Pygmy Shrew Research Articles

Co-circulation of soricid- and talpid-borne hantaviruses in Poland

Previously, we reported the discovery of a genetically distinct hantavirus, designated Boginia virus (BOGV), in the Eurasian water shrew (Neomys fodiens), as well as the detection of Seewis virus (SWSV) in the Eurasian common shrew (Sorex araneus), in central Poland. In this expanded study of 133 shrews and 69moles captured during 2010–2013 in central and southeastern Poland, we demonstrate the co-circulation of BOGV in the Eurasian water shrew and SWSV in the Eurasian common shrew, Eurasian pygmy shrew (Sorex minutus) and Mediterranean water shrew (Neomys anomalus). In addition, we found high prevalence of Nova virus (NVAV) infection in the European mole (Talpa europaea), with evidence of NVAV RNA in heart, lung, liver, kidney, spleen and intestine. The nucleotide and amino acid sequence variation of the L segment among the SWSV strains was 0–18.8% and 0–5.4%, respectively. And for the 38 NVAV strains from European moles captured in Huta Dłutowska, the L-segment genetic similarity ranged from 94.1%–100% at the nucleotide level and 96.3%–100% at the amino acid level. Phylogenetic analyses showed geographic-specific lineages of SWSV and NVAV in Poland, not unlike that of rodent-borne hantaviruses, suggesting long-standing host-specific adaptation. The co-circulation and distribution of BOGV, SWSV and NVAV in Poland parallels findings of multiple hantavirus species co-existing in their respective rodent reservoir species elsewhere in Europe. Also, the detection of SWSV in three syntopic shrew species resembles spill over events observed among some rodent-borne hantaviruses.

Pygmy Shrew (<em>Sorex hoyi</em>) in Montana east of the Rocky Mountains with comments on its distribution across the northern Great Plains

Range maps for Pygmy Shrew (Sorex hoyi) show a large hiatus over much of the northern Great Plains between the Rocky Mountains and eastern North Dakota. We report a new record of the Pygmy Shrew in northeastern Montana, review previous records for the state and adjacent regions bordering Montana to the north and east, and suggest that the range boundary in the northern Great Plains be redrawn farther south to include all of Montana north of the Missouri River. This is consistent with the known range of the Pygmy Shrew in eastern North Dakota and South Dakota, where the species has been documented only north and east of the Missouri River, although records are still lacking from north of the Missouri River in northwestern North Dakota and adjacent regions of Canada. Pygmy Shrews will probably be found at additional localities in prairie regions of Canada adjacent to Montana, most likely in association with prairie pothole wetlands, river bottom riparian vegetation, and hardwood draws.

Hantaviruses in Finnish soricomorphs: Evidence for two distinct hantaviruses carried by Sorex araneus suggesting ancient host-switch

Hantaviruses are emerging viruses carried by rodents, soricomorphs (shrews and moles) and bats. In Finland, Puumala virus (PUUV) was for years the only hantavirus detected. In 2009, however, Seewis virus (SWSV) was reported from archival common shrew (Sorex araneus) samples collected in 1982 in Finland. To elucidate the diversity of hantaviruses in soricomorphs in Finland, 180 individuals were screened, representing seven species captured from 2001 to 2012: hantavirus RNA was screened using RT-PCR, and hantaviral antigen using immunoblotting with polyclonal antibodies raised against truncated SWSV nucleocapsid protein. The overall hantavirus RNA prevalence was 14% (26/180), antigen could be demonstrated in 9 of 20 SWSV RT-PCR positive common shrews. Genetic analyses revealed that four soricomorph-borne hantaviruses circulate in Finland, including Boginia virus (BOGV) in water shrew (Neomys fodiens) and Asikkala virus (ASIV) in pygmy shrew (Sorex minutus). Interestingly, on two study sites, common shrews harbored strains of two different hantaviruses: Seewis virus and a new distinct, genetically distant (identity 57% at amino acid level) virus (Altai-like virus) which clusters together with viruses in the basal phylogroup I of hantaviruses with 62–67% identity at amino acid level. This is the first evidence of coexistence of two clearly distinct hantavirus species circulating simultaneously in one host species population. The findings suggest an ancient host-switching event from a yet unknown host to S. araneus. In addition, phylogenetic analyses of partial S and M segment sequences showed that SWSV in Finland represents a unique genotype in Europe.

