Self-clearance of Pestivirus in a Pyrenean Chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica) Population

2018 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 335-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuelle Gilot-Fromont ◽  
Mathieu Garel ◽  
Philippe Gibert ◽  
Sébastien Lambert ◽  
Pierre Menaut ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rupicapra Pyrenaica ◽  
Pyrenean Chamois

scholarly journals Detection of tick-borne pathogens in questing Ixodes ricinus in the French Pyrenees and first identification of Rickettsia monacensis in France

Parasite ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toufic Akl ◽  
Gilles Bourgoin ◽  
Marie-Line Souq ◽  
Joël Appolinaire ◽  
Marie-Thérèse Poirel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ixodes Ricinus ◽  
Pathogen Detection ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Rupicapra Pyrenaica ◽  
Rickettsia Monacensis ◽  
Animal Pathogens ◽  
Questing Ticks ◽  
Pyrenean Chamois ◽  
First Time

Ticks are important vectors of several human and animal pathogens. In this study, we estimated the prevalence of important tick-borne infections in questing ticks from an area in Southwestern France (Hautes-Pyrénées) inhabited by Pyrenean chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica pyrenaica) experiencing high tick burden. We examined adult and nymph ticks collected by the flag dragging method from 8 to 15 sites in the Pic de Bazès during the years 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015. PCR assays were conducted on selected ticks for the detection of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Babesia spp., Rickettsia spp., spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Randomly selected positive samples were submitted for sequence analysis. A total of 1971 questing ticks were collected including 95 males, 101 females and 1775 nymphs. All collected ticks were identified as Ixodes ricinus. Among them, 696 ticks were selected for pathogen detection and overall prevalence was 8.4% for B. burgdorferi s.l.; 0.4% for Babesia spp.; 6.1% for A. phagocytophilum; 17.6% for Rickettsia spp.; and 8.1% for SFG Rickettsia. Among the sequenced pathogens, we detected in this population of ticks the presence of Babesia sp. EU1 and Rickettsia helvetica, as well as Rickettsia monacensis for the first time in France. The detection of these pathogens in the Pic de Bazès highlights the potential infection risks for visitors to this area and the Pyrenean chamois population.

scholarly journals Vigilance behavior of pyrenean chamois Rupicapra pyrenaica pyrenaica: Effect of sex and position in the herd

2010 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 232-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoni Dalmau ◽  
Alfred Ferret ◽  
Xavier Manteca
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Group Size ◽  
Group Living ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Rupicapra Pyrenaica ◽  
Vigilance Behavior ◽  
Focal Animal ◽  
Risk Of Predation ◽  
Pyrenean Chamois ◽  
Optimal Group Size

Abstract The Pyrenean chamois Rupicapra pyrenaica pyrenaica is a mountain-dwelling ungulate with an extensive presence in open areas. Optimal group size results from the trade off between advantages (a reduction in the risk of predation) and disadvantages (competition between members of the herd) of group living. In addition, advantages and disadvantages of group living may vary depending on the position of each individual within the herd. Our objective was to study the effect of central vs. peripheral position in the herd on feeding and vigilance behavior in male and female Pyrenean chamois and to ascertain if a group size effect existed. We used focal animal sampling and recorded social interactions when a focal animal was involved. With males, vigilance rate was higher in the central part of the group than at the periphery, probably due to a higher density of animals in the central part of the herd and a higher probability of being disturbed by conspecifics. With females, vigilance rate did not differ according to position in the herd. Females spent more time feeding than males, and males showed a higher frequency of the vigilance behavior than females. We did not observe a clear relationship between group size and vigilance behavior. The differences in vigilance behavior might be due to social interactions.

Mineral Levels in Pyrenean Chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica)

2014 ◽  
Vol 157 (3) ◽  
pp. 218-223
Author(s):  
Josep Manent ◽  
Rafaela Cuenca ◽  
Jorge R. López-Olvera ◽  
Laura Fernández-Sirera ◽  
Santiago Lavín ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rupicapra Pyrenaica ◽  
Mineral Levels ◽  
Pyrenean Chamois

The two sides of border disease in Pyrenean chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica): silent persistence and population collapse

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ignasi Marco ◽  
Oscar Cabezón ◽  
Roser Velarde ◽  
Laura Fernández-Sirera ◽  
Andreu Colom-Cadena ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Host Population ◽  
Distribution Area ◽  
Border Disease Virus ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Rupicapra Pyrenaica ◽  
Border Disease ◽  
Pyrenean Chamois

AbstractIn 2001, border disease virus (BDV) was identified as the cause of a previously unreported disease in Pyrenean chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica) in Spain. Since then, the disease has caused a dramatic decrease, and in some cases collapse, of chamois populations and has expanded to nearly the entire distribution area in the Pyrenees. Chamois BDV was characterized as BDV-4 genotype and experimental studies confirmed that it was the primary agent of the disease. The infection has become endemic in the Central and Eastern Pyrenees. However, while most Pyrenean chamois populations have been severely affected by the disease, others have not, despite the circulation of BDV in apparently healthy individuals, suggesting the existence of different viral strategies for persisting in the host population. Changes in the interplay of pathogen, host and environmental factors may lead to the formation of different disease patterns. A key factor influencing disease emergence may be pathogen invasiveness through viral mutation. Host factors, such as behavior, immunity at the population level and genetic variability, may also have driven different epidemiological scenarios. Climatic and other ecological factors may have favored secondary infections, such as pneumonia, that under particular circumstances have been major contributing factors in the high mortality observed in some areas.

