Search Results (26)

Domesticated cats have evolved from the obligate carnivore Felis silvestris. The instinct to eat small frequent meals and a crepuscular feeding rhythm was conserved during domestication. Declining senses, cognitive impairment, and poor oral health decrease food intake in aging cats. Combined with metabolic and physiological changes, they are at risk of sarcopenia and general body condition impairment. Aging cats may, therefore, benefit from modified nutritional strategies to achieve their metabolic energy requirements; however, little is known about feeding patterns in aging cats and influence of food format. This in-home study of 134 aging cats (≥7 years) assessed ad libitum dry, wet, and wet/dry (‘mixed’) feeding regimens to compare 24 h feeding frequency and caloric intakes. Feeding frequency was significantly different between wet and dry (p = 0.02) and mixed and dry diets (p < 0.001), with cats consuming 6.0 (dry), 6.9 (wet), or 7.2 meals (mixed) per day. Mean caloric intakes were significantly higher for dry (262.6 kcal/d) and mixed (222.6 kcal/d) regimens (both p < 0.001) versus wet (138.1 kcal/d). In conclusion, healthy aging cats eat small frequent meals, with feeding frequency and caloric intake influenced by dietary format. These findings support development of evidence-based feeding guidelines for aging cats. Full article

Kittens are born with some maternally derived antibodies (MDA) that, together with maternal gut microbiota, bring some form of early defense against pathogens. However, this protection declines and the rapid changes and challenges the kitten typically encounters can adversely affect their health. Nutrition can modulate the immune system and gut microbiota, offering a boost to protection following weaning. This controlled, randomized, double-blinded study tests a dietary supplement containing nucleotides, oligosaccharides, vitamin E and β-carotene in 50 domestic short-haired kittens. Control kittens were fed standard, dry kitten diet whilst test kittens received the same diet with supplement for 52 weeks. Kittens received routine vaccinations and blood samples were collected throughout the study for standard hematology, serum antibodies and cytokine expression. Rectal fecal samples were analyzed for gut microbiota via 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Supplemented kittens showed significantly improved antibody response to Chlamydia vaccine at various timepoints versus controls, with no consistent effects of supplementation on responses to other vaccines. Several cytokines were significantly influenced by the supplement, which also significantly altered gut microbiota diversity. In conclusion, a dietary supplement was shown to promote immune response and gut microbiota changes in kittens and may help to support a healthy transition into adulthood. Full article

(1) Background: Understanding the evolution of the form–function relationship requires identifying the selection pressures acting on individuals. The paradigm of Arnold provides a useful framework to infer how the natural selection acting on phenotypic traits can modulate individual fitness. Despite the theoretical advance, experimental studies of individual performances that explicitly address form, i.e., the phenotypic integration of functional morphology (body design and mechanics) and of behavior, are still rare. (2) Methods: Slender-billed gull food acquisition behaviors were video recorded in the salt pans of Salin de Giraud, Camargue, where brine shrimp are their main prey. We averaged the food intake rate over 21 individuals. We computed the mean hourly energy intake of an average gull by multiplying the mean hourly prey intake rate by the weight and energy content of a brine shrimp. We used this mean hourly energy intake to investigate the time needed by an average slender-billed gull individual to acquire the energy required to achieve their daily field metabolic rate. We computed the food metabolic rate of slender-billed gulls by using the model of Dunn et al. In addition, using slow-motion video sequences, we perform a functional and integrative analysis of three performances associated with food acquisition behaviors, i.e., locomotion, food capture, and food transport. (3) Results: We demonstrate that the energy assimilated by this performance is sufficient to cover less than 6 h of an adult gull’s metabolic food rate during its breeding season. We show that brine shrimp capture by gulls does not involve the use of specialized morphological structures but rather involves a particular behavioral sequence that invariably associates a mode of locomotion, a mode of capture and a mode of transport of the prey from the beak to the pharynx. The comparison of this sequence to the register of food acquisition behaviors used by other Charadriiformes reveals its similarity with behaviors that are used by two shorebird species (Phalaropus fulicarius and P. lobatus) also feeding on prey captured from saltwater surfaces. (4) Conclusions: Altogether, our study supports (1) a causal chain in which performance results from the interaction between morphological structures and behaviors and (2) the idea that the performance peak of a realized phenotype can be reached by using the best combination of behaviors, either by convergent evolution or by their conservation among those available in a phylogenetically determined register. Full article

