Warbler Research Articles

Waiting for a Warbler by Sneed B. Collard III

Waiting for a Warbler by Sneed B. Collard III

Scenes: Warbler Press an interview with Mary Bahr

Scenes: Warbler Press an interview with Mary Bahr

ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТЬНЕКОТОРЫХ ПИРЕТРОИДНЫХ ПРЕПАРАТОВ ПРИ КЛИНИЧЕСКОЙ ФОРМЕ ГИПОДЕРМАТОЗА КРУПНОГО РОГАТОГО СКОТА ВТЮМЕНСКОЙОБЛАСТИ

There are two types of bovine warble flies in the Tyu-men Region: Hypoderma bovis and Hypoderma lineatum. The larvae of these insects cause significant harm to ani-mals, and farms bear significant economic damage due to decreased meat and dairy productivity of cattle and dam-age to leather raw materials. Ivermectin-based drugs are the most efficient means of controlling these pests. How-ever, recently, within the former Soviet Union and beyond, there were reports on the development of resistance in some insect species, including gadflies, to avermectin-typepreparations. In this regard, it is relevant to search for larvi-cides from other chemical groups that are efficient against the diseases caused by bovine warble flies. The research goal was to test the larvicidal activity of some preparations from the group of synthetic pyrethroids in comparison with the recommended means of controlling mature warble fly larvae by pour-on method. To exterminate mature larvae in fattening steers spontaneously infected with the parasites,Hypodectin-Nwas used; to compare the effectiveness, pyrethroid-based preparations were used: Ectomin -0.5% aqueous emulsion of Cypermethrin, Ectopor -2% solution of Cypermethrin, and Purofen -3% solution of Esfen-valerate, all ready to use. The solutions were applied to the skin of animal backs on both sides of the vertebral column using a syringe dispenser in a dose of 15 mL. The experi-ments have shown that the preparations of Cypermethrin and Fenvalerate prepared on the basis of organic solvents have high lipophilicity which ensures long-term preserva-tion of pyrethroids on the skin and their penetration into the capsules of the larvae of the hypodermal layer. Larvicidal efficiency of Ectopor and Purofen made 89.9 and 95.6%, respectively, while the activity of Hypodectin-Nmade 95.4%. Toxicological studies have shown that pyrethroid preparations do not cause irritation and destruction of the epidermis and hair of the skin, do not change the clinical status of steers and hematological indices of the treated animals. The obtained data allow advising Ectopor and Purofen for late chemotherapy of bovine hypodermatosis by pour-on methodin a dose of 15 mL per animal.

Caribou Distribution and Movements in a Northern Alaska Oilfield

ABSTRACTAs industrial development increases in the range of barren‐ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti) across the warming Arctic, the need to understand the responses of caribou to development and to assess the effectiveness of mitigation measures increase accordingly. The Central Arctic Herd (CAH) of caribou ranges across northern Alaska, USA, and the herd's summer range includes the Prudhoe Bay and Kuparuk oilfields, where the herd has been exposed to oil development for >4 decades. We used location data from global positioning system (GPS) radio‐collars deployed on female CAH caribou for 106 collar‐years, recording locations every 2 hours during 2008–2019, to examine caribou distribution and movements during 7 different seasons of the year in relation to infrastructure in the Kuparuk oilfield, which is characterized by more design improvements and mitigation measures than the older Prudhoe Bay oilfield. We examined movement metrics in terms of distance to gravel infrastructure (roads and pads) and time before and after movements across infrastructure (crossings). We also employed integrated step‐selection analysis to compare caribou movements with random movements. Caribou distribution was influenced by insect activity, distance to coast, landcover, and terrain ruggedness, and we found large seasonal differences in caribou responses to infrastructure. Consistent with previous research findings, avoidance of areas near roads and pads was strongest during the calving season and some caribou used roads and pads as insect‐relief habitat when oestrid flies (warble fly [Hypoderma tarandi] and nose bot fly [Cephenemyia trompe]) were active. Caribou moved through the Kuparuk oilfield repeatedly during summer, averaging >2 road or pad crossings a day when harassment by mosquitoes (Aedes [Ochlerotatus] spp.) and oestrid flies were the predominant factors influencing caribou movements. Caribou moved faster while crossing roads and pads but showed little pattern in speed or turn angle with distance to roads and pads. These results demonstrate that the effects of petroleum development on a caribou herd with long‐term exposure to industrial activity vary widely by season. Maternal caribou avoid active roads and pads during calving, but the incorporation of appropriate mitigation measures in oilfield design allows caribou to move through the Kuparuk oilfield during other snow‐free seasons. © 2020 The Authors. The Journal of Wildlife Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The Wildlife Society.