Invading and expanding: range dynamics and ecological consequences of the greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula) invasion in Ireland.

Establishing how invasive species impact upon pre-existing species is a fundamental question in ecology and conservation biology. The greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula) is an invasive species in Ireland that was first recorded in 2007 and which, according to initial data, may be limiting the abundance/distribution of the pygmy shrew (Sorex minutus), previously Ireland's only shrew species. Because of these concerns, we undertook an intensive live-trapping survey (and used other data from live-trapping, sightings and bird of prey pellets/nest inspections collected between 2006 and 2013) to model the distribution and expansion of C. russula in Ireland and its impacts on Ireland's small mammal community. The main distribution range of C. russula was found to be approximately 7,600 km2 in 2013, with established outlier populations suggesting that the species is dispersing with human assistance within the island. The species is expanding rapidly for a small mammal, with a radial expansion rate of 5.5 km/yr overall (2008–2013), and independent estimates from live-trapping in 2012–2013 showing rates of 2.4–14.1 km/yr, 0.5–7.1 km/yr and 0–5.6 km/yr depending on the landscape features present. S. minutus is negatively associated with C. russula. S. minutus is completely absent at sites where C. russula is established and is only present at sites at the edge of and beyond the invasion range of C. russula. The speed of this invasion and the homogenous nature of the Irish landscape may mean that S. minutus has not had sufficient time to adapt to the sudden appearance of C. russula. This may mean the continued decline/disappearance of S. minutus as C. russula spreads throughout the island.

Invasive alien species disrupt spatial and temporal ecology and threaten extinction in an insular, small mammal community

The impact of invasive bank vole (Myodes glareolus) and greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula) on indigenous Irish small mammals, varies with season and habitat. We caught bank voles in deciduous woodland, young coniferous plantations and open habitats such as rank grass. The greater white-toothed shrew was absent from deciduous woods and plantations but did use open habitats with low level cover in addition to field margins. Numbers of both invasive species in field margins during summer were higher than in the previous spring. The indigenous wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) and pygmy shrew (Sorex minutus), differed in degrees of negative response to invasive species. Wood mice with bank voles in hedgerows had reduced recruitment and lower peak abundance. This effect was less extreme where both invasive species were present. Wood mice numbers along field margins and open habitats were significantly depressed by the presence of the bank vole with no such effect in deciduous woodland or coniferous plantations. Summer recruitment in pygmy shrews was reduced in hedgerows with bank voles. Where greater white-toothed shrew was present, the pygmy shrew was entirely absent from field margins. Species replacement due to invasive small mammals is occurring in their major habitat i.e. field margins and open habitats where there is good ground cover. Pygmy shrew will probably disappear from these habitats throughout Ireland. Wood mice and possibly pygmy shrew may survive in deciduous woodland and conifer plantations. Mitigation of impacts of invasive species should include expansion of woodland in which native species can survive.

Hantaviruses in Germany: threat for zoo, pet, companion and farm animals?

Hantaviruses are so-called "emerging" and "re-emerging" viruses because of the new and sudden nature of their appearance. Human infections can lead to two distinct disease patterns, the Haemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome and the Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome. All known human pathogenic hantaviruses are transmitted through rodent hosts. There are three rodent-associated hantaviruses in Germany. The bank vole-associated Puumala virus (PUUV) is responsible for most of the human hantavirus infections. The Dobrava-Belgrade virus (DOBV) associated with the striped field mouse is causing hantavirus disease in the North and Northeast of Germany. The human pathogenicity of Tula virus (TULV) is still controversially discussed--the virus has been mainly associated with the common vole as the reservoir, but was molecularly detected also in the field and the water vole. More recently, two shrew-borne hantaviruses were described in Germany, i. e. Seewis virus in the common shrew and Asikkala virus in the pygmy shrew. Systematic studies about hantavirus infections of zoo, pet, companion and farm animals are still lacking. Hence, the aim of this review article is to summarise the current knowledge on this topic and raise the attention of veterinarians to potentially overlooked clinical disease patterns.

