Suncus Murinus Research Articles

ARTHROPOD SPECIES DETECTION OF RICKETTSIAL INFECTION IN THE SOUTHERN OF VIETNAM, 2016

We collected chigger mites at 7 survey sites in habitats of the national park, mangroves, nature reserves of the Southern on months the rainy season and dry season from 2015 - 2016.Objectives: To determine chigger mites infection rate in rats and species composition, the distribution of chigger mites in rats, and to detect chigger mites of rickettsial infection which is parasitic on rats.Results and conclusions: The common chigger mites infection rate in rats was 23.38% (143/600). In which Suncus murinus and Mus musculus were not infected chigger mites, the highest chigger mites infection rate in Rattus rattus was 36.36% (4/11) and Rattus norvegicus 32.87% (47/143). Collected 2,770 chigger mites individuals from 6 species, 3 genera, 1 family. Among them, Ascoschoengastia was a species of Ascoschoengastia (L.) indica; Leptotrombicula was 2 species of Leptotrombidium (L.)deliense and Leptotrombidium (L.) striatum; Gahrliepia was 3 specie of Gahrliepia (W.) chinensis, Gahrliepia (W.) lupella and Gahrliepia (W.) parapacifica. Total of 123 chigger mites samples (1,781 individual) were tested by PCR. Showed that the overall prevalence of Orientia tsutsugamushi was1.62% (2/123). Where in O. tsutsugamushi in the specie of Ascoschoengastia (L.) indica was 4.67% (1/21) and the species of L. (L.) deliense was 1.85% (1/54). None of chigger mite samples positive with Rickettsia spp.

Diurnal changes of colonic motility and regulatory factors for colonic motility in Suncus murinus.

The aim of this study was to investigate the fundamental mechanisms of colonic motility in the house musk suncus (Suncus murinus) as an established animal model of gut motility. To measure gut motility in free-moving conscious suncus, strain gauge force transducers were implanted on the serosa of the colon and gastric body. We recorded diurnal changes in colonic motility and observed the relationship between feeding and colonic motility. Giant migrating contractions (GMCs) of the colon were invariably detected during defecation and tended to increase during the dark period, thereby indicating that colonic motility has a circadian rhythm. Given that GMCs in the suncus were observed immediately after feeding during the dark period, we assume the occurrence of a gastrocolic reflex in suncus, similar to that observed in humans and dogs. We also examined the factors that regulate suncus GMCs. Intravenous administration of 5-HT (100µg/kg), substance P (10 and 100µg/kg), calcitonin gene-related peptide (10µg/kg), and α2 adrenergic receptor antagonist yohimbine (0.5, 1, and 3mg/kg) induced GMC-like contractions, as did intragastric and intracolonic administration of the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 agonist, capsaicin (1mg/kg). These results indicate that the fundamental mechanisms of colonic motility in suncus are similar to those in humans and dogs, and we thus propose that suncus could serve as a novel small animal model for studying colonic motility.

Attempted predation by an Asian House Shrew, Suncus murinus (Linnaeus 1766), on an Indian Bullfrog, Hoplobatrachus tigerinus (Daudin 1802), in Bangladesh

Attempted predation by an Asian House Shrew, Suncus murinus (Linnaeus 1766), on an Indian Bullfrog, Hoplobatrachus tigerinus (Daudin 1802), in Bangladesh

Effectiveness of snap traps on capturing rodent and small mammals in rural area of two provinces (Yogyakarta and West Java) in Indonesia

The study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of snap traps on capturing the rodents and small mammals in two provinces (Yogyakarta and West Java). A small rural area surrounded by large scale ricecrops which indicate rodent damage seasonally was selected as the study site. The trappings were executed during the period of November 2018 – August 2020. Consecutive trappings were performed in two regions using snap traps baited with fresh salty fish and roasted coconut. Around 40-65 traps were set in West Java study sites and 60-65 traps in Yogyakarta for every single trap night, respectively. We checked the captured animals in the early morning and collected them for identification and sexing. In the late afternoon we continued with cleaning of the traps and put in the new same type of bait. A total of 517 animals were obtained with the proportion of the two sexes was almost the same (45.45% males:54.40% females). Based on the physical characteristics, those captured animals were three rodent species (Rattus argentiventer, Rattus tanezumi, Bandicota indica) and one species of insectivore (Suncus murinus). Regarding trapping rate of success, Yogyakarta denoted average values (21.38% in the first trapping and 26.04% from the second trapping) compared to West Java which was only accounted for half of them (11.31% and 11.24% from the first and second trapping, respectively). The heterogeneous habitat configuration probably allowed this situation to occur in Yogyakarta. Moreover, rodent control activities in West Java were implemented more intensively compared to Yogyakarta.

