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Nucleolus-organizer regions and heterochromatin in three species of bovidae.

Ag-NOR staining and a counterstain-enhanced fluorescence technique (chromomycin A3/distamycin A/DAPI staining = CDD-method) have been applied to ibex (Capra ibex L.), chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra L.) and bison (Bison bison L.) chromosomes. Chromomycin A3 visualization led to a well defined R-banding pattern along the chromosome arms and to a clear demonstration of centric heterochromatic bands of variable size. The nucleolus organizer regions (NORs) were found in the telomeric regions of the chromosomes 2, 3, 4, 5 and 28 of the ibex, of the chromosomes 1/3 (short arm), 2, 4, 5 and 28 of the chamois and of the chromosomes 2, 3, 4, 11 and 28 of the bison.

Animals↗

Methemoglobin reductase in three species of Bovidae.

Isoelectric focusing of red cell hemolysates revealed several isozymes that stain for NADH-methemoglobin reductase. Evidence for two different genetic loci controlling the banding patterns was obtained. One locus controlled a single band present in all animals tested. The second locus controlled ten different banding patterns that could be accounted for by four codominant alleles. Band B occurred in Bison bison. Bands A and C occurred in Bos indicus and band D occurred in both Bos indicus and Bos taurus. Bands A, C, and D were not observed in Bison bison and bands A, B, and C were not observed in Bos taurus.

Alleles↗

New carbon dates link climatic change with human colonization and Pleistocene extinctions.

Drastic ecological restructuring, species redistribution and extinctions mark the Pleistocene-Holocene transition, but an insufficiency of numbers of well-dated large mammal fossils from this transition have impeded progress in understanding the various causative links. Here I add many new radiocarbon dates to those already published on late Pleistocene fossils from Alaska and the Yukon Territory (AK-YT) and show previously unrecognized patterns. Species that survived the Pleistocene, for example, bison (Bison priscus, which evolved into Bison bison), wapiti (Cervus canadensis) and, to a smaller degree, moose (Alces alces), began to increase in numbers and continued to do so before and during human colonization and before the regional extinction of horse (Equus ferus) and mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius). These patterns allow us to reject, at least in AK-YT, some hypotheses of late Pleistocene extinction: 'Blitzkrieg' version of simultaneous human overkill, 'keystone' removal, and 'palaeo-disease'. Hypotheses of a subtler human impact and/or ecological replacement or displacement are more consistent with the data. The new patterns of dates indicate a radical ecological sorting during a uniquely forage-rich transitional period, affecting all large mammals, including humans.

Animals↗

Serologic survey for selected microbial pathogens in Alaskan wildlife.

Antibodies to Brucella spp. were detected in sera of seven of 67 (10%) caribou (Rangifer tarandus), one of 39 (3%) moose (Alces alces), and six of 122 (5%) grizzly bears (Ursus arctos). Antibodies to Leptospira spp. were found in sera of one of 61 (2%) caribou, one of 37 (3%) moose, six of 122 (5%) grizzly bears, and one of 28 (4%) black bears (Ursus americanus). Antibodies to contagious ecthyma virus were detected in sera of seven of 17 (41%) Dall sheep (Ovis dalli) and five of 53 (10%) caribou. Antibodies to epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus were found in sera of eight of 17 (47%) Dall sheep and two of 39 (6%) moose. Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus antibodies were detected in sera of six of 67 (9%) caribou. Bovine viral diarrhea virus antibodies were found in sera of two of 67 (3%) caribou. Parainfluenza 3 virus antibodies were detected in sera of 14 of 21 (67%) bison (Bison bison). Antibodies to Q fever rickettsia were found in sera of 12 of 15 (80%) Dall sheep. No evidence of prior exposure to bluetongue virus was found in Dall sheep, caribou, moose, or bison sera.

Alaska↗

The role of wild North American ungulates in the epidemiology of bovine brucellosis: a review.

Published reports of Brucella abortus infections in wild North American ungulates and domestic cattle herds were reviewed to determine if infection in these species was related. Bison (Bison bison) were frequently found infected, but are probably a minor threat to livestock due to their current limited distribution. Most elk (Cervus elaphus) were free of infection except where their range was shared with infected bison or livestock. Deer (Odocoileus spp.), pronghorns (Antilocapra americana), moose (Alces alces), and bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) appeared to be insignificant hosts of Brucella abortus. The lack of significant wild ungulate hosts and the distribution of infected livestock herds in the United States suggests that wild ungulates are of little importance in the epidemiology of infections by B. abortus in cattle.

