects on host health. We recommend future studies adopt energetic condition as the framework for assessing parasite effects on wildlife health and provide guidelines for the selection of research protocols, health proxies, and relating infection to fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle M Shanebeck
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, 11455 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Anne A Besson
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, 340 Great King Street, Dunedin, 9016, New Zealand
| | - Clement Lagrue
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, 11455 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Zoology, University of Otago, 340 Great King Street, Dunedin, 9016, New Zealand.,Department of Conservation, 265 Princes Street, Dunedin, 9016, New Zealand
| | - Stephanie J Green
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, 11455 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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8
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Zajkowska P, Mąkol J. Parasitism, seasonality, and diversity of trombiculid mites (Trombidiformes: Parasitengona, Trombiculidae) infesting bats (Chiroptera) in Poland. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2022; 86:1-20. [PMID: 34877618 PMCID: PMC8702504 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-021-00683-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The study aims to ascertain the diversity of trombiculid species associated with Chiroptera in Poland, and for the first time in the case of research on Central European Trombiculidae, we use both DNA and morphology in an integrative taxonomic approach to determine species identities of trombiculids. The research was carried out from 2015 to 2019. In total, 2725 larvae were collected from 300 specimens of bats belonging to 11 species. Deutonymphs were obtained through laboratory rearing of larvae; few larvae and deutonymphs were collected also from bats' daily roosts. The presence of trombiculid larvae on hosts was observed between July and April of the following year, with the highest numbers recorded in autumn, during bat swarming. Male bats were infested more often than females (16.4 vs. 6.6%). The highest infestation rate was recorded for Barbastella barbastellus, Myotis nattereri and Plecotus auritus, and the highest prevalence of chiggers (> 30%) for Myotis bechsteinii and P. auritus. The larvae found on bats occupied the areas with free access to the host's skin: auricles, tragus, and snout. Morphological identification of specimens to the species level was hindered by the mosaic distribution of diagnostic traits. Morphological analyses indicated the presence of Leptotrombidium russicum and Leptotrombidium spp. in the examined material, whereas molecular analyses additionally suggested three other potential species assigned to the same genus based on the assessed scope of intrageneric variation (ASAP method). We argue that the identification of the parasitic larvae (chiggers) using morphological characters does not address the question of actual species boundaries, which, in turn, affects the inferences about host specificity and host range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Zajkowska
- Department of Invertebrate Systematics and Ecology, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Kożuchowska 5b, 51-631, Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Joanna Mąkol
- Department of Invertebrate Systematics and Ecology, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Kożuchowska 5b, 51-631, Wrocław, Poland
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9
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Logging effects on parasitic infections in a swamp rat (Malacomys edwardsi) in West Africa. J Mammal 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyab159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Habitat disturbance can have negative impacts on biodiversity, such as reducing species richness. The effects of habitat disturbances on parasite infections of host species, potentially altering their survival rate and thus abundance, are less well known. We examined the influence of forest logging in combination with seasonality, host abundance, host body condition, and host sex, on the community composition of gastrointestinal parasites infecting Edward’s swamp rat, Malacomys edwardsi. Community composition of parasites did not differ between logged and undisturbed sites, but the abundance of some nematodes (i.e., Ascaris and hookworm) was higher in undisturbed than logged sites. The higher abundance of these nematode species implies a changed host-parasite relationship, thus potentially influencing host persistence.
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10
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Beaumelle C, Redman EM, de Rijke J, Wit J, Benabed S, Debias F, Duhayer J, Pardonnet S, Poirel MT, Capron G, Chabot S, Rey B, Yannic G, Gilleard JS, Bourgoin G. Metabarcoding in two isolated populations of wild roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) reveals variation in gastrointestinal nematode community composition between regions and among age classes. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:594. [PMID: 34863264 PMCID: PMC8642965 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05087-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Gastrointestinal nematodes are ubiquitous for both domestic and wild ungulates and have varying consequences for health and fitness. They exist as complex communities of multiple co-infecting species, and we have a limited understanding of how these communities vary in different hosts, regions and circumstances or of how this affects their impacts. Methods We have undertaken ITS2 rDNA nemabiome metabarcoding with next-generation sequencing on populations of nematode larvae isolated from 149 fecal samples of roe deer of different sex and age classes in the two isolated populations of Chizé and Trois Fontaines in France not co-grazing with any domestic ungulate species. Results We identified 100 amplified sequence variants (ASVs) that were assigned to 14 gastrointestinal nematode taxa overall at either genus (29%) or species (71%) level. These taxa were dominated by parasites classically found in cervids—e.g. Ostertagia leptospicularis, Spiculopteragia spp. Higher parasite species diversity was present in the Trois Fontaines population than in the Chizé population including the presence of species more typically seen in domestic livestock (Haemonchus contortus, Bunostomum sp., Cooperia punctata, Teladorsagia circumcincta). No differences in parasite species diversity or community composition were seen in the samples collected from three zones of differing habitat quality within the Chizé study area. Young roe deer hosted the highest diversity of gastrointestinal nematodes, with more pronounced effects of age apparent in Trois Fontaines. The effect of host age differed between gastrointestinal nematode species, e.g. there was little effect on O. leptospicularis but a large effect on Trichostrongylus spp. No effect of host sex was detected in either site. Conclusions The presence of some livestock parasite species in the Trois Fontaines roe deer population was unexpected given the isolation of this population away from grazing domestic livestock since decades. Overall, our results illustrate the influence of host traits and the local environment on roe deer nemabiome and demonstrate the power of the nemabiome metabarcoding approach to elucidate the composition of gastrointestinal nematode communities in wildlife. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-05087-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Beaumelle
- Université Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR 5558, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Université de Lyon, 69100, Villeurbanne, France. .,Université Grenoble Alpes, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, 38000, Grenoble, France.