Distribution pattern of chigger mites in south Tamil Nadu, India

Chiggers, the larval Trombiculid mites are the vectors for scrub typhus. Rodents and shrews are the preferred host. Study made at different habitats of chiggers collected in rodents and shrews, revealed more number to Rattus rattus 95(63%) and Suncus murinus 33(22%). Rattus rattus 31(54%) and Suncus murinus 17(30%) alone contributed more in chigger positivity. Chigger mites belonged to eight species under five genera. Leptotrombidium deliense (66%), Schoengatiella ligula (15%), and other chiggers (9%) were collected from 57 positive rodents. Seasonally, there was a significant difference in rodent positivity, and there was no significant difference in the number of chiggers collected. The study indicated the prevalence of chiggers in the various hosts and their variation in rodent/shrew hosts. R. rattus 31(54%) and S. murinus 17(30%) contributed more in chiggers infestation and seasonally wet-cool months favored more chiggers and host positivity from different habitats.

Effect of oleoyl glycine and oleoyl alanine on lithium chloride induced nausea in rats and vomiting in shrews.

The fatty acid amide oleoyl glycine (OlGly) and its more stable methylated form oleoyl alanine (OlAla) reduce naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal (MWD)-induced conditioned gaping (nausea) responses in rats. In addition, OlGly has been shown to reduce lithium chloride (LiCl)-induced conditioned gaping in rats and vomiting in Suncus murinus (house musk shrews). Here, we compared the potential of these fatty acid amides to maintain their anti-nausea/anti-emetic effect over a delay. The following experiments examined the potential of a wider dose range of OlGly and OlAla to interfere with (1) LiCl-induced conditioned gaping in rats and (2) LiCl-induced vomiting in shrews, when administered 20 or 70 min prior to illness. OlAla (1, 5, 20 mg/kg) reduced LiCl-induced conditioned gaping, with OlGly only effective at the high dose (20 mg/kg), with no effect of pretreatment delay time. At the high dose of 20 mg/kg, OlGly increased passive drips during conditioning suggesting a sedative effect. In shrews, both OlGly and OlAla (1, 5 mg/kg) suppressed LiCl-induced vomiting, with no effect of pretreatment delay. OlAla more effectively suppressed vomiting, with OlAla (5 mg/kg) also increasing the latency to the first vomiting reaction. OlAla was more effective than OlGly in reducing both LiCl-induced gaping in rats and LiCl-induced vomiting in shrews. These findings provide further evidence that these fatty acid amides may be useful treatments for nausea and vomiting, with OlAla demonstrating superior efficacy.

Molecular characterization and expression analysis of the regenerating islet-derived protein 3 alpha from Suncus murinus

The regenerating islet-derived protein (Reg) 3 family of C-type lectins is primarily produced in the intestinal epithelial cells and exert several different physiological functions including as antimicrobial agents. The Reg3 family includes Reg3α, Reg3β, Reg3γ, and Reg3δ in mice, while only Reg3α and Reg3γ are found in humans. Accumulating evidence suggests that Reg3 proteins play several critical roles in maintaining host-bacterial homeostasis in the mammalian intestine, but little information is available on the mechanism regulating their expression in other organisms. In an effort to gain some insight into the evolutionary features of Reg3 proteins in mammals, we cloned Reg3α from suncus (Suncus murinus), which belongs to the Insectivora, and examined the tissue specific gene expression of Reg3α. Although suncus Reg3α lacks the bacterial binding/killing motifs, the deduced peptide of Reg3α do exhibit the other characteristic features of Reg3 family members, including several disulfide bonds and trypsin-dependent proteolytic processing, suggesting their functionality. Reg3α mRNA was found to be most abundant in the pancreas and highly expressed in the intestine. Reg3α function is not limited to its bactericidal effect; it is also known to attenuate intestinal inflammation. Given that the expression of Reg3α mRNA in DSS-treated suncus was significantly greater than that in the control, we hypothesized that it plays a protective role during inflammation. This study provides a basis for further investigation of the expression and physiological role of Reg proteins in other mammals and broadens our understanding of the divergence and evolutionary conservation of Reg proteins in various mammalian species.

