scholarly journals Widespread Infection with Hemotropic Mycoplasmas in Free-Ranging Dogs and Wild Foxes Across Six Bioclimatic Regions of Chile

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 919
Author(s):  
Sophia Di Cataldo ◽  
Aitor Cevidanes ◽  
Claudia Ulloa-Contreras ◽  
Irene Sacristán ◽  
Diego Peñaloza-Madrid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Structure ◽  
Mixed Models ◽  
Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽  
Species Group ◽  
South American ◽  
Adult Age ◽  
Network Analyses ◽  
Male Sex ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Sequence Types

Blood samples of 626 rural dogs, 140 Andean foxes (Lycalopex culpaeus), and 83 South American grey foxes (L. griseus) from six bioregions of Chile spanning 3000 km were screened for Mycoplasma DNA by conventional PCR and sequencing. Risk factors of infection were inferred using Generalized Linear Mixed Models and genetic structure by network analyses. Overall, Mycoplasma haemocanis/Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhc/Mhf) and Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum (CMhp) observed prevalence was 23.8% and 12.8% in dogs, 20.1% and 7.2% in Andean foxes, and 26.5% and 8.4% in grey foxes, respectively. Both hemoplasmas were confirmed in all the bioregions, with higher prevalence in those where ticks from the Rhipicephalus sanguineus species group were absent. Candidatus M. haematominutum and a Mycoplasma sp. previously found in South American carnivores were detected in one fox each. Although the most prevalent Mhc/Mhf and CMhp sequence types were shared between dogs and foxes, network analysis revealed genetic structure of Mhc/Mhf between hosts in some regions. Male sex was associated with a higher risk of Mhc/Mhf and CMhp infection in dogs, and adult age with CMhp infection, suggesting that direct transmission is relevant. No risk factor was identified in foxes. Our study provides novel information about canine hemoplasmas with relevance in distribution, transmission routes, and cross-species transmission.

scholarly journals Variation in fine-scale genetic structure and local dispersal patterns between peripheral populations of a South American passerine bird

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (20) ◽  
pp. 8363-8378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esteban Botero-Delgadillo ◽  
Verónica Quirici ◽  
Yanina Poblete ◽  
Élfego Cuevas ◽  
Sylvia Kuhn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Structure ◽  
Passerine Bird ◽  
Peripheral Populations ◽  
South American ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
Dispersal Patterns ◽  
Local Dispersal

Canine vector-borne pathogens in rural dogs in Chile: molecular survey and co-infection patterns

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aitor Cevidanes ◽  
Sophia Di Cataldo ◽  
Catalina Muñoz-San Martín ◽  
Claudia Hernández ◽  
Maria Stefania Latrofa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽  
Metropolitan Region ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Central Chile ◽  
Infection Pattern ◽  
Acanthocheilonema Reconditum ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Globally Distributed ◽  
Hematological Alterations

Abstract Background: Canine vector-borne pathogens (CVBP) comprises a relevant and globally distributed group of disease agents. The aim of this study is to determine de co-occurrence of the most relevant CVBP of veterinary and zoonotic interest, in free-ranging, owned, rural dogs of central Chile, and to evaluate risk factors and potential “hidden” hematological alterations associated to pathogen co-infection by two or more pathogens.Methods: Nine groups of canine vector-borne pathogens (CVBP) were molecularly investigated in 111 free-ranging, owned rural dogs in the Metropolitan Region of Chile. Results: At least one pathogen was detected in 75% of the dogs. The most prevalent agent was Anaplasma platys (36%), followed by Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum (CMhp; 31%), Mycoplasma haemocanis (Mhc; 28%), Trypanosoma cruzi (17%), Leishmania spp. (4.5%) and Acanthocheilonema reconditum (1%). DNA of Ehrlichia spp., Rickettsia spp., Bartonella spp., Piroplasmida and Hepatozoon spp. was not detected. Thirty-eight dogs (34%) were coinfected, either by two (n=20), three (n=7), or four agents (n=1). The most common co-infection pattern was CMhp – Mhc (n=14). CMhp was involved in 71%, Mhc in 58%, and A. platys in 50% of the co-infections. Prevalence of A. platys was higher in juvenile than in adult dogs, whereas the opposite was found for CMhp and Mhc. Adult dogs had five times more probabilities of being coinfected than young animals. Dogs positive for A. platys were infested by a larger number of Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato ticks than uninfected individuals. At clinical evaluation, most of the animals were considered healthy, with only eight dogs (7%) presenting pale mucous membranes. Co-infected animals showed higher white blood cell count, segmented neutrophil count and GGT levels than non-co-infected dogs. Conclusions: This study represents the first report of Leishmania sp. in Chile. Clinically healthy but infected dogs as those studied here may act as reservoirs of CVBP, potentially contributing to the spread of these pathogens to other tick-exposed dogs as well as human beings or protected wild carnivores.