Animals↗

Safety of Brucella abortus strain RB51 vaccine in non-target ungulates and coyotes.

Brucellosis is endemic in free-ranging elk (Cervus elaphus) and bison (Bison bison) in the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA; USA). It is possible that an oral brucellosis vaccine could be developed and disseminated in the GYA to reduce disease transmission. Should this occur, non-target species other than elk and bison may come in contact with the vaccine resulting in morbidity or mortality. To assess biosafety, bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis; n = 10), pronghorn (Antilocapra americana; n = 9), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus; n = 11), moose (Alces alces shirasi; n = 10), and coyotes (Canis latrans; n = 24) were given a single oral dose of at least 1.0 x 10(10) colony-forming units of Brucella abortus strain RB51 vaccine (RB51). Animals were randomly divided into vaccinated and control groups. Ungulates were captured, blood sampled, and swabs taken from the nares, rectum, and vagina for bacterial culture on day 0, 42, and 84 post-inoculation (PI). On day 42, the vaccinated group became a control group and vice versa in a crossover design. Blood and swab samples were taken from coyotes on days 0, 14, 28, and 42 PI. There was no crossover for the coyote study. Two coyotes from each group were also euthanized and cultured for RB51 on days 42, 84, 168, and 336 PI. Blood samples were analyzed for hematologic changes and antibodies to RB51 using a modified dot-blot assay. No morbidity or mortality as a result of vaccination was observed in any animal. There were no differences in hematologic parameters at any time for ungulate species; vaccinated coyotes had higher hematocrit, hemoglobin, and eosinophil counts (P < or = 0.006). All individuals, except some moose, seroconverted to RB51. Strain RB51 was cultured from oropharyngeal lymph nodes from one coyote 42 days PI and from a moose 117 days PI. This study suggested that a single oral dose of RB51 was safe in these species.

Administration, Oral↗

Morphology of the temporal canal and postglenoid foramen with reference to the size of the jugular foramen in man and selected species of animals.

The jugular foramen and postglenoid foramen are the main venous foramina of the skull of placental mammals. Their mutual relations are closely related to the development of the internal and external jugular vein, depending on the given kind. On the basis of measuring studies, it was decided to investigate the relations of the size of these foramina and to quantitatively determine which of them prevails. The studies were performed with macerated human and animal skulls. Altogether 100 skulls of human adults of both sexes, 100 of macaccas, 67 of bisons, 25 of mongrel dogs, 37 of foxes and 25 of rats were examined. The jugular foramen was the outlet of the sigmoid sinus or its equivalents and the postglenoid foramen--the petrosquamous or temporal canal. The jugular foramen was always singular and characterised by a small variability in the morphology, consisting only in the occurrence of the internal division or its lack. The postglenoid foramen, on the other hand, in the majority of the studied kinds was variable and numerous. The number of foramina ranged from 1 in man to 7-10 in bisons. In the course of measurements, it was found that the area of the postglenoid foramen in relation to the area of the jugular foramen is 0.87% in man, 24% in macaccas, 30.7% in dogs, 34.4% in foxes, 53.9% in rats and 248.5% in bisons. The results obtained indicate that in bisons the system of venous sinuses, connected with the postglenoid foramina, has a decisive significance for the drainage of the cranial cavity. In contrast, the postglenoid foramen in man has a marginal significance. The remaining kinds, whose skulls have been investigated, occupy on that score an intermediate position.

Animals↗

Expansion of the Asiatic parasite Ashworthius sidemi (Nematoda, Trichostrongylidae) in wild ruminants in Polish territory.