Molecular detection and genetic characterization of Wenzhou virus in rodents in Guangzhou, China

BackgroundWenzhou virus (WENV), a newly discovered mammarenavirus in rodents, is associated with fever and respiratory symptoms in humans. This study was aimed to detect and characterize the emerging virus in rodents in Guangzhou, China.ResultsA total of 100 small mammals, including 70 Rattus norvegicus, 22 Suncus murinus, 4 Bandicota indica, 3 Rattus flavipectus, and 1 Rattus losea, were captured in Guangzhou, and their brain tissues were collected and pooled for metagenomic analysis, which generated several contigs targeting the genome of WENV. Two R. norvegicus (2.9%) were further confirmed to be infected with WENV by RT-PCR. The complete genome (RnGZ37-2018 and RnGZ40-2018) shared 85.1–88.9% nt and 83.2–96.3% aa sequence identities to the Cambodian strains that have been shown to be associated with human disease. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all identified WENV could be grouped into four different lineages, and the two Guangzhou strains formed an independent clade. We also analyzed the potential recombinant events occurring in WENV strains.ConclusionsOur study showed a high genetic diversity of WENV strains in China, emphasizing the relevance of surveillance of this emerging mammarenavirus in both natural reservoirs and humans.

Analysis of different factors contributing the rodent infestations in urban areas in Faisalabad, Pakistan

In the last decade there is a huge increase in the human population that has witnessed the important changes in the ecology, climate and human behaviour which ultimately favours the survival and increase in the population of urban pests. More alarmingly, a dramatic expansion in the rodent’s populations is a growing threat to the humans living in different urban settings. It is supposed that several socio-economic issues, environmental factors and type of housing facilities are contributing towards this higher increase in the rodent’s population in these areas. However, urban rat control programs are still ineffective as very little is known about their ecology. This study sought to investigate the type of housing and environment factors that provide food, water, shelter and harborage to rats and mice and risk factors of rodent infestations in three of the housing systems i.e. in squatter’s settlements, departmental colonies and posh residences including bungalows in Faisalabad. A total of 720 structures (240 each) were selected from these three housing systems. Snap and live trapping of commensal rats and mice (Rattus rattus, Rattus norvegicus,Mus musculus) was carried out fortnightly from November, 2017 to October, 2018 suspecting the rats and mice population as variable as different structured housing systems. The removal data were used to estimate the size of the population of rats and mice per system. For rat and mice population estimation, Change-in-ratio (CIR) and Regression of daily capture on cumulative captures (RR) were employed. The higher number of rats/mice (814 specimens) were collected in squatter’ settlements. Among these 560, 184 and 70 specimens were of Mus musculus, Rattus rattus and Suncus murinus, respectively. The number of rodents captured from departmental colonies and posh residences/bungalows was 210 specimens (129 of M. musculus, 71 of R. rattus and 10 specimens of S. murinus) and 30 specimens of M. musculus, respectively. The major socio-economic factors contributing to these higher rodent infestations were low-grade residences with inadequate or no building maintenance measures and higher housing densities along with heterogenous breeding sites. These higher densities of rats and mice may pose a serious disease threats to human populations as they are carriers of a number of pathogens. The findings of the present study provide the specific features of rats and mice population in concern to human residences and may help to formulate controlling strategies against these culprits.

Seasonal abundance of Leptotrombidium deliense, the vector of scrub typhus, in areas reporting acute encephalitis syndrome in Gorakhpur district, Uttar Pradesh, India.

