Wild Lagomorphs Research Articles

Multilocus Sequence Typing of Commensal and Enteropathogenic Escherichia Coli from Domestic and Wild Lagomorphs in Italy

The aim of the study was to determine the multilocus sequence types of Escherichia coli from diseased farm rabbits and apparently healthy wild lagomorphs, and the genetic relatedness among them. Fifty-five enteropathogenic E. coli from reared rabbits and 32 from wild rabbits and hares were characterised by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) according to the Michigan State University Ec MLST scheme. Isolates were differentiated into 37 sequence types (STs), which were grouped into 8 clonal complexes (CCs). The most common ST was ST140 (CC31), followed by ST238 and ST119 (CC17). MLST analysis revealed 22 novel STs. Phylogenetic analyses showed a heterogeneous distribution of STs into 3 clusters of genetically related strains. The genetic relationship among STs of different origin and the detection of new, as well as previously described STs as human pathogens, indicate a widespread distribution and adaptability of particular lineages to different hosts. These findings highlight the need for further research to improve the knowledge about E. coli populations colonising the gut of lagomorphs and their zoonotic potential.

Can livestock carrion availability influence diet of wintering red kites? Implications of sanitary policies in ecosystem services and conservation

AbstractThe diet of wintering red kites Milvus milvus over the last decade in central Spain was recorded to evaluate the influence of sanitary policies on carcasses use. The results show major differences in diet composition of red kites wintering in areas with and without availability of livestock carcasses. In the area without livestock carcasses (north‐western Madrid province), red kites fed on a similarly large proportion of wild lagomorphs across the study period. In the area with livestock farming (Segovia province), red kites exploited carcasses from different livestock schemes (stabled livestock—primarily swine—versus free‐ranging ruminants) depending on changing sanitary regulations as consequence of the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy or ‘mad cow’ crisis initiated in 2001. During the period of restrictive sanitary legislation (after the ‘mad cow’ crisis) that greatly limited the use of animal by‐products from ruminants as food for avian scavengers, kites mostly predated on common voles and scavenged on swine carcasses. After the implementation of the less restrictive regulations (since 2011; regulations CE1069/2009, CE142/2011) that again permitted the abandonment of extensive livestock remains in the countryside and in feeding stations, the proportion of ruminants in the kites’ diet increased while the proportion of swine carrion decreased. Carcass dumps acted as temporally and spatially predictable sources of abundant food from stabled livestock before and even just after the mad‐cow crisis, but become relatively unpredictable foraging places afterwards due to the generalized carrion destruction in authorized plants, primarily of swine considered as non‐risk for the transmission of the bovine encephalopathy. This illustrates the deep and sometimes unexpected consequences that sanitary policies can impose on the composition and availability of food resources for scavenger wildlife. Much effort is still required to reconcile sanitary and environmental policies in order to ensure the conservation of avian scavengers and the provision of ecosystem services.

High Prevalence of oqxAB in Escherichia coli Isolates from Domestic and Wild Lagomorphs in Italy

This study aimed to identify and characterize class 1 and 2 integrons and plasmid-mediated quinolones resistance (PMQR) genes in a collection of 113 multidrug resistance (MDR) Escherichia coli isolated from farm and wild lagomorphs between 2006 and 2008 in Northern Italy. Strains were examined for antimicrobial susceptibility by agar disk diffusion method and E-test for colistin (COL); integrons and gene cassettes content by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing; PMQR genes by PCR and DNA sequencing; clonal relatedness by multilocus sequence typing; and plasmids by PCR-based replicon typing. Class 1 integrons were detected in 69 isolates (47 farm rabbits, 14 wild rabbits, and 8 wild hares). No class 2 integrons were found. Five different gene cassettes arrays were identified (aadA1, dfrA1-aadA1, orf in682-dhfrA5, orf in682-dfrA5-orfD ins21, and dfrA17-aadA5). Fifteen percent (17/113) of isolates carried oqxAB, no other PMQR determinants. All but one oqxAB-positive E. coli strains were recovered from farm rabbits. Seven out of 17 strains were associated with the predominant ST238 and carried from three to six different plasmid types, such as IncF, IncHI1, IncI1, IncN, IncP, IncX1, IncY, and ColE. COL resistance was identified in 6/113 strains (5.3%). This study provides new insights on the resistance phenotypes and the prevalence and dissemination of oqxAB in E. coli from farm and wild lagomorphs, suggesting that these animals may be reservoir of these genetic determinants in Italy and thus a potential source of PMQR E. coli for humans. PMQR mediated by oqxAB has not been detected in farm and wild lagomorphs before.