Forest refugia and riverine barriers promote diversification in the West African pygmy shrew (Crocidura obscurior complex, Soricomorpha)

The Crocidura obscurior or West African pygmy shrew complex is endemic to West African forests from south‐eastern Guinea, eastern Liberia, southern Côte d'Ivoire and south‐western Ghana. We explore the genetic and morphometric diversity of 239 individuals of the C. obscurior complex from 17 localities across its geographical range. Using genetic data from three mitochondrial (16S, cytochrome b and COI) and four nuclear markers (BRCA1, STAT5A, HDAC2 and RIOK3) and skull geometric morphometrics, we show that this complex is composed of two cryptic and sympatric species, C. obscurior and C. eburnea. We then test several hypotheses to infer their evolutionary history. The observed phylogeographical pattern based on cytochrome b and COI sequences fits the forest refuge theory: during arid phases of the Plio‐Pleistocene, around 3.5, 2.1, 1 and 0.5 Mya, a small number of populations survived in isolated forest patches and diverged allopatrically. During wetter climatic periods, forests expanded, leading to secondary contacts between previously isolated populations. Our results also suggest the possible contribution of episodes of isolation in subrefuges. Historical variation of the West African hydrographic network could also have contributed to the observed patterns of genetic differentiation. Rivers such as the Volta and Sassandra may act as past and/or current barriers to gene flow. Although these two species have sympatric distributions, their phylogeographical histories are somewhat dissimilar due to small differences in their dispersal abilities and ecological requirements.

Responses of small mammals to clear-cutting in temperate and boreal forests of Europe: a meta-analysis and review

We analyzed the responses of small mammals to clear-cutting in temperate and boreal forests in Europe. We conducted a meta-analysis of published research on most often studied small mammal species (the striped field mouse, the yellow-necked mouse, the wood mouse, the field vole, the common vole, the bank vole, the Eurasian harvest mouse, the common shrew and the Eurasian pygmy shrew), comparing their abundance on clear-cuts and in unharvested stands. For four other species (the gray-sided vole, the Siberian flying squirrel, the Eurasian red squirrel and the hazel dormouse), we provide a qualitative review of their responses to forest harvest. Results of the meta- analysis suggest that common species of small mammals usually increase in abundance after clear-cutting or are unaffected by this disturbance. As an exception, the yel- low-necked mouse declines after clear-cutting in boreal but not in temperate forest. The qualitative review suggests that the responses of more specialized (e.g., arboreal) species to forest harvest are more varied than the responses of generalist species included in the meta-analysis. For some species of small mammals (e.g., the Siberian flying squirrel), habitat loss resulting from forest harvest is a major threat.

Non-invasive multi-species monitoring: real-time PCR detection of small mammal and squirrel prey DNA in pine marten (Martes martes) scats

DNA identification of mammal species occurring in the diet of a predator is potentially a useful approach to remotely monitor the distribution of multiple species. This is important in Ireland, where it has been shown that the combined presence of the introduced bank vole and greater white-toothed shrew impact the distribution of the indigenous small mammals, the wood mouse and pygmy shrew. Direct monitoring of these species and their interactions requires trapping, a labour-intensive and costly approach. In this study, we applied an indirect method by genetically testing the presence of small mammals in pine marten scats collected during the National Pine Marten Survey (2005–2007) to map their distribution. We also included additional scats to investigate if less common prey items, the red squirrel and grey squirrel, could also be detected. This study demonstrates that all target species were genetically detected from pine marten scats. This strategy could be implemented as a monitoring programme for indigenous and introduced mammal species.

New method for visualization of C-heterochromatin in synaptonemal complex spreads

DAPI staining of the metaphase chromosomes pretreated with barium hydroxide generates a C-like banding pattern. In this work a protocol for visualizing similar pattern at the synaptonemal complex (SC) spreads after immunostaining is suggested. This method was used to visualize centromeric and sex heterochromatin at the SC spreads of guppy fish (Poecilia reticulata Peters, 1859). The efficiency of this method was further confirmed at SC spreads of the northern red-backed vole (Myodes rutilus (Pallas, 1779)), the guinea pig (Cavia porcellus (Linnaeus, 1758)), and the pigmy shrew (Sorex minutus Linnaeus, 1766).

