scholarly journals High Prevalence of Novel Beak and Feather Disease Virus in Sympatric Invasive Parakeets Introduced to Spain From Asia and South America

Diversity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 192
Author(s):  
Francisco Morinha ◽  
Martina Carrete ◽  
José L. Tella ◽  
Guillermo Blanco
Keyword(s):  
Disease Virus ◽  
Wild Populations ◽  
Disease Symptoms ◽  
Myiopsitta Monachus ◽  
Psittacula Krameri ◽  
Captive Populations ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Parrot Species ◽  
Feather Disease Virus

The psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD) is a globally widespread infectious bird disease that mainly affects species within the Order Psittaciformes (parrots and allies). The disease is caused by an avian circovirus (the beak and feather disease virus, BFDV), which is highly infectious and can lead to severe consequences in wild and captive populations during an outbreak. Both legal and illegal trading have spread the BFDV around the world, although little is known about its prevalence in invasive parrot populations. Here, we analyze the BFDV prevalence in sympatric invasive populations of rose-ringed (Psittacula krameri) and monk parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus) in Southern Spain. We PCR-screened 110 blood samples (55 individuals from each species) for BFDV and characterized the genotypes of five positives from each species. About 33% of rose-ringed parakeets and 37% of monk parakeets sampled were positive for BFDV, while neither species showed disease symptoms. The circovirus identified is a novel BFDV genotype common to both species, similar to the BFDV genotypes detected in several parrot species kept in captivity in Saudi Arabia, South Africa and China. Our data evidences the importance of an accurate evaluation of avian diseases in wild populations, since invasive parrots may be bringing BFDV without showing any visually detectable clinical sign. Further research on the BFDV prevalence and transmission (individual–individual, captive–wild and wild–captive) in different bird orders and countries is crucial to understand the dynamics of the viral infection and minimize its impact in captive and wild populations.

scholarly journals Extensive recombination detected among beak and feather disease virus isolates from breeding facilities in Poland

2013 ◽  
Vol 94 (5) ◽  
pp. 1086-1095 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurel Julian ◽  
Tomasz Piasecki ◽  
Klaudia Chrząstek ◽  
Matthew Walters ◽  
Brejnev Muhire ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Virus ◽  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Close Association ◽  
European Continent ◽  
Multiple Introductions ◽  
The Past ◽  
Parrot Species ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Feather Disease Virus ◽  
Virus Isolates

Beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) causes the highly contagious, in some cases fatal, psittacine beak and feather disease in parrots. The European continent has no native parrots, yet in the past has been one of the world’s biggest importers of wild-caught exotic parrot species. Following the banning of this practice in 2007, the demand for exotic pet parrots has largely been met by established European breeding facilities, which can also supply buyers outside Europe. However, the years of unregulated importation have provided numerous opportunities for BFDV to enter Europe, meaning the likelihood of birds within captive breeding facilities being BFDV positive is high. This study examined the BFDV status of such facilities in Poland, a country previously shown to have BFDV among captive birds. A total of 209 birds from over 50 captive breeding facilities across Poland were tested, and 43 birds from 18 different facilities tested positive for BFDV. The full BFDV genomes from these 43 positive birds were determined, and phylogenetic analysis revealed that these samples harboured a relatively high degree of diversity and that they were highly recombinant. It is evident that there have been multiple introductions of BFDV into Poland over a long period of time, and the close association of different species of birds in the captive environment has probably facilitated the evolution of new BFDV strains through recombination.

scholarly journals Demographic and genetic factors in the recovery or demise ofex situpopulations following a severe bottleneck in fifteen species of Hawaiian tree snails

PeerJ ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. e1406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa R. Price ◽  
David Sischo ◽  
Mark-Anthony Pascua ◽  
Michael G. Hadfield
Keyword(s):  
Life History Traits ◽  
Human Impacts ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Wild Populations ◽  
Captive Populations ◽  
Introduced Predators ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Term Data