The spread of non-native species threatens biodiversity and exacerbates societal challenges like food security. To address this, effective conservation programs require detection methods that are easy to implement, accurate, and non-invasive. Over the past 15 years, environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques have gained popularity, surpassing traditional sampling methods. In this context, our study focused on tracking the invasive host–pathogen complex Pseudorasbora parva and Sphaerothecum destruens using eDNA metabarcoding. We collected water samples from freshwater canals over five months in the Camargue region, and once in Corsica Island, both in southern France. Total DNA was extracted from filtered water samples, and PCR-amplicons were sequenced using Illumina or Nanopore technologies. Our results revealed a high detection rate of P. parva in lentic ecosystems, aligning with habitat preferences of this small freshwater fish. Additionally, the detection rate in Camargue increased in May and June, likely due to the peak of the spawning season, which leads to more DNA being released into the environment (i.e., concentration and interaction of individuals). While eDNA successfully detected this invasive fish, we were unable to detect its cryptic fungal parasite, S. destruens, highlighting the challenges of identifying intracellular and cryptic fungal pathogens through eDNA methods. Full article

Wild boars have become a common yet controversial species in France, where the main response to the species’ development and the problems it may cause is an increased hunting effort. However, wild boars are an extremely adaptive species, and their response to human activities (including hunting) is not fully understood. Moreover, hunting may be a source of conflict with other stakeholders and a topic for public debate, which questions its sustainability. To discuss wild boar behaviour, as well as (other) means to coexist with these animals, we developed a role-playing board game framed around wild boars and hunting. In this paper, we outline the design of the WILD BOAR(D) GAME and reflect on the first three game sessions, which we conducted in our research areas (Gorges du Gardon and Camargue Biosphere Reserves, France). We show that a continuous back and forth between the game and reality allows the participants to elicit their knowledge as well as learn from the other participants, which contributes to filling in the knowledge gaps identified previously in the game design as well as mitigating conflicts regarding wild boars. Finally, we discuss the interest of including wild boars as a role in itself to reflect on their agency. Full article

Marinas are semi-enclosed environments characterised by reduced hydrodynamic energy, high sedimentation rates, and reduced oxygen levels. The ongoing development of activities and infrastructure construction are leading to deterioration in the quality of coastal aquatic environments, creating environmental risks. Trace metal elements (TMEs) and organotins are significant contaminants, prompting this study to evaluate the added value of spatiotemporal monitoring compared to one-time sediment assessments. Two Mediterranean harbours, Port Camargue (PC) and Port Carnon (C), differing in morphology and size, were monitored for a year with regular water sampling, focusing on TMEs and organotins. Sediment contamination, notably in the technical zone, revealed concentrations of Cu (309 and 1210 mg kg⁻¹ for C and PC, respectively), Zn (242 and 425 mg kg⁻¹ for C and PC, respectively), and tributyltin (TBT) (198 and 4678 µg (Sn) kg⁻¹ for C and PC, respectively) surpassing the effect range medium (ERM), while other marina stations generally stayed below this threshold. Spatiotemporal water monitoring highlighted concentrations above environmental quality standards (EQS) at all stations of the larger marina. This exceedance was systematic for Cu and Zn in all samples, ranging respectively between 2.54 and 37.56 µg (Sn) L⁻¹ and 0.63 and 33.48 µg (Sn) L⁻¹. A notable temporal dynamic for TBT and Cu was also observed. Conversely, the open marina, connected to the open sea, rarely exhibited concentrations above EQS in water, despite sediment concentrations occasionally exceeding ERM values. This underscores that risk assessment in these ecosystems cannot rely solely on sediment characterisation. Full article

Nucleotides, short-chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS), xylooligosaccharides (XOS), β-carotene and vitamin E are reported to enhance immune function; however, the evidence of this in cats is limited. The aim of this study was to determine the immunomodulatory effects of these ingredients in kittens. Forty domestic short hair kittens were designated in litters to control or test diet for 28 weeks. Test diet was fortified with 0.33 g nucleotides, 0.45 g scFOS, 0.3 g XOS, 0.7 mg β-carotene and 66.5 mg vitamin E per 100 g diet. Kittens were vaccinated against feline parvovirus (FPV) and herpesvirus (FHV) at 10, 14 and 18 weeks. Kittens remained healthy, with no measured evidence of adverse health. Serum FPV and FHV antibody titres were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the test diet group at week 23 and 27, respectively. A significantly (p < 0.05) higher proportion of test diet group kittens demonstrated an adequate response (four-fold titre increase) to FHV vaccination and a significantly (p < 0.05) higher proportion reached a protective antibody titre for FHV. Serum IgM was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the test diet group. The test diet group demonstrated a stronger humoral immune response to vaccination, suggesting the diet supports immune defence, enabling a greater response to immune challenges. Full article

