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Au WC, Dures SG, Ishida Y, Green CE, Zhao K, Ogden R, Roca AL. Lion Localizer: A software tool for inferring the provenance of lions (Panthera leo) using mitochondrial DNA. J Hered 2024; 115:166-172. [PMID: 37952226 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esad072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The illegal poaching of lions for their body parts poses a severe threat to lion populations across Africa. Poaching accounts for 35% of all human-caused lion deaths, with 51% attributed to retaliatory killings following livestock predation. In nearly half of the retaliatory killings, lion body parts are removed, suggesting that high demand for lion body parts may fuel killings attributed to human-lion conflict. Trafficked items are often confiscated in transit or destination countries far from their country of origin. DNA from lion parts may in some cases be the only available means for examining their geographic origins. In this paper, we present the Lion Localizer, a full-stack software tool that houses a comprehensive database of lion mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences sourced from previously published studies. The database covers 146 localities from across the African continent and India, providing information on the potential provenance of seized lion body parts. Lion mtDNA sequences of 350 or 1,140 bp corresponding to the cytochrome b region can be generated from lion products and queried against the Lion Localizer database. Using the query sequence, the Lion Localizer generates a listing of exact or partial matches, which are displayed on an interactive map of Africa. This allows for the rapid identification of potential regions and localities where lions have been or are presently being targeted by poachers. By examining the potential provenance of lion samples, the Lion Localizer serves as a valuable resource in the fight against lion poaching. The software is available at https://lionlocalizer.org.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesley C Au
- School of Information Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, United States
| | - Simon G Dures
- TRACE Wildlife Forensics Network, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Yasuko Ishida
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Cory E Green
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Kai Zhao
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Rob Ogden
- TRACE Wildlife Forensics Network, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Alfred L Roca
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
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Bom HASC, Lima TS, C Fonseca SM, Silva Filho GB, Wicpolt NS, L Araújo J, Souza DS, Silva MA, Murphy BG, Asin J, Uzal FA, Mendonça FS, Henderson EE. Gingival squamous cell carcinoma in 2 lions under managed care. J Vet Diagn Invest 2024:10406387241236748. [PMID: 38465898 DOI: 10.1177/10406387241236748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Neoplasia is one of the main causes of euthanasia in geriatric captive nondomestic felids. However, few studies have examined oral tumors in these animals. We describe here the clinicopathologic features of gingival squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in 2 lions (Panthera leo) from separate zoologic collections. In both cases, the lions had a history of sialorrhea, bloody oral discharge, and anorexia. Autopsy findings in both lions were similar and were characterized by poorly circumscribed, friable, and bloody gingival masses with grossly apparent invasion of the mandibular bone; a pathologic fracture was observed in 1 case. Histologically, the masses consisted of poorly circumscribed, unencapsulated, densely cellular proliferations of neoplastic epithelial cells arranged in irregular islands, cords, and anastomosing trabeculae with formation of keratin pearls, which, coupled with positive immunohistochemistry for pancytokeratin, were diagnostic for SCC. Although no metastases were found in either animal, both lions were ultimately euthanized because of poor prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisadora A S C Bom
- Laboratory of Animal Diagnosis, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Telma S Lima
- Laboratory of Animal Diagnosis, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Silvio M C Fonseca
- Laboratory of Animal Diagnosis, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Givaldo B Silva Filho
- Laboratory of Animal Diagnosis, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Nathalia S Wicpolt
- Laboratory of Animal Diagnosis, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Jeann L Araújo
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Areia, PB, Brazil
| | | | | | - Brian G Murphy
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, CA, USA
| | - Javier Asin
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, San Bernardino Branch, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, CA, USA
| | - Francisco A Uzal
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, San Bernardino Branch, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, CA, USA
| | - Fábio S Mendonça
- Laboratory of Animal Diagnosis, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, San Bernardino Branch, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, CA, USA
| | - Eileen E Henderson
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, San Bernardino Branch, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, CA, USA
