Search Results (44)

The European wildcat (Felis silvestris) is a mesocarnivore widely distributed across Europe, with populations in the Iberian Peninsula experiencing decline due to habitat fragmentation, hybridization with domestic cats, and anthropogenic factors. Among the parasites commonly found in wildcats are cestodes of the genus Hydatigera, which includes cryptic species within the Hydatigera taeniaeformis complex. This study aimed to identify Hydatigera species within this complex infecting wildcats in central Spain using both morphological and molecular methods. A total of 26 road-killed wildcats were collected between 2021 and 2023 from Castilla and León and Castilla-La Mancha. Cestodes were recovered from 73% of individuals, yielding a total of 240 Hydatigera specimens. Molecular analysis of the mitochondrial cox1 gene and a newly developed multiplex PCR targeting cox1, cytb and nad4 genes enabled differentiation between Hydatigera kamiyai and European Hydatigera sp., confirming their presence in definitive hosts in Spain for the first time. Mixed infections were detected in 60% of infected wildcats. The high prevalence and parasite load observed highlight the role of rodents in the transmission cycle. This study expands the known distribution of the H. taeniaeformis complex species in Europe and provides a reliable molecular tool for their identification, essential for further epidemiological investigations. Full article

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite with a complex life cycle that involves warm-blooded animals as intermediate hosts and felids as definitive hosts. Its epidemiology in alpine ecosystems remains poorly understood. This study presents the first long-term investigation of T. gondii exposure in wild ruminants in the Pyrenees (NE Spain), where definitive hosts are scarce. Pyrenean chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica; n = 1045) and mouflon (Ovis aries musimon; n = 115) sera collected between 2001 and 2024 were tested (Modified Agglutination Test, ELISA-IDvet, ELISA-IDEXX) for the presence of T. gondii antibodies. Sera from 53 chamois and 27 mouflon foetuses and hearts and brains from 38 chamois and 35 mouflon foetuses were analysed for the presence of antibodies and parasite’s DNA, respectively. Moreover, heart and brain (n = 3) and faeces (n = 91) from Pyrenean wildcats (Felis silvestris) were analysed for parasite’s DNA. Seroprevalence was overall low (chamois: 5.24%; mouflon: 1.74%). In multivariate analyses performed in chamois, seroprevalence variation was mainly associated with geographic origin and the diagnostic method used, with little influence of the individual traits of sex or age. No antibodies or T. gondii DNA were detected in chamois or mouflon foetuses. However, chamois did not show a clear age-related increase in exposure to T. gondii, as would be expected if indirect horizontal transmission were the predominant route. In contrast, T. gondii DNA was detected in brain and faecal samples from wildcats, confirming their role as definitive hosts in this ecosystem. Overall, our results reinforce the hypothesis that alpine ecosystems are environments with low T. gondii oocyst contamination and that the parasite most probably relies on sylvatic cycles. These results suggest that wild ruminants, such as chamois and mouflon, could serve as effective sentinels of changes in the extent of this parasite under ongoing environmental and ecological changes. Full article

The European wildcat exhibits considerable plasticity in its habitat requirements across its distribution, with differences increasing along a continental-scale latitudinal gradient. While wildcats often favor deciduous and mixed forests with dense cover and prey, studies show these preferences vary across their expansion. Range-wide conservation efforts will benefit from incorporating knowledge generated by robust regional ecological models. We used data from a large camera trap grid (n = 292 stations), spanning across eight wildcat-associated habitats, within its range in northern Greece, to understand the regional ecological parameters affecting the species’ habitat selection. We analyzed the data using single-season density-induced detection heterogeneity occupancy models (Royle–Nichols), considering 12 environmental and anthropogenic parameters. The global model’s GoF was high (p = 0.9). Elevation and percent forest cover were both significantly negatively related to wildcat occupancy (as derived from the modeled “relative abundance index” N). Likewise, there was a negative, but moderate, relation between distance to freshwater bodies and human settlements with wildcat occupancy. We used the model-average coefficients to generate a predictive map of wildcat relative abundance across northern Greece, which identified 47,930 km² of potential wildcat habitat. Assuming a range of densities between 0.05 and 0.3 ind/km² in areas with predicted low, medium, and high relative abundance, we speculate the putative wildcat population in northern Greece to be between 3535 and 7070 individuals. The findings, which vary from ecological models of the species in northern Europe, show the need for regional models and the importance of Greece, and the Balkan peninsula, for the species. Full article

