Wild Origin Research Articles

Comparative biochemical composition of wild and farm origin grayling (Thymallus thymallus) eggs

In this study, the biochemical composition of wild and farm origin grayling eggs was compared, first, to evaluate the composition of fatty acids and protein content in grayling eggs for the first time, and second, to discover differences in biochemical composition between wild and farm origin eggs which is affected by broodstock feed. Farm origin grayling females were fed commercial trout starter feed, while wild origin females were feeding on food present in their natural environment. Fatty acid composition, protein content and colour were determined. Based on a principle component analysis (PCA) of the biochemical profile, farm and wild origin grayling eggs were clearly separated. Wild origin grayling eggs contained higher amount of SFA, but lower MUFA and PUFA than farm origin eggs. A considerable difference between wild and farm origin grayling eggs was observed also in essential fatty acids: C22:6 n-3 (DHA), C20:5 n-3 (EPA) and C20:4 n-6 (ARA), resulting in higher EPA/ARA and DHA/EPA ratio in farm origin eggs compared to wild origin eggs. Wild origin grayling eggs were characterised by higher protein content and were more intensely red-coloured than farm origin eggs, which were almost colourless. It could be concluded that the biochemical composition of farm origin eggs significantly differs from wild origin grayling eggs, which might have an influence on the embryonic development and hatching success of farm origin grayling. Therefore, the diet that has the greatest effect on egg composition needs to be optimised to meet the needs of the grayling broodstock and to improve the breeding efficiency of farm raised graylings.

Occurrence of salmonid alphavirus and piscine orthoreovirus-1 infections in migrating salmon (Salmo salar L.) post-smolt in western Norway.

Viral diseases are a serious problem in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) farming in Norway, often leading to reduced fish welfare and increased mortality. Disease outbreaks in salmon farms may lead to spread of viruses to the surrounding environment. There is a public concern that viral diseases may negatively affect the wild salmon populations. Pancreas disease (PD) caused by salmonid alphavirus (SAV) and heart and skeletal muscle inflammation (HSMI) caused by piscine orthoreovirus-1 (PRV-1) are common viral diseases in salmon farms in western Norway. In the current study, we investigated the occurrence of SAV and PRV-1 infections in 651 migrating salmon post-smolt collected from three fjord systems (Sognefjorden, Osterfjorden and Hardangerfjorden) located in western Norway in 2013 and 2014 by real-time RT-PCR. Of the collected post-smolts, 303 were of wild origin and 348 were hatchery-released. SAV was not detected in any of the tested post-smolt, but PRV-1 was detected in 4.6% of them. The Ct values of PRV-1 positive fish were usually high (mean 32.0; range: 20.1-36.8). PRV-1 prevalence in post-smolts from the three fjords was 6.1% in Sognefjorden followed by 4.8% in Osterfjorden and 2.3% in Hardangerfjorden. The prevalence PRV-1 was significantly higher in wild (6.9%) compared to hatchery-released post-smolt (2.6%). The occurrence of PRV-1 infection in the fish was lowest in the Hardangerfjorden which has the highest fish farming intensity. Our results suggest that SAV infection are uncommon in migrating smolt while PRV-1 infection can be detected at low level. These findings suggest that migrating smolts were at low risk from SAV or PRV-1 released from salmon farms located in their migration routes in 2013 and 2014.

Wild bird origin Influenza A subtype diversity and reassortment events during the HPAI H5N1 outbreak in Chile, 2022-2023. Proceeding of The First International Avian Influenza Summit, University of Arkansas- October 16-17, 2023"