scholarly journals Comments regarding Marco et al., 2015, ‘The two sides of border disease in Pyrenean chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica): silent persistence and population collapse’

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-78
Author(s):  
María Cruz Arnal ◽  
Juan Herrero ◽  
Olatz Fernández ◽  
David Martínez ◽  
Carlos Prada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Collapse ◽  
Rupicapra Pyrenaica ◽  
Border Disease ◽  
Pyrenean Chamois ◽  
Two Sides

Retrospective study of pestivirus infection in Pyrenean chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica) and other ungulates in the Pyrenees (NE Spain)

2011 ◽  
Vol 149 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 17-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ignasi Marco ◽  
Oscar Cabezón ◽  
Rosa Rosell ◽  
Laura Fernández-Sirera ◽  
Alberto Allepuz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Rupicapra Pyrenaica ◽  
Pyrenean Chamois ◽  
Ne Spain

Mortality patterns in a protected population of isards (Rupicapra pyrenaica)

2001 ◽  
Vol 79 (11) ◽  
pp. 2072-2079 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georges Gonzalez ◽  
Jean-Paul Crampe
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Sexually Dimorphic ◽  
Large Herbivores ◽  
Rupicapra Pyrenaica ◽  
Type Pattern ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Stationary Type ◽  
Pyrenean Chamois ◽  
Dimorphic Species ◽  
Winter Severity

We considered variation in mortality over 8 years in a protected population of isards (Pyrenean chamois; Rupicapra pyrenaica) within the Pyrenean National Park using monthly systematic skull collection. After testing the stationary-type pattern of estimates of mortality of the living population, we (i) analysed the composition of a sample of dead animals in terms of age and sex; (ii) investigated temporal patterns of mortality and their relationship with winter severity; (iii) tested for sexual differences in mortality rates in this weakly sexually dimorphic species. Of 588 animals found dead from natural causes, 114 were kids (19.4%). No statistical differences existed in the composition of the sample according to sex (the ratio of males to females was 1/1.13). Age at death did not differ significantly between the sexes or among years. A positive relationship was found between winter severity (expressed as cumulative snowfall) and mortality rates for both kids and adults. During mild winters, the mortality rate was low (a mean of 38.4 carcasses per year versus 124 per year in severe winters) and was concentrated on the oldest animals, mainly males. Based on 303 skulls more than 1 year old, annual survivorship curves revealed a period of low mortality (prime age) extending to 9 and 10 years of age for males and females, respectively, followed by a period of increasing mortality (senescence). Our results are commented on in light of recent publications on the demography of populations of large herbivores.

scholarly journals Diversity and evolution of the Mhc-DRB1 gene in the two endemic Iberian subspecies of Pyrenean chamois, Rupicapra pyrenaica

Heredity ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 99 (4) ◽  
pp. 406-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Alvarez-Busto ◽  
K García-Etxebarria ◽  
J Herrero ◽  
I Garin ◽  
B M Jugo
Keyword(s):  
Drb1 Gene ◽  
Rupicapra Pyrenaica ◽  
Pyrenean Chamois

scholarly journals Experimental infection with chamois border disease virus causes long-lasting viraemia and disease in Pyrenean chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica)

2011 ◽  
Vol 92 (11) ◽  
pp. 2494-2501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oscar Cabezón ◽  
Roser Velarde ◽  
Gregorio Mentaberre ◽  
Laura Fernández-Sirera ◽  
Encarna Casas-Díaz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Virus ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Border Disease Virus ◽  
Post Inoculation ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Humoral Immune ◽  
Rupicapra Pyrenaica ◽  
Viral Virulence ◽  
Border Disease ◽  
Pyrenean Chamois

Since 2001, severe outbreaks of disease associated with border disease virus (BDV) infection have been reported in Pyrenean chamois. The disease is characterized by variable degrees of cachexia, alopecia and neurological manifestations prior to death. The aim of this study was to investigate this disease under experimental conditions. To assess viral virulence, humoral immune response, dissemination and probable routes of transmission, seven chamois (five seronegative and two seropositive for BDV) were inoculated with a BDV isolated from a naturally infected chamois. A group of three chamois were maintained as uninfected controls. The five seronegative chamois became viraemic from day 2 post-inoculation (p.i.) until their death (three animals) or the end of the experiment (on day 34 p.i.) and developed neutralizing antibodies from day 18 p.i. until the end of the study. Continuous shedding of the virus was detected by RT-PCR in oral, nasal and rectal swabs in viraemic chamois from day 5 p.i. Despite none of the viraemic chamois showing obvious neurological signs, all of them had a non-suppurative meningoencephalitis as seen in naturally infected chamois. The two inoculated BDV-seropositive chamois did not become viraemic. This study confirms that BDV is the primary agent of the disease that has been affecting chamois populations in recent years in the Pyrenees and that previously acquired humoral immunity is protective.

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