| | - Elizabeth M Redman
- Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Host-Parasites Interactions Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Jill de Rijke
- Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Host-Parasites Interactions Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Janneke Wit
- Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Host-Parasites Interactions Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Slimania Benabed
- Université Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR 5558, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Université de Lyon, 69100, Villeurbanne, France.,VetAgro Sup, Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, Université de Lyon, 69280, Marcy l'Etoile, France
| | - François Debias
- Université Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR 5558, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Université de Lyon, 69100, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Jeanne Duhayer
- Université Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR 5558, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Université de Lyon, 69100, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Sylvia Pardonnet
- Université Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR 5558, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Université de Lyon, 69100, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Marie-Thérèse Poirel
- Université Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR 5558, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Université de Lyon, 69100, Villeurbanne, France.,VetAgro Sup, Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, Université de Lyon, 69280, Marcy l'Etoile, France
| | - Gilles Capron
- Office Français de la Biodiversité, 75008, Paris, France
| | | | - Benjamin Rey
- Université Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR 5558, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Université de Lyon, 69100, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Glenn Yannic
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - John S Gilleard
- Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Host-Parasites Interactions Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Gilles Bourgoin
- Université Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR 5558, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Université de Lyon, 69100, Villeurbanne, France.,VetAgro Sup, Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, Université de Lyon, 69280, Marcy l'Etoile, France
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11
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Corlatti L, Lorenzetti C, Bassano B. Parasitism and alternative reproductive tactics in Northern chamois. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:8749-8758. [PMID: 31410277 PMCID: PMC6686307 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternative reproductive tactics (ARTs), discrete phenotypic variations evolved to maximize fitness, may entail different cost-benefit trade-offs. In large mammals, differences in costs associated with ARTs-including energy expenditure and parasite infection-are typically greatest during the breeding season. Nonetheless, physiological and behavioral differences between ARTs can manifest throughout the year, possibly involving costs that may contribute to maintain ARTs within populations. Using the number of nematode larvae per gram of feces (LPG) as a proxy, we explored the temporal changes in lung parasite infection in territorial and nonterritorial male chamois Rupicapra in the Gran Paradiso National Park (Italy), between 2011 and 2012. We aimed to identify which tactic-specific physiological and behavioral features (including age, hormonal levels, inter- and intrasexual interactions, and space use) or climatic factors (temperature and precipitation) best explained yearly variation in parasite infection within and between ARTs. Generalized additive mixed models showed that the fecal larval counts of lung nematodes underwent strong temporal changes in both male types. Differences between ARTs (with higher LPG values in territorial than nonterritorial males) were greatest during the rut and-to a lesser extent-in spring, respectively, at the peak and at the onset of territoriality. The difference in LPG between tactics was largely explained by the greater levels of hormone metabolites in territorial males during the rut. The other variables did not contribute significantly to explain the different shedding of larvae within and between ARTs. Our analysis suggests that different values of LPG between territorial and nonterritorial males are largely a result of tactic-specific differences in the secretion of hormone metabolites, but only during the rut. To clarify whether rut-related parasitism contributes to the maintenance of ARTs, tactic-specific life history trade-offs, for example, between reproduction and parasite-related mortality, must be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Corlatti
- Wildlife Ecology and ManagementUniversity of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
| | | | - Bruno Bassano
- Alpine Wildlife Research CentreGran Paradiso National ParkValsavarencheItaly
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Pareja-Carrera J, Rodríguez-Estival J, Martinez-Haro M, Ortiz JA, Mateo R. Age-dependent changes in essential elements and oxidative stress biomarkers in blood of red deer and vulnerability to nutritional deficiencies. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 626:340-348. [PMID: 29353781 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.01.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Revised: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Changes in the concentration of circulating essential elements in animals over life may be indicative of periods of vulnerability to deficiencies and associated diseases. Here we studied age-related variations in essential elements (Se, Cu, Zn and Mn) and some selected oxidative stress biomarkers (GPx, SOD, vitamin A and vitamin E) in blood of an Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) population living in semicaptive conditions. Animals during their first year of life showed to be especially vulnerable to suffer Se- and Cu-related diseases and disorders. Older female deer had lower blood levels of Zn and Mn, which was accompanied by a lower blood SOD activity. On the contrary, GPx blood activity was elevated in older deer, which may help to compensate the reduction of other antioxidants with during aging. Age-related changes in GPx and SOD and their positive relationships with the essential elements suggest that the observed nutritional deficiencies at certain age stages may have a detrimental effect on the antioxidant system, increasing the risk of oxidative stress. Thus, the biomarkers used in the present study may be important tools for the subclinical diagnosis of nutritional disorders and diseases related to the generation of oxidative stress in both domestic and wild ungulates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Pareja-Carrera
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC - CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain(1).