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses continue to pose a significant threat to animal and human health worldwide. Since the onset of the HPAI H5N1 outbreak in South America, our research group has been conducting environmental influenza A virus (IAV) surveillance in different wetlands throughout Chile to detect and characterize circulating IAV strains. Between November 2022 and June 2023, we collected and screened 3275 environmental samples for IAV by RT-qPCR targeting the M gene. Of these, 133 were IAV-positive (4.1\%). Further testing by H5-specific RT-qPCR revealed that 14 (10.5\%) of the positive samples corresponded to HPAI H5 2.3.4.4b, collected during the month of November (2), December (8 positives), January (1 positive), March (1 Positive) and June (1 positive). Samples obtained during spring (November and December) were obtained at the Lluta River estuary in the extreme north of Chile. Samples obtained during Summer (January and March) were obtained in Lluta and at Punta Arenas, located in the extreme South of Chile. The sample obtained in Winter (June) was obtained in Maipo, located in Central Chile. Sequence analysis of 6 fully sequenced H5N1 viruses revealed that all segments were closely related to other H5N1 2.3.4.4b viruses circulating at the time in South America. Interestingly, we also obtained several other subtypes of low pathogenic avian influenza viruses (LPAI) during the sampling period: H13N9, H13N8, H12N5, H8N4, H6N8, H6N5, H5N7, H4N6, H2N8 and H2N2. Phylogenetic analysis of these viruses revealed that locally circulating LPAI H12N5, H6N8, and H5N7 subtype viruses, additionally to 4 more viruses without subtype information, had reassorted with HPAI viruses in at least one of the PA and NP segments. The role that these novel reassortant viruses play in the ecology of IAV in Chile and their pathogenic potential is unknown; however, in light of these reassortment events, further surveillance is warranted to detect potentially novel HPAI H5Nx viruses circulating in wild birds in Chile that could have unknown pathogenic and transmission potential.

Differences in rhizosphere soil fungal communities of wild and cultivated Paeonia ludlowii species.

Paeonia ludlowii is a rare and endangered plant species with a high application value. However, its low cultivation success rate in China has severely limited its protection, development, and utilization. In addition to natural factors, microorganisms in the rhizosphere play an important role in determining its cultivation success. In this study, growth indexes and soil physicochemical properties of both wild (origin: Nyingchi) and cultivated (introduction: Luanchuan) species of P. ludlowii were measured during the flowering, fruiting, and autumn foliage stages. ITS high-throughput sequencing technology was employed to detect rhizosphere soil fungi, and the diversity, community structure, functional prediction, molecular network, and ecological processes of the microbial community assembly were examined by multidirectional analysis. The results indicated that: both wild and cultivated P. ludlowii species were able to flower and fruit normally, although the wild species had a higher number of flowers and fruits and higher soil available phosphorus and available potassium contents than those of the cultivated species. Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were the dominant rhizosphere soil fungal phyla in both P. ludlowii species. However, our network analysis showed that Ascomycota as the key fungal phylum of the wild species, whereas the cultivated species lacked key fungi. The community assembly mechanisms of rhizosphere soil fungi in both wild and cultivated species were primarily stochasticity, with no significant differences between them. Based on the results of FUNGuild and molecular network analyses, cultivated species had a higher proportion of fungi, such as Soil Saprotroph, that can easily cause diseases. Additionally, the network connections among fungi were weaker in the cultivated species than those in the wild species, which increased the cultivated species susceptibility to external environmental interferences. Therefore, from a soil microorganism perspective, this study suggests that, after the introduction and cultivation of P. ludlowii, if rhizosphere soil fungi fail to gradually form a close network relationship and instead promote the growth of pathogenic fungi, the fungal ecosystem would become vulnerable.

Diet composition of wild columbiform birds: next-generation sequencing of plant and metazoan DNA in faecal samples

