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Amir Abdul Nasir AF, Niehaus AC, Cameron SF, Ujvari B, Madsen T, von Hippel FA, Gao S, Dillon DM, Buck CL, Charters J, Heiniger J, Blomberg S, Wilson RS. Manganese Exacerbates Seasonal Health Declines in a Suicidally Breeding Mammal. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024; 43:74-86. [PMID: 37750553 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5753] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Reproductive costs must be balanced with survival to maximize lifetime reproductive rates; however, some organisms invest in a single, suicidal bout of breeding known as semelparity. The northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) is an endangered marsupial in which males, but not females, are semelparous. Northern quolls living near mining sites on Groote Eylandt, Northern Territory, Australia, accumulate manganese (Mn) in their brains, testes, and hair, and elevated Mn impacts motor performance. Whether Mn is associated with other health declines is yet unknown. In the present study we show that male and female northern quolls with higher Mn accumulation had a 20% reduction in immune function and a trend toward reduced cortisol concentrations in hair. The telomere lengths of male quolls did not change pre- to postbreeding, but those with higher Mn levels had longer telomeres; in contrast, the telomeres of females shortened during the breeding season but recovered between the first year and second year of breeding. In addition, the telomeres of quolls that were recaptured declined at significantly higher rates in quolls with higher Mn between prebreeding, breeding, and/or postbreeding seasons. Future research should determine whether changes in cortisol, immune function, or telomere length affect reproductive output or survival-particularly for semelparous males. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:74-86. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ami F Amir Abdul Nasir
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Amanda C Niehaus
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Skye F Cameron
- Australian Wildlife Conservancy, Subiaco East, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Beata Ujvari
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
| | - Thomas Madsen
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
| | - Frank A von Hippel
- Department of Community, Environment and Policy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Sisi Gao
- Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Danielle M Dillon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
| | - C Loren Buck
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
| | - Jordan Charters
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jaime Heiniger
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Simone Blomberg
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Robbie S Wilson
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, Queensland, Australia
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Heiniger
- Flora and Fauna Division; Department of Environment and Natural Resources; Northern Territory Government; Berrimah Northern Territory 0828 Australia
| | - Hugh F Davies
- NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub; Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods; Charles Darwin University; Casuarina Northern Territory Australia
| | - Graeme R. Gillespie
- Flora and Fauna Division; Department of Environment and Natural Resources; Northern Territory Government; Berrimah Northern Territory 0828 Australia
- School of Biosciences; The University of Melbourne; Parkville Victoria Australia
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Heiniger J, Cameron SF, Madsen T, Niehaus AC, Wilson RS. Demography and spatial requirements of the endangered northern quoll on Groote Eylandt. Wildl Res 2020. [DOI: 10.1071/wr19052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
ContextAustralia has experienced the highest number of mammal extinctions of any continent over the past two centuries. Understanding the demography and spatial requirements of populations before declines occur is fundamental to confirm species trajectory, elucidate causes of decline and develop effective management strategies.
AimsWe evaluated the demography and spatial requirements of a northern quoll, Dasyurus hallucatus, population on Groote Eylandt, Northern Territory. Groote Eylandt is considered a refuge for the species because key threatening processes are absent or limited; cane toads and introduced ungulates are absent, feral cats are infrequently detected and the fire regime is benign compared with mainland Northern Territory.
MethodsWe conducted a 4-year capture–mark–recapture study to monitor growth, reproduction and survival of northern quolls within a 128-ha area, and we evaluated spatial requirements by attaching GPS units to both sexes. To assess the status of the Groote Eylandt population, we compared the demographics with existing data from mainland populations.
Key resultsThe average density of northern quolls was 0.33ha−1. However, there was a 58% decline in female density, primarily between 2012 and 2013, corresponding with a decrease in female body mass. Females survived and bred in up to 3 years and adult survival rates did not vary among years, suggesting that juvenile recruitment drives population fluctuations. Male quolls were semelparous, with die-off occurring in the months following breeding. The median female and male home ranges were 15.7ha and 128.6ha respectively, and male ranges increased significantly during breeding, with 1616ha being the largest recorded.
ConclusionsThe northern quoll population on Groote Eylandt had a higher density, female survival and reproductive success than has been previously recorded on the mainland. However, a marked decline was recorded corresponding with a decrease in female mass, indicating below-average rainfall as the likely cause.
ImplicationsGroote Eylandt remains a refuge for the endangered northern quoll. However, even in the absence of key threatening processes, the population has declined markedly, highlighting the impact of environmental fluctuations. Maintaining the ecological integrity of Groote Eylandt is imperative for population recovery, and managing threats on the mainland over appropriate spatial scales is necessary to increase population resilience.