The rickettsial pathogen Orientia tsutsugamushi, causing scrub typhus, has been implicated as a major cause of acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) in many places in India including Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh. Seasonal abundance of the principal vector mite of the pathogen, Leptotrombidium deliense, its animal hosts, and prevalence of infection on them are important attributes in the assessment of outbreaks of the disease. Hence, these aspects were investigated, seasonally, in rural villages of Gorakhpur district, where peak incidence of AES cases were reported. A total of 903 animals (rodents/shrews) was collected using 6484 Sherman traps in eight study villages (14% overall trap rate). A sum of 5526 trombiculid mites comprising 12 species was collected from 676 live rodents/shrews screened. Suncus murinus, the Asian house shrew was the predominant species (67%). Among trombiculids, the principal vector mite, L. deliense, was predominant (64.7%) and its infestation index (i.e., average number of chiggers per host animal) was 5.3. The L. deliense infestation index was higher during July to November with a peak in October. Out of 401 animal sera samples screened, 68% were positive for antibodies against O. tsutsugamushi. Of 465 blood samples tested by nested PCR, seven were positive for the 56kDa gene of O. tsutsugamushi. In conventional PCR, 41 out of 265 samples were positive for the 60kDa groEL gene of O. tsutsugamushi. Among the 5526 mite samples, tested as 352 pools through nested PCR, four pools were positive for 56kDa gene. Phylogenetic analysis of 56 and 60kDa genes confirmed circulation of Karp and TA678 (rodents) and TA678 (mite) serotypes of O. tsutsugamushi in Gorakhpur. Peak incidence of AES in Gorakhpur district occurs during the rainy season (July-October), coinciding with the peak abundance of L. deliense. These results indicate involvement of L. deliense as the vector mite transmitting the scrub typhus pathogen O. tsutsugamushi to humans in the rural areas of Gorakhpur district, India.

Effects of Brain Size on Adult Neurogenesis in Shrews.

Shrews are small animals found in many different habitats. Like other mammals, adult neurogenesis occurs in the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricle (SVZ) and the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampal formation. We asked whether the number of new generated cells in shrews depends on their brain size. We examined Crocidura russula and Neomys fodiens, weighing 10–22 g, and Crocidura olivieri and Suncus murinus that weigh three times more. We found that the density of proliferated cells in the SVZ was approximately at the same level in all species. These cells migrated from the SVZ through the rostral migratory stream to the olfactory bulb (OB). In this pathway, a low level of neurogenesis occurred in C. olivieri compared to three other species of shrews. In the DG, the rate of adult neurogenesis was regulated differently. Specifically, the lowest density of newly generated neurons was observed in C. russula, which had a substantial number of new neurons in the OB compared with C. olivieri. We suggest that the number of newly generated neurons in an adult shrew’s brain is independent of the brain size, and molecular mechanisms of neurogenesis appeared to be different in two neurogenic structures.

BAIT PREFERENCES BY DIFFERENT SMALL MAMMAL ASSEMBLAGES FOR EFFECTIVE CAGE-TRAPPING

The ecological study of small mammals often uses the cage-trapping method, installed with baits. Capture rates vary according to different baits used. We want to determine the bait preferences by different small mammal groups. The cage-trapping approach used common domestic bait types available, namely, aromatic banana, sweet potato with peanut butter, oil palm fruit, dried salted fish, jackfruit, and roasted coconut flesh. Sampling was conducted in three different habitat categories, namely urban, semi-urban, and recreational forests, located in Selangor, Malaysia, for one year. A total of 537 small mammals from 15 species were sampled, which was then grouped into seven groups (i.e., Rattus sp., Maxomys sp., Sundamys sp., Leopaldamys sabanus, Suncus murinus, squirrels, and Tupaia glis). Bait preferences were significantly different among the different small mammal groups, i.e., F (6,35) = 5.621, p = 0.000, with bananas shown to be most preferred bait, followed by oil palm fruits and sweet potatoes. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (nMDS) analysis revealed that the Rattus species encompassed the most diverse bait preference, while S. murinus and L. sabanus were the most selective. Muridae preferred sweet potatoes with peanut butter over bananas, while Sciuridae and Tupaiidae preferred bananas, and Soricidae preferred dried salted fish. This study elucidates the most effective bait selection for different small mammal assemblages, serving as a guide to increase capture rates when sampling targeted population of small mammals. Apart from that, it is helpful for effective rodent pest control.

