Pier Giuseppe Meneguz

Sarcoptes scabiei: Specific immune response to sarcoptic mange in the Iberian ibex Capra pyrenaica depends on previous exposure and sex.

Host acquired immunity is a critical factor that conditions the survival of parasites. Nevertheless, there is a shortage of data concerning inter-individual immunological inequalities in wild mammals. Sarcoptic mange is a widespread parasitosis that severely affects mammals such as the Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica). Despite some work on the subject, the immune response to sarcoptic mange infestation is still a complex and poorly understood phenomenon. To improve knowledge of the host-Sarcoptes immunological interaction, 18 Iberian ibexes were experimentally infested. IgG levels were assessed using ELISA to test for potential factors determining the specific immune response to infestation. Previous exposure and sex appeared to affect the IgG response to infestation and our results suggest a sex-biased immunomodulation. We discuss the immunological pattern of host-Sarcoptes interactions and also suggest further lines of work that may improve the understanding of immunological interactions of host-Sarcoptes systems.

Parasites and Conservation Biology: The ‘Ibex-Ecosystem’

Parasites, as organisms with a particular way of life, form an important part of biodiversity, not only regarding the number of known species, but also because of their relevant role within ecological processes. These two facts should justify conservation of parasites, at least within natural and protected areas. Little is known about such complex communities of parasites but they are often considered as pests, even out of the fields of public (human) health and animal production, that is, just in the natural environment or under natural conditions. It is increasingly assumed that wildlife diseases, including those produced by parasites, are one of the main bases for managing animal populations. Parasitic diseases may also be managed and, at this point, we can find multiple technical problems which, in certain occasions, lead into philosophical questions or true dilemmas. These considerations are illustrated by revising parasites of the Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica), an Iberian mountain ungulate the parasitofauna of which is relatively well known. As a big game species, its trophies become more and more appreciated. Therefore, human dimensions involved in management of its populations are considerably increased. Finally, reasons and opportunities for managing parasitic diseases affecting ibex are revised and discussed, under a global goal or perspective of conserving parasites within natural areas, particularly those that are protected.

Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato Infection in Larval Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) Feeding on Blackbirds in Northwestern Italy

Abstract Birds belonging to 59 species (n = 1,206) were live captured in Piemonte, northwestern Italy, in 2001. Ixodes ricinus (L.) larvae were collected from 59 birds belonging to nine species, and nymphs were recovered on 79 birds belonging to 10 species. Eurasian blackbirds, Turdus merula L., had significantly higher levels of infestation by ticks than other passerine species. Larval I. ricinus of blackbirds peaked in summer, when prevalence was 39% (95% confidence interval 24.2–55.5) and mean number of ticks per host was 3.3 (1.6–7.2), whereas nymphs peaked in spring, when prevalence was 72.2% (54.8–85.8) and mean number of ticks per host was 6.9 (4.4–10.7). Immature I. ricinus were coincidentally aggregated on blackbirds, with 15 blackbirds feeding 67.4% of nymphs and 40.3% of larvae, and coinfestation by both stages was relatively high in summer: Kappa = 0.64 (0.40–0.88). Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato was identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 58.3% (35.9–78.5) of larvae with engorgement ratio ≥3 that were collected from blackbirds. Larvae that were collected from other passerine species gave negative PCR results. Sixteen of 21 PCR-positive samples belonged to B. garinii (76.2%), and five (23.8%) were Borrelia valaisiana. Results of this study suggest that blackbirds play an important role as hosts for immature I. ricinus and as reservoir of Borrelia garinii in northwestern Italy.

Haemonchosis in Spanish Ibex

Two cases of haemonchosis occurred in the Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica) population of the National Hunting Reserve of Tortosa and Beseit, northeastern Spain, in July 1992 and May 1993. The animals were cachectic and recumbent and had an acute hemorrhagic, macrocytic and hypochromic anemia; which was related to a high infection of 2,016 and 1,863 Haemonchus contortus, respectively, in the abomasum of the animals.

IMMOBILIZATION OF HIMALAYAN TAHR WITH A XYLAZINE–KETAMINE MIXTURE AND REVERSAL WITH ATIPAMEZOLE UNDER FIELD CONDITIONS

Twenty-nine free-ranging Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus) were darted in the Sagarmatha National Park (Nepal) using different combinations of xylazine and ketamine. Animals in Group 1 (n=4) received a mean xylazine–ketamine dose of 2.77±0.99 mg/kg xylazine plus 3.32±0.19 mg/kg ketamine in males and 2.39±0.10 mg/kg xylazine plus 4.29±0.17 mg/kg ketamine in females. Animals in Group 2 (n=25) received a mean xylazine–ketamine dose of 1.70±0.41 mg/kg xylazine plus 3.06±0.74 mg/kg ketamine in males and 1.82±0.29 mg/kg xylazine plus 3.29±0.52 mg/kg ketamine in females. No anesthetic-related mortality was recorded. Anesthesia was reversed by a standard dose of 11 mg/animal of atipamezole administered by intramuscular injection. Although all anesthetic dosages immobilized free-ranging tahr successfully, a quick and smooth recovery was obtained (11.1±5.6 min) only with the dosages of Group 2.