Cytokine expression in bovine PBMC cultures stimulated with Hypoderma lineatum antigens

Hypoderma antigens are involved in host inflammation and immune response, conditioning larvae survival. In this study, peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cultures from Hypoderma sensitized and unsensitized cattle were performed to determine the effect of H. lineatum antigens and incubation time (18, 24, 48 h) on IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-10 and IL-4 mRNA gene expression determined by RT-qPCR. TNF-α and IL-4 gene expression were higher in Hypoderma previously sensitized PBMCs, suggesting that a mixed Th1/Th2 response may play a significant role in host defence reactions against Hypoderma exhibited by previously infested cattle. Incubation time had a significant effect on IL-10 and TNF-α gene expression, which decreased over time. Regarding to H. lineatum antigens, the crude larval extract and the purified fraction hypodermin B (HB) produced a significant reduction of the mRNA expression levels of the proinflammatory cytokine, IFN-γ; moreover, the HB had a stimulating effect on the mRNA gene expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, demonstrating that the parasite would modulate the host defence mechanisms by avoiding harmful immune responses that would limit its survival into the host tissues.

Behavioral, Physiological, Demographic and Ecological Impacts of Hematophagous and Endoparasitic Insects on an Arctic Ungulate.

Animals that deliver a toxic secretion through a wound or to the body surface without a wound are considered venomous and toxungenous, respectively. Hematophagous insects, such as mosquitoes (Aedes spp.), meet the criteria for venomous, and some endoparasitic insects, such as warble flies (Hypoderma tarandi), satisfy the definition for toxungenous. The impacts of these insects on their hosts are wide ranging. In the Arctic, their primary host is the most abundant ungulate, the caribou (Rangifer tarandus). The most conspicuous impacts of these insects on caribou are behavioral. Caribou increase their movements during peak insect harassment, evading and running away from these parasites. These behavioral responses scale up to physiological effects as caribou move to less productive habitats to reduce harassment which increases energetic costs due to locomotion, reduces nutrient intake due to less time spent foraging, and can lead to poorer physiological condition. Reduced physiological condition can lead to lower reproductive output and even higher mortality rates, with the potential to ultimately affect caribou demographics. Caribou affect all trophic levels in the Arctic and the processes that connect them, thus altering caribou demographics could impact the ecology of the region. Broadening the definitions of venomous and toxungenous animals to include hematophagous and endoparasitic insects should not only generate productive collaborations among toxinologists and parasitologists, but will also lead to a deeper understanding of the ecology of toxic secretions and their widespread influence.

Bovine hypodermatosis in Stavropol region: distribution, pathogenesis, veterinary and sanitary assessment of slaughter products

Summary. Data on distribution of hypodermatosis among large horned cattle in Stavropol region are presented in the article. It was proved that this pathology is widespread in this region. From 12% to 38% of animals from the total number of examined livestock are affected. Ordinary subcutaneous botfly (stroma) Hypoderma bovis de Geer and south subcutaneous botfly (pischevodnik) Hypoderma lineatum de Villers parasites on large horned cattle. The species ratio of gadflies is: Hypoderma bovis (de Gee - 61.1%, Hypoderma lineatum de Villers - 38.9%). The disease is widespread in all climatic zones of Stavropol region. Animals of all age and sex groups are infected, but young animals are more often affected. Linear relationship between the indicators of the transformation of climatic conditions in Stavropol region, the spread of hypodermatosis and the timing of treatment and preventive measures were determined. Authors proved that the complete death of H. bovis and H. lineatum imago (regardless of the time of their hatching) was noted when the temperature drops to -3°C for two days. Thus, this temperature determines the start of treatment and preventive measures against hypodermatosis in the area of animal welfare. When analyzing the histomorphological changes caused by H. bovis and H. lineatum in the body of large horned cattle, perforation of the skin, swelling of adjacent tissues, disorganization of the stroma and structural elements, erythrocyte aggregation, hemorrhages, hydropic degeneration of cellular elements, tissue necrosis, polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration of affected organs and tissues were observed. The data on pathogenesis were presented, the analysis of economic damage and the veterinary and sanitary assessment of the products of slaughter of cattle with hypodermatosis were carried out.