Accurate knowledge of a species’ diets is fundamental to understand their ecological requirements. Next-generation sequencing technology has become a powerful and non-invasive tool for diet reconstruction through DNA metabarcoding. Here, we applied those methods on faecal samples of Common Woodpigeons Columba palumbus, European Turtle Doves Streptopelia turtur, and Stock Doves C. oenas to investigate their dietary composition. By applying primer pairs targeting both the ITS2 region of plant nuclear DNA and the mitochondrial COI region of metazoan DNA, we provide a complete picture of the food ingested and estimate the dietary overlap between the columbiform species during the breeding season. Animal DNA was present very rarely, and a diverse range of plants from the class Spermatopsida dominated the diet, with Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Fabaceae, and Poaceae as the most frequently represented families. Generally, we detected a variability between species but also amongst individual samples. Plant species already known from previous studies, mainly visual analyses, could be confirmed for our individuals sampled in Germany and the Netherlands. Our molecular approach revealed new plant taxa, e.g. plants of the families Malvaceae for Woodpigeons, Lythraceae for Turtle Doves, and Pinaceae for Stock Doves, not found in previous studies using visual analyses. Although most of the plant species observed were of wild origin, the majority of cultivated plants found were present in higher frequencies of occurrence, suggesting that cultivated food items likely constitute an important part of the diet of the studied species. For Turtle Doves, a comparison with previous studies suggested regional differences, and that food items (historically) considered as important part of their diet, such as Fumitory Fumaria sp. and Chickweed Stellaria media, were missing in our samples. This indicates that regional variations as well as historic and current data on diet should be considered to plan tailored seed mixtures, which are currently proposed as an important management measure for conservation of the rapidly declining Turtle Dove.

Escherichia ruysiae May Serve as a Reservoir of Antibiotic Resistance Genes across Multiple Settings and Regions.

Gut colonization with multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales (MDR-Ent) has reached worrisome levels worldwide. In this context, Escherichia ruysiae is a recently described species mostly found in animals. However, its spread and impact on humans is poorly understood. A stool sample from a healthy individual living in India was screened for the presence of MDR-Ent using culture-based methods. Colonies were routinely identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and phenotypically characterized by broth microdilution. Illumina and Nanopore whole-genome sequencing (WGS) platforms were implemented to generate a complete assembly. E. ruysiae genomes deposited in international databases were used for a core genome phylogenetic analysis. An extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli strain (S1-IND-07-A) was isolated from the stool. WGS confirmed that S1-IND-07-A was indeed E. ruysiae, belonged to sequence type 5792 (ST5792), core genome (cg) ST89059, serotype O13/O129-:H56-like, clade IV phylogroup, and possessed five virulence factors. A copy of blaCTX-M-15 and five other antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) were detected in a conjugative IncB/O/K/Z plasmid. A database search identified 70 further E. ruysiae strains from 16 countries (44, 15, and 11 strains isolated from animals, the environment, and humans, respectively). The core genome phylogeny revealed five major STs: ST6467, ST8084, ST2371, ST9287, and ST5792. Three out of the seventy strains possessed important ARGs: OTP1704 (blaCTX-M-14; ST6467), SN1013-18 (blaCTX-M-15; ST5792), and CE1758 (blaCMY-2; ST7531). These strains were of human, environmental, and wild animal origin, respectively. E. ruysiae may acquire clinically important ARGs and transmit them to other species. Due to its zoonotic potential, further efforts are needed to improve routine detection and surveillance across One Health settings. IMPORTANCE Escherichia ruysiae is a recently described species of the cryptic clades III and IV of the genus Escherichia and is commonly found in animals and the environment. This work highlights the zoonotic potential of E. ruysiae, as it has been shown to colonize the human intestinal tract. Importantly, E. ruysiae may be associated with conjugative plasmids carrying clinically relevant antibiotic resistance genes. Therefore, it is important to closely monitor this species. Overall, this study highlights the need for improved identification of Escherichia species and continued surveillance of zoonotic pathogens in One Health settings.

Suid alphaherpesvirus 1 of wild boar origin as a recent source of Aujeszky’s disease in carnivores in Germany