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Metcalfe A, Dennis MM, Ramsay EC, Cushing A. Spinal disease in a captive population of Panthera species: Review of 86 cases (2003-2021). Vet Pathol 2024; 61:248-255. [PMID: 37818973 DOI: 10.1177/03009858231203313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
This retrospective study aimed to characterize and determine the prevalence of spinal disease in nondomestic felids within a sanctuary population. A review of 304 postmortem examination reports in Panthera species from 2003 to 2021 revealed that 86/304 (28%) were diagnosed with spinal disease. Spinal lesions were categorized according to pathologic process: degenerative (78/86, 91%), developmental (8/86, 9%), inflammatory (6/86, 7%), or neoplastic (8/86, 9%). Degenerative lesions included intervertebral disk disease (IVDD; 66/78, 85%), spondylosis without concurrent IVDD (4/78, 5%), and idiopathic (noncompressive) degenerative myelopathies (8/78, 10%). Fourteen individuals had lesions in more than 1 category. Developmental cases were vertebral (4/8) or spinal cord (3/8) malformations or both (1/8). Inflammatory lesions included meningitis (4/6) and meningomyelitis (2/6). Neoplasia included vertebral multiple myeloma (4/8) and others (4/8). IVDD often involved multiple disks but primarily affected the cervical (41/66, 62%) and thoracic spine (32/66, 48%). A multivariate binary logistic model predicted the diagnosis of IVDD at postmortem examination, where odds of being affected were highest for males, lions (Panthera leo), and geriatric age group (>14 years). The spinal lesions documented in this study provide insight into high-risk signalment categories and predominant associated lesions affecting captive Panthera populations. Specifically, spinal disease, especially cervical IVDD, is common among Panthera species, and lions, males, and older felids are at increased risk.
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Walker R, Cope I, d'Ovidio D, Adami C. Current practice for the chemical immobilisation of non-domestic feline species: An online survey study. Vet Rec 2024; 194:e3666. [PMID: 37990755 DOI: 10.1002/vetr.3666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Safe chemical immobilisation of wild felids is essential for both conservational management and clinical purposes. However, little is known about drug protocols and current practice. METHODS This study was designed as an online survey based on a questionnaire. Descriptive/correlation statistics and analysis of proportions were used for data analysis. RESULTS The preferred immobilisation technique was the use of darts (37% of the respondents), while the most popular drug combination was a mixture of benzodiazepines, alpha-2 adrenoreceptor agonists and dissociative anaesthetics (27%). The inclusion of ketamine in the drug mixture was associated with a quicker anaesthetic onset, as estimated by the participants (p < 0.001). Common complications were prolonged recovery (46%), bradycardia (35%), hypoventilation (32%), hypothermia (26%) and arousal (26%). Commonly encountered problems were inappropriate equipment (39%), lack of suitable drugs (27%) and inadequate knowledge of species-specific pharmacology (29%) and physiology (24%). LIMITATIONS Incomplete adherence to the Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys is acknowledged. CONCLUSIONS Drug protocols including both alpha-2 adrenoreceptor agonists and dissociative anaesthetics are preferred in wild felids, and the inclusion of ketamine may be useful to achieve a quick onset. Equipment/drug availability and species-specific knowledge are potential areas of improvement to improve wild felid anaesthesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Walker
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | - Chiara Adami
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Montgomery TM, Lehmann KDS, Gregg S, Keyser K, McTigue LE, Beehner JC, Holekamp KE. Determinants of hyena participation in risky collective action. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20231390. [PMID: 38018101 PMCID: PMC10685128 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.1390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Collective action problems arise when cooperating individuals suffer costs of cooperation, while the benefits of cooperation are received by both cooperators and defectors. We address this problem using data from spotted hyenas fighting with lions. Lions are much larger and kill many hyenas, so these fights require cooperative mobbing by hyenas for them to succeed. We identify factors that predict when hyena groups engage in cooperative fights with lions, which individuals choose to participate and how the benefits of victory are distributed among cooperators and non-cooperators. We find that cooperative mobbing is better predicted by lower costs (no male lions, more hyenas) than higher benefits (need for food). Individual participation is facilitated by social factors, both over the long term (close kin, social bond strength) and the short term (greeting interactions prior to cooperation). Finally, we find some direct benefits of participation: after cooperation, participants were more likely to feed at contested carcasses than non-participants. Overall, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that, when animals face dangerous cooperative dilemmas, selection favours flexible strategies that are sensitive to dynamic factors emerging over multiple time scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy M. Montgomery