scholarly journals Hemoplasmas Are Endemic and Cause Asymptomatic Infection in the Endangered Darwin’s Fox (Lycalopex fulvipes)

2020 ◽  
Vol 86 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophia Di Cataldo ◽  
Ezequiel Hidalgo-Hermoso ◽  
Irene Sacristán ◽  
Aitor Cevidanes ◽  
Constanza Napolitano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Asymptomatic Infection ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Network Analyses ◽  
Carnivore Species ◽  
Conservation Actions ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Hematological Alterations ◽  
Prevalent Pathogen ◽  
Darwin’S Fox

ABSTRACT Mycoplasma haemocanis is prevalent in the endangered Darwin’s fox (Lycalopex fulvipes) in its main stronghold, Chiloé Island (Chile). The origin of the infection, its dynamics, its presence in other fox populations and the potential consequences for fox health remain unexplored. For 8 years, hemoplasmal DNA was screened and characterized in blood from 82 foxes in Chiloé and two other fox populations and in 250 free-ranging dogs from Chiloé. The prevalence of M. haemocanis in foxes was constant during the study years, and coinfection with “Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum” was confirmed in 30% of the foxes. Both hemoplasma species were detected in the two mainland fox populations and in Chiloé dogs. M. haemocanis was significantly more prevalent and more genetically diverse in foxes than in dogs. Two of the seven M. haemocanis haplotypes identified were shared between these species. Network analyses did not show genetic structure by species (foxes versus dogs), geographic (island versus mainland populations), or temporal (years of study) factors. The probability of infection with M. haemocanis increased with fox age but was not associated with sex, season, or degree of anthropization of individual fox habitats. Some foxes recaptured years apart were infected with the same haplotype in both events, and no hematological alterations were associated with hemoplasma infection, suggesting tolerance to the infection. Altogether, our results indicate that M. haemocanis is enzootic in the Darwin’s fox and that intraspecific transmission is predominant. Nevertheless, such a prevalent pathogen in a threatened species represents a concern that must be considered in conservation actions. IMPORTANCE Mycoplasma haemocanis is enzootic in Darwin’s foxes. There is a higher M. haemocanis genetic diversity and prevalence in foxes than in sympatric dogs, although haplotypes are shared between the two carnivore species. There is an apparent tolerance of Darwin’s foxes to Mycoplasma haemocanis.

Reference Intervals of Mineral Elements in Plasma of Anesthetized Free-Ranging Adult Females of South American Sea Lion, Otaria flavescens

2016 ◽  
Vol 174 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-327
Author(s):  
Paula S. Polizzi ◽  
L. N. Chiodi Boudet ◽  
A. Ponce de León ◽  
M. Quiroga ◽  
D. H. Rodríguez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mineral Elements ◽  
Reference Intervals ◽  
South American ◽  
Sea Lion ◽  
Otaria Flavescens ◽  
South American Sea Lion ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Free Ranging

SELECTION FOR A NON-GENITALIC MATING STRUCTURE IN FEMALE TIGER BEETLES OF THE GENUS CICINDELA (COLEOPTERA: CICINDELIDAE)

1974 ◽  
Vol 106 (6) ◽  
pp. 561-568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Freitag
Keyword(s):  
Male Genitalia ◽  
Species Group ◽  
South American ◽  
Tiger Beetles ◽  
Mating Structure ◽  
Female Mating ◽  
Selection For ◽  
North And South