The abomasa of 40 wild ruminants (18 red deer, 9 roe deer, 13 European bison) shot in the Bieszczady Mountains and another 8 European bison shot in Bialowieza Primeval Forest, were examined for worms. Ashworthius sidemi was found in all of the animals from the Bieszczady Mountains, and the intensity of infection was usually massive. In Bialowieza Forest few specimens of A. sidemi were noted among three bison. Wild ruminants were infected by A. sidemi from June to September. The nematodes originating from this infection only attained sexual maturity in June of the following year, and from September the process of expelling the parasites of that generation began. From June to autumn, two generations of nematodes, one consisting of mature individuals from the previous year and the other of the current year comprising fourth stage larvae as well as juveniles, occur in these hosts. In the winter and spring periods until June, only one generation of the parasite, arrested fourth-stage larvae and juveniles, occurs in the hosts.

Abomasum↗

Wildlife reservoirs for bovine tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis) in Canada: strategies for management and research.

In Canada, there are two known regional foci where wildlife populations are infected with bovine tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis) and considered to be disease reservoirs. Free-ranging populations of wood bison (Bison bison athabascae) in and around Wood Buffalo National Park (WBNP) and wapiti (Cervus elaphus manitobensis) in and around Riding Mountain National Park (RMNP) are infected with bovine tuberculosis. In this paper, we provide an overview of these diseased wild ungulate populations and the complexities of attempting to manage issues relating to bovine tuberculosis in and around protected areas. We do not describe the quantitative science and epidemiological data in detail from these case histories, but instead compare and contrast these two cases from a broader perspective. This is achieved by reviewing the context and process by which a diverse group of stakeholders engage and develop strategies to address the controversial problems that diseased wildlife populations often present. We suggest that understanding the factors that drive the strategic-level management processes is equally important for addressing a wildlife disease problem as the tactical-level issues, such as design and implementation of technically sound field research and management programs. Understanding the experiences within the WBNP and RMNP areas, particularly the strategies that have failed or succeeded, may prove useful to understanding and improving management approaches when wildlife are infected with M. bovis. Applying this understanding is consistent with the principles of adaptive management in which we learn from previous experiences to develop better strategies for the future.

Animals↗

Paternally inherited markers in bovine hybrid populations.

The genetic integrity of crossfertile bovine- or cattle-like species may be endangered by species hybridization. Previously, amplified fragment length polymorphism, satellite fragment length polymorphism and microsatellite assays have been used to analyze the species composition of nuclear DNA in taurine cattle, zebu, banteng and bison populations, while mitochondrial DNA reveals the origin of the maternal lineages. Here, we describe species-specific markers of the paternally transmitted Y-chromosome for the direct detection of male-mediated introgression. Convenient PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism and competitive PCR assays are shown to differentiate the Y-chromosomes of taurine cattle, American bison and European bison, and to detect the banteng origin of Indonesian Madura and Bali cattle bulls.

Animals↗

Ovine herpesvirus-2 glycoprotein B sequences from tissues of ruminant malignant catarrhal fever cases and healthy sheep are highly conserved.

Ovine herpesvirus-2 (OHV-2) infection has been associated with malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) in susceptible ruminants. In order to further investigate whether OHV-2 is an aetiological agent for sheep-associated (SA) MCF in cattle and bison, the entire sequences of OHV-2 glycoprotein B (gB) from different sources of viral DNA were compared. Target DNA was derived from tissues of bovine and bison cases of SA-MCF, from a lymphoblastoid cell line established from another bovine case of SA-MCF, and from a healthy sheep. The divergence between deduced amino acid sequences of OHV-2 gB ranged from 0.5 to 1.2%. The high degree of similarity between gB sequences from a healthy sheep and clinical cases of SA-MCF in cattle and bison suggests that OHV-2 is an ovine virus that is occasionally transmitted to other ruminant species, in which it can cause severe disease.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Diagnosis of malignant catarrhal fever by PCR using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues.