| | - Jaime Rodríguez-Estival
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC - CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain(1); Azeral Environmental Sciences, STIPA & AZERAL Environmental Services, S. L., C/ Hermanos Valdés 4 (1° B), 16001 Cuenca, Spain(2)
| | - Mónica Martinez-Haro
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC - CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain(1)
| | - José A Ortiz
- Grupo Netco Medianilla S. L., Crta. Vejer-Benalup Km 7, Las Lomas 11179, Vejer de la Frontera, Cádiz, Spain.
| | - Rafael Mateo
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC - CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain(1).
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Merlo JL, Cutrera AP, Kittlein MJ, Zenuto RR. Individual condition and inflammatory response to PHA in the subterranean rodent Ctenomys talarum (Talas tuco-tuco): A multivariate approach. Mamm Biol 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2018.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Aleuy OA, Ruckstuhl K, Hoberg EP, Veitch A, Simmons N, Kutz SJ. Diversity of gastrointestinal helminths in Dall's sheep and the negative association of the abomasal nematode, Marshallagia marshalli, with fitness indicators. PLoS One 2018. [PMID: 29538393 PMCID: PMC5851548 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal helminths can have a detrimental effect on the fitness of wild ungulates. Arctic and Subarctic ecosystems are ideal for the study of host-parasite interactions due to the comparatively simple ecological interactions and limited confounding factors. We used a unique dataset assembled in the early seventies to study the diversity of gastrointestinal helminths and their effect on fitness indicators of Dall’s sheep, Ovis dalli dalli, in the Mackenzie Mountains, Northwest Territories, Canada. Parasite diversity included nine species, among which the abomasal nematode Marshallagia marshalli occurred with the highest prevalence and infection intensity. The intensity of M. marshalli increased with age and was negatively associated with body condition and pregnancy status in Dall’s sheep across all the analyses performed. The intensity of the intestinal whipworm, Trichuris schumakovitschi, decreased with age. No other parasites were significantly associated with age, body condition, or pregnancy. Our study suggests that M. marshalli might negatively influence fitness of adult female Dall’s sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- O. Alejadro Aleuy
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Kathreen Ruckstuhl
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Eric P. Hoberg
- Museum of Southwestern Biology and Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Alburquerque, NM, United States of America
| | | | - Norman Simmons
- Producers of Diamond Willow, Pincher Creek, Alberta, Canada
| | - Susan J. Kutz
- Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
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Norte AC, Costantini D, Araújo PM, Eens M, Ramos JA, Heylen D. Experimental infection by microparasites affects the oxidative balance in their avian reservoir host the blackbird Turdus merula. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2018; 9:720-729. [PMID: 29478884 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Revised: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
By draining resources, microparasites can negatively affect the host fitness, which in turn can result in reduced transmission when virulence leads to reductions in host population size. Therefore, for a microparasite to persist in nature, the level of harm it can do to its host is expected to be limited. We tested this hypothesis for tick-borne Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) infections in the blackbird Turdus merula, one of the most important avian reservoir hosts in Europe. Experimental and observational data were combined to examine the physiological effects caused by B. burgdorferi s.l. infection in blackbirds. Pathogen-free blackbirds were exposed to B. burgdorferi s.l.-infected Ixodes ricinus and I. frontalis nymphs, and compared with a control group (exposed to naïve laboratory-derived I. ricinus nymphs). Their physiological status was evaluated before and after infection with B. burgdorferi s.l., through a set of immunological (erythrocyte sedimentation rate, haptoglobin, white blood cell count and heterophil/lymphocyte ratio), oxidative stress (glutathione peroxidase activity, protein carbonyls and nitric oxide) and general body condition variables (body condition, glucose and haematocrit). Infected males showed higher levels of oxidative damage to proteins (increased levels of protein carbonyls), decreased glutathione peroxidase activity and increased body mass. Infected females had higher levels of glutathione peroxidase activity after infection by B. burgdorferi s.l. than the control group. No significant effects of B. burgdorferi s.l. infection were detected on erythrocyte sedimentation rate, haptoglobin, heterophil/lymphocyte ratio, nitric oxide, glucose and haematocrit. The first experimental study on the effects of B. burgdorferi s.l. on its avian reservoir hosts shows that these bacteria may inflict non-negligible physiological costs. We speculate that during energetically demanding periods, these physiological costs may reduce host fitness and affect pathogen transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cláudia Norte
- Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Vector and Infectious Diseases Research, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - David Costantini
- Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium; UMR 7221 CNRS/MNHN, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, ComEU Sorbonnes Universités, 7 rue Cuvier, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Pedro Miguel Araújo
- Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Marcel Eens
- Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Jaime Albino Ramos
- Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Dieter Heylen
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
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