Wild Gazelles Research Articles

Foot and mouth disease viruses are recurrently introduced to Israel and spread by extensively reared sheep and cattle: Insights from a whole-genome sequence analysis

Despite routine vaccination, Israel experiences recurrent outbreaks of foot and mouth disease (FMD). We analyzed VP1 coding sequences of viruses isolated during FMD outbreaks from 2001 to 2011 in Israel and neighboring nations. The Israeli strains were aligned with strains from neighboring countries in corresponding years, implying repeated FMD virus incursions. In 2007 a large FMD epidemic, caused by a serotype O virus, occurred in Israel. Bayesian analysis of whole-genome sequences of viruses isolated during this epidemic revealed predominant transmission among extensively farmed beef-cattle and small ruminants. Small ruminants were key in spreading to beef-cattle, which then transmitted the virus to feedlot-cattle. Wild gazelles had a minor role in transmission. The results may suggest probable transmission of FMD virus from the Palestinian Authority to Israel. Targeting extensive farms via enhanced surveillance and vaccination could improve FMDV control. Given cross-border transmission, a collaborative FMD mitigation strategy across the Middle-East is crucial.

Lumpy Skin Disease Virus Infection in Free-Ranging Indian Gazelles (Gazella bennettii), Rajasthan, India.

Near a zoo in Bikaner, India, 2 free-ranging Indian gazelles (Gazella bennettii) displayed nodular skin lesions. Molecular testing revealed lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) infection. Subsequent genome analyses revealed LSDV wild-type strain of Middle Eastern lineage. Evidence of natural LSDV infection in wild gazelles in this area indicates a broadening host range.

Characterization of Genetic Diversity in Dhofari Wild Gazelles

Wild gazelles are scattered in most of the arid and semi-arid areas of the Sultanate of Oman particularly in valleys, mountains and sandy zones of Rub' al Khali desert. Recently, gazelles’ populations have been facing reduction in the numbers. Consequently, gradual loss of genetic diversity is inevitable. This loss is considered one of the main threats that attribute to a loss of habitat and may lead to gazelle extinction. Till now, little is known about the status of the genetic diversity of the wild Dhofari gazelle. This project aimed to determine the extent of inbreeding, population structure and genetic diversity in the Dhofari gazelles’ populations. DNA was extracted from gazelles’ fecal samples using the human stool DNA extraction protocol. Following extraction, four microsatellite nuclear markers were used to calculate the level of inbreeding, population differentiation and genetic diversity. PCR inhibitors were significantly removed by the addition of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The mean inbreeding for the population was 0.228 for all loci with a standard error of 0.09. It is therefore postulated that Dhofari gazelles are generally undergoing gradual inbreeding which could lead to lack of fitness in future generations. The genetic differentiation (Fst) ranged between 0.071 (between Gara and Stom) and 0.231 (between Gara and Ayon). On the other hand, the Fst estimate between Solot (most distant) versus other Dhofari gazelles populations (pooled together) was 3.7%. Principle Components Analysis clustered Ayon and Gara populations apart from one another and closer to Stom while placing Solot further than all other populations which is in agreement with the Fst results and the geographical distribution. In conclusion, the results of this preliminary study will provide insight towards the conservation of wild gazelles in Dhofar. This is the first study to report the genetic diversity and status of wild Gazelles and provides a reference point for future studies assessing their genetic diversity and variability.

Wild gazelles of the southern Levant: genetic profiling defines new conservation priorities.