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Neuenschwander S, Kissling-Albrecht L, Heiniger J, Backfisch W, Stranzinger G, Pliška V. Inherited Defect of Blood Clotting Factor VIII (Haemophilia A) in Sheep. Thromb Haemost 2018. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1646328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S Neuenschwander
- Department of Animal Science Swiss, Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - L Kissling-Albrecht
- Department of Animal Science Swiss, Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - J Heiniger
- Department of Animal Science Swiss, Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - W Backfisch
- Department of Animal Science Swiss, Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - G Stranzinger
- Department of Animal Science Swiss, Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - V Pliška
- Department of Animal Science Swiss, Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland
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Charters JE, Heiniger J, Clemente CJ, Cameron SF, Amir Abdul Nasir AF, Niehaus AC, Wilson RS. Multidimensional analyses of physical performance reveal a size‐dependent trade‐off between suites of traits. Funct Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jordan E. Charters
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Queensland Brisbane Qld Australia
| | - Jaime Heiniger
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Queensland Brisbane Qld Australia
| | - Christofer J. Clemente
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Queensland Brisbane Qld Australia
- School of Life Sciences University of the Sunshine Coast Sippy Downs Qld Australia
| | - Skye F. Cameron
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Queensland Brisbane Qld Australia
| | | | - Amanda C. Niehaus
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Queensland Brisbane Qld Australia
| | - Robbie S. Wilson
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Queensland Brisbane Qld Australia
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Heiniger J, Cameron SF, Gillespie G. Evaluation of risks for two native mammal species from feral cat baiting in monsoonal tropical northern Australia. Wildl Res 2018. [DOI: 10.1071/wr17171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context
Feral cats are a significant threat to native wildlife and broad-scale control is required to reduce their impacts. Two toxic baits developed for feral cats, Curiosity® and Hisstory®, have been designed to reduce the risk of baiting to certain non-target species. These baits involve encapsulating the toxin within a hard-shelled delivery vehicle (HSDV) and placing it within a meat attractant. Native animals that chew their food more thoroughly are predicted to avoid poisoning by eating around the HSDV. This prediction has not been tested on wild native mammals in the monsoonal wet–dry tropics of the Northern Territory.
Aim
The aim of this research was to determine whether northern quolls (Dasyurus hallucatus) and northern brown bandicoots (Isoodon macrourus) would take feral cat baits and ingest the HSDV under natural conditions on Groote Eylandt.
Methods
We hand-deployed 120 non-toxic baits with a HSDV that contained a biomarker, Rhodamine B, which stains animal whiskers when ingested. The species responsible for bait removal was determined with camera traps, and HSDV ingestion was measured by evaluating Rhodamine B in whiskers removed from animals trapped after baiting.
Key results
During field trials, 95% of baits were removed within 5 days. Using camera-trap images, we identified the species responsible for taking baits on 65 occasions. All 65 confirmed takes were by native species, with northern quolls taking 42 baits and northern brown bandicoots taking 17. No quolls and only one bandicoot ingested the HSDV.
Conclusion
The use of the HSDV reduces the potential for quolls and bandicoots to ingest a toxin when they consume feral cat baits. However, high bait uptake by non-target species may reduce the efficacy of cat baiting in some areas.
Implications
The present study highlighted that in the monsoonal wet–dry tropics, encapsulated baits are likely to minimise poisoning risk to certain native species that would otherwise eat meat baits. However, further research may be required to evaluate risks to other non-target species. Given the threat to biodiversity from feral cats, we see it as critical to continue testing Hisstory® and Curiosity® in live-baiting trials in northern Australia.
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Heiniger J, Gillespie G. High variation in camera trap-model sensitivity for surveying mammal species in northern Australia. Wildl Res 2018. [DOI: 10.1071/wr18078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context
The use of camera traps as a wildlife survey tool has rapidly increased, and understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the technology is imperative to assess the degree to which research objectives are met.
Aims
We evaluated the differences in performance among three Reconyx camera-trap models, namely, a custom-modified high-sensitivity PC850, and unmodified PC850 and HC550.
Methods
We undertook a controlled field trial to compare the performance of the three models on Groote Eylandt, Northern Territory, by observing the ability of each model to detect the removal of a bait by native mammals. We compared variation in detecting the known event, trigger numbers, proportion of false triggers and the difference in detection probability of small to medium-sized mammals.
Key results
The high-sensitivity PC850 model detected bait take 75% of the time, as opposed to 33.3% and 20% for the respective unmodified models. The high-sensitivity model also increased the detection probability of the smallest mammal species from 0.09 to 0.34. However, there was no significant difference in detection probability for medium-sized mammals.
Conclusions
Despite the three Reconyx camera models having similar manufacturer-listed specifications, they varied substantially in their performance. The high-sensitivity model vastly improved the detection of known events and the detection probability of small mammals in northern Australia.
Implications
Failure to consider variation in camera-trap performance can lead to inaccurate conclusions when multiple camera models are used. Consequently, researchers should carefully consider the parameters and capabilities of camera models in study designs. Camera models and their configurations should be reported in methods, and variation in detection probabilities among different models and configurations should be incorporated into analyses.
