Antibodies to Francisella tularensis in the snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus struthopus) populations of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island and in the moose (Alces alces americana Clinton) population of Nova Scotia

1982 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 403-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. B. Akerman ◽  
J. A. Embil
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Francisella Tularensis ◽  
Prince Edward Island ◽  
Alces Alces ◽  
Lepus Americanus ◽  
Snowshoe Hare ◽  
Serological Survey ◽  
First Report ◽  
Snowshoe Hares

A serological survey showed antibodies to Francisella tularensis present in 1.55% of snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus struthopus) and 1.06% of moose (Alces alces americana Clinton) sampled in Nova Scotia. No antibody-positive hares were found in Prince Edward Island, however. We believe this to be the first report of antibodies to F. tularensis in the moose.

scholarly journals Patterns and potential drivers of intraspecific variability in the body elemental composition of a terrestrial consumer, the snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo Rizzuto ◽  
Shawn J. Leroux ◽  
Eric Vander Wal ◽  
Yolanda F. Wiersma ◽  
Travis R. Heckford ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Intraspecific Variability ◽  
Lepus Americanus ◽  
The Body ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Snowshoe Hare ◽  
Weak Relationship ◽  
Snowshoe Hares ◽  
P Content

AbstractIntraspecific variability in ecological traits is widespread in nature. Recent evidence, mostly from aquatic ecosystems, shows individuals differing at the most fundamental level, that of their chemical composition. Age, sex, or body size may be key drivers of intraspecific variability in the body concentrations of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P). However, we still have a rudimentary understanding of the patterns and drivers of intraspecific variability in chemical composition of terrestrial consumers, particularly vertebrates.Here, we investigate the whole-body chemical composition of snowshoe hare Lepus americanus, providing one of the few studies of patterns of stoichiometric variability and its potential drivers for a terrestrial vertebrate. Based on snowshoe hare ecology, we expected higher P and N concentrations in females, as well as in larger and older individuals.We obtained whole-body C, N, and P concentrations and C:N, C:P, N:P ratios from a sample of 50 snowshoe hares. We then used general linear models to test for evidence of a relationship between age, sex, or body size and stoichiometric variability in hares.We found considerable variation in the C, N, and P concentrations and elemental ratios within our sample. Contrary to our predictions, we found evidence of N content decreasing with age. As expected, we found evidence of P content increasing with body size. As well, we found no support for a relationship between sex and N or P content, nor for variability in C content and any of our predictor variables.Despite finding considerable stoichiometric variability in our sample, we found no substantial support for age, sex, or body size to relate to this variation. The weak relationship between body N concentration and age may suggest varying nutritional requirements of individuals at different ages. Conversely, P’s weak relationship to body size appears in line with recent evidence of the potential importance of P in terrestrial systems. Snowshoe hares are a keystone herbivore in the boreal forest of North America. The substantial stoichiometric variability we find in our sample could have important implications for nutrient dynamics in both boreal and adjacent ecosystems.

What factors determine cyclic amplitude in the snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) cycle?

2014 ◽  
Vol 92 (12) ◽  
pp. 1039-1048 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles J. Krebs ◽  
John Bryant ◽  
Knut Kielland ◽  
Mark O’Donoghue ◽  
Frank Doyle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Forest Succession ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Lepus Americanus ◽  
Snowshoe Hare ◽  
Amplitude Variation ◽  
Regional Monitoring ◽  
Snowshoe Hares ◽  
Existing Data

Snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus Erxleben, 1777) fluctuate in 9–10 year cycles throughout much of their North American range. These cycles show large variations in cyclic amplitude and we ask what factors could cause amplitude variation. We gathered data from 1976 to 2012 on hare numbers in the boreal forest of Alaska, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and northern British Columbia to describe the amplitude of hare fluctuations and to evaluate four possible causes. First, weather could cause variation in amplitude via hare reproduction or survival, but this mechanism does not fit our data. Second, bottom-up processes involving forest succession could explain amplitude variation through changes in winter forage availability, but succession is too slow a variable in our study areas. Third, plant defenses entrained by hare over-browsing in one cycle can produce variation in plant quality and quantity in subsequent cycles. A mathematical model suggests this is a possible explanation. Fourth, predator recovery following the cyclic low is inversely related to hare cyclic amplitude, and the existing data are consistent with this mechanism. A standardized regional monitoring program is needed to improve our understanding of cyclic amplitude variation in hares and the possible role of predators and winter foods in affecting amplitude.