- Department of Integrative Biology and Program in Ecology, Evolution, and behavior, Michigan State University, 288 Farm Lane, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Mara Hyena Project, PO Box 164-00502, Karen, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies, Max Planck Institute for Animal Behavior, Bücklestraße 5a, 78467 Konstanz, Germany
- Center for the Advanced Study of Collective Behavior, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78464 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Kenna D. S. Lehmann
- Department of Integrative Biology and Program in Ecology, Evolution, and behavior, Michigan State University, 288 Farm Lane, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Human Biology Program, Michigan State University, 288 Farm Lane, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Mara Hyena Project, PO Box 164-00502, Karen, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Samantha Gregg
- Department of Integrative Biology and Program in Ecology, Evolution, and behavior, Michigan State University, 288 Farm Lane, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Kathleen Keyser
- Department of Integrative Biology and Program in Ecology, Evolution, and behavior, Michigan State University, 288 Farm Lane, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Leah E. McTigue
- Department of Integrative Biology and Program in Ecology, Evolution, and behavior, Michigan State University, 288 Farm Lane, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Rocky Mountain Research Station, Colorado State University, 240 W Prospect St, Fort Collins, CO 80525, USA
| | - Jacinta C. Beehner
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, 530 Church Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Anthropology, University of Michigan, 1085 South University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Kay E. Holekamp
- Department of Integrative Biology and Program in Ecology, Evolution, and behavior, Michigan State University, 288 Farm Lane, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Mara Hyena Project, PO Box 164-00502, Karen, Nairobi, Kenya
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Tewari D, Miller R, Livengood J, Wang L, Killian ML, Bustamante F, Kessler C, Thirumalapura N, Terio K, Torchetti M, Lantz K, Rosenberg J. SARS-CoV-2 Infection Dynamics in the Pittsburgh Zoo Wild Felids with Two Viral Variants (Delta and Alpha) during the 2021-2022 Pandemic in the United States. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3094. [PMID: 37835700 PMCID: PMC10571823 DOI: 10.3390/ani13193094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been reported in multiple animal species besides humans. The goal of this study was to report clinical signs, infection progression, virus detection and antibody response in a group of wild felids housed in adjacent but neighboring areas at the Pittsburgh Zoo. Initially, five African lions (Panthera leo krugeri) housed together exhibited respiratory clinical signs with viral shedding in their feces in March of 2021 coinciding with infection of an animal keeper. During the second infection wave in December 2021, four Amur tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) and a Canadian lynx (Lynx canadensis) showed clinical signs and tested positive for viral RNA in feces. In infected animals, viral shedding in feces was variable lasting up to 5 weeks and clinical signs were observed for up to 4 weeks. Despite mounting an antibody response to initial exposure, lions exhibited respiratory clinical signs during the second infection wave, but none shed the virus in their feces. The lions were positive for alpha variant (B.1.1.7 lineage) during the first wave and the tiger and lynx were positive for delta variant (AY.25.1. lineage) during the second wave. The viruses recovered from felids were closely related to variants circulating in human populations at the time of the infection. Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) in the park did not show either the clinical signs or the antibody response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepanker Tewari
- Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Harrisburg, PA 17110, USA (J.L.); (F.B.); (N.T.)
| | - Ryan Miller
- Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Harrisburg, PA 17110, USA (J.L.); (F.B.); (N.T.)
| | - Julia Livengood
- Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Harrisburg, PA 17110, USA (J.L.); (F.B.); (N.T.)
| | - Leyi Wang
- Illinois Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61802, USA;
| | - Mary Lea Killian
- National Veterinary Services Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA 50010, USA; (M.L.K.); (M.T.); (K.L.)
| | - Felipe Bustamante
- Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Harrisburg, PA 17110, USA (J.L.); (F.B.); (N.T.)
| | - Candy Kessler
- Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Harrisburg, PA 17110, USA (J.L.); (F.B.); (N.T.)
| | - Nagaraja Thirumalapura
- Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Harrisburg, PA 17110, USA (J.L.); (F.B.); (N.T.)
| | - Karen Terio
- Zoological Pathology Program, University of Illinois, Brookfield, IL 60513, USA;
| | - Mia Torchetti
- National Veterinary Services Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA 50010, USA; (M.L.K.); (M.T.); (K.L.)
| | - Kristina Lantz
- National Veterinary Services Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA 50010, USA; (M.L.K.); (M.T.); (K.L.)