The mountain gazelle (Gazella gazelle), Dorcas gazelle (Gazella Dorcas) and acacia gazelle (Gazella arabica acacia) were historically abundant in the southern Levant, and more specifically in Israel. Anthropogenic and natural changes have caused a rapid decline in gazelle populations, raising concerns about their conservation status and future survival. The genetic profile of 111 wild gazelles from Israel was determined based on three regions of mitochondrial DNA (control region, Cytochrome b and 12S ribosomal RNA) and nine nuclear microsatellite markers. Genetic analysis of the mountain gazelle population, the largest known population of this rare species, revealed adequate diversity levels and gene flow between subpopulations. Nevertheless, ongoing habitat degradation and other human effects, such as poaching, suggest the need for drastic measures to prevent species extinction. Dorcas gazelles in Israel displayed inbreeding within subpopulations while still maintaining considerable genetic diversity overall. This stable population, represented by a distinctive genetic profile, is fragmented and isolated from its relatives in neighboring localities. Based on the genetic profile of a newly sampled subpopulation in Israel, we provide an alternative hypothesis for the historic dispersal of Dorcas gazelle, from the Southern Levant to northern Africa. The small acacia gazelle population was closest to gazelles from the Farasan Islands of Saudi Arabia, based on mitochondrial markers. The two populations did not share haplotypes, suggesting that these two populations may be the last remnant wild gazelles of this species worldwide. Only a dozen acacia gazelles survive in Israel, and urgent steps are needed to ensure the survival of this genetically distinctive lineage. The genetic assessments of our study recognize new conservation priorities for each gazelle species in the Southern Levant.

Cross infection with gastro-intestinal tract parasites between domestic goat and endemic Farasan gazelle (Gazella gazella farasani) in Farasan Islands, Saudi Arabia

Host related variations in helminth egg and coccidian oocyst counts were compared between a naturally infected endemic population of Farasan gazelle and domestic goats on the Farasan Islands, Saudi Arabia in April 2009. Both bovid species inhabit and browse in the same area but no cross-infection could be detected. The prevalence and mean intensity quantified as the number of eggs and oocysts per gram of faeces were taken as a measure of parasite burdens. Host related differences in prevalence values of Eimeria spp. were significantly higher in domestic goats than in wild gazelles. A similar trend was observed for nematode prevalence (strongyle-type eggs), with no infection in gazelle and low infection in goats. There was also a significant difference in mean intensity values between different Eimeria spp. found in domestic goats.

Finding Fodder and Tracking Transhumance: Isotopic Detection of Goat Domestication Processes in the Near East

The domestication of several animal taxa in the Near East approximately 10,000 years ago marked a fundamental shift in human-animal interactions that irrevocably transformed the subsistence base of prehistoric societies. Domesticates eventually provided humans with an easily accessible source of animal products including meat, milk, and hair, but the mechanisms by which humans first experimented with and domesticated their animals remain poorly understood. Early animal management strategies included the selective harvesting of juvenile males while promoting female survivorship, but other husbandry practices that contributed to the domestication of animals have proven elusive in the archaeological record. Here we apply a novel multistable isotopic approach (δ13C, δ15N, and δ18O) to bone collagens recovered from goats—one of the first animal domesticates—and wild gazelles from two Early Neolithic sites in the Near East. We show that humans provisioned goats with fodder and mobilized herds to different pastu...

Genetic diversity, population genetic structure and demographic history of Przewalski’s gazelle (Procapra przewalskii): implications for conservation

The Przewalski’s gazelle (Procapra przewalskii) is one of the most endangered antelope species in the world. It is endemic to China and is a flagship species in the eastern part of the Qinghai–Tibet plateau. To establish effective conservation measures on this species, genetic information such as genetic structure is needed. However, there has not been a comprehensive genetic assessment on this gazelle using nuclear DNA markers yet. Here, we employed 13 microsatellite loci to investigate genetic diversity, population genetic structure and demographic history of Przewalski’s gazelle using noninvasive samples of 169 wild gazelles collected from nine populations. A total of 76 alleles were detected from the entire samples, mean allele number was 5.85, and overall HO and HE were 0.525 and 0.552, respectively. Structure and GENELAND analyses found six genetic groups in the nine populations. Between the inferred genetic groups, significant genetic differentiation and low migration rates were detected. Demographic analyses indicated that Przewalski’s gazelle experienced genetic bottleneck and severe population decline, with the ancestral effective population size reducing to less than one percent. Based on the results of this study, we provide several conservation recommendations for Przewalski’s gazelle, such as six management units, periodic monitoring and special conservation consideration on the Qiejitan population.