BackgroundThe high susceptibility of carnivores to Suid Alphaherpesvirus 1 [SuAHV1, synonymous pseudorabies virus (PrV)], renders them inadvertent sentinels for the possible occurrence of Aujeszky’s disease (AD) in domestic and wild swine populations. The aim of this study was to epidemiologically analyse the occurrence of PrV infections in domestic and wild animals in Germany during the last three decades and to genetically characterise the causative PrV isolates.MethodsPrV in dogs was detected using standard virological techniques including conventional and real time PCR, virus isolation or by immunohistochemistry. Available PrV isolates were characterized by partial sequencing of the open gC reading frame and the genetic traits were compared with those of archived PrV isolates from carnivores and domestic pigs from Germany before the elimination of AD in the domestic pig population.ResultsDuring 1995 and 2022, a total of 38 cases of AD in carnivores, e.g. dogs and red foxes, were laboratory confirmed. Sequencing and subsequent phylogenetic analysis of PrV isolates established a strong connection between AD cases in carnivores and the occurrence of PrV infections in European wild boars in the end phase of and after elimination of AD from the domestic pig population. While PrV infections occur at low numbers but regularly in hunting dogs, interestingly, PrV was not observed in grey wolves in Germany. In none of 682 dead-found grey wolves and wolf-dog hybrids tested from Germany during 2006–2022 could PrV infection be detected by molecular means.ConclusionsAlthough PrV has been eliminated from domestic pigs, spillover infections in domestic and wild carnivores should always be expected given the endemic presence of PrV in wild pig populations. Since detection of PrV DNA and virus in carnivores is sporadic even in areas with high seroprevalence of PrV in wild pigs, it may not reflect the full diversity of PrV.

Group 1 and group 2 hemagglutinin stalk antibody response according to age.

Antibodies elicited by seasonal influenza vaccines mainly target the head of hemagglutinin (HA). However, antibodies against the stalk domain are cross-reactive and have been proven to play a role in reducing influenza disease severity. We investigated the induction of HA stalk-specific antibodies after seasonal influenza vaccination, considering the age of the cohorts. A total of 166 individuals were recruited during the 2018 influenza vaccine campaign (IVC) and divided into groups: <50 (n = 14), 50-64 (n = 34), 65-79 (n = 61), and ≥80 (n = 57) years old. Stalk-specific antibodies were quantified by ELISA at day 0 and day 28 using recombinant viruses (cH6/1 and cH14/3) containing an HA head domain (H6 or H14) from wild bird origin with a stalk domain from human H1 or H3, respectively. The geometric mean titer (GMT) and the fold rise (GMFR) were calculated, and differences were assessed using ANOVA adjusted by the false discovery rate (FDR) and the Wilcoxon tests (p <0.05). All age groups elicited some level of increase in anti-stalk antibodies after receiving the influenza vaccine, except for the ≥80-year-old cohort. Additionally, <65-year-old vaccinees had higher group 1 antibody titers versus group 2 before and after vaccination. Similarly, vaccinees within the <50-year-old group showed a higher increase in anti-stalk antibody titers when compared to older individuals (≥80 years old), especially for group 1 anti-stalk antibodies. Seasonal influenza vaccines can the induction of cross-reactive anti-stalk antibodies against group 1 and group 2 HAs. However, low responses were observed in older groups, highlighting the impact of immunosenescence in adequate humoral immune responses.

Exchange of Carbapenem-Resistant Escherichia coli Sequence Type 38 Intercontinentally and among Wild Bird, Human, and Environmental Niches.