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de le Roi M, Puff C, Wohlsein P, Pfaff F, Beer M, Baumgärtner W, Rubbenstroth D. Rustrela Virus as Putative Cause of Nonsuppurative Meningoencephalitis in Lions. Emerg Infect Dis 2023; 29:1042-1045. [PMID: 37081716 PMCID: PMC10124629 DOI: 10.3201/eid2905.230172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Retrospective investigation of archived tissue samples from 3 lions displaying nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis and vasculitis led to the detection of rustrela virus (RusV). We confirmed RusV antigen and RNA in cortical neurons, axons, astrocytes and Purkinje cells by reverse transcription quantitative PCR, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization.
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Salis AT, Bray SCE, Lee MSY, Heiniger H, Barnett R, Burns JA, Doronichev V, Fedje D, Golovanova L, Harington CR, Hockett B, Kosintsev P, Lai X, Mackie Q, Vasiliev S, Weinstock J, Yamaguchi N, Meachen JA, Cooper A, Mitchell KJ. Lions and brown bears colonized North America in multiple synchronous waves of dispersal across the Bering Land Bridge. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:6407-6421. [PMID: 34748674 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The Bering Land Bridge connecting North America and Eurasia was periodically exposed and inundated by oscillating sea levels during the Pleistocene glacial cycles. This land connection allowed the intermittent dispersal of animals, including humans, between Western Beringia (far northeast Asia) and Eastern Beringia (northwest North America), changing the faunal community composition of both continents. The Pleistocene glacial cycles also had profound impacts on temperature, precipitation and vegetation, impacting faunal community structure and demography. While these palaeoenvironmental impacts have been studied in many large herbivores from Beringia (e.g., bison, mammoths, horses), the Pleistocene population dynamics of the diverse guild of carnivorans present in the region are less well understood, due to their lower abundances. In this study, we analyse mitochondrial genome data from ancient brown bears (Ursus arctos; n = 103) and lions (Panthera spp.; n = 39), two megafaunal carnivorans that dispersed into North America during the Pleistocene. Our results reveal striking synchronicity in the population dynamics of Beringian lions and brown bears, with multiple waves of dispersal across the Bering Land Bridge coinciding with glacial periods of low sea levels, as well as synchronous local extinctions in Eastern Beringia during Marine Isotope Stage 3. The evolutionary histories of these two taxa underline the crucial biogeographical role of the Bering Land Bridge in the distribution, turnover and maintenance of megafaunal populations in North America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander T Salis
- Australian Centre for Ancient DNA (ACAD), School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Division of Vertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sarah C E Bray
- Australian Centre for Ancient DNA (ACAD), School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Registry of Senior Australians (ROSA), South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Michael S Y Lee
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia.,South Australian Museum, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Holly Heiniger
- Australian Centre for Ancient DNA (ACAD), School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Ross Barnett
- Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - James A Burns
- Curator Emeritus, Royal Alberta Museum, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Daryl Fedje
- Department of Anthropology, University of Victoria, Victoria, B.C, Canada
| | | | - C Richard Harington
- Curator Emeritus and Research Associate, Research Division (Paleobiology), Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Bryan Hockett
- US Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Nevada State Office, Reno, Nevada, USA
| | - Pavel Kosintsev
- Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Yekaterinburg, Russia.,Department of History, Ural Federal University, Yekaterinburg, Russia
| | - Xulong Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Quentin Mackie
- Department of Anthropology, University of Victoria, Victoria, B.C, Canada
| | - Sergei Vasiliev
- Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia
| | - Jacobo Weinstock
- Faculty of Humanities (Archaeology), University of Southampton, UK
| | - Nobuyuki Yamaguchi
- Institute of Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, University Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, Malaysia
| | - Julie A Meachen
- Anatomy Department, Des Moines University, Des Moines, Iowa, USA
| | - Alan Cooper
- South Australian Museum, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Kieren J Mitchell
- Australian Centre for Ancient DNA (ACAD), School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Department of Zoology, Otago Palaeogenetics Laboratory, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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9
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Womble M, Cabot ML, Harrison T, Watanabe TTN. Outbreak in African lions of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection, with aberrant bacterial morphology. J Vet Diagn Invest 2022; 34:334-338. [PMID: 35037547 PMCID: PMC8921813 DOI: 10.1177/10406387211072822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