Blood Chemistry Value Assesment in Hypodermatosis of Cattle in the Chechen Republic

This article is devoted to the problem of cattle hypodermatosis caused by Hypoderma bovis De Geer and Hypoderma lineatum De Villers hypoderma flies. The results of studies of blood chemistry value of cattle diseased with hypodermatosis in the Chechen Republic are revealed in the article. The examination of ten blood samples taken from cattle diseased with animals hypodermatosis showed an increase in the activity of creatinine parameters above normal by 60 % or more, a significant decrease in carotene indicators (within 50 % or more), a relative decrease in crude protein, a decrease in glucose levels, an increase in alkaline phosphatase and alanine-aminotransferase, reduction of the studied reserve alkalinity index vol. % CO2 from 2 to 5 units (12 %) is lower, in six samples an increase in the activity of immunoglobulin IgA. All this is connected with the complex of pathomorphological changes expressed in the mechanical impact – traumatization, intoxication and hypersusceptibility of the organism of the infested animal with the development of inflammatory and dystrophic manifestations associated with injuries of muscle cells and tissues, intoxication, and an acid-alkali balance of the body shift in the acidic side (acidosis), pathological liver abnormality or diseases, with the defeat of organs and body systems, edema in different parts of the body, defect of immunoreaction and homeostasis in the body. Information obtained from biochemical screen provide an opportunity to conduct a deeper assessment of homeostasis and the body’s ability to self-regulate, promptly and comprehensively diagnosing diseases, study the dynamics of the development of pathological processes and conditions in the body, determine the clinical course and justifiably prescribe a complex of effective household and medical-preventive activities aimed at reducing the economic damage to livestock [8, 10].

Ecological concept of parasitic system functioning in cattle hypodermatosis

It is shown that agents of hypodermatosis of cattle are: ordinary subcutaneous gadfly (string) Hypoderma bovis de Geer and South subcutaneous gadfly (pediatric) Hypoderma lineatumde Villers. The data on the ubiquitous prevalence of hypodermatosis in all agricultural zones of the Stavropol territory are presented. It was established that hypodermatosis in cattle is more often recorded in pasture than stall-walking rearing. The extent of invasion in animals kept in farms of different forms of ownership is 15.4-42.5 %, the intensity of invasion varies within 18.5-29.5 specimens/head. It is emphasized that the activity of skin gadflies in the biocenosis during the day and spring-summer period is regulated by environmental conditions. Populations gadflies in the Stavropol region demonstrated a certain species ratio of Hypoderma bovis (De Gee – 64.7%, Hypoderma lineatum DeVillers and 33.7%. The factors of population size regulation of H. bovis and H. Lineatum were studied.

Say what? Bivalent singing in Vermivora warblers.

Say what? Bivalent singing in Vermivora warblers.

Tonal calls as a bioacoustic novelty in two Atlantic Forest species of Physalaemus (Anura: Leptodactylidae)

The frog genus Physalaemus has almost 50 species with vocalizations that are mostly composed of a single note. This note tends to have a broad harmonic structure or a pulsed structure. The sister species P. lateristriga and P. olfersii have pulsed advertisement calls that have been described as a noisy and long-lasting warbling sound. We provide the first account of inclusion of tonal sounds as part of the vocal repertoire of these species. Pure tones can (1) be long and form the entire call; (2) form prefixes of variable length separated by silence from the advertisement call; (3) be brief and form the onset or the offset of the regular advertisement call. Tonal calls may be an evolutionary novelty and they are not known from other populations of P. olfersii and P. lateristriga . Identification of the mechanism of sound production and of the behavioural role of these unique calls may help elucidate the evolution of call complexity in frogs.

LONGRANGE\xae (eprinomectin 5% w/v extended-release injection) efficacy against Hypoderma lineatum in an endemic area in southern Italy

BackgroundDespite intensive control measures including governmental campaigns using highly-efficacious systemic insecticides, there is evidence for persisting or recurring bovine Hypoderma species populations in parts of Europe, the USA and Canada. The present study evaluated the efficacy of LONGRANGE® (eprinomectin 5% w/v extended-release injection) against the infestation of cattle with Hypoderma lineatum, which is considered to be the predominant bovine warble fly in southern Europe and in North America.MethodsThirty-six local breed cattle sourced in an endemic area in southern Italy and confirmed positive for Hypoderma exposure by ELISA were randomly assigned to three groups of 12 animals each. Cattle of one group served as control and received saline injectable solution, whereas those in the two other groups received LONGRANGE® by subcutaneous injection. LONGRANGE® was administered once, either when Hypoderma larvae were expected to be first-instars (L1) or after warbles development, with Hypoderma larvae moulting to the second-(L2) and third-(L3) instars. Cattle were checked at intervals for warbles and Hypoderma larvae were collected, examined for their viability and morphologically identified. The detection of Hypoderma on cattle was terminated when warbles were no longer emerging.ResultsAll intact larvae collected were identified as H. lineatum. No live larvae were collected from any animal treated with LONGRANGE® while live specimens were sampled from nine of the 12 control cattle (1 to 9 larvae per animal) (P = 0.0001 at α = 0.05). LONGRANGE® treatment was well accepted and no adverse events related to treatment or other health problems were observed.ConclusionsThis study confirmed the continued ‘preventive’ (efficacy against migrating L1) and ‘therapeutic’ (efficacy against L2 and L3 in warbles) efficacy of LONGRANGE® against H. lineatum infestation of cattle under contemporary field conditions.