Wild populations of endangered Hawaiian tree snails have declined precipitously over the last century due to introduced predators and other human impacts. Life history traits, such as very low fecundity (<5 offspring per year across taxa) and maturity at approximately four years of age have made recovery difficult. Conservation efforts such asin situpredator-free enclosures may increase survival to maturity by protecting offspring from predation, but no long-term data existed prior to this study demonstrating the demographic and genetic parameters necessary to maintain populations within those enclosures. We evaluated over 20 years of evidence for the dynamics of survival and extinction in captiveex situpopulations of Hawaiian tree snails established from wild-collected individuals. From 1991 to 2006, small numbers of snails (<15) from fifteen species were collected from the wild to initiate captive-reared populations as a hedge against extinction. This small number of founders resulted in a severe bottleneck in each of the captive-reared populations. We identified key demographic parameters that predicted population recovery from this bottleneck. Species with captive populations that produced between two and four offspring per adult per year and had 20–50% of those offspring survive to maturity recovered to numbers above 100 individuals, and maintained viable populations following a decline that occurred between 2009 and 2014. Those populations that had less than two offspring per adult per year and less than 20% survival to maturity did not reach 100 individuals in captivity, and many of these populations died out during the recent decline. We suggest that small reductions in fitness may contribute to extirpation in taxa with inherently low fecundity, by keeping populations below a threshold number essential to long-term recovery. Futureex situpopulations should be founded with no less than 15 adults, and maintained in conditions closely approximating the temperature and humidity of source locations to optimize fitness. Permanent translocations of wild populations for conservation purposes will be more likely to succeed with greater than 100 adults, and should be limited to locations with a similar climate to source locations.

scholarly journals Cranial morphology of captive mammals: a meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leila Siciliano-Martina ◽  
Jessica E. Light ◽  
A. Michelle Lawing
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Critical Evaluation ◽  
Cranial Morphology ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Wild Populations ◽  
Skull Length ◽  
Dietary Breadth ◽  
Captive Populations ◽  
In Captivity

Abstract Background Captive facilities such as zoos are uniquely instrumental in conservation efforts. To fulfill their potential as bastions for conservation, zoos must preserve captive populations as appropriate proxies for their wild conspecifics; doing so will help to promote successful reintroduction efforts. Morphological changes within captive populations may be detrimental to the fitness of individual animals because these changes can influence functionality; thus, it is imperative to understand the breadth and depth of morphological changes occurring in captive populations. Here, we conduct a meta-analysis of scientific literature reporting comparisons of cranial measures between captive and wild populations of mammals. We investigate the pervasiveness of cranial differences and whether cranial morphological changes are associated with ecological covariates specific to individual species, such as trophic level, dietary breadth, and home range size. Results Cranial measures of skull length, skull width, and the ratio of skull length-to-width differed significantly between many captive and wild populations of mammals reported in the literature. Roughly half of captive populations differed from wild populations in at least one cranial measure, although the degree of changes varied. Carnivorous species with a limited dietary breadth displayed the most consistent changes associated with skull widening. Species with a more generalized diet displayed less morphological changes in captivity. Conclusions Wild and captive populations of mammals differed in cranial morphology, but the nature and magnitude of their cranial differences varied considerably across taxa. Although changes in cranial morphology occur in captivity, specific changes cannot be generalized for all captive mammal populations. The nature of cranial changes in captivity may be specific to particular taxonomic groups; thus, it may be possible to establish expectations across smaller taxonomic units, or even disparate groups that utilize their cranial morphology in a similar way. Given that morphological changes occurring in captive environments like zoos have the potential to limit reintroduction success, our results call for a critical evaluation of current captive husbandry practices to prevent unnecessary morphological changes.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease Virus and Avian Polyomavirus in Captivity Psittacines from Costa Rica

2013 ◽  
Vol 03 (04) ◽  
pp. 240-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaby Dolz ◽  
Jessica Sheleby-Elías ◽  
Juan J. Romero-Zuñiga ◽  
Bernardo Vargas-Leitón ◽  
Gustavo Gutiérrez-Espeleta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Disease Virus ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Avian Polyomavirus ◽  
Feather Disease Virus

Surveying for Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans presence in Spanish captive collections of amphibians

2020 ◽  
Vol 142 ◽  
pp. 99-103
Author(s):  
D Lastra González ◽  
V Baláž ◽  
P Chajma ◽  
J Vojar
Keyword(s):  
Pathogenic Fungus ◽  
Dynamic Environments ◽  
Wild Populations ◽  
Fatal Disease ◽  
Apparent Lack ◽  
Good Practices ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
Batrachochytrium Salamandrivorans ◽  
Captive Populations ◽  
In Captivity

Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), a pathogenic fungus causing the fatal disease chytridiomycosis in amphibians, was likely introduced to Europe through the trade in pet salamanders from Asia and then escaped into wild populations. Among European countries, Spain has a large number of private breeders and keepers of pet salamanders, and cases of Bsal in wild and captive populations already have been confirmed there. However, surveillance for the pathogen in Spanish collections of amphibians is sparse. Therefore, assisted by private owners and breeders, we surveyed 10 amphibian collections and analysed a total of 317 samples for presence of Bsal. All of our analyses yielded negative results. However, this apparent lack of Bsal cases in captivity should not encourage relaxation of vigilance, quarantine efforts or good practices. Because amphibian collections represent highly dynamic environments (animals are coming in and out), the pathogen could easily be introduced into a collection by new individuals. Any case of Bsal infection in captive animals could lead to its further spread to wild populations of susceptible species, potentially decimating them, and thus should be prevented.

scholarly journals Selection of optimal spawning pairs to maintain genetic variation among captive populations of Acipenseridae based on the polymorphism of microsatellite loci

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dariusz Kaczmarczyk
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Computer Program ◽  
Microsatellite Loci ◽  
Fish Farm ◽  
Actual Data ◽  
Wild Populations ◽  
Captive Populations ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Theoretical Paper ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract The American paddlefish, Polyodon spathula (Walbaum), is an endangered acipenserid fish. Its wild populations are supplemented with stocking material that is obtained by conducting artificial spawning in aquaculture conditions. When fish are bred in captivity, it is important to select breeding pairs that will produce the most genetically diverse progeny, since this permits maintaining the fitness of wild populations. Breeding pairs of land animals are selected successfully based on the polymorphism of their microsatellite loci. This theoretical paper asks how to adapt this technique to fish so that American paddlefish spawners can be paired with the aim of producing restocking material in aquaculture that maintains genetic variation. To test our calculating techniques, we used actual data on the polymorphism of the microsatellites from paddlefish broodstock at the Pogorze fish farm (Poland). The data enabled us to do calculations that showed which spawner pairs would create the most genetically diverse offspring and how to assemble sets of spawning pairs that would be best for maintaining genetic variation. The method presented in this paper can be used for breeding fish in aquaculture to help conserve species. It could also be used in a computer program which would automate calculations and present them in easy-to-read tables and graphs.

scholarly journals Ownership of parrots in Madagascar: extent and conservation implications

Oryx ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 582-588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim E. Reuter ◽  
Lucia Rodriguez ◽  
Sahondra Hanitriniaina ◽  
Melissa S. Schaefer
Keyword(s):  
Wild Species ◽  
Spatial Extent ◽  
Household Surveys ◽  
Wild Populations ◽  
Pet Trade ◽  
Conservation Implications ◽  
Growing Body ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Parrot Species ◽  
Domestic Regulation

AbstractThe trade of live parrots is a threat to wild populations but is understudied. Madagascar is home to three parrot species listed on CITES Appendix II: Coracopsis nigra, Coracopsis vasa and Agapornis canus. Prior to this study there were no data on the ownership of parrots in Madagascar. We therefore aimed to investigate the extent of the domestic pet trade in this group. Our objectives were to quantify the prevalence, spatial extent, and timing of ownership. We collected data in July and August 2016 in nine urban towns across Madagascar, using semi-structured household surveys (n = 440). We found that the ownership of pet parrots is widespread in time and space; 37% (95% CI 26–48%) of interviewees had seen, and 8% (95% CI 3–13%) had owned, a Coracopsis sp. Fewer interviewees (4.5% of all interviewees) had seen A. canus in captivity, and only one individual reported having previously owned an A. canus. We estimate that 1,290 Coracopsis spp. individuals were held in captivity in the towns surveyed, in the 1.5 years prior to our interviews. It is likely that much of this ownership is illegal, although we did not examine this explicitly. Additional research is needed to determine whether current extraction rates are sustainable. This study adds to a growing body of evidence that the domestic regulation of the trade of wild species is not being addressed adequately in Madagascar.

scholarly journals A high prevalence of beak and feather disease virus in non-psittacine Australian birds

2017 ◽  
Vol 66 (7) ◽  
pp. 1005-1013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jemima Amery-Gale ◽  
Marc S. Marenda ◽  
Jane Owens ◽  
Paul A. Eden ◽  
Glenn F. Browning ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Virus ◽  
Australian Birds ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Feather Disease Virus
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