Members Of Felidae Research Articles

Assessing the impact of preventative measures to limit the spread of Toxoplasma gondii in wild carnivores of Madagascar.

Novel multihost pathogens can threaten endangered wildlife species, as well as humans and domestic animals. The zoonotic protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is transmitted by members of Felidae and can infect a large number of animal species, including humans. This parasite can have significant health consequences for infected intermediate hosts and could further endanger wild carnivore populations of Madagascar. Building on an empirical characterization of the prevalence of the pathogen in local mammals, we used mathematical models of pathogen transmission in a multihost community to compare preventative measures that aim to limit the spread of this parasite in wild carnivores. Specifically, we examined the effect of hypothetical cat vaccination and population control campaigns on reducing the risk of infection by T. gondii in wild Eupleridae. Our model predicted that the prevalence of exposure to T. gondii in cats would be around 72% and that seroprevalence would reach 2% and 43% in rodents and wild carnivores, respectively. Reducing the rodent population in the landscape by half may only decrease the prevalence of T. gondii in carnivores by 10%. Similarly, cat vaccination and reducing the population of definitive hosts had limited impact on the prevalence of T. gondii in wild carnivorans of Madagascar. A significant reduction in prevalence would require extremely high vaccination, low turnover, or both in the cat population. Other potential control methods of T. gondii in endangered Eupleridae include targeted vaccination of wild animals but would require further investigation. Eliminating the threat entirely will be difficult because of the ubiquity of cats and the persistence of the parasite in the environment.

Vitrification of feline ovarian tissue: Comparison of protocols based on equilibration time and temperature

Global contraction of biodiversity pushed most members of Felidae into threatened or endangered list except the domestic cat (Felis catus) thence preferred as the best model for conservation studies. One of the emerging conservation strategies is vitrification of ovarian tissue which is field-friendly but not yet standardized. Thus, our main goal was to establish a suitable vitrification protocol for feline ovarian tissue in field condition. Feline ovarian tissue fragments were punched with biopsy punch (1.5 mm diameter) and divided into 4 groups. Group 1 was fresh control (Fr), while the other three were exposed to 3 vitrification protocols (VIT_CT, VIT_RT1 and VIT_RT2). VIT_CT involved two step equilibrations in solutions containing dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and ethylene glycol (EG) for 10 min each at 4 °C. VIT_RT1 involved three step equilibration in solutions containing DMSO, EG, polyvinylpyrrolidone and sucrose for 14 min in total at room temperature, while in VIT_RT2 all conditions remained the same as in VIT_RT1 except equilibration timing which was reduced by half. After vitrification and warming, fragments were morphologically evaluated and then cultured for six days. Subsequently, follicular morphology, cellular proliferation (expression of Ki-67, MCM-7) and apoptosis (expression of caspase-3) were evaluated, and data obtained were analysed using generalised linear mixed model and chi square tests. Proportions of intact follicles were higher in Fr (P = 0.0001) and VIT_RT2 (P = 0.0383) in comparison to the other protocols both post warming and after the six-day culture. Generally, most follicles remained at primordial state which was confirmed by the low expression of Ki-67, MCM-7 markers. In conclusion, VIT_RT2 protocol, which has lower equilibration time at room temperature has proven superior thus recommended for vitrification of feline ovarian tissue.

Jejunal intramural haematoma in a captive African lion (Panthera leo)

AbstractA 19‐year‐old, entire, female, captive African lion (Panthera leo) presented acutely for reduced appetite and lethargy. Bloodwork revealed a poorly regenerative anaemia, hypoalbuminaemia and monocytosis. Ultrasound indicated the presence of a peri‐renal mass, but advanced imaging techniques were unavailable at the time. Minimal clinical improvement was seen with supportive treatment, and euthanasia was elected 11 days after presentation. Postmortem examination revealed an intramural intestinal haematoma of the jejunum with serosal haemorrhage and haemoabdomen, and a peri‐renal mass. Histology showed that the peri‐renal mass was an adrenal cortical carcinoma. The underlying cause of the intramural haematoma was not determined, but it was considered the probable cause for the clinical decline of this animal. Intramural intestinal haematoma is an uncommon entity in veterinary species, and has not been reported in any members of Felidae. This is the first documented case of an intramural intestinal haematoma in an African lion.