AbstractFemales of species in Cicindela have a groove or pit in the mesepisternum which is concluded to be a mating structure, "coupling sulcus," that is held by the mandibles of the male. Six character states of the coupling sulcus are described, and may be useful for identification at the species and species group levels. Primitive (groove) and advanced (cavity) states of the coupling sulcus are derived by comparison with a classification of North and South American Cicindela based on the male genitalia. I suggest the following hypothesis: the female mating structure evolved in response to the highly agile behaviour of diurnal tiger beetles; the advanced cavity-like coupling sulcus is a result of population adjustments to long periods of hot conditions; and the non-agile, crepuscular, and nocturnal habits of primitive tiger beetles such as Amblycheila, Omus, and Megacephala have resulted in no selection for a female mesepisternum coupling sulcus.

The central and south american blindsnakes of the genus Anomalepis

1988 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher P. Kofron
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Geographic Distribution ◽  
Species Group ◽  
The Body ◽  
South American

AbstractThe Neotropical blindsnakes of the genus Anomalepis are reviewed. Four species are recognized: A. mexicanus in Costa Rica, Panama and Peru; A. colombia in Colombia; A. flavapices in Ecuador; and A. aspinosus in Peru. Numbers of dorsal scales and scale rows around the body are the only characteristics by which the species can be diagnosed. Anomalepis colombia, A. flavapices and A. aspinosus comprise a species group (the aspinosus group) with a combined geographic distribution somewhat similar to that of A. mexicanus, but more restricted. The aspinosus group is characterized by higher numbers of dorsal scales and scale rows: 308-363 dorsals, and a scale-row formula of (26-27-28-30)-(24-26-30)-(24-27). Anomalepis mexicanus is characterized by fewer numbers of dorsal scales and scale rows: 259-299 dorsals, and a scale-row formula of (24-25-26)-(20-22-23-24)-(20-21-22). Anomalepis flavapices and A. aspinosus may be synonymous.

scholarly journals Repeatability of circadian behavioural variation revealed in free-ranging marine fish

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 160791 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josep Alós ◽  
Martina Martorell-Barceló ◽  
Andrea Campos-Candela
Keyword(s):  
Personality Trait ◽  
Mixed Models ◽  
Markov Models ◽  
State Space Model ◽  
Spatial Location ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
High Predictability ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Tracking Technology

Repeatable between-individual differences in the behavioural manifestation of underlying circadian rhythms determine chronotypes in humans and terrestrial animals. Here, we have repeatedly measured three circadian behaviours, awakening time, rest onset and rest duration, in the free-ranging pearly razorfish, Xyrithchys novacula , facilitated by acoustic tracking technology and hidden Markov models. In addition, daily travelled distance, a standard measure of daily activity as fish personality trait, was repeatedly assessed using a State-Space Model. We have decomposed the variance of these four behavioural traits using linear mixed models and estimated repeatability scores ( R ) while controlling for environmental co-variates: year of experimentation, spatial location of the activity, fish size and gender and their interactions. Between- and within-individual variance decomposition revealed significant R s in all traits suggesting high predictability of individual circadian behavioural variation and the existence of chronotypes. The decomposition of the correlations among chronotypes and the personality trait studied here into between- and within-individual correlations did not reveal any significant correlation at between-individual level. We therefore propose circadian behavioural variation as an independent axis of the fish personality, and the study of chronotypes and their consequences as a novel dimension in understanding within-species fish behavioural diversity.

Hematology, Serum Chemistry, and Early Hematologic Changes in Free-Ranging South American Fur Seals (Arctocephalus australis) at Guafo Island, Chilean Patagonia

2016 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 663-668 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauricio Seguel ◽  
Francisco Muñoz ◽  
Alessandra Keenan ◽  
Diego J. Perez-Venegas ◽  
Eugene DeRango ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South American ◽  
Serum Chemistry ◽  
Fur Seals ◽  
Chilean Patagonia ◽  
Free Ranging
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