Background: The quality of healthcare experiences for Indigenous communities is worse when compared to non-Indigenous patients. Bias and discrimination within healthcare systems relate to worsened care and worsened health outcomes for Indigenous patients. The purpose of this study was to learn about the experiences of Indigenous people within healthcare settings, as well as their viewpoints for improving healthcare delivery to this population. Methods: Indigenous research methods were employed in this study as clinic administrators and staff, elders, and Indigenous researchers collaborated on the study purpose, design, and analysis. Twenty Indigenous patients participated in one of four focus groups regarding their experiences with healthcare systems. Results: Seven main themes emerged, highlighting participants’ experiences during health encounters, in relation to healthcare systems, and Indigenous health beliefs. Participants discussed challenges and barriers in each area and offered recommendations for care delivery to this population. Conclusions: Participants in this study highlighted that biased care results in poor quality of healthcare delivery and that there are actionable steps that providers and systems of healthcare can take to reduce bias within healthcare systems. The provision of culturally congruent care is imperative in improving the health and well-being of Indigenous communities. Full article

Rio Grande Cooters (Pseudemys gorzugi) occupy the Rio Grande watershed and have among the smallest ranges of all North American freshwater turtles. Anthropogenic dewatering is considered to have caused range contractions and population declines. We sought to facilitate management recommendations by determining the extent of movement and potential associations with extrinsic cues. We conducted a GPS-enabled telemetry study from August 2015 to May 2017 on the Devils River in Texas, USA. We included Capture–Mark–Recapture data from 2011, 2014, and 2015–2018 to determine population status in conjunction with movement ecology. Turtles showed increased movement as streamflow and water depth increased. Larger movements were also made mid-year, coincident with the peak nesting season. We speculate that seasonality and increases in streamflow facilitate switches from slower, localized movement to transiting modes. We observed individual heterogeneity in transitory movements. Such movements led us to maintain our population estimate of 726 to 1219 individuals is representative of the entire Devils River. The extent of movement in P. gorzugi has been previously underestimated and long-range movements could explain observed genetic structure. Future efforts to re-establish natural flow regimes in the Rio Grande basin could potentially be the most effective management approach for this range-restricted chelonian. Full article

Domestic cats (Felis catus) currently occupy the 38th place in the Global Invasive Species Database. Free-roaming cats potentially have broad-ranging impacts on wildlife, occupying most terrestrial environments globally as house pets, strays, or feral animals. In Australia, for example, cats are responsible for the decline in many vertebrate populations and extinction of several native mammals. However, in Brazil, few studies have explored either direct impacts of predation on wildlife, or other indirect impacts, such as competition for resources, niche overlap, hybridization, and disease transmission. In this review, we summarize and discuss 34 original research reports, published between 2001 and 2020, on impacts of free-roaming cats in Brazil. We briefly contextualize the history of cat domestication and present that, in Brazil, more studies have focused on the potential of free-roaming cats to transmit disease than to exert impacts via predation or competition on wildlife. More studies were conducted in Brazilian mainland areas (n = 23)—notably in Atlantic Forest—than on islands (n = 11). The review highlights potential impacts of cats on wildlife. We also discuss how control management strategies can affect the welfare of domestic cats, identifying potential knowledge gaps as well as opportunities for future research. Finally, understanding risks of cat predation is necessary to inform future measures to mitigate impacts on wildlife, without neglecting cat welfare. Full article

In this study, I discuss recent studies of human/wildlife mutualisms and suggest that several cases considered to represent domestication that has arisen through commensalism would be better considered as examples of mutualism between humans and various wild species. Species discussed include the only domesticated carnivores: cats (Felis sylvestris) and wolves (Canis lupus and C. dingo). I also discuss species over which there is considerable debate about whether they are domesticated or not: African (Loxodonta) and Asiatic elephants (Elphas). All of these species’ interactions include niche construction on the part of both species and influence human evolution at least a cultural level. I further argue that most contemporary domestic species currently exist in mutualistic relationships with humans because even though all of these species have been selected to benefit humans, all domestica species have also benefitted in terms of increased global and local population sizes and from more secure living conditions than can be found in their wild ancestors. Full article