Nuisance, allergy, and vector role: mosquitoes are responsible for numerous inconveniences. Several strategies have been employed to fight against this confirmed vector. To record the diversity of mosquito vectors in Camargue (France) and assess the effectiveness of the Qista trap, six BAMs were deployed as a belt barrier to protect the Espeyran Castle (Saint-Gilles, Camargue). Prior to evaluating the reduction in the nuisance rate, recovery nets from the traps and human landing catches (HLC) were utilized twice a week in the treated and control areas. Overall, 85,600 mosquitoes were captured, belonging to eleven species, namely Aedes albopictus, Aedes caspius, Aedes detritus, Aedes dorsalis, Aedes rossicus, Aedes vexans, Anopheles maculipennis, Culex pipiens, Culex modestus, Culiseta annulata and Culiseta longiareolata. The six BAM devices trapped 84,461 mosquitoes. The average capture rate per BAM is 76.92 mosquitoes per day. The rate of nuisance has decreased from 4.33 ± 2.88 before the deployment to 1.59 ± 2.77 after BAM implantation. The Qista BAM trap seems to be an excellent tool for reducing the nuisance rate and may help researchers to optimize trapping methods by obtaining more significant sample sizes. It may also allow the updating of the host-seeking mosquito species’ reported biodiversity in the south of France. Full article

The plastic nature of cat behaviour allows this “friendly symbiont” of humans to adapt to various housing conditions. Beyond daylight, one could wonder if other environmental factors affect its patterns. Yet, how its activity and feeding rhythms are impacted by its environment is rarely studied in standardised conditions between populations. We compared the behaviour of cats living in a 29 m² indoor room and cats living in a 1145 m² outdoor enclosure, tracking them simultaneously in summer for 21 days, with advanced technologies. Both populations received daylight but weather fluctuations only occurred outdoors. Bimodality was detected in the activity and feeding rhythms of both groups, while twilight triggered crepuscular peaks. Daily, the outdoor population covered more distance (4.29 ± 0.27 km; p < 0.001) and consumed more food (67.44 ± 2.65 g; p < 0.05) than the indoor population (2.33 ± 0.17 km, 57.75 ± 2.85 g, respectively), but displayed less rhythmic behaviours, assumedly because of rhythm disruptors met only in outdoor conditions. Finally, outdoor housing seemed to promote the exploratory behaviour of the cats at night, while indoor housing increased both meal frequency (p = 0.063) and the impact of human interactions on the feeding rhythms of the cats. Full article

Acrylamide is a potentially toxic compound present in many plant-based foods, such as coffee, breads, and potato fries, which is reported to have carcinogenic, neurotoxic, and antifertility properties in vivo, suggesting the need to keep the acrylamide content of widely consumed food as low as possible. As pigmented rice contains bioactive phenolic and flavonoid compounds, the objective of this study was to potentially enhance the beneficial properties of flatbreads by evaluating the acrylamide content and proximate composition of 12 novel flatbreads prepared from the following commercial pigmented rice seeds: Black Japonica, Chinese Black, French Camargue, Himalayan Red, Long Grain Brown, Purple Sticky, Short Grain Brown, Wehani, Wild, Indian Brown Basmati, Organic Brown Jasmine, and Organic Jade Pearl. Although acrylamide levels ranged from 4.9 µg/kg in Long Grain Brown to 50.8 µg/kg in Chinese Black, the absolute values were all low (though statistically significantly differences existed among varieties). Acrylamide content did not correlate with its precursor asparagine. The variations in protein, carbohydrate, fat, ash, dry matter, and water content determined by proximate analysis, and the reported health benefits of colored rice cultivars used to prepare the flatbreads, might also be useful for relating composition to nutritional qualities and health properties, facilitating their use as nutritional and health-promoting functional foods. Full article

Low birth weight (LBW) has been identified as a major risk factor for neonatal mortality in many species. The aim of this survey was to determine the profiles of canine and feline breeders concerning their perceptions of, and management practices relating to, LBW individuals. An anonymous online survey was addressed to French cat and dog breeders in September 2019 via social networks. Multiple correspondence analysis and hierarchical clustering were used to explore breeders’ profiles. Three clusters were identified among the 649 breeders included in this analysis. Cluster 1 (49%) included dog and cat breeders who weighed newborns (and thus identified LBW) and controlled nursing by the dam (controlled suckling) but did not warm them up. Cluster 2 breeders (21%) of both species did not weigh puppies or kittens to identify LBW or to monitor the evolution of their weight afterwards. Cluster 3 (30%) including mostly cat breeders who weighed neonates routinely as in Cluster 1, but they practiced artificial feeding rather than controlled suckling. This survey provides a basis for better understanding of perceptions and practices regarding LBW puppies and kittens. It will be useful to provide guidelines for neonatal management to increase their chances of survival. Full article