Ovine nematodes in wild lagomorphs in Australia and first record of Trichostrongylus rugatus in free living lagomorphs

Gastrointestinal parasites are a major problem for sheep graziers and anthelmintic resistance has been reported worldwide. Given that in experimental circumstances, sheep helminths are able to develop in rabbits and hares, and that hares are very mobile and sympatric with sheep in many regions of Australia, free-living lagomorphs were investigated regarding carriage of ovine nematode parasites under field conditions. We performed specific worm counts in the gastrointestinal tracts of 88 rabbits and 110 hares. We revealed that ruminant worms are common in hares (prevalence 79%) and that they are occasionally found in rabbits (9%). Statistical analyses showed that the ruminant worm Trichostrongylus colubriformis occurred frequently in hares whilst rabbits were commonly infected with lagomorph-specific Trichostrongylus retortaeformis. Detection of the ovine worm Trichostrongylus rugatus is reported for the first time in wild lagomorphs. The potential for cross-transmission between hares and sheep in the natural environment is much more prevalent than previously believed.

An approach to the statistics of wild lagomorph captive rearing for releasing purposes in Spain

Despite the importance of rearing wild lagomorphs in captivity for hunting and predator conservation in Spain, little is known about this production sector. Taking official data into account, in this work the number and distribution of farms in Spain and the possible number of animals produced were analysed during the period 2005-2010. In 2010, 114 wild rabbit farms were widely distributed throughout the country (especially Catalonia, Galicia, Andalusia and Castile-La Mancha regions), while 21 hare farms were registered, the majority in Extremadura, Castile-La Mancha and Andalusia. A possible production figure of 225000-265000 rabbits and 1034 hares was estimated in 2010. Game farms of wild lagomorphs are established in Spain and placement would be related to a high demand for hunting and predator conservation in certain regions. Although more research is needed, the number of animals produced would be an important part of the total animals released to the wild.

First report of Obeliscoides cuniculi in European brown hare (Lepus europaeus)

Obeliscoides cuniculi is a New World nematode parasite of the Trichostrongilidae family infecting the gastric tract of different domestic and wild Lagomorph species. This parasite is reported for the first time from a European brown hare (Lepus europaeus). The nematodes isolated from the gastro-intestinal tract were identified using the primary characteristics used to differentiate the species of this genus as adults morphology (length and thickness) and other characteristics of spicules, cervical papillae, cuticular ridges and striations. In the Italian study area, the European brown hare lives in sympatry with the eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus), species in which the nematode was previously isolated; therefore, the possibility of a cross-infestation must be considered.

Rabbit Tularemia and Hepatic Coccidiosis in Wild Rabbit

Rabbit Tularemia and Hepatic Coccidiosis in Wild Rabbit

Occurrence of verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli in the faeces of free-ranging wild lagomorphs in southwest Spain

Verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) is an important group of emerging food-borne pathogens and represents a major public health concern worldwide. The aim of this work was to analyse faecal samples from hunted wild lagomorphs for the presence of E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 VTEC. During two hunting seasons, faecal samples from 241 animals were collected, including wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and hare (Lepus granatensis) and were examined for VTEC. Overall, VTEC were detected and isolated in four (1.66%) of the 241 animals sampled. E. coli O157:H7 was isolated only from one of 124 (0.81%) wild rabbit faecal samples while non-O157 VTEC were isolated from two of 124 (1.61%) wild rabbit faecal samples and one of 117 (0.85%) hare faecal samples. VTEC isolates obtained in the present study (four in total) belonged to four different O:H serotypes, including two serotypes (O84:H− and O157:H7) previously associated with human infection and in particular with causing the life-threatening haemolytic–uraemic syndrome. Although these results indicate a low prevalence of VTEC infection in free-ranging wild lagomorphs, they may play an important role as a source of exposure to human beings and livestock and as a vehicle for dispersing these pathogens. These findings have implications for the zoonotic risk to hunters, people consuming meat from wild animals and others in contact with wild animal faeces, and also in the development of programmes for controlling VTEC at the farm level.

Characteristics of natural infections of the stomach worm, Obeliscoides cuniculi (Graybill), in lagomorphs and woodchucks in Canada.