Effect of Anthropogenic Landscape Features on Population Genetic Differentiation of Przewalski's Gazelle: Main Role of Human Settlement

Anthropogenic landscapes influence evolutionary processes such as population genetic differentiation, however, not every type of landscape features exert the same effect on a species, hence it is necessary to estimate their relative effect for species management and conservation. Przewalski's gazelle (Procapra przewalskii), which inhabits a human-altered area on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, is one of the most endangered antelope species in the world. Here, we report a landscape genetic study on Przewalski's gazelle. We used skin and fecal samples of 169 wild gazelles collected from nine populations and thirteen microsatellite markers to assess the genetic effect of anthropogenic landscape features on this species. For comparison, the genetic effect of geographical distance and topography were also evaluated. We found significant genetic differentiation, six genetic groups and restricted dispersal pattern in Przewalski's gazelle. Topography, human settlement and road appear to be responsible for observed genetic differentiation as they were significantly correlated with both genetic distance measures [FST/(1−FST) and F′ST/(1−F′ST)] in Mantel tests. IBD (isolation by distance) was also inferred as a significant factor in Mantel tests when genetic distance was measured as FST/(1−FST). However, using partial Mantel tests, AICc calculations, causal modeling and AMOVA analysis, we found that human settlement was the main factor shaping current genetic differentiation among those tested. Altogether, our results reveal the relative influence of geographical distance, topography and three anthropogenic landscape-type on population genetic differentiation of Przewalski's gazelle and provide useful information for conservation measures on this endangered species.

Effets de l’acéturate de diminazène et de l’hydrochlorure de mélarsamine sur les modifications des paramètres biochimiques chez des gazelles au front rouge (<em>Gazella rufifrons</em>) expérimentalement infectées avec <em>Trypanosoma brucei</em>

Une étude a été menée pour déterminer les effets chémothérapeutiques de l’hydrochlorure de mélarsamine (Cymelarsan®) et de l’acéturate de diminazène (Bérénil®) sur les paramètres biochimiques sanguins chez des gazelles au front rouge expérimentalement infectées par Trypanosoma brucei. Suite à la parasitémie des gazelles, les observations suivantes ont été faites : une augmentation significative (p < 0,05) de cortisol sérique, de l’alanine aminotransférase, de l’aspartate aminotransférase, de la bilirubine totale, de la créatinine, de l’urée, de l’acide urique et des lipides totaux, ainsi qu’une baisse significative des protéines sériques totales, du niveau de l’albumine et du glucose. En revanche, l’activité de la phosphatase d’alcaline a fluctué autour des valeurs normales (p > 0,05). Ces modifications biochimiques sont revenues à des valeurs proches de celles de la période de préinfection avant la fin de l’expérience chez les gazelles traitées avec 0,3 ou 0,6 mg/kg de poids vif (PV) de Cymelarsan ou 7,0 mg/kg de Bérénil. Les résultats semblent indiquer qu’un stress initial, associé à une augmentation du niveau du cortisol sérique et à son effet immunodépresseur pouvaient être responsable de l’installation et de l’expression clinique de l’infection chez les gazelles au front rouge. Par ailleurs, la sévérité des effets biochimiques produits expérimentalement a montré que la trypanotolérance chez les gazelles sauvages pouvait être compromise, surtout lorsque ces dernières étaient exposées au stress de la captivité. Les résultats ont aussi montré que le Cymelarsan à 0,3 ou 0,6 mg/kg PV et le Bérénil à 7,0 mg/kg PV étaient efficaces pour contrôler la maladie dans les conditions de l’expérience.