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are a global threat to human health and are increasingly being isolated from nonclinical settings. OXA-48-producing Escherichia coli sequence type 38 (ST38) is the most frequently reported CRE type in wild birds and has been detected in gulls or storks in North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. The epidemiology and evolution of CRE in wildlife and human niches, however, remains unclear. We compared wild bird origin E. coli ST38 genome sequences generated by our research group and publicly available genomic data derived from other hosts and environments to (i) understand the frequency of intercontinental dispersal of E. coli ST38 clones isolated from wild birds, (ii) more thoroughly measure the genomic relatedness of carbapenem-resistant isolates from gulls sampled in Turkey and Alaska, USA, using long-read whole-genome sequencing and assess the spatial dissemination of this clone among different hosts, and (iii) determine whether ST38 isolates from humans, environmental water, and wild birds have different core or accessory genomes (e.g., antimicrobial resistance genes, virulence genes, plasmids) which might elucidate bacterial or gene exchange among niches. Our results suggest that E. coli ST38 strains, including those resistant to carbapenems, are exchanged between humans and wild birds, rather than separately maintained populations within each niche. Furthermore, despite close genetic similarity among OXA-48-producing E. coli ST38 clones from gulls in Alaska and Turkey, intercontinental dispersal of ST38 clones among wild birds is uncommon. Interventions to mitigate the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance throughout the environment (e.g., as exemplified by the acquisition of carbapenem resistance by birds) may be warranted. IMPORTANCE Carbapenem-resistant bacteria are a threat to public health globally and have been found in the environment as well as the clinic. Some bacterial clones are associated with carbapenem resistance genes, such as Escherichia coli sequence type 38 (ST38) and the carbapenemase gene blaOXA-48. This is the most frequently reported carbapenem-resistant clone in wild birds, though it was unclear if it circulated within wild bird populations or was exchanged among other niches. The results from this study suggest that E. coli ST38 strains, including those resistant to carbapenems, are frequently exchanged among wild birds, humans, and the environment. Carbapenem-resistant E. coli ST38 clones in wild birds are likely acquired from the local environment and do not constitute an independent dissemination pathway within wild bird populations. Management actions aimed at preventing the environmental dissemination and acquisition of antimicrobial resistance by wild birds may be warranted.

Wild origins and mitochondrial genetic diversity of Angolan Colobus monkeys (Colobus angolensis) in AZA-accredited zoos and its implications for ex situ population management.

Across zoo's accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums(AZA), species are typically managed as a single population to retain 90% of the founding members' gene diversity. Often, little is known about the specific geographic origins of the founders or how representative the ex situ population's genetic diversity is of the wild population. This study uses mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequencing to investigate haplotype diversity and geographic female founder origin of the AZA-managed Angolan colobus (Colobus angolensis) monkey population. We obtained fecal samples from individuals closely related to founder animals at five zoos and found four haplotypes among 23 individuals. Analyzed together with wild C. angolensis haplotypes, we found two haplotypes identical to those found in Tanzanian populations: one haplotype, possessed by 13 individuals (descended from three founders), matched an East Usambara Mountains haplotype, while the other, possessed by seven individuals (from four founders), matched a haplotype found in both the South Pare Mountains and Rufiji River. Two haplotypes were not detected in wild populations but were closely related to haplotypes found in the Rufiji River (one individual descended from one founder) and Shimoni, Kenya (two individuals descended from one founder) populations, suggesting nearby origins. Thus, the AZA-managed population of Angolan colobus likely originated from several localities, but all have mtDNA lineages associated with the subspecies C. a. palliatus, a Vulnerable subspecies. Examining founders' mtDNA haplotypes may be a useful addition to the zoo population management toolkit to help improve breeding recommendations by identifying individuals with rare haplotypes and revealing likely kinship among founders.

Genome-wide admixture mapping identifies wild ancestry-of-origin segments in cultivated Robusta coffee.

Humans have had a major influence on the dissemination of crops beyond their native range, thereby offering new hybridization opportunities. Characterizing admixed genomes with mosaic origins generates valuable insight into the adaptive history of crops and the impact on current varietial diversity. We applied the ELAI tool-an efficient local ancestry inference method based on a two-layer hidden Markov model to track segments of wild origin in cultivated accessions in the case of multiway admixtures. Source populations-which may actually be limited and partially admixed-must be generally specified when using such inference models. We thus developed a framework to identify local ancestry with admixed source populations. Using sequencing data for wild and cultivated Coffea canephora (commonly called Robusta), our approach was found to be highly efficient and accurate on simulated hybrids. Application of the method to assess elite Robusta varieties from Vietnam led to the identification of an accession derived from a likely backcross between two genetic groups from the Congo Basin and the western coastal region of Central Africa. Admixtures resulting from crop hybridization and diffusion could thus lead to the generation of elite high-yielding varieties. Our methods should be widely applicable to gain insight into the role of hybridization during plant and animal evolutionary history.

Canine circovirus: An emerging or an endemic undiagnosed enteritis virus?