Wild lagomorphs and woodchucks collected predominantly in southern Ontario, Canada were examined for subspecies of Obeliscoides cuniculi (Graybill). Obeliscoides cuniculi multistriatus was found in snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus). Obeliscoides cuniculi cuniculi was found in cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus), European hares (Lepus capensis) and woodchucks (Marmota monax). Prevalence of Obeliscoides cuniculi multistriatus in snowshoe hares was 100% and mean intensity (and range of intensity) was 760 (9-4, 198) in Lindsay, Ontario in 1980. Mean intensity in hares varied trimonthly. The highest mean intensity of worms occurred in spring when most worms were adult. Transmission occurred mainly in spring. Most worms present in fall (70%) and winter (54%) were fourth stage. Immature fifth-stage and gravid females were present in hares during fall and winter. Prevalence and mean intensity of O. c. cuniculi in cottontails was 15% and 29 (1-118). Prevalence and mean intensity of O. c. cuniculi in woodchucks was 6% and 56 (16-118). European hares were infected with O. c. cuniculi, prevalence was 10% and mean intensity was 60 (36-83). In Ontario woodchucks and European hares were common in areas frequented by cottontail rabbits and probably acquired sporadic infections of O. c. cuniculi from infected cottontails.

Estimates of Some Attributes of a Population of Nuttall's Cottontails

Density, natality, and mortality of a population of Nuttall's cottontails (Sylvilagus nuttallii) in shrub-juniper scabland of central Oregon were monitored from August 1972 to March 1974. Monthly censuses indicated population density ranged from 6.6 to 254.4/100 ha. Densities declined 89 and 85 percent from August to December in 1972 and 1973, respectively; within these periods, greatest losses occurred at times of unusually low minimum daily temperatures. In 1972, 4 litters were produced (April-July) of which 10, 22, 68, and 80 percent, respectively, survived to 30 August. In 1973, only 3 litters were produced (April-June) of which 25, 21, and 11 percent survived to 30 August. The decline in production and survival of juvenile cottontails in summer 1973 was believed to be related to reduced precipitation during the reproductive period; precipitation was 64 percent less in 1973 than in 1972. Differential survival of litter groups indicated that drought had the greatest impact on younger cohorts, perhaps through reduction in succulent forage for weanlings. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 42(1):159-168 This is a report on our attempts to estimate density, natality, and mortality throughout most of 2 annual cycles for a population of Nuttall's cottontails, and to show relationships between changes in these attributes and differences in ambient temperatures and amounts of precipitation. In studies of lagomorph population dynamics, semiannual estimates of density commonly are made prior to the hunting season in autumn and prior to or during the breeding season in spring (Lechleitner 1958, Lord 1959, Meslow and Keith 1968, Petrusewicz 1970, Gross et al. 1974). Occasionally, single annual estimates made in midsummer (Korschgen and Stuart 1972, Fitch 1947, Janson 1946), or in autumn (Edwards and Eberhardt 1967, Andersen 1957), or monthly indices to roadside activity (Lord 1963, Kline 1965) are used to establish trends in population density. Mortality (and its antithesis, survival) usually is calculated on an annual basis (Lord 1959, Meslow and Keith 1968, Eberhardt et al. 1963), although Lord (1961) attempted to calculate monthly mortality from lens weights. Reproduction in lagomorphs, particularly after Wight and Conaway (1962) reported synchronous breeding in eastern cottontails (S. floridanus) and Casteel (1966) verified immediate postpartum breeding in the same species, frequently is reported on the basis of mean number of young in each of the synchronous litters, and the number of litters produced during each breeding season (Meslow and Keith 1968, Powers and Verts 1971, Trethewey and Verts 1971, Hill 1972, Gross et al. 1974). However, to our knowledge, simultaneous estimates of density, natality, and mortality (survival) at short, regular intervals throughout the annual cycles for a population of wild lagomorphs have not been attempted. This study was supported, in part, by grants to the senior author from the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Fund of the American Museum of Natural History and from the Grants-in-Aid Committee of the American Society of Mammalogists. H. Holechek generously supplied space and utilities for field headquarters. Numerous students in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, aided in conduct1 This is Technical Paper No. 4057, Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station. 2 Present address: Woodward-Clyde, 4791 Business Park Blvd., Suite 1, Anchorage, Alaska 99503. J. Wildl. Manage. 42(1):1978 159 This content downloaded from 157.55.39.178 on Fri, 05 Aug 2016 05:15:24 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 160 POPULATION STATISTICS OF NUTTALL'S COTTONTAILS McKay and Verts ing censuses. H. F. Horton, E. C. Meslow, and P. A. Vohs, Jr., provided critiques of the manuscript.