A concurrent outbreak of infection with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis occurred in adult captive African lions (Panthera leo). Two 17-y-old male lions and one 14-y-old female lion developed respiratory distress, lethargy, ataxia, and hyporexia. Within 3-5 d of the onset of clinical signs, one male and the female lion died and were submitted for postmortem examination. Macroscopically, the liver and spleen had multifocal-to-coalescing, semi-firm, pale-tan nodules throughout the parenchyma. The lungs were non-collapsed and marked by petechiae. Histologic examination identified lytic, necrosuppurative foci in the liver, spleen, lungs, and kidney, with abundant intralesional gram-negative coccobacilli in the male lion. Similar findings were seen in the female lion in the liver, spleen, kidney, and mesenteric lymph node; however, the intralesional bacterial colonies were more pleomorphic, comprising rod and filamentous morphologies. Aerobic bacterial culture of the liver, spleen, and lung revealed Y. pseudotuberculosis growth. The source of infection is unknown, and an epidemiologic study was performed. Sources to be considered are from the predation of rodent and/or bird reservoirs, or contaminated soil or water. Mortality associated with Y. pseudotuberculosis has been described in an African lion cub, however, to our knowledge, Y. pseudotuberculosis has not been reported in adult African lions, and this is only the second report of Y. pseudotuberculosis with aberrant bacterial morphology observed histologically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandy Womble
- Departments of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Megan L. Cabot
- Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Tara Harrison
- Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Tatiane Terumi Negrão Watanabe
- Tatiane Terumi Negrão Watanabe, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Dr, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA.
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10
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Karikalan M, Chander V, Mahajan S, Deol P, Agrawal RK, Nandi S, Rai SK, Mathur A, Pawde A, Singh KP, Sharma GK. Natural infection of Delta mutant of SARS-CoV-2 in Asiatic lions of India. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:3047-3055. [PMID: 34404118 PMCID: PMC8447162 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The current pandemic caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS‐CoV‐2) has underlined the importance of emerging diseases of zoonotic importance. Along with human beings, several species of wild and pet animals have been demonstrated to be infected by SARS‐CoV‐2, both naturally and experimentally. In addition, with constant emergence of new variants, the species susceptibility might further change which warrants intensified screening efforts. India is a vast and second most populated country, with a habitat of a very diverse range of animal species. In this study we place on record of SARS‐CoV‐2 infections in three captive Asiatic lions. Detailed genomic characterization revealed involvement of Delta mutant (Pango lineage B.1.617.2) of SARS‐CoV‐2 at two different locations. Interestingly, no other feline species enclosed in the zoo/park were found infected. The epidemiological and molecular analysis will contribute to the understanding of the emerging mutants of SARS‐CoV‐2 in wild and domestic animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Karikalan
- CADRAD, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - V Chander
- CADRAD, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - S Mahajan
- CADRAD, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - P Deol
- CADRAD, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - R K Agrawal
- CADRAD, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - S Nandi
- CADRAD, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - S K Rai
- Lion Safari Park, Etawah, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - A Mathur
- Nahargarh Biological Park, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
| | - A Pawde
- CADRAD, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - K P Singh
- CADRAD, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - G K Sharma
- CADRAD, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Friend T, Corsini G, Manero V, Cocco R. Diurnal Body Temperature and Rate of Passage of Loggers in Lions. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10081388. [PMID: 32796500 PMCID: PMC7459775 DOI: 10.3390/ani10081388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary It is assumed that all mammals have circadian rhythms in their body temperatures, but that has never been described in African lions. The disruption of circadian rhythms can indicate poor animal welfare. Thirteen miniature temperature data loggers were fed to 11 lions, and reliable data were obtained for seven of the lions. Finding the small loggers after they passed through the lions was a challenge because the lions could move between their bedded and heated dens and an outside exercise area. The loggers passed through the lions in an average of 22 h, so future research using the non-invasive method of feeding temperature loggers is limited to that time frame. A highly significant diurnal pattern in body temperature was found, with temperatures being 1.14 °C higher in the afternoon than in the morning. Hence, alteration of body temperature rhythm could be useful in assessments of animal welfare. Abstract The documentation of diurnal patterns in body temperature in lions could be important because disruption of circadian patterns can be a useful measure of distress. This