The existence and characteristics of rats and shrews in endemic leptospirosis areas and types of ectoparasites: a case study of West Jakarta, Indonesia

Background: This study aimed to determine the presence and species of the rats and shrews that can potentially cause leptospirosis in West Jakarta, Indonesia, and the species of ectoparasites found in them. Methods: The research was a descriptive study employing a cross-sectional approach. The study population was all species of rats and shrews in the region and the sample collection technique used was purposive sampling. The traps were installed in the homes of respondents who had suffered from leptospirosis and their closest neighbors, with a total of 521 traps. Leptospirosis data based on secondary data was obtained from West Jakarta Health Office (2016-August 2019). The technique for catching rats involved using humane live traps, while the identification of the rats and ectoparasites was done in the laboratory. Results: It was found that more rats were caught in Cengkareng Timur sub-district, Cengkareng District, with a percentage of 14.8%, while the least in Duri Kepa, Kapuk, Kedaung Kali Angke and Kedoya Utara with a percentage of 3.7%. The rats were mostly found in East Cengkareng Sub-District, with the most common type being Rattus rattus (74.1 %) and the least Suncus murinus (11.1%); more male rats were caught (66.7%) than female (33.3%). The type of ectoparasite found in the rats was fleas. Xenopsylla cheopis was the most common type, at 83.3% and more fleas were male, at 66.7%. The most common rat species was Rattus rattus. The ectoparasite most commonly found in them was the female flea Xenopsylla cheopis. Conclusions: Rattus rattus and Xenopsylla cheopis were found in an East Cengkareng sub-district. Surveys, monitoring, and control of rats and ectoparasites are essential for the preparedness and development of an early warning system of possible diseases that they can cause.

Detection of Virus-Related Sequences Associated With Potential Etiologies of Hepatitis in Liver Tissue Samples From Rats, Mice, Shrews, and Bats.

Hepatitis is a major global health concern. However, the etiology of 10–20% hepatitis cases remains unclear. Some hepatitis-associated viruses, like the hepatitis E virus, are zoonotic pathogens. Rats, shrews, and bats are reservoirs for many zoonotic pathogens. Therefore, understanding the virome in the liver of these animals is important for the investigation of the etiologies of hepatitis and monitoring the emerging zoonotic viruses. In this study, viral metagenomics and PCR methods were used to investigate viral communities in rats, mice, house shrews, and bats livers. Viral metagenomic analysis showed a diverse set of sequences in liver samples, comprising: sequences related to herpesviruses, orthomyxoviruses, anelloviruses, hepeviruses, hepadnaviruses, flaviviruses, parvoviruses, and picornaviruses. Using PCR methods, we first detected hepatovirus sequences in Hipposideros larvatus (3.85%). We also reported the first detection of Zika virus-related sequences in rats and house shrews. Sequences related to influenza A virus and herpesviruses were detected in liver. Higher detection rates of pegivirus sequences were found in liver tissue and serum samples from rats (7.85% and 15.79%, respectively) than from house shrews. Torque teno virus sequences had higher detection rates in the serum samples of rats and house shrews (52.72% and 5.26%, respectively) than in the liver. Near-full length genomes of pegivirus and torque teno virus were amplified. This study is the first to compare the viral communities in the liver of bats, rats, mice, and house shrews. Its findings expand our understanding of the virome in the liver of these animals and provide an insight into hepatitis-related viruses.