Phylogenetic analysis of goat warble fly (Przhevalskiana silenus) based on mitochondrial COI gene.

The larvae of the genus Przhevalskiana (Diptera: Oestridae) are the causative agents of subcutaneous myiasis in goats. Several species have been grouped under this genus based on the morphology of different larval stages, albeit with a lot of uncertainties. Thus, application of genetic tools seems to be helpful for taxonomy. During this study, the cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene was targeted for the characterization of larval stages of goat warble fly. Fragments of 606bp were amplified for all the specimens. Based on the COI gene analysis, all the recovered specimens were identified as larvae of Przhevalskiana silenus. Molecular data on the genus is relatively rare but present isolates revealed about 87-89% identity with previous isolates of P. silenus. According to the phylogenetic data, the present isolates branched (as a sister group) with a number of Hypoderma spp. including H. bovis, H. diana, H. lineatum and H. sinense. The present findings confirmed that the COI gene could be a suitable marker for genetic characterization and identification of larvae up to the species level.

Correlation between number of human cases of myiasis caused by the reindeer warble fly (Hypoderma tarandi) and weather conditions during summer in northern Scandinavia

The reindeer warble fly (Hypoderma tarandi) causes myiasis in reindeer and caribou (Rangifer tarandus and subspecies) and aberrant hosts such as humans. Of 22 human cases reported 1982–2016, 16 were children and 18 were residents in or visited northern parts of Norway or Sweden. Of a series of 39 new human cases in Norway 2011–2016 (reported 2017), 32 were children, 32 were resident in Finnmark (northernmost county of Norway), one was a visitor to Finnmark (most likely infested there), 17 were infested in 2012 and 10 in 2013. There are to our knowledge no human cases reported from Finland, although the H. tarandi infestation level in reindeer is high in the reindeer husbandry area of the country and many people live there. Consequently, the differences in geographical distribution and in distribution between children and adults, and between years, relative to where Rangifer and H. tarandi live, strongly indicate the presence of important identifiable drivers affecting the number and distribution. Meteorological data for June–August 2011–2016 from five meteorological stations in Finnmark applied in statistical analyses demonstrated that low proportion of days suitable for H. tarandi flying in July–August, combined with low proportion of days with rain in August, resulted in high number of cases in the particularly cold summer 2012. In contrast, in the particularly warm summer 2013, high proportion of days suitable for H. tarandi flying during July–August gave a high number of cases, and particularly high mean temperature in June tended in the same direction.

Hypodermosis in cattle translocated to Tamil Nadu from Punjab.

Fifteen apparently healthy Kandari cross-bred cattle aged about 4years were purchased from Rurki, Patiala district of Punjab by a private dairy farmer in Erode, Tamil Nadu. Four animals showed eruptions on the lateral thoracic and dorsal abdominal regions of the body after 15-day period of quarantine. Manual palpation of the eruptions resulted in the emergence of larval stages of dipteran flies, identified by their morphology as Hypoderma from these animals. Molecular identification based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase-1 (COX-1) gene confirmed it to be Hypoderma lineatum. Treatment with oral ivermectin did not have any curative effects, with exacerbation of disease being noticed, as more than 500 eruptions subsequently emerged in each animal, which had to be culled. Consequences of long distance migration of host on parasite epidemiology are discussed. Awareness must be created among livestock farmers to prevent their economic loss while purchasing cattle from different parts of the country.