The Vaccarès Lagoon System, located in the central part of the Rhône Delta (France), is a complex shallow coastal lagoon, exposed to a typical Mediterranean climate and a specific hydrological regime affected by man-controlled exchanges with the sea and agricultural drainage channels. In this article, we report the results obtained by a series of monitoring programs, with different spatial and temporal resolutions. Long-term datasets from 1999 to 2019 with data collected on a monthly basis and a high spatial resolution highlighted the significant spatial heterogeneity in salinity regimes, and helped to determine the long-term evolution of the total mass of dissolved salt. High-frequency surveys allowed to characterize the water levels and salinity dynamics seasonal response to (i) the exchanges with the Mediterranean Sea, (ii) the exchanges with agricultural drainage channels, and (iii) the rain and evaporation. In addition, wind effects on salinity variations are also explored. This work shows how different spatial and temporal monitoring strategies provide complementary information on the dynamic of such a complex system. Results will be useful and provide insight for the management of similar lagoon systems, accommodating for both human activities and ecological stakes in the context of global change. Full article

Sustainable conservation planning depends on understanding local context including the way social values impact a landscape. Flamingos are used here as a flagship species to focus the social values of a broad range of people living in and working in the Camargue in France. A survey questionnaire (n = 87) was used to identify the range of ways in which people value the landscape and their perception of effectiveness of flamingo management strategies. Survey analysis was conducted through a multi-method approach, triangulating standard descriptive statistics, qualitative data analysis, and multivariate analysis applying numerical taxonomy. Applying numerical taxonomy allowed us to identify and define six social assemblages. Each assemblage had geographical characteristics with distinct values and perceptions in relation to management. The primary residence and geographic identity of the participants was defining, showing clear value differences from participants living in different parts of the delta. The participants most frequently agreed that flamingos contributed to the aesthetic, economic, biodiversity, and recreational values of the landscape. We show how identifying points of consensus and points in contest is necessary for navigating differences in values for conservation planning. This research shows the importance of the local social context in sustainably managing landscape change. Full article

The relevant benefits of hyperspectral sensors for water column determination and seabed features mapping compared to multispectral data, especially in coastal areas, have been demonstrated in recent studies. In this study, we used hyperspectral satellite data in the accurate mapping of the bathymetry and the composition of water habitats for inland water. Particularly, the identification of the bottom diversity for a shallow lagoon (less than 2 m in depth) was examined. Hyperspectral satellite data were simulated based on aerial hyperspectral imagery acquired above a lagoon, namely the Vaccarès lagoon (France), considering the spatial and spectral resolutions, and the signal-to-noise ratio of a satellite sensor, BIODIVERSITY, that is under study by the French space agency (CNES). Various sources of uncertainties such as inter-band calibration errors and atmospheric correction were considered to make the dataset realistic. The results were compared with a recently launched hyperspectral sensor, namely the DESIS sensor (DLR, Germany). The analysis of BIODIVERSITY-like sensor simulated data demonstrated the feasibility to satisfactorily estimate the bathymetry with a root-mean-square error of 0.28 m and a relative error of 14% between 0 and 2 m. In comparison to open coastal waters, the retrieval of bathymetry is a more challenging task for inland waters because the latter usually shows a high abundance of hydrosols (phytoplankton, SPM, and CDOM). The retrieval performance of seabed abundance was estimated through a comparison of the bottom composition with in situ data that were acquired by a recently developed imaging camera (SILIOS Technologies SA., France). Regression coefficients for the retrieval of the fractional species abundances from the theoretical inversion and measurements were obtained to be 0.77 (underwater imaging camera) and 0.80 (in situ macrophytes data), revealing the potential of the sensor characteristics. By contrast, the comparison of the in situ bathymetry and macrophyte data with the DESIS inverted data showed that depth was estimated with an RSME of 0.38 m and a relative error of 17%, and the fractional species abundance was estimated to have a regression coefficient of 0.68. Full article

Since 2015, annual West Nile virus (WNV) outbreaks of varying intensities have been reported in France. Recent intensification of enzootic WNV circulation was observed in the South of France with most horse cases detected in 2015 (n = 49), 2018 (n = 13), and 2019 (n = 13). A WNV lineage 1 strain was isolated from a horse suffering from West Nile neuro-invasive disease (WNND) during the 2015 episode in the Camargue area. A breaking point in WNV epidemiology was achieved in 2018, when WNV lineage 2 emerged in Southeastern areas. This virus most probably originated from WNV spread from Northern Italy and caused WNND in humans and the death of diurnal raptors. WNV lineage 2 emergence was associated with the most important human WNV epidemics identified so far in France (n = 26, including seven WNND cases and two infections in blood and organ donors). Two other major findings were the detection of WNV in areas with no or limited history of WNV circulation (Alpes-Maritimes in 2018, Corsica in 2018–2019, and Var in 2019) and distinct spatial distribution of human and horse WNV cases. These new data reinforce the necessity to enhance French WNV surveillance to better anticipate future WNV epidemics and epizootics and to improve the safety of blood and organ donations. Full article