Preliminary Study: Detection of Ecto and Endoparasites Among Wild Rats From Urban Area in Blimbing, Malang, East Java

Zoonotic parasitic infections is one of the global public health issues. The complex parasite transmission allows for the relationship between people, animals, vectors, and the environment. The existence of rat in the environment has an important role as a host and reservoir for various types of ecto and endoparasites. This study was conducted to collect informative data on the parasitic infection of wild rats in Blimbing sub-district, Malang city, East Java. A total number of eight wild rat were captured using live-traps from landfills during 4 days. They were classified by sex, weight and body length. The rats were anesthetized, collecting for any ectoparasites and then their carcasses were dissected for examinations of endoparasites. The result of this study show succesfull live-trap of rodents including Rattus norvegicus (87.5%) and Suncus murinus (12.5%). 50% of sampled rodents were male, 37.5% were female, and 12.5% of female the musk shrew. The presence of helminthes infection in all wild rats, namely Hymenolopis nana, Syphacia obvelata, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis. Furthermore, the ectoparasites identification were Xenopsylla cheopis, Echinolaelap echidninus, and blood protozoa identifications Trypanosoma lewisi. Based on the results show 100% of wild rats positive infections of endo-ectoparasites. This study indicates to continuous study among rodents’ parasites in wild rats in different urban areas and analysis of their potential impact on public health.

Research progress in studies on tooth development based on diphyodont mammals

For decades, the molecular and cellular mechanisms that govern tooth development have been extensively investigated. However, most of the studies are based on mice, whose teeth are quite different from human teeth in morphological and developmental aspects. Mice are not the ideal model for understanding the development of permanent teeth as they have only one set of dentition. Thus, using of diphyodont mammals is a better model to study the deciduous and permanent tooth development and to understand the process of tooth replacement. Several diphyodont mammal models have been established including minipig, ferret, house shrew and rabbit. Studies based on the diphyodont mammals have characterized the morphological changes involved in tooth replacement and molecular mechanisms of tooth replacement. However, few developmental stages were studied on ferret due to the presence of seasonal estrus and the difficulty to obtain ferret embryos at the correct stage. The house shrew is limited as a model because their deciduous tooth germs become vestigial in the embryonic period. The main disadvantage of the rabbit is an incomplete dentition with the lack of canines. Compared to the above mentioned animal models, the miniature pig has proven to be a valuable animal model for diphyodont development due to its dentition similarities, including the morphology, number and size of teeth, to human's, and particularly its heterodont dentition consisting of incisors, canines, premolars and molars. The present article reviews the current knowledge on the development of the primary and successional teeth in minipig modle and briefly summarizes the studies based on other diphyodont mammal models.

The existence and characteristics of rats and shrews in endemic leptospirosis areas and types of ectoparasites: a case study of West Jakarta, Indonesia.

Background: This study aimed to determine the presence and species of the rats and shrews that can potentially cause leptospirosis in West Jakarta, Indonesia, and the species of ectoparasites found in them. Methods: The research was a descriptive study employing a cross-sectional approach. The study population was all species of rats and shrews in the region and the sample collection technique used was purposive sampling. The traps were installed in the homes of respondents who had suffered from leptospirosis and their closest neighbors, with a total of 521 traps. Leptospirosis data based on secondary data was obtained from West Jakarta Health Office (2016-August 2019). The technique for catching rats involved using humane live traps, while the identification of the rats and ectoparasites was done in the laboratory. Results: It was found that more rats were caught in Cengkareng Timur sub-district, Cengkareng District, with a percentage of 14.8%, while the least in Duri Kepa, Kapuk, Kedaung Kali Angke and Kedoya Utara with a percentage of 3.7%. The rats were mostly found in East Cengkareng Sub-District, with the most common type being Rattus rattus (74.1 %) and the least Suncus murinus (11.1%); more male rats were caught (66.7%) than female (33.3%). The type of ectoparasite found in the rats was fleas. Xenopsylla cheopis was the most common type, at 83.3% and more fleas were male, at 66.7%. The most common rat species was Rattus rattus. The ectoparasite most commonly found in them was the female flea Xenopsylla cheopis.Conclusions: Rattus rattus and Xenopsylla cheopis were found in an East Cengkareng sub-district. Surveys, monitoring, and control of rats and ectoparasites are essential for the preparedness and development of an early warning system of possible diseases that they can cause.