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Pliška V, Hari J, Heiniger J, Neuenschwander S, Stranzinger G. Stress-like changes in the histological structure of pig adrenals and pituitaries: Effect of total body fat but not of predisposition to malignant hyperthermia. J Anim Breed Genet 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0388.1992.tb00378.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Neuenschwander S, Kissling-Albrecht L, Heiniger J, Backfisch W, Stranzinger G, Pliska V. Inherited defect of blood clotting factor VIII (haemophilia A) in sheep. Thromb Haemost 1992; 68:618-20. [PMID: 1455410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Heiniger J, Kissling-Albrecht L, Neuenschwander S, Rösli R, Pliska V. Antihaemophilic effect of vasopressin, deamino-(D-arginine8)-vasopressin and adrenaline in sheep: proposal for an in vivo assay system. Br J Pharmacol 1988; 94:279-81. [PMID: 3134968 PMCID: PMC1853979 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1988.tb11525.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Female sheep were used to assay antihaemophilic (factor VIII enhancing) activity of arginine vasopressin, deamino-(D-arginine8)-vasopressin (DDAVP) and adrenaline. The time course of the response was biphasic, two surges of factor VIII being observed. DDAVP was found to be the most potent of the substances investigated. Its optimal dose was 1 microgram kg-1 body wt (i.v.). It is suggested that a similar procedure can be employed to search for new peptides with anti-haemophilic action.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Heiniger
- Institute of Animal Science, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zürich, Switzerland
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Pliska V, Heiniger J. Structural requirements of the oxytocin receptor in rat uterus. Free-Wilson analysis in a series of competitive oxytocin inhibitors. Int J Pept Protein Res 1988; 31:520-36. [PMID: 2842268 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3011.1988.tb00911.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Published and newly calculated pA2-values of 147 neurohypophyseal hormone analogues (7 positions varied) acting as inhibitors of oxytocin on isolated rat uterus in vitro have been subjected to fractionation according to the method by Free and Wilson which was slightly modified for this purpose. The computation was carried out in several steps. After each step, substances with outlying pA2-values were eliminated. The reduced group containing 73-79% of the original substances displayed a high degree of additivity of side chain contributions (SCC). This group seems to follow the "participation" rule as formulated by Free and Wilson. Analysis of the group of eliminated substances and of the resulting SCC-spectrum (level diagram) enabled us to draw some conclusions concerning the structural requirements of receptor binding: i) The intact ring structure is necessary for the peptide-receptor interaction: linear peptides or peptides with an extended ring are always outliers; ii) Carba analogues (substitution with CH2 in the disulfide ring) display better affinities than peptides with an S-S ring; D-Arg8 substitution decreases the binding affinity; iii) Considerably better additivity is achieved when peptides are divided into subgroups with vasopressin-like and oxytocin-like features; populations of receptors more specific for vasopressin and for oxytocin, respectively, can be assumed. Estimates of the "true" receptor-peptide dissociation constants can be obtained by summation of the corresponding SCC's in each investigated position. The value obtained for oxytocin is identical with the medium affinity binding site on myometrial cells, and not with the high affinity site. A nonlinear relationship exists between SCC's computed from pA2-values for magnesium-free and magnesium-containing (0.5 mM) media but no evidence speaks in favor of a Mg-potentiating effect on receptor binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Pliska
- Institute of Animal Science, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich
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Pliska V, Heiniger J, Müller-Lhotsky A, Pliska P, Ekberg B. Binding of oxytocin to uterine cells in vitro. Occurrence of several binding site populations and reidentification of oxytocin receptors. J Biol Chem 1986; 261:16984-9. [PMID: 3023377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Myometrial and endometrial cells of sheep, rat, and calf in monolayer cell culture display at least three populations of binding sites for oxytocin, with dissociation constants (Kd) of approximately 5 X 10(-9), 4 X 10(-7), and greater than 10(-5) mol/liter, respectively. Binding of the tritium-labeled oxytocin (concentration range, 10(-11) to 5 X 10(-4) M) to the first two sites is displaceable by cold oxytocin. The ratio of binding capacities of the high to medium affinity site appears to average 1:18. Dissociation rate constants for these sites (22 degrees C) are roughly 10(-4) and 2 X 10(-3) s-1, respectively. The capacity of the low affinity site varies in individual cell preparations and is between 5 and 66 times that of the medium affinity site. The low affinity binding sites may not be fully saturable and may follow a nonasymptotic binding isotherm. Logarithms of Kd and binding capacity for individual binding sites are linearly correlated. The coexistence of the three sites was also proven by cluster analysis based on similarities between Kd, binding capacity, and Hill coefficient. Only minor systematic species and cell type differences occur in these properties. The value of Kd for the oxytocin receptor in rat myometrium, derived recently from a stepwise irreversible inhibition of uterotonic response to oxytocin, is close to 2.5 X 10(-7) mol/liter. Additional pharmacological data (pA2 values of structural analogues of oxytocin acting as competitive inhibitors) also reveal a Kd value of 3 X 10(-7). It is, therefore, concluded that the receptors for oxytocin in rat myometrium are identical with the medium affinity site.
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