Canine Circovirus (CanineCV) belongs to the family Circoviridae. It is an emerging virus described for the first time in 2011; since then, it has been detected in different countries and can be defined as worldwide distribution virus. CanineCV infects domestic and wild canids and is mainly related to hemorrhagic enteritis in canines. However, it has been identified in fecal samples from apparently healthy animals, where in most cases it is found in coinfection with other viral agents such as the canine parvovirus type-2 (CPV). The estimated prevalence/frequency of CanineCV has been variable in the populations and countries where it has been evaluated, reaching from 1 to 30%, and there are still many concepts to define the epidemiological characteristics of the virus. The molecular characterization and phylo-evolutive analyses that allow to postulate the wild origin and intercontinental distribution of the virus. This review focuses on the importance on continuing research and establish surveillance systems for this emerging virus.

Assessing compatibility and viral fitness between poultry-adapted H9N2 and wild bird-derived neuraminidases

Exchange of viral segments between one or more influenza virus subtypes can contribute to a shift in virulence and adaptation to new hosts. Among several influenza subtypes, H9N2 is widely circulating in poultry populations worldwide and has the ability to infect humans. Here, we studied the reassortant compatibility between chicken H9N2 with N1–N9 gene segments of wild bird origin, either with an intact or truncated stalk. Naturally occurring amino acid deletions in the NA stalk of the influenza virus can lead to increased virulence in both mallard ducks and chickens. Our findings show extended genetic compatibility between chicken H9Nx gene segments and the wild-bird NA with and without 20 amino acid stalk deletion. Replication kinetics in avian, mammalian and human cell lines revealed that parental chH9N2 and rH9N6 viruses with intact NA-stalk replicated significantly better in avian DF1 cells compared to human A549 cells. After introducing a stalk deletion, an enhanced preference for replication in mammalian and human cell lines could be observed for rH9N2Δ(H6), rH9N6Δ and rH9N9Δ compared to the parental chH9N2 virus. This highlights the potential emergence of novel viruses with variable phenotypic traits, warranting the continuous monitoring of H9N2 and co-circulating subtypes in avian hosts.

Typification of Cereus tubiflorus Pfeiffer

Cereus tubiflorus Pfeiffer was described in 1837 on the basis of material without known wild origin, and a contemporaneous illustration was recently designated as neotype. In order to stabilize the application of the name (as Echinopsis tubiflora (Pfeiffer) K. Schumann in current classifications) for a taxon from the Andean foothills of N Argentina, we here designate an epitype. Further, we clarify the place of valid publication of the name.

Infectivity of symptomatic Plasmodium vivax cases to different generations of wild-caught and laboratory-adapted Anopheles arabiensis using a membrane feeding assay, Ethiopia

When measuring human to mosquito transmission of Plasmodium spp., laboratory-adapted (colony) mosquitoes can be utilized. To connect transmission studies to the local epidemiology, it can be important to comprehend the relationship between infectivity in laboratory-adapted (colony) and wild-caught (wild) mosquitoes of the same species. Microscopically confirmed Plasmodium vivax cases were recruited from health facilities in Arba Minch town, and a nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) was used for subsequent confirmation. We performed paired membrane-feeding assays using colony An. arabiensis and three generations of wild origin An. arabiensis. Anopheles arabiensis aged 3–6 days were fed after being starved for 8–14 h. Microscopically, the oocyst development was evaluated at day 7 after feeding. Circumsporozoite proteins (CSPs) assay was carried out by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In 19 paired feeding experiments, the feeding efficiency was more than doubled in colony (median: 62.5%; interquartile range, IQR: 35–78%) than in wild mosquitoes (median: 28.5%; IQR: 17.5–40%; P < 0.001). Among the 19 P. vivax gametocyte-positive blood samples, 63.2% (n = 12) were infective to wild An. arabiensis and 73.7% (n = 14) were infective to colony An. arabiensis. The median infection rate was twice as high (26%) in the colony than in the wild (13%) An. arabiensis, although the difference was marginally insignificant (P = 0.06). Although the observed difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.19), the median number of oocysts per midgut was more than twice as high (17.8/midgut) in colony than in wild (7.2/midgut) An. arabiensis. The median feeding efficiency was 26.5% (IQR: 18–37%) in F1, 29.3% (IQR: 28–40%) in F2 and 31.2% (IQR: 30–37%) in F3 generations of wild An. arabiensis. Also, no significant difference was observed in oocyst infection rate and load between generations of wild An. arabiensis. CSP rate of P. vivax was 3.1% (3/97; 95% CI: 0.6–8.8%) in wild and 3.6% (3/84; 95% CI: 0.7–10.1%) in colony An. arabiensis. The results of the present study revealed that oocyst infection and load/midgut, and CSP rate were roughly comparable, indicating that colony mosquitoes can be employed for infectivity studies, while larger sample sizes may be necessary in future studies.