Small mammal communities, associated damage to rice and damage prevention in smallholder rice storage facilities in Sri Lanka

Several rodent species damage rice crops and commensal rodents cause damage to stored produce and infrastructure, hygienic problems and they can transmit zoonotic pathogens. In the first such study in Sri Lanka, we identified the main rodent and shrew species and the extent of post-harvest damage caused in rice storage facilities of smallholder farmers. Netting of rice bags was trialled as a new measure of protection. Field experiments were performed in the three main agro-ecological zones of Sri Lanka.Five rodent species and one shrew species were captured in storage facilities. Rattus rattus, Bandicota indica and Suncus murinus were the dominant species in storage facilities. The small mammal composition was more related to season than to region. In storage, depending on region, 3.2–9.1% (mean 7.6%) of rice was lost to rodents when rice was stored indoors in unprotected polyethylene bags. Netting around bags reduced damage by 89% - equivalent to the annual rice consumption of one person per storage facility, reduced the presence of rodent droppings by 92% and the bag area damaged by rodents by 96%.Our findings clearly show the considerable amount of damage caused by rodents to rice post-harvest across three agro-ecological zones of Sri Lanka and indicate that netting bags considerably reduces damage and contamination. This netting can be used to aid the development of an ecologically-based rodent management (EBRM) program tailored to local conditions. More detailed studies are needed to fully understand the population and breeding ecology of the relevant rodent pest species in relation to damage patterns to optimize management beyond individual structural measures.

First Detection of Bartonella spp. in Small Mammals from Rice Storage and Processing Facilities in Myanmar and Sri Lanka.

(1) Background: Bartonella spp. are zoonotic bacteria with small mammals as main reservoirs. Bartonella spp. prevalence in small mammals from Myanmar and Sri Lanka are yet unknown. (2) Methods: Small mammals were snap trapped in Sri Lanka and Myanmar in urban surroundings. Spleens-derived DNA was screened for Bartonella spp. using conventional PCR based on three target genes. Positive samples were sequenced. (3) Results: 994 small mammals were collected comprising 6 species: Bandicota bengalensis, Bandicota indica, Rattus exulans, Rattus rattus, Mus booduga, and Suncus murinus. In Myanmar, the Bartonella prevalence in Bandicoot rats (68.47%) was higher than in Rattus rattus (41.67%), Rattus exulans (21.33%), and Suncus murinus (3.64%). Furthermore the prevalence in Myanmar (34%, n = 495) was twice as high as in Sri Lanka (16%, n = 499). In Sri Lanka, Bartonella spp. occurred almost exclusively in R. rattus. In Myanmar, Bartonella kosoyi was mainly detected (56%), followed by Bartonella sp. KM2529 (15%), Bartonella sp. SE-Bart D (12%) and Bartonella henselae (1%). In Sri Lanka, B. phoceensis (60%) and Bartonella sp. KM2581 (33%) were predominant. (4) Conclusions: Bartonella spp. were detected in all investigated small mammal species from Myanmar and Sri Lanka for the first time. Bartonella kosoyi and B. henselae are zoonotic. As these small mammals originated from urban settlements, human bartonellosis seems likely to occur.

Small mammals in the human-dominated landscape in the northern Western Ghats of India

The Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot is under huge anthropogenic pressure, with unique flora and fauna facing severe threats from habitat fragmentation, loss, and degradation. The northern Western Ghats has been poorly studied for its small mammal fauna, hence we examined small mammals near Pune from 2014 to 2017. Live trapping was carried out in irrigated and rainfed agriculture fields, forests, and grasslands at low, mid, and high elevations. A total of 538 individuals were trapped, representing 17 species of rodents and one shrew. Most abundantly captured species were Millardia kondana (23%), Mus saxicola (19%), Suncus murinus (17%), and Mus booduga (13%). Species richness and abundance of small mammals varied across the habitats. High elevation grasslands were species-rich relative to low elevation grasslands and forests. Our observations indicate that human disturbances play a role in determining the richness and abundance of small mammals in the area, where populations are under threat from urbanization, tourism, agriculture, grazing, and fire. Habitat and species specific conservation measures need to be taken, coupled with in-depth species–habitat relationship studies, for the conservation of small mammal diversity of the northern Western Ghats.