Human activities have resulted in severe habitat degradation and fragmentation at a global scale. Despite this scenario, some carnivore species that adapted to the new conditions are expanding, leading to close coexistence with humans and the emergence of potential conflicts. In this work, we used a European wildcat (Felis silvestris) observations database of more than 350 sightings over 17 years in NW Spain to build suitability models based on environmental, topographic, climatic, and human impact variables. MaxEnt was used to analyse the availability of suitable habitats for the species at a regional scale. Our results showed that less than one third of the suitable area for the species had confirmed wildcat presence. Elevation, the percentage of forested area, and footpath density were the three main variables conditioning wildcat presence, with the first two variables having positive effects and footpath density negatively affecting wildcat presence. The selection of high areas and forest areas by the species seems to be related to food availability, while the avoidance of footpaths seems to be related to the fact that main mortality causes are linked to human disturbances. The results enhance the understanding of the European wildcat ecology and provide insight into potential management plans to ensure the conservation of one of the main populations of the species throughout its range. Full article

Amid the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, concerns surfaced regarding the spread of the virus to wildlife. Switzerland lacked data concerning the exposure of free-ranging animals to SARS-CoV-2 during this period. This study aimed to investigate the potential exposure of Swiss free-ranging wildlife to SARS-CoV-2. From 2020 to 2023, opportunistically collected samples from 712 shot or found dead wild mustelids (64 European stone and pine martens, 13 European badgers, 10 European polecats), canids (449 red foxes, 41 gray wolves, one golden jackal) and felids (56 Eurasian lynx, 18 European wildcats), as well as from 45 captured animals (39 Eurasian lynx, 6 European wildcats) were tested. A multi-step serological approach detecting antibodies to the spike protein receptor binding domain (RBD) and N-terminal S1 subunit followed by surrogate virus neutralization (sVNT) and pseudotype-based virus neutralization assays against different SARS-CoV-2 variants was performed. Additionally, viral RNA loads were quantified in lung tissues and in oronasal, oropharyngeal, and rectal swabs by reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions (RT-qPCRs). Serologically, SARS-CoV-2 exposure was confirmed in 14 free-ranging Swiss red foxes (prevalence 3.1%, 95% CI: 1.9–5.2%), two Eurasian lynx (2.2%, 95% CI: 0.6–7.7%), and one European wildcat (4.2%, 95% CI: 0.2–20.2%). Two positive foxes exhibited neutralization activity against the BA.2 and BA.1 Omicron variants. No active infection (viral RNA) was detected in any animal tested. This is the first report of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in free-ranging red foxes, Eurasian lynx, and European wildcats worldwide. It confirms the spread of SARS-CoV-2 to free-ranging wildlife in Switzerland but does not provide evidence of reservoir formation. Our results underscore the susceptibility of wildlife populations to SARS-CoV-2 and the importance of understanding diseases in a One Health Concept. Full article

The Parecis Basin, one of Brazil’s most extensive intracratonic basins, holds significant potential for hydrocarbon exploration. Despite its vast size, Parecis has yet to be extensively explored, with only five wildcat wells drilled. So far, no commercial discoveries have been announced. Regional studies have suggested Paleozoic sedimentation, while recent analyses have revealed a Neoproterozoic infill. Its tectonic model is still a matter of debate, and to date, no detailed structural map for the whole basin has been published. The present work proposes a new detailed structural map of the Parecis Basin based on a four-step interpretation workflow integrating seismic and gravimetric data. The first step includes converting the public 2D seismic lines to the depth domain. The second step is estimating the residual Bouguer anomaly, where the computed residual anomalies should relate to the basin’s tectonic features. The third step comprises the 2D forward modeling of the gravimetric anomalies using the 2D seismic interpretation as a constraint. The final step compiled all the interpreted features into our new structural map. This map reveals the top of the basement, forming a complex framework of horsts and grabens. Normal faults define the main structural style in the basin. Further, we could recognize thick, high-density bodies embedded in the crystalline basement. These bodies consist of Orosian–Calimian (1.8–1.6 Ga) mafic and ultramafic rocks, which may be a potential source for hydrogen exploration in the basin. Subsequent geophysical and geochemical surveys will assess the hydrogen potential in the area. Full article

The European wildcat (Felis silvestris Schreber, 1777) is an endangered and elusive carnivore that is slowly recovering in Central Europe after persecution and a decline in its distribution over the past two centuries, and specific conservation plans are needed in most of its range. Knowledge of the continent-wide distribution and status of this species is still poor. Using an online questionnaire, we evaluated the nationwide distribution of wildcats across three time periods (2004, 2014, and 2022) in Hungary. The species’ reported occurrence was analyzed according to binominal logistic regression using the percent cover of land cover categories as explanatory variables. We found that the spatial cover of broad-leaved forest was positively associated with the occurrence of wildcats, and the analysis revealed a positive trend in the larger 2004–2022 time frame. We also recorded that although wildcats have disappeared from areas of the central, southern, and western parts of Hungary, regions in the eastern, northern, and south-western areas appear to retain stable populations. Full article