scholarly journals Serologic Survey of Snowshoe Hares (Lepus americanus) in the Greater Yellowstone Area for Brucellosis, Tularemia, and Snowshoe Hare Virus

2015 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 769-773 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack Rhyan ◽  
Dan Tyers ◽  
Jeremy Zimmer ◽  
Kristen Lewandowski ◽  
Steve Hennager ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lepus Americanus ◽  
Snowshoe Hare ◽  
Greater Yellowstone Area ◽  
Snowshoe Hares ◽  
Greater Yellowstone ◽  
Serologic Survey

Antipredator strategies of caribou: dispersion along shorelines

1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 1324-1329 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. T. Bergerud
Keyword(s):  
Canis Lupus ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Alces Alces ◽  
Lake Superior ◽  
Lepus Americanus ◽  
Lynx Lynx ◽  
Lynx Canadensis ◽  
Antipredator Strategies ◽  
Habitat Features ◽  
Snowshoe Hares

A small herd of 15–31 caribou (Rangifer tarandus) inhabited a shoreline strip of habitat along Lake Superior from 1972 to 1983. By remaining near the shoreline, they were spaced away from the major distributions of wolves (Canis lupus) and lynx (Lynx canadensis) that hunted mainly inland for moose (Alces alces) and snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus), respectively. Lake Superior also provided a means of escape from wolves, and offshore islands constituted safe parturition sites. The persistence of this herd is consistent with the hypothesis that viable caribou populations cannot survive on ranges frequented by high numbers of wolves (maintained mainly by moose prey) unless there are special habitat features providing escape for cows with young calves.

Antibodies to snowshoe hare virus of the California group in the snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) and domestic animal populations of Prince Edward Island

1981 ◽  
Vol 27 (11) ◽  
pp. 1224-1227 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. L. McFarlane ◽  
J. E. Embree ◽  
J. A. Embil ◽  
H. Artsob ◽  
J. B. Weste ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hemagglutination Inhibition ◽  
Prince Edward Island ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Domestic Animal ◽  
Lepus Americanus ◽  
Virus Neutralization ◽  
Snowshoe Hare ◽  
Animal Populations ◽  
Inhibition Antibody

This study, the first of arbovirus activity in Prince Edward Island, has shown antibodies to the snowshoe hare strain of the California encephalitis group virus to be present in sera of wild and domestic animals; 15.35% of snowshoe hare, 20% of equine, and 2.5% of bovine sera were positive for hemagglutination inhibition antibody, confirmed by virus neutralization procedures.

Antibodies to Snowshoe Hare Virus of the California Group in the Snowshoe Hare (Lepus Americanus) Population of Nova Scotia *

1978 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 843-845 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Embil ◽  
H. Artsob ◽  
K. R. Rozee ◽  
L. Spence ◽  
J. E. Embree
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Lepus Americanus ◽  
Snowshoe Hare

scholarly journals California encephalitis virus endemicity in the Yukon Territory, 1972

1973 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 391-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. McLean ◽  
Alison M. Clarke ◽  
E. J. Goddard ◽  
A. S. Manes ◽  
C. A. Montalbetti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Yukon Territory ◽  
Ground Squirrels ◽  
Lepus Americanus ◽  
Encephalitis Virus ◽  
Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus ◽  
Snowshoe Hare ◽  
Snowshoe Hares ◽  
Tree Squirrels ◽  
Culiseta Inornata ◽  
Aedes Communis

SUMMARYSera from 218 of 1574 (14%) small mammals collected in the Yukon Territory between 14 May and 13 August 1972 neutralized a Yukon strain of California encephalitis virus (snowshoe-hare subtype). These included 133 of 319 (42%) snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus), 84 of 1243 (7%) ground squirrels (Citellus undulatus) and 1 of 12 (8%) tree squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus). California encephalitis virus (snow-shoe hare subtype) was isolated from four pools of unengorged Aedes communis mosquitoes collected near Whitehorse (61° N., 135° W.) and on one occasion each from pools of the same species collected at Hunker Creek (64° N., 138° W.) and at mile 125, Dempster Highway (66° N., 138° W.) during July 1972. Replication of a Yukon strain of California encephalitis virus was observed in wild-caught Culiseta inornata and Aedes canadensis mosquitoes after intrathoracic injection and holding at temperatures of 80°, 50° and 40° F.