Hypodermin C improves the survival of kidney allografts

Although immunosuppressive therapies have made organ transplantation a common medical procedure worldwide, chronic toxicity is a major issue of long-term treatment. One method to improve such therapies is the application of immunomodulatory agents from parasites, such as Hypoderma lineatum (Diptera: Oestridae). Hypodermin C (HC) is an enzyme secreted by H. lineatum larvae, and our previous study showed that recombinant HC could degrade guinea pig C3 and inhibit the complement pathway in vitro, suggesting potential activity for inhibiting transplant rejection. However, such properties have not been fully demonstrated in vivo. In this study, we investigated the impact of HC on a fully MHC-mismatched, life-sustaining, murine model of kidney allograft rejection using B6 donors and BABL/c (HC transgenic or wild-type) recipients. Kidney grafts were analyzed by histology, immunohistochemistry and western blotting. The results suggested that HC could effectively inhibit kidney allograft rejection. These findings suggest HC is a promising strategy to improve the survival of human implants.

Case report Human urinary tract myiasis in Al-Amara city/ Iraq

Myiasis has been defined as infestation with larvae of Diptera,on live animals and human. There are three main families of Diptera cause Myiasis,Oestridae (bot and warble flies); Calliphoridae(blowflies) and Sarcophagidae (flesh fly). Larvae of Fannia scalaris is the most frequent cause of urinary myiasis. Clinically,Myiasis is classified as dermal,respiratory system,nasopharyngeal,ophthalmic,auricular,gastric,rectal,intestinal and finally urinary myiasis which is the most uncommon type in human,because cloth protection and inaccessibility of genital area to flies prevents them from laying eggs,Psychoda albipennis (P. albipennis) can flourish in the environment of a moist bathroom and may cause urogenital myiasis in humans. The urine specimen was taken from the patient who contracted from this larvae and the specimen was examined to detect and identify this larvae. The larvae are feeding on bacteria. The prevention criteria to prevent the myiasis are including the good hygiene during defection and micturition.

Micro-computed tomography visualization of the vestigial alimentary canal in adult oestrid flies.

Oestrid flies (Diptera: Oestridae) do not feed during the adult stage as they acquire all necessary nutrients during the parasitic larval stage. The adult mouthparts and digestive tract are therefore frequently vestigial; however, morphological data on the alimentary canal in adult oestrid flies are scarce and a proper visualization of this organ system within the adult body is lacking. The present work visualizes the morphology of the alimentary canal in adults of two oestrid species, Oestrus ovis L. and Hypoderma lineatum (de Villiers), with the use of non-invasive micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and compares it with the highly developed alimentary canal of the blow fly Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Both O.ovis and H.lineatum adults showed significant reductions of the cardia and the diameter of the digestive tract, an absence of the helicoidal portion of the midgut typical of other cyclorrhaphous flies, and a lack of crop and salivary glands. Given the current interest in the alimentary canal in adult dipterans in biomedical and developmental biology studies, further understanding of the morphology and development of this organ system in adult oestrids may provide valuable new insights in several areas of research.

Immunosuppressive mechanism of Hypoderma lineatum secreted serine esterase, a potential modulatory method used to inhibit transplant rejection

Background: Although immunosuppressive therapies have made organ transplantation a common medical procedure worldwide, chronic toxicity has a major issue for long-term treatment. One method to improve therapies and methods is the application of immunomodulatory agents from parasites such as Hypoderma lineatum. Hypodermin A (HA) is a serine esterase secreted by the larvae of Hypoderma lineatum, several studies demonstrated its immunosuppressive mechanism in vitro, and recently we discovered that HA inhibits the expression of interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-2 and activates IL-10 expression. Therefore, we hypothesized that it might be a potential agent used to block allograft rejections. However, most studies of the immunosuppressive mechanisms associated with HA were undertaken at the cellular level. In order to augment these studies, we evaluated the immunosuppressive effects of HA in vivo using an HA transgenic mouse model. Result: Our results revealed similar findings to those reported by in vitro studies, specifically that HA induced prostaglandin E2 expression, downregulated IFN-γ and IL-2 expression, and promoted IL-10 secretion via E-type prostanoid receptor 4. Additionally, we observed that HA overexpression inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced TLR4 activation. These findings provide insight into a new potential agent capable of blocking graft rejection. Conclusion: Our founding suggested that HA-related treatment could be a promising option to improve the viability of grafts in human.

Factors affecting Somatic Cell Count in milk of dairy cows in Costa Rica

Somatic cells, such as bacteria fi ghting leukocytes, are present in cow’s milk as an immune response to combat intramammary infection. The primary objective of this study was to determine the effect of various factors on the somatic cell count, or SCC, within the milk of dairy cows. Factors studied in comparison to the SCC include the number of bacteria within the cows’ milk, the age of the cows, the number of Hypoderma lineatum lesions on the cows, and the cows’ diet and the sanitation practice at separate farms.