study quantified changes in body temperature of seven African lions (Panthera leo) at 5 min intervals during cold conditions from noon until the ingested body temperature loggers were expelled the next day. Thirteen loggers were fed to 11 lions during their daily noon feeding, while ambient temperatures were also recorded using six data loggers. The lions had continuous access to their dens and exercise pens during the day but were restricted to their heavily bedded dens that also contained a heat lamp from 23:00 until 08:00 the next day. Body temperatures averaged 37.95 ± 0.42 °C at 15:50, and 36.81 ± 0.17 °C at 06:50 the next day, 30 min before the first loggers passed from a lion, and were significantly different (t-test, t = 8.09, df = 6, p < 0.0003). The mean duration for the time of passage was 22 ± 2.69 (h ± SD), so future studies using the noninvasive feeding of temperature loggers need to consider that time frame.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ted Friend
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, 3785 W. Villa Maria Rd., Bryan, TX 77807, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-979-255-3153
| | | | - Vincent Manero
- Independent Researcher, Le Coine, 31352 Agiez, Switzerland;
| | - Raffaella Cocco
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
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Abstract
We review matrilineal relationships in the societies of fissiped mammalian carnivores, focusing on how the most complex of these may have evolved from simpler systems. Although competition for food is very intense at the trophic level occupied by most carnivores, and although most species of extant fissiped carnivores therefore lead solitary lives, some species show at least rudimentary clustering of maternal kin and matrilineal resource-sharing or transmission of critical resources between generations. The resources shared or transmitted range from individual food items and territories to entire networks of potential allies. The greatest elaboration of matrilineal relationships has occurred in two large carnivores, lions and spotted hyenas, which occur sympatrically throughout much of Africa. The societies of both these species apparently evolved in response to a shared suite of ecological conditions. The highly matrilineal societies of spotted hyenas are unique among carnivores and closely resemble the societies of many cercopithecine primates. The conditions favouring the evolution of matrilineal societies in carnivores include male-biased dispersal, female philopatry, the need for assistance in protecting or provisioning offspring, reliance on large or abundant prey, particularly in open habitat, high population density and kin-structured cooperative interactions that have strong positive effects on fitness. This article is part of the theme issue 'The evolution of female-biased kinship in humans and other mammals'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kay E Holekamp
- 1 Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University , East Lansing, MI , USA.,2 Program in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Behavior, Michigan State University , East Lansing, MI , USA
| | - Maggie A Sawdy
- 1 Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University , East Lansing, MI , USA.,2 Program in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Behavior, Michigan State University , East Lansing, MI , USA
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Broughton HM, Govender D, Shikwambana P, Chappell P, Jolles A. BRIDGING GAPS BETWEEN ZOO AND WILDLIFE MEDICINE: ESTABLISHING REFERENCE INTERVALS FOR FREE-RANGING AFRICAN LIONS (PANTHERA LEO). J Zoo Wildl Med 2017; 48:298-311. [PMID: 28749296 DOI: 10.1638/2016-0021R.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The International Species Information System has set forth an extensive database of reference intervals for zoologic species, allowing veterinarians and game park officials to distinguish normal health parameters from underlying disease processes in captive wildlife. However, several recent studies comparing reference values from captive and free-ranging animals have found significant variation between populations, necessitating the development of separate reference intervals in free-ranging wildlife to aid in the interpretation of health data. Thus, this study characterizes reference intervals for six biochemical analytes, eleven hematologic or immune parameters, and three hormones using samples from 219 free-ranging African lions ( Panthera leo ) captured in Kruger National Park, South Africa. Using the original sample population, exclusion criteria based on physical examination were applied to yield a final reference population of 52 clinically normal lions. Reference intervals were then generated via 90% confidence intervals on log-transformed data using parametric bootstrapping techniques. In addition to the generation of reference intervals, linear mixed-effect models and generalized linear mixed-effect models were used to model associations of each focal parameter with the following independent variables: age, sex, and body condition score. Age and sex were statistically significant drivers for changes in hepatic enzymes, renal values, hematologic parameters, and leptin, a hormone related to body fat stores. Body condition was positively correlated with changes in monocyte counts. Given the large variation in reference values taken from captive versus free-ranging lions, it is our hope that this study will serve as a baseline for future clinical evaluations and biomedical research targeting free-ranging African lions.