Antibodies to the California group of arboviruses in the moose (Alces alces americana Clinton) population of Nova Scotia

1981 ◽  
Vol 27 (11) ◽  
pp. 1219-1223 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. L. McFarlane ◽  
J. A. Embil ◽  
H. Artsob ◽  
L. Spence ◽  
K. R. Rozee
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Hemagglutination Inhibition ◽  
Alces Alces ◽  
Snowshoe Hare ◽  
Atlantic Canada ◽  
First Finding ◽  
Jamestown Canyon Virus ◽  
Moose Population

Moose (Alces alces americana Clinton) blood collected by hunters during the 1977 and 1978 hunting seasons was tested for California group antibodies. Hemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests using snowshoe hare virus (SSH) as antigen yielded 37.02% HI-positive sera. Neutralization tests showed reactors (67.5% positive) to SSH and classified six reactors as Jamestown Canyon virus (JC). This study reports the first finding of JC in a moose population; it also provides the first evidence of JC in Atlantic Canada and supports previous findings of SSH in Nova Scotia.

Description of nine species of Eimeria (Protozoa, Eimeriidae) in the snowshoe hare, Lepus americanus, of central Alberta

1977 ◽  
Vol 55 (10) ◽  
pp. 1671-1683 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. P. Samoil ◽  
W. M. Samuel
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Lepus Americanus ◽  
Snowshoe Hare ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
Snowshoe Hares ◽  
Genus Eimeria

Nine species of the genus Eimeria were found during the examination of 629 snowshoe hares from central Alberta. Four, E. robertsoni, E. leporis, E. ruficaudati, and E. townsendi, described previously from other leporids, are redescribed; while five, E. athabascensis, E. keithi, E. holmesi, E. rochesterensis, and E. rowani are described as new species. The nine species belong to four groups of morphologically similar species. Species were distinguished on the basis of morphology, primarily the presence or absence of oocyst and sporocyst residua and a micropyle, and statistical analysis of oocyst and sporocyst measurements. The eimerians of all lagomorphs are reviewed and a key to the 19 species from Lepus spp. is presented.

Ectoparasites of rabbits and hares in Manitoba, Canada, with observations on age-specific dispersal in Haemodipsus setoni (Phthiraptera: Anoplura: Polyplacidae)

2012 ◽  
Vol 144 (3) ◽  
pp. 439-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry D. Galloway
Keyword(s):  
Lepus Americanus ◽  
Snowshoe Hare ◽  
Sylvilagus Floridanus ◽  
Mean Intensity ◽  
Pulex Irritans ◽  
Snowshoe Hares ◽  
Eastern Cottontail ◽  
First Time

AbstractDuring 1994–2008, 58 adult and 195 juvenile eastern cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus (Allen)), one adult and 23 juvenile snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus Erxleben), and eight adult white-tailed jackrabbits (Lepus townsendii Bachman) (Mammalia: Leporidae) were examined for ectoparasites. The most abundant ectoparasite on cottontails was the sucking louse, Haemodipsus setoni Ewing (Phthiraptera; Polyplacidae), recorded from this host for the first time. Infestations in adult and juvenile cottontails were highly aggregated, k = 0.136 and 0.153, respectively. Prevalence of infestation in adult cottontails was 70.6%, with a mean intensity of 5614.1 (range: 1–166 249); 10 adults had more than 1000 lice. In juvenile cottontails, prevalence was 34.8% and mean intensity was 6.2 (range: 1–87). On adult cottontails, 73.4% of the total lice were nymphs, while on juvenile cottontails only 11.6% were nymphs. It appears that dispersal from parents to offspring is overwhelmingly achieved by adult lice. Seventeen adult cottontails were infested with the tick, Haemaphysalis leporispalustris (Packard) (Acari: Ixodidae). No fleas specific to rabbits were collected but small numbers of the rodent fleas Monopsyllus vison (Baker), Orchopeas caedens (Jordan), and Aetheca wagneri (Baker) (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae) were recorded. Only one snowshoe hare was infested with H. setoni and three were infested with H. leporispalustris; no fleas were found on snowshoe hares. Two white-tailed jackrabbits were infested with H. leporispalustris; one carried Pulex irritans Linnaeus (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae), and none carried lice.

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