Infecção multissistêmica por Dipetalonema spp. em um macaco-prego (Sapajus nigritus)

Abstract The capuchin monkey (Sapajus nigritus) is one of the primates that make up the wild fauna of Rio Grande do Sul. Like other wild animals, primates suffer from infectious diseases transmitted by insects, including filariasis. This report presents the anatomopathological aspects of a multisystemic infection by Dipetalonema spp. in a capuchin monkey, female, adult, of wild origin, rescued along a highway in the north of the state of Rio Grande do Sul by the road policing service and taken for assistance. In the clinical evaluation, nystagmus and involuntary head movements, semi-comatose state, hyperthermia (38.7ºC), hypovolemia, multiple abrasions and deep skin lacerations covering muscle layers were observed. The patient was hospitalized and medicated, but his clinical picture worsened, which resulted in death. At necropsy, the main findings were in the peritoneal cavity, where there was an accumulation of yellowish serous fluid, marked formation of fibrinous adhesions and numerous free nematode parasites in the cavity. Histologically, microfilariae have been observed in the lumen of blood vessels in the lung, liver, heart, kidneys, spleen, small and large intestines, and brain. Peritonitis, pneumonia and bronchiolitis associated with nematodes, liver damage and cerebral microgliosis with satellitosis, neuronophagia and hemorrhagic malacia were also observed. Adult microfilariae and filarids were submitted to morphometric identification and characterized as belonging to the genus Dipetalonema. Thus, it was concluded that this was a case of multisystemic infection by Dipetalonema spp.

Atlantic salmon of wild and hatchery origin have different migration patterns

Hatcheries are frequently used to support or restore threatened Atlantic salmon populations. However, little is known about how rearing affects behaviour and fitness of hatchery adults that return to the river to spawn. We used acoustic telemetry to compare migration patterns exhibited by hatchery ( N = 16) and wild ( N = 12) Atlantic salmon spawners within a river system in Norway. Hatchery Atlantic salmon in this study were released as smolts and were identified by their missing adipose fin upon return to rivers after 1+ winters spent at sea. Hatchery-origin Atlantic salmon displayed aberrant reverse movement behaviour, by moving with frequent reversals between the river and the fjord, a behaviour that was not observed in any wild Atlantic salmon. No difference in survival and outmigration timing after spawning was found for the two groups. The observed effect of hatchery origin on behavior may have implications for stock assessments made to assess the progress of restoration in the river, particularly if behavioural differences impact catchability or detections of returning adult salmon. The consequences of different movement patterns are uncertain; however, movements are energetically costly and may ultimately impact the fitness of hatchery Atlantic salmon.

Reproductive management of the mugilid Liza aurata and characterization of proximate and fatty acid composition of broodstock tissues and spawnings