THE DIET OF VARANUS GRISEUS IN THE SOUTHERN COASTAL PLAIN OF ISRAEL (REPTILIA: SAURIA)

ABSTRACT Fecal pellets were collected and analyzed microscopically during a two-year study of the desert monitor (Varanus griseus) in a sand-dune area south of Holon. V. griseus was found to be a predator-scavenger carnivore type, eating almost any animal of appropriate size. Although 92.2% of the fecal pellets contained invertebrates (mainly arthropods), the higher frequency of occurrence of the smaller species among the invertebrates is probably due to secondary predation. The main prey items included rodents (mostly gerbils, Gerbillus sp., and jirds, Meriones sp.), bird eggs (presumably chukar partridge, Alectoris chukar eggs), birds (mainly partridge chicks), skinks (Chalcides sp.), fringe-toed lizards (Acanthodactylus sp.), chameleons (Chamaeleo chamaeleon), elegant geckos (Stenodactylus sthenodactylus), tortoises (Testudo graeca) and snakes (including the venomous Vipera xanthina palaestinae). Less frequent were: hedgehogs (Hemiechinus auritus), leverets (Lepus europaeus), Sanis pygmy shrew (Suncus ...

Detection of shrew-borne hantavirus in Eurasian pygmy shrew (Sorex minutus) in Central Europe

Recently, it was found that not only rodents but also shrews are reservoir hosts of hantaviruses. In Central Europe, only Seewis virus, associated with the Eurasian common shrew (Sorex araneus), has been recognized until now. In the present report, tissue samples from shrews belonging to Crocidurinae and Soricinae subfamilies, trapped in Czech Republic, Germany, and Slovakia, were screened for the presence of novel hantaviruses. Three new hantavirus partial L-segment sequences were obtained from pygmy shrews (Sorex minutus) trapped in Czech Republic and Germany. Complete nucleocapsid protein- and glycoprotein precursor-coding S- and M-segment sequences were then determined for the newly recognized hantavirus strains, CZ/Beskydy/412/2010/Sm, CZ/Drahany/420/2010/Sm, and DE/Dürrbach/1912/2009/Sm. Phylogenetic analyses showed that they represent strains of Asikkala virus (ASIV), a novel hantavirus also found in pygmy shrews from Finland. Our study reveals a broad geographic distribution of ASIV across Europe and indicates pygmy shrew as the primary reservoir host. Future studies will have to determine the pathogenic relevance of ASIV.

Additional records of Suncus etruscus (Savi, 1822) (Mammalia: Soricidae) from Southeastern Anatolia, Turkey

The Pygmy white-toothed shrew, Suncus etruscus , was reported from especially west and south of Anatolia. Owl pellets obtained from Asio otus, Athene noctua, Bubo bubo and Tyto alba were collected in different localities from south eastern Anatolia and were analysed. Results show that Suncus etruscus had been found at a rate of 1.03 % in mammal remains. In addition, a live sample was captured from Karacadag near Diyarbakir. These findings are substantially new records for the south eastern part of Turkey.

Small-mammal assemblages inhabiting Sphagnum peat bogs in various regions of Poland