A previously described polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay (amplification of a 238-bp fragment of ovine herpesvirus 2 [OHV-2] genomic DNA) for diagnosis of sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) was adapted for use on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. Variables affecting its use were examined. Archived tissues from cattle, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and bison (Bison bison) diagnosed with MCF by clinical signs or histologic lesions were obtained from 2 veterinary diagnostic laboratories. Tissues from healthy animals and from animals diagnosed with other common bovine viral diseases were examined as controls. A total of 86 blocks from 37 suspect MCF cases were examined. Forty-one blocks from healthy animals and animals with unrelated viral diseases were examined as controls. The assay was specific for sheep-associated MCF and did not yield false-positive signals from healthy animals or from cases of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, bovine virus diarrhea, mucosal disease, or parainfluenza-3 virus infection. A wide variety of tissues were suitable substrates, including spleen, lymph node, intestine, brain, lung, and kidney. Extracted DNA provided a more suitable target than did unextracted tissue lysate. The highest levels of viral DNA were present in lymphoid organs and intestine, but the data indicate that in acute clinical cases, most organs contain sufficient viral DNA to serve as a suitable diagnostic specimen. Fixation of 0.5-cm3 blocks of tissue in 10% neutral buffered formalin was deleterious to the target DNA, and PCR signals progressively diminished after fixation for >45 days. Detection of genomic DNA of OHV-2 by PCR was successful for archived tissues that were 15 years old.

Animals↗

Synlophe in Ostertagia cf. kasakhstanica (Nematoda: Ostertagiinae), the minor morphotype of O. bisonis from western North America.

Ostertagia cf. kasakhstanica, the putative minor morphotype of the polymorphic ostertagiine O. bisonis, is reported in Bison bison from South Dakota. Descriptions of the synlophe and details of other diagnostic characters useful in identification and differentiation of this minor morphotype from other ostertagiines in wild and domestic ruminants from western North America are presented. Laterally, the cervical synlophe is consistent with Type Ib pattern among ostertagiines and is within the range of variation previously described for O. bisonis. Among recognized minor morphotypes of ostertagiines in wild and domestic ruminants from North America, O. kasakhstanica is distinct from O. kolchida, O. dikmansi, and O. arctica based on a tapering lateral synlophe. It is further distinguished from O. lyrata by the pattern of the cervical synlophe in the lateral field, structure of the genital cone and spicules, and dimensions of the esophageal valve. Although morphologically similar to T. davtiani/T. trifucata and T. boreoarcticus f. minor, it can be readily distinguished by the 2-1-2 bursal pattern, the structure of the spicules and genital cone, and the length of the esophageal valve. Ostertagia hisonis/O. cf. kasakhstanica circulates among pronghorn, mule deer, bison, and cattle in west-central North America.

Animals↗

The fitting of general force-of-infection models to wildlife disease prevalence data.

Researchers and wildlife managers increasingly find themselves in situations where they must deal with infectious wildlife diseases such as chronic wasting disease, brucellosis, tuberculosis, and West Nile virus. Managers are often charged with designing and implementing control strategies, and researchers often seek to determine factors that influence and control the disease process. All of these activities require the ability to measure some indication of a disease's foothold in a population and evaluate factors affecting that foothold. The most common type of data available to managers and researchers is apparent prevalence data. Apparent disease prevalence, the proportion of animals in a sample that are positive for the disease, might seem like a natural measure of disease's foothold, but several properties, in particular, its dependency on age structure and the biasing effects of disease-associated mortality, make it less than ideal. In quantitative epidemiology, the "force of infection," or infection hazard, is generally the preferred parameter for measuring a disease's foothold, and it can be viewed as the most appropriate way to "adjust" apparent prevalence for age structure. The typical ecology curriculum includes little exposure to quantitative epidemiological concepts such as cumulative incidence, apparent prevalence, and the force of infection. The goal of this paper is to present these basic epidemiological concepts and resulting models in an ecological context and to illustrate how they can be applied to understand and address basic epidemiological questions. We demonstrate a practical approach to solving the heretofore intractable problem of fitting general force-of-infection models to wildlife prevalence data using a generalized regression approach. We apply the procedures to Mycobacterium bovis (bovine tuberculosis) prevalence in bison (Bison bison) in Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada, and demonstrate strong age dependency in the force of infection as well as an increased mortality hazard in positive animals.

Age Factors↗

Assessment of prey vulnerability through analysis of wolf movements and kill sites.