Cat ownership is common in Chile, but data on the regional prevalence of infectious agents are limited. A sero-molecular survey of 120 client- or shelter-owned domestic cats in greater Santiago was performed. Whole blood DNA was tested for the novel hepatitis-B-like virus, domestic cat hepadnavirus (DCH) by conventional PCR (cPCR) and quantitative PCR (qPCR), and for feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) by qPCR. Point-of-care serology for FeLV p27 antigen and antibodies recognising feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) p15 and p24 was performed. DCH DNA was detected in the serum of 2/120 cats (1.67%). Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis showed that the DCH detected in Chile occupies a position outside the main clustering of DCH in the near-complete genome tree. Progressive (antigen-positive, provirus-positive) and regressive (antigen-negative, provirus-positive) FeLV infections were identified in 6/120 (5%) and 9/120 (7.5%) of cats. A total of 2/120 (1.7%) cats had dual FeLV/FIV infection, and another 2 cats had FIV infection alone. This study shows that the global footprint of DCH includes South America with a low molecular frequency in Chile, similar to that reported in the USA. Progressive FeLV infection is relatively common in urban Chile, and male cats are at greater risk than females. Testing and control measures for pathogenic retroviruses are indicated. The potential impact of FeLV, FIV and DCH on Chile’s wildcat species is worthy of further investigation. Full article

Purpose: Indigenous patients experience challenges while accessing and utilizing healthcare services that relate to worsened health experiences. Bias towards Indigenous patients is prevalent in healthcare settings and leads to poor health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to learn about the healthcare experiences, both positive and negative, of Indigenous patients and solicit subsequent recommendations to improve care delivered to this population. Methods: This study sampled Indigenous patients (n = 20) from an Indigenous-serving health clinic to discuss participants’ health experiences and elicit recommendations for improved care. Four focus groups were conducted, and template analysis was employed to analyze the data. Results: A total of 15 themes were developed under the category of an effective health encounter. Highlighted themes include healthcare that is free of stigma, quality care, respecting trauma experiences, expanded integrated care and the patient–provider relationship. Based on participant recommendations, a checklist was created for healthcare professionals to improve care delivery to Indigenous patients. Results indicated that bias in healthcare settings may masquerade as poor clinical care but is really founded in biased beliefs and healthcare delivery. Alternatively, when patients received good quality care, their healthcare outcomes improved. Further, effective healthcare incorporates culture, family, tribe, and community and addresses these aspects of health in both clinical and systemic settings. Conclusions: With some of the largest proportions of health disparities and bias experiences in the US, it is critical that healthcare delivered to Indigenous patients incorporate culturally safe care to regain dignity and improve health outcomes for this population. Full article

Rabies is one of the most significant public and veterinary health problems, causing approximately 59,000 human deaths annually in the developing countries of Asia and Africa. The aetiologic agent, a viral species of the Lyssavirus genus, is highly neurotropic and has a wide host range, including terrestrial mammals and several Chiropteran species. The Lyssavirus mokola (MOKV) was first isolated in the late 1960s from organ pools of shrews (Crocidura flavescens manni) in the Mokola forest (Nigeria). To date, at least 30 MOKV isolations have been confirmed, all exclusively from Africa, with 73% from southern Africa. There is limited knowledge about the epidemiology of MOKV, and the reservoir host species is unknown. Here, we report on the molecular characterization of rabies viruses originating from both domestic and African wild cats. A partial region of the lyssavirus genome, encoding the nucleoprotein, was amplified and sequenced. Nucleotide sequence analysis demonstrated that 98% of cats were infected with both the canid and mongoose rabies virus variants, as well as a rare lyssavirus, Lyssavirus mokola, from a domestic cat from Eswatini. Furthermore, the nucleotide sequence divergence between the recently identified MOKV isolate and the historical Lyssavirus mokola isolates ranged from 6.8% to 8.3%. This study further highlights the association between the potential host species of Lyssavirus mokola and the domestic cat as an incidental host, and the important role cats may play in rabies transmission dynamics in the country. Therefore, continuous vaccination of domestic cats against rabies is crucial, even after the elimination of dog-mediated rabies, as spillover related to sylvatic rabies cycles is likely to occur. Full article