Abstract We studied species composition of assemblages of small mammals (rodents and shrews) inhabiting Polish 25 ombrotrophic mires and quaking bogs in several regions in order to reveal characteristic features of their quantitative structure and compare them between regions, internal zones of the bog habitats, and different levels of anthropogenic degradation. We reviewed also all published results of small-mammal trapping in such habitats. Mammals were captured in pitfalls, snap traps and live traps on 12 bogs of the Pomerania region, 4 bogs of the Orawa-Nowy Targ Basin (Kotlina Orawsko-Nowotarska), 3 bogs in the Świętokrzyskie Mts, and 6 bogs in Wielkopolska and the Lubusz Land. Additionally, we included materials collected from Barber traps (pitfalls) used during studies of epigeic invertebrates on 4 bogs. In total, 598 individuals of 12 species were collected. The number of pitfall captures per 100 trapnights was very low (7.0-7.8), suggesting low population density. Shrews predominated among mammals captured in pitfalls, and the assemblage structure appeared to be similar to impoverished forest fauna, slightly enriched with ubiquitous species from meadows and agroecosystems, with a very small percentage of typical wetland species (Neomys fodiens, Neomys anomalus, Microtus oeconomus). Rodents (mostly Myodes glareolus) predominated only in samples obtained by live and snap traps. Pygmy shrew Sorex minutus was the most numerous species at most sites, sometimes being the only small mammal in that habitat, especially in well-preserved, treeless parts of bogs, dominated by Sphagnum peatmoss. The dominance and high constancy of S. minutus appear to be a characteristic feature of small-mammal assemblages inhabiting ombrotrophic mires, at least in some regions of Central and Western Europe. Enrichment of the fauna with other species might be related to either improved trophic conditions (by contact with mineralized ground waters) or habitat degradation (by peat mining, drainage, and subsequent secondary succession).

Phylogenetic position of Suncus fellowesgordoni with pigmy shrews from Madagascar and Southeast Asia inferred from cytochrome-b

A corrected PDF for this article was loaded on 07/08/2012. Please use this version.This study evaluates the taxonomic and phylogenetic position of S. fellowesgordoni with S. malayanus, S. etruscus and S. 'madagascariensis'. We reconfirm that S. fellowesgordoni is a distinct species, which constitutes the sister species to S. malayanus from Southeast Asia. The pairwise uncorrected genetic distance of 9.1–9.7% between the two species suggests a prolonged independent evolution of each and they may constitute relict species of formally widely distributed group of shrews from South Asia to Southeast Asia. Suncus etruscus from Sri Lanka and India fall as the sister taxon to S. 'madagascariensis', suggesting a recent introduction of S. etruscus from South Asia to Madagascar and their low genetic distance of 1.2–1.4%, confirm that the two populations constitute a single species. Suncus etruscus being a widely distributed species shows a substantial genetic divergence among populations. Individuals from Italy show a 7.3–7.5% genetic distance to those from South Asia and Madagascar, which can be explained by geographic distance. However, additional data from many other populations of S. etruscus is needed to evaluate the status of this species in extreme locations of its geographic range. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/cjsbs.v41i1.4541 Ceylon Journal of Science (Bio. Sci.) 41 (1): 83-87, 2012

Chromosome Painting of the Pygmy Tree Shrew Shows that No Derived Cytogenetic Traits Link Primates and Scandentia

We hybridized human chromosome paints on metaphases of the pygmy tree shrew (Tupaia minor, Scandentia). The lack of the ancestral mammalian 4/8 association in both Primates and Scandentia was long considered a cytogenetic landmark that phylogenetically linked these mammalian orders. However, our results show that the association 4/8 is present in Tupaia along with not previously reported associations for 1/18 and 7/10. Altogether there are 11 syntenic associations of human chromosome segments in the pygmy tree shrew karyotype: 1/18, 2/21, 3/21, 4/8, 7/10, 7/16, 11/20, 12/22 (twice), 14/15 and 16/19. Our data remove any cytogenetic evidence that Scandentia has a preferential phylogenetic relationship with Primates.

The evolving placenta: Convergent evolution of variations in the endotheliochorial relationship