Toxoplasmosis; Seroprevalence, Comparative analysis of diagnostic techniques and identification of risk factors in humans in Malakand Agency, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Toxoplasmosis is caused by Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and is a wide spread parasitic zoonoses affecting a broad range of mammals and birds. Members of family Felidae are specific hosts for T. gondii. Specific IgA, IgM, and then IgG antibodies appearance usually indicate the onset of an acute T. gondii infection. The aim of the study was to check the seroprevalence of T. gondii and related risk factors in Tehsil Batkhela, Malakand Agency, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A total of 420 females were screened during four months study. Sera were collected and examined by Immune Chromatographic Technique (ICT), Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and Latex Agglutination Test (LAT) for detection of antibodies against T. gondii. The results were evaluated for occurrence rate; age wise occurrence, comparison of occurrence of T. gondii in pregnant and nonpregnant females, relation between animal contact and toxoplasmosis, T. gondii and abortion, comparison of ICT, ELISA and LAT. The overall occurrence rate was 65.71%, which was quite alarming. Middle age group (2130 years) females were highly affected (41.31%). Pregnant women had high infection level than non-pregnant. No any positive relation was found between the occurrence of toxoplasmosis and cats contact. Higher occurrence rate was found in aborted women. ELISA IgM method was found to be the most sensitive, reliable and accurate for the detection of T. gondii infection as compared to other methods. It may be recommended to study the same work on large population to identify further risk factors and to develop a molecular diagnostic assay for the accurate diagnosis of the infection.

Molecular species identification for multiple carnivores

Species identification is crucial for carnivore conservation and ecological studies. We present a simple molecular genetic test that amplifies DNA of 16 wild carnivore species from three continents. The test is based on co-amplification of two mitochondrial DNA fragments and scoring of the resulting species-specific size patterns. We evaluated the performance of this method using 332 known tissue, blood, hair and fecal samples from 23 carnivore and 11 potential prey species. Results demonstrate that this test can distinguish many Caniform species but not members of Felidae. The test can be performed with a single PCR and capillary sequencer run for cost-effective processing of large sample numbers typical of non-invasive genetic projects.

A new species of fox from the Australopithecus sediba type locality, Malapa, South Africa

ABSTRACT The 1.977 Ma site of ‘Malapa’ (Gauteng, South Africa) has yielded important new fossils, including the type specimens of the new hominin species Australopithecus sediba. Recently, we reported the first Carnivora specimens to have been recovered from the site. That sample included members of Felidae, Herpestidae and Hyaenidae. That first report also included three associated small canid specimens (an M2, a rib and a posterior mandibular fragment including the P4, M1, coronoid, condylar and angular processes) that we attributed to Vulpes cf. V. chama. In this paper, we compare these specimens to a broad sample of modern and fossil foxes and conclude that these specimens are distinct enough to be referred to a new species, here described and named Vulpes skinneri.

TRIPLOID-DIPLOID CHIMERISM IN A MALE TORTOISESHELL CAT.

Chromosome analysis was made on somatic cells in culture derived by necropsy from the ear and the peritoneum of a sex-chromatin positive male tortoiseshell domestic cat. A mixture of triploid (57, XXY) and normal diploid female (38 XX) cells was found in cultures of both tissue origins. The chimerism † probably existed in the cat and did not arise during in vitro cultivation. Several mechanisms for the origin of this particular chimera are suggested, including double fertilization and fusion of various types of fertilized or unfertilized meiotic products. It is postulated that the sex-linked allelic genes for the black and yellow coat color in cats follow Mendelian inheritance and that the tortoiseshell phenotype possibly is due to genetic inactivation of either X-chromosome in a heterozygous female. It is further suggested that a male tortoiseshell cat can possess an XXY sex chromosome constitution and be heterozygous for the sex-linked coat-color genes, but other types of sex chromosome anomalies and mosaicism can give rise to the same phenotype in males. The karyotype of the normal domestic cat (Felts domestica) is presented. Most, if not all, of the chromosomes can be identified. Certain similarities of karyotypes among members of Felidae are noted.