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Newkirk KM, Beard LK, Sun X, Ramsay EC. INVESTIGATION OF ENROFLOXACIN-ASSOCIATED RETINAL TOXICITY IN NONDOMESTIC FELIDS. J Zoo Wildl Med 2017; 48:518-20. [PMID: 28749304 DOI: 10.1638/2016-0225.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Enrofloxacin is known to cause retinal toxicity in domestic cats. The hallmark lesion of enrofloxacin-associated retinal toxicity in domestic cats is thinning of the outer nuclear layer of the retina. Enrofloxacin is commonly used to treat bacterial infections in nondomestic felids because of its action against a wide spectrum of bacteria and the ability for it to be given orally. No previous studies have investigated the potential retinal toxicity of enrofloxacin in nondomestic felids. This retrospective study evaluated 81 eyes from 14 lions ( Panthera leo ) and 33 tigers ( Panthera tigris ) that had been enucleated or collected postmortem. The thickness of the outer nuclear retina was assessed in two separate sites in each eye by counting the rows of nuclei and by using digital image analysis software to determine the area of the nuclei at each site. Medical records were reviewed to determine the enrofloxacin dose for each cat. Cats that had not received enrofloxacin (n = 11) were compared with treated animals (n = 36). The outer nuclear layer thickness or area in treated versus untreated cats was not significantly different. Additionally, no clinical blindness was reported in any of the cats. This study showed no evidence of enrofloxacin-associated thinning of the outer nuclear layer in the lions and tigers evaluated, suggesting that enrofloxacin can be used safely in these animals.
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Macdonald DW, Jacobsen KS, Burnham D, Johnson PJ, Loveridge AJ. Cecil: A Moment or a Movement? Analysis of Media Coverage of the Death of a Lion, Panthera leo. Animals (Basel) 2016; 6:E26. [PMID: 27120625 DOI: 10.3390/ani6050026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Revised: 04/12/2016] [Accepted: 04/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The killing of a satellite-tagged male lion by a trophy hunter in Zimbabwe in July 2015 provoked an unprecedented media reaction. We analyse the global media response to the trophy hunting of the lion, nicknamed "Cecil", a study animal in a long-term project run by Oxford University's Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU). We collaborated with a media-monitoring company to investigate the development of the media coverage spatially and temporally. Relevant articles were identified using a Boolean search for the terms Cecil AND lion in 127 languages. Stories about Cecil the Lion in the editorial media increased from approximately 15 per day to nearly 12,000 at its peak, and mentions of Cecil the Lion in social media reached 87,533 at its peak. We found that, while there were clear regional differences in the level of media saturation of the Cecil story, the patterns of the development of the coverage of this story were remarkably similar across the globe, and that there was no evidence of a lag between the social media and the editorial media. Further, all the main social media platforms appeared to react in synchrony. This story appears to have spread synchronously across media channels and geographically across the globe over the span of about two days. For lion conservation in particular, and perhaps for wildlife conservation more generally, we speculate that the atmosphere may have been changed significantly. We consider the possible reasons why this incident provoked a reaction unprecedented in the conservation sector.
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Troyer JL, Roelke ME, Jespersen JM, Baggett N, Buckley-Beason V, MacNulty D, Craft M, Packer C, Pecon-Slattery J, O'Brien SJ. FIV diversity: FIV Ple subtype composition may influence disease outcome in African lions. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2011; 143:338-46. [PMID: 21723622 PMCID: PMC3168974 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2011.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infects domestic cats and at least 20 additional species of non-domestic felids throughout the world. Strains specific to domestic cat (FIV(Fca)) produce AIDS-like disease progression, sequelae and pathology providing an informative model for HIV infection in humans. Less is known about the immunological and pathological influence of FIV in other felid species although multiple distinct strains of FIV circulate in natural populations. As in HIV-1 and HIV-2, multiple diverse cross-species infections may have occurred. In the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, three divergent subtypes of lion FIV (FIV(Ple)) are endemic, whereby 100% of adult lions are infected with one or more of these strains. Herein, the relative distribution of these subtypes in the population are surveyed and, combined with observed differences in lion mortality due to secondary infections based on FIV(Ple) subtypes, the data suggest that FIV(Ple) subtypes may have different patterns of pathogenicity and transmissibility among wild lion populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Troyer
- Laboratory of Genomic Diversity, SAIC-Frederick, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, USA.
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