Endotheliochorial placentas occur in orders from all four major clades of eutherian mammal. Species with this type of placenta include one of the smallest (pygmy shrew) and largest (African elephant) land mammals. The endotheliochorial placenta as a definitive form has an interhemal area consisting of maternal endothelium, interstitial lamina, trophoblast, individual or conjoint basal laminas, and fetal endothelium. We commonly think of such placentas as having hypertrophied maternal endothelium with abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER), and as having hemophagous regions. Considering them as a whole, the trophoblast may be syncytial or cellular, fenestrated or nonfenestrated, and there may or may not be hemophagous regions. Variations also appear in the extent of hypertrophy of the maternal endothelium and in the abundance of rER in these cells. This combination of traits and a few other features produces many morphological variants. In addition to endotheliochorial as a definitive condition, a transitory endotheliochorial condition may appear in the course of forming a hemochorial placenta. In some emballonurid bats the early endotheliochorial placenta has two layers of trophoblast, but the definitive placenta lacks an outer syncytial trophoblast layer. In mollosid bats a well developed endotheliochorial placenta is present for a short time even after a definitive hemochorial placenta has developed in a different region. It is concluded that the endotheliochorial placenta is more widespread and diversified than originally thought, with the variant with cellular trophoblast in particular appearing in several species studied recently.

Re-evaluation of the taxonomy of the Sri Lankan pigmy shrew Suncus fellowesgordoni (Soricidae: Crocidurinae) and its phylogenetic relationship with S. etruscus

The taxonomy of the pigmy shrews Suncus fellowesgordoni and S. etruscus is unclear and their phylogenetic relationshipsare unknown. Using molecular and morphological data, we confirm the species status of S. fellowesgordoni as being dis-tinct from S. etruscus, its probable sister species. Suncus fellowesgordoni is genetically distant from S. etruscus popula-tions in Sri Lanka and India, and Europe with a percent pairwise uncorrected genetic distance of 7.9–8.2% and 9.2–9.3%for cytochrome-b (mitochondrial DNA), respectively. The genetic distance between S. fellowesgordoni and S. etruscus ofSri Lanka and India for Rag 1 (nuclear DNA, exon) is 1.3–1.7%. The two species are also morphologically distinct by S. fellowesgordoni being larger in all dimensions, darker in hue and having two denticulations on the lower incisors.

‘Invasional meltdown’: evidence for unexpected consequences and cumulative impacts of multispecies invasions

Empirical support for ‘invasional meltdown’, where the presence of one invading species facilitates another and compounds negative impacts on indigenous species, is equivocal with few convincing studies. In Ireland, the bank vole was introduced 80 years ago and now occupies a third of the island. The greater white-toothed shrew arrived more recently within the invasive range of the bank vole. We surveyed the abundance of both invasive species and two indigenous species, the wood mouse and pygmy shrew, throughout their respective ranges. The negative effects of invasive on indigenous species were strong and cumulative bringing about species replacement. The greater white-toothed shrew, the second invader, had a positive and synergistic effect on the abundance of the bank vole, the first invader, but a negative and compounding effect on the abundance of the wood mouse and occurrence of the pygmy shrew. The gradual replacement of the wood mouse by the bank vole decreased with distance from the point of the bank vole’s introduction whilst no pygmy shrews were captured where both invasive species were present. Such interactions may not be unique to invasions but characteristic of all multispecies communities. Small mammals are central in terrestrial food webs and compositional changes to this community in Ireland are likely to reverberate throughout the ecosystem. Vegetation composition and structure, invertebrate communities and the productivity of avian and mammalian predators are likely to be affected. Control of these invasive species may only be effected through landscape and habitat management.

Xenoma-like formations induced by Soricimyxum fegati (Myxosporea) in three species of shrews (Soricomorpha: Soricidae), including records of new hosts

In South Bohemia, Czech Republic, 178 shrews, including 98 common shrews, Sorex araneus L., 70 pygmy shrews, Sorex minutus L., and 10 lesser white-toothed shrews, Crocidura suaveolens (Pallas), were examined for Soricimyxum fegati Prunescu, Prunescu, Pucek et Lom, 2007 infections, using squash preparations of unfixed tissues, histological sections and molecular methods. The infection was found in 51 (52%) S. araneus, 14 (20%) S. minutus and 1 (10%) C. suaveolens. The records of the latter two species extend host range of S. fegati. Lesions associated with S. fegati infections in the liver, the organ of specific localisation of the parasite, were found to be induced by proliferative stages migrating toward lumina of bile ducts. In other organs of these three host species, xenoma-like formations (XLFs) were found that severely injured blood vessels. XLFs contained presporogonic stages of S. fegati, whose species identity was evidenced using molecular methods.