Field and experimental data indicate that the eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) is susceptible to infection with European brown hare syndrome (EBHS) virus and not with rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) virus

The eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) is an American lagomorph. In 1966, it was introduced to Italy, where it is currently widespread. Its ecological niche is similar to those of native rabbits and hares and increasing overlap in distribution brings these species into ever closer contact. Therefore, cottontails are at risk of infection with the two lagoviruses endemically present in Italy: Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease virus (RHDV) and European Brown Hare Syndrome Virus (EBHSV). To verify the susceptibility of Sylvilagus to these viruses, we analyzed 471 sera and 108 individuals from cottontail populations in 9 provinces of north-central Italy from 1999 to 2012. In total, 15–20% of the cottontails tested seropositive for EBHSV; most titres were low, but some were as high as 1/1280. All the cottontails virologically tested for RHDV and EBHSV were negative with the exception of one individual found dead with hares during a natural EBHS outbreak in December 2009. The cottontail and the hares showed typical EBHS lesions, and the EBHSV strain identified was the same in both species (99.9% identity). To experimentally confirm the diagnosis, we performed two trials in which we infected cottontails with both EBHSV and RHDV. One out of four cottontails infected with EBHSV died of an EBHS-like disease, and the three surviving animals developed high EBHSV antibody titres. In contrast, neither mortality nor seroconversion was detected after infection with RHDV. Taken together, these results suggest that Sylvilagus is susceptible to EBHSV infection, which occasionally evolves to EBHS-like disease; the eastern cottontail could therefore be considered a “spill over” or “dead end” host for EBHSV unless further evidence is found to confirm that it plays an active role in the epidemiology of EBHSV.

First report of Obeliscoides cuniculi in European brown hare (Lepus europaeus).

Obeliscoides cuniculi is a New World nematode parasite of the Trichostrongilidae family infecting the gastric tract of different domestic and wild Lagomorph species. This parasite is reported for the first time from a European brown hare (Lepus europaeus). The nematodes isolated from the gastro-intestinal tract were identified using the primary characteristics used to differentiate the species of this genus as adults morphology (length and thickness) and other characteristics of spicules, cervical papillae, cuticular ridges and striations. In the Italian study area, the European brown hare lives in sympatry with the eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus), species in which the nematode was previously isolated; therefore, the possibility of a cross-infestation must be considered.

Dermatophytosis due to Trichophyton verrucosum in a chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra)

A 3-year-old male chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) shot during a harvest plan in Piedmont (Italy) presented periocular alopecic and thickened crusty lesions, some of which slightly red in colour. Hair still present was broken and easily removed. Direct microscopic examination of the pathological material collected by skin scraping led to the diagnosis of dermatophytosis, as the hair shafts appeared invaded by unstained spherical spores (arthroconidia). Fungal growth was obtained by culturing hair and crusts on thiamine/inositol enriched Sabouraud’s medium at 37°C. The macro- and microscopic characteristics of the organism were typical of the dermatophyte Trichophyton verrucosum. Wild ruminants are rarely affected by dermatophytosis, whereas in cattle, sheep and goats, infection because of this dermatophyte is quite common. This seems to be the first case of infection by T. verrucosum in chamois.

Mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite markers evidence a different pattern of hybridization in red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) populations from NW Italy

Genetic introgression with exotic genomes represents a major conservation concern for the red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa, Phasianidae). In particular, massive releases of chukar partridges (Alectoris chukar) and/or red-legged × chukar partridge hybrids for hunting purposes have cast serious doubts on the Italian present-day occurrence of wild A. rufa populations not affected by introgressive hybridization. This study investigates the genetic structure of red-legged partridges populations in two ecologically different areas in Northern Italy. Analysis of maternal mitochondrial DNA and biparental microsatellite markers excluded the presence of hybridization in a typical agricultural habitat where hunting and release of reared birds are strictly banned. By contrast, signs of chukar introgression were detected in a perifluvial habitat unusual for the red-legged partridge in Italy. The present study documents the first red-legged partridge population with no genetic evidences of recent chukar introgression presently living in Italy. We recommend that urgent conservation actions are taken to preserve the genetic integrity of this population from the risk of hybridization with farm-reared birds and to support its long-term conservation.

Temporal patterns of ungulate-vehicle collisions in a subalpine Italian region

Abstract Over the last few decades, in Italy as in the rest of EU, both the number of wild ungulates and the volume of traffic have increased significantly. Consequently, ungulate-vehicle collisions have increased with significant costs in human death and injury, animal welfare and material damage. In this study we provide information about temporal patterns of collisions in a subalpine Italian region. We analyzed 1110 reports of accidents that occurred in Cuneo district from January 2008 to December 2011. Most of them were caused by roe deer and wild boar, while red deer, fallow deer and chamois were occasionally involved. Monthly distribution of accidents showed two peaks, with a higher risk of collision during spring mainly related to roe deer and a secondary peak in autumn caused by wild boar. No evident daily variations were noticed. In the case of roe deer, we reported the existence of a primary hourly peak at dusk and another secondary peak at dawn. Wild boar were most frequently involved in collisions during dusk and night. We hypothesized that these temporal distributions are the result of a complex interaction of phenological, behavioral and human-related reasons. Information provided in this study allows us to better understand the dynamics and patterns of wildlife-car collisions and represents an indispensable element for the implementation of any mitigation strategy.