scholarly journals Geographical Distribution of Ljungan Virus in Small Mammals in Europe

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 692-702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Fevola ◽  
Chiara Rossi ◽  
Fausta Rosso ◽  
Matteo Girardi ◽  
Roberto Rosà ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Ljungan Virus

scholarly journals Evolutionary Relationships of Ljungan Virus Variants Circulating in Multi-Host Systems across Europe

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1317
Author(s):  
Chiara Rossi ◽  
Nicola Zadra ◽  
Cristina Fevola ◽  
Frauke Ecke ◽  
Birger Hörnfeldt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Rna Virus ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Purifying Selection ◽  
Myodes Glareolus ◽  
Evolutionary Relationships ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Bank Voles ◽  
Ljungan Virus ◽  
Small Mammal Species

The picornavirus named ‘Ljungan virus’ (LV, species Parechovirus B) has been detected in a dozen small mammal species from across Europe, but detailed information on its genetic diversity and host specificity is lacking. Here, we analyze the evolutionary relationships of LV variants circulating in free-living mammal populations by comparing the phylogenetics of the VP1 region (encoding the capsid protein and associated with LV serotype) and the 3Dpol region (encoding the RNA polymerase) from 24 LV RNA-positive animals and a fragment of the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) sequence (used for defining strains) in sympatric small mammals. We define three new VP1 genotypes: two in bank voles (Myodes glareolus) (genotype 8 from Finland, Sweden, France, and Italy, and genotype 9 from France and Italy) and one in field voles (Microtus arvalis) (genotype 7 from Finland). There are several other indications that LV variants are host-specific, at least in parts of their range. Our results suggest that LV evolution is rapid, ongoing and affected by genetic drift, purifying selection, spillover and host evolutionary history. Although recent studies suggest that LV does not have zoonotic potential, its widespread geographical and host distribution in natural populations of well-characterized small mammals could make it useful as a model for studying RNA virus evolution and transmission.

Parthenogenesis as a life strategy among mites of the suborder Uropodina (Acari: Mesostigmata)

2004 ◽  
Vol 82 (9) ◽  
pp. 1503-1511 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Bloszyk ◽  
Z Adamski ◽  
A Napierala ◽  
M Dylewska
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Dead Wood ◽  
Forest Litter ◽  
Life Strategy ◽  
Bisexual Species ◽  
Parthenogenetic Species ◽  
Evolutionary Aspects

This paper presents the results of observations concerning the phenomenon of parthenogenesis among European mites of the suborder Uropodina. An analysis of the sex ratios of 66 Polish species revealed that 18 of them (more than one fourth of the examined species) consisted only of females. The authors observed no significant relationship between geographical distribution and the lack of males in the population. Populations consisting entirely of females were observed among widely distributed species as well as among species characterized by narrow geographical ranges. Nonetheless, an increase in the number of parthenogenetic species, especially as a percentage of Middle European and Scandinavian fauna, was also discernible. Species that reproduced without males were associated with forest litter and soil, whereas bisexual species "eagerly" inhabited various relatively unstable and temporary micro environ ments (for instance, dead wood, birds' or small mammals' nests). The authors aim to define the biological role of occasionally appearing males for the species consisting almost entirely of females and discuss ecological and evolutionary aspects of parthenogenesis in mites of the suborder Uropodina.

scholarly journals Serological survey in the Finnish human population implies human-to-human transmission of Ljungan virus or antigenically related viruses

2015 ◽  
Vol 144 (6) ◽  
pp. 1278-1285 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. JÄÄSKELÄINEN ◽  
L. VOUTILAINEN ◽  
R. LEHMUSTO ◽  
H. HENTTONEN ◽  
M. LAPPALAINEN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Human Population ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Antibody Responses ◽  
Myodes Glareolus ◽  
Zoonotic Potential ◽  
Serological Survey ◽  
Bank Voles ◽  
Ljungan Virus ◽  
Human Sera

SUMMARYLjungan virus (LV) is a picornavirus related to human parechoviruses (HPeV). The virus has been found in bank voles (Myodes glareolus) and several other rodent species, and suggested to have zoonotic potential. Thus far, seroepidemiological data on LV infections in humans are scarce. In this study, we aimed to characterize the demographic and geographical distribution of LV-reactive antibodies in Finland, and to investigate its occurrence in patients suspected of having a rodent-borne disease, nephropathia epidemica (NE) caused by Puumala hantavirus (PUUV). Using an immunofluorescence assay (LV strain 145SLG), we screened human sera (n = 1378) and found LV-reactive antibodies in 36% of samples. The probability of possessing LV-reactive antibodies peaked at age of 14 years, suggesting that most infections occur in childhood. The prevalence of LV-reactive antibodies was significantly higher in the urbanized area surrounding Helsinki than in more rural Central Finland. These findings are uncharacteristic of a rodent-borne pathogen, and therefore we consider human-to-human transmission of one or several Ljungan-like viruses as a likely cause for most of the observed antibody responses.

Ecology and biogeography in the introduction to “De bestiis marinis” by Georg Wilhelm Steller

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-74
Author(s):  
Stefano Mattioli
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Functional Traits ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Main Part ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Restricted Range ◽  
Direct Influence ◽  
Modern Biology

The rediscovery of the original, unedited Latin manuscript of Georg Wilhelm Steller's “De bestiis marinis” (“On marine mammals”), first published in 1751, calls for a new translation into English. The main part of the treatise contains detailed descriptions of four marine mammals, but the introduction is devoted to more general issues, including innovative speculation on morphology, ecology and biogeography, anticipating arguments and concepts of modern biology. Steller noted early that climate and food have a direct influence on body size, pelage and functional traits of mammals, potentially affecting reversible changes (phenotypic plasticity). Feeding and other behavioural habits have an impact on the geographical distribution of mammals. Species with a broad diet tend to have a wide distribution, whereas animals with a narrow diet more likely have only a restricted range. According to Steller, both sea and land then still concealed countless animals unknown to science.

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