The golden grey mullet (Liza aurata) is a promising species for aquaculture's sustainable expansion. However, the lack of sustainable juvenile provision, mainly related to the lack of reproductive control, is one of the most significant bottlenecks for further expanding the culture of this species. In many cases, mullet broodstock management needs the application of hormone treatments to induce gonadal maturation or spawning. However, no works are directly related to the broodstock collection, acclimation, and reproductive management of Liza aurata. On the other hand, the knowledge of essential fatty acids (EFA) requirements and mobilization patterns by the broodstock is a first step to designing appropriate feeding protocols and formulas, which are crucial for the success of reproduction and larval development.For these reasons, this study aimed 1) to describe for the first time the reproductive management of Liza aurata broodstock under controlled conditions and 2) to offer a first approach to the reproductive lipid metabolism of the former species.A selection of 22 Liza aurata broodstock from wild origin was acclimated in open seawater conditions. Additionally, the proximate and fatty acid composition of body tissues (gonads, liver, and muscle) of the initial wild population were evaluated, to be later compared with the profile of the eggs obtained after one year from the selected broodstock, for the first time described under cultured conditions.The results highlighted the feasibility for the obtention of natural spawnings from broodstock with a mean weight of 787 g and 604 g (females and males, respectively), at a sex ratio of 2:1 (females/males), under natural photoperiod and marine water conditions with temperatures decreasing from 20.4 ± 0.3 °C to 18.8 ± 0.4 °C.On the other hand, it was evidenced the crucial role of HUFA (highly unsaturated fatty acids) precursors for the gonadal development of Liza aurata, primarily for females. Additionally, the wild males' gonads presented a remarkable high content of HUFA, predominantly DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) (34% of the total fatty acids). In the eggs, significant variations appeared under captivity conditions, with lower levels of ARA (arachidonic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and higher EPA/ARA and DHA/ARA ratios than the wild female gonad. Additionally, it was evidenced the significant role of the liver as a physiological reservoir of HUFA, which seem to be mobilized to the gonad during the maturation process.Present results may help obtain a better insight to adjust broodstock management conditions and feeds, contributing to a more sustainable aquaculture growth.

Crustaceans (shrimp, crab, and lobster): A comprehensive review of their potential health hazards and detection methods to assure their biosafety

AbstractCrustaceans are popular seafood items worldwide owing to their rich nutritional value, unique tastes, and their incorporation in a variety of cuisines. There has been a great concern about the safety of crustaceans for human consumption being more prone to hazardous contaminants due to their exposure to diverse habitats and unhealthy farming and handling practices. These hazards can arise from chemical contaminants such as heavy metals, environmental pollutants, and biotoxins or biological sources, that is, pathogenic microbes and parasites. The different types of chemical contamination of crustaceans as well as biological hazards are reviewed as major part of this review. Although there are many reviews on contaminants in fisheries, nothing is traces to crustaceans. The current review compiles the food safety hazards of crustaceans arising from both chemical and biological origins and their impact on human health in farmed versus wild origins. The different methods of contaminants detection, viz. microbiological, molecular, and analytical methods, as well as control measures viz. cooking and processing methods that can be implemented to safeguard consumer safety are also reviewed. Future perspectives have been raised toward HACCP protocol implementation during handling, processing, and storage of crustaceans and posing real‐time freshness monitoring tools such as intelligent packaging.

Juvenile semi-wild fish have a higher metabolic rate than farmed fish

Fish from commercially farmed stocks are often released into the natural environment to supplement wild populations. This practice is often applied to salmonid fish as they are an essential fishery resource and also used for recreational angling. However, farmed fish tend to show lower survival rates after release than wild fish. For this reason, the release of semi-wild fish is increasingly used in Japan; these fish are generated using female fish from domesticated stocks and male fish of wild origin. The survival rate of released semi-wild fish is higher than that of farmed fish, but the reason for this is unknown. This study compared the metabolism and swimming performance of semi-wild and farmed masu salmon (Oncorynchus masou). The analyses showed that resting metabolic rate (RMR), maximum metabolic rate (MMR) and swimming speeds that minimize energy costs of travel (optimal swimming speed) were higher in semi-wild fish than in farmed fish. Critical swimming speed did not differ significantly between the two groups of fish. Semi-wild fish with high RMR may have a social status advantage over farmed fish because a previous study reported that SMR, which is the value closest to basal metabolism significantly affects feeding motivation. This means that individuals with higher social status may be more motivated to feed. As RMR is proportional to food requirements, then release programs should be planned taking food resources at the release site into consideration.