Within predator-prey systems behavior can heavily influence spatial dynamics, and accordingly, the theoretical study of how spatial dynamics relate to stability within these systems has a rich history. However, our understanding of these behaviors in large mammalian systems is poorly developed. To address the relationship between predator selection patterns, prey density, and prey vulnerability, we quantified selection patterns for two fine-scale behaviors of a recovering wolf (Canis lupus) population in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA. Wolf spatial data were collected between November and May from 1998-1999 until 2001-2002. Over four winters, 244 aerial locations, 522 ground-based telemetry locations, 1287 km of movement data from snow tracking, and the locations of 279 wolf kill sites were recorded. There was evidence that elk (Cervus elaphus) and bison (Bison bison) densities had a weak effect on the sites where wolves traveled and made kills. Wolf movements showed a strong selection for geothermal areas, meadows, and areas near various types of habitat edges. Proximity to edge and habitat class also had a strong influence on the locations where elk were most vulnerable to predation. There was little evidence that wolf kill sites differed from the places where wolves traveled, indicating that elk vulnerability influenced where wolves selected to travel. Our results indicate that elk are more vulnerable to wolves under certain conditions and that wolves are capable of selecting for these conditions. As such, vulnerability plays a central role in predator-prey behavioral games and can potentially impact the systems to which they relate.

Animals↗

Mycobacterium bovis in free-living and captive wildlife, including farmed deer.

Mycobacterium bovis has been isolated from a wide range of wildlife species, in addition to domestic animals. This review examines the role played by various species in the maintenance of M. bovis in wildlife communities and the spread to domestic animals. Badgers (Meles meles), brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula), deer (Odocoileus virginianus), bison (Bison bison) and African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) are examples of wildlife that are maintenance hosts of M. bovis. The importance of these hosts has been highlighted by the growing realisation that these animals can represent the principal source of infection for both domestic animals and protected wildlife species. The range of methods for controlling M. bovis in wildlife is limited. While population control has been used in some countries, this approach is not applicable in many situations where protected wildlife species are concerned. Vaccination is a potential alternative control method, although as yet, no practical, effective system has been developed for vaccinating wildlife against bovine tuberculosis. Tuberculosis caused by M. bovis has also been a problem in captive wildlife and in recently domesticated animals such as farmed deer. Control of M. bovis in this group of animals is dependent on the judicious use of diagnostic tests and the application of sound disease control principles. The advances in the development of bovine tuberculosis vaccines for cattle and farmed deer may offer valuable insights into the use of vaccination for the control of tuberculosis in a range of captive wildlife species.

Africa↗

Serologic survey for Toxoplasma gondii in selected wildlife species from Alaska.

Blood was collected from selected wildlife species in specific areas of Alaska (USA) during 1976-96. A modified agglutination test was used to test sera for evidence of exposure to Toxoplasma gondii. Serum antibody prevalence was 43% (62 positive of 143 tested) for black bears (Ursus americanus), 9% (11/125) for wolves (Canis lupus), 7% (22/319) for Dall sheep (Ovis dalli), 6% (14/241) for caribou (Rangifer tarandus), 1% (3/240) for moose (Alces alces), and 1% (2/241) for bison (Bison bison). A predictive model was developed to determine the effect of sex, age, location, and year of collection on antibody prevalence for each species. Prevalence was higher in older black bears, caribou, and wolves. For black bears, prevalence was highest in the southeast region of the state. For caribou, prevalence was lowest on the Alaska Peninsula.

Agglutination Tests↗

Experimental Brucella abortus infection in wolves.

Four juvenile male wolves (Canis lupus) each received an oral dose of 1.6-1.7 x 10(12) colony-forming units of Brucella abortus biovar 1 isolated from a bison (Bison bison) in Wood Buffalo National Park (Canada), and two others served as negative controls. Infected wolves did not show clinical signs of disease but did develop high Brucella antibody titers. Small numbers of B. abortus were excreted sporadically in feces until day 50 postinoculation (PI). Very small numbers of the bacterium were isolated from urine of only one wolf late on the same day that it was infected, and very small numbers of colonies of B. abortus were obtained from buccal swabs of three wolves for up to 48 hr PI. Two infected wolves euthanized 6 mo after the start of the experiment had no lesions, and colonies of B. abortus were isolated from thymus and most major lymph nodes. The other two infected wolves euthanized 12 mo after the start of the experiment had no lesions, and smaller numbers of brucellae were recovered from fewer lymph nodes compared with the wolves killed 6 mo earlier. The sporadic excretion of very small numbers of brucellae by the wolves was insignificant when compared with the infective dose for cattle. Brucella abortus, brucellosis, Canis lupus, pathogenesis, serology, wolf.

Animals↗