Dataset Information

Traceback of the Psoroptes outbreak in British Columbian bighorn sheep (Ovis Canadensis).

ABSTRACT: Psoroptes are a non-burrowing, ectoparasitic, mange-causing mite that has been documented in American bighorn sheep populations throughout the 19th and 20th centuries; however, it was not seen on Canadian bighorn sheep until 2006. The aim of this study was to determine the potential source of the Psoroptes outbreak in Canadian bighorn sheep. Morphological and molecular analyses were used to compare mites recovered from outbreak-associated bighorn sheep, pet rabbits in Canada, and on historically infested bighorn sheep in the USA. The results revealed that Psoroptes acquired from the Canadian and outbreak-associated American bighorn sheep were morphologically more similar to those collected from rabbits than mites on historically infested bighorn sheep. Outer opisthosomal setae lengths measured an average of 81.7 μm (±7.7 μm) in outbreak associated bighorn mites, 88.9 μm (±12.0 μm) in rabbit mites and 151.2 μm (±16.6 μm) in historically infested bighorn mites. The opisthosomal lobe morphology of bighorn mites in the outbreak herds was also more similar to that of rabbit mites, previously described as P. cuniculi, than historically infested bighorn mites, which match previous descriptions of P. ovis. This finding was supported by DNA sequence data of the mitochondrial cytochrome B gene. This is the first report of Psoroptes of the rabbit ecotype on bighorn sheep. The morphological and molecular data therefore support the hypothesis that the source of Psoroptes outbreak in Canadian bighorn sheep represented a disease spillover event from rabbits rather than transmission from infested American bighorn sheep populations.

SUBMITTER: Hering AM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8056144 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Traceback of the Psoroptes outbreak in British Columbian bighorn sheep (Ovis Canadensis).

Hering Adam M AM Chilton Neil B NB Epp Tasha T Schwantje Helen M HM Cassirer Frances F Walker Andrew A McLean Craig C Thampy Prasobh Raveendran PR Hanak Eryn E Wolff Peregrine P Drew Mark M Bardsley Katherine D KD Woodbury Murray M

International journal for parasitology. Parasites and wildlife 20210310

Psoroptes are a non-burrowing, ectoparasitic, mange-causing mite that has been documented in American bighorn sheep populations throughout the 19th and 20th centuries; however, it was not seen on Canadian bighorn sheep until 2006. The aim of this study was to determine the potential source of the Psoroptes outbreak in Canadian bighorn sheep. Morphological and molecular analyses were used to compare mites recovered from outbreak-associated bighorn sheep, pet rabbits in Canada, and o ...[more]

PMID: 33898228

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Project description:Background. Preserving connectivity, or the ability of a landscape to support species movement, is among the most commonly recommended strategies to reduce the negative effects of climate change and human land use development on species. Connectivity analyses have traditionally used a corridor-based approach and rely heavily on least cost path modeling and circuit theory to delineate corridors. Individual-based models are gaining popularity as a potentially more ecologically realistic method of estimating landscape connectivity. However, this remains a relatively unexplored approach. We sought to explore the utility of a simple, individual-based model as a land-use management support tool in identifying and implementing landscape connectivity. Methods. We created an individual-based model of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) that simulates a bighorn sheep traversing a landscape by following simple movement rules. The model was calibrated for bighorn sheep in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada, a region containing isolated herds that are vital to conservation of the species in its northern range. Simulations were run to determine baseline connectivity between subpopulations in the study area. We then applied the model to explore two land management scenarios on simulated connectivity: restoring natural fire regimes and identifying appropriate sites for interventions that would increase road permeability for bighorn sheep. Results. This model suggests there are no continuous areas of good habitat between current subpopulations of sheep in the study area; however, a series of stepping-stones or circuitous routes could facilitate movement between subpopulations and into currently unoccupied, yet suitable, bighorn habitat. Restoring natural fire regimes or mimicking fire with prescribed burns and tree removal could considerably increase bighorn connectivity in this area. Moreover, several key road crossing sites that could benefit from wildlife overpasses were identified. Discussion. By linking individual-scale movement rules to landscape-scale outcomes, our individual-based model of bighorn sheep allows for the exploration of how on-the-ground management or conservation scenarios may increase functional connectivity for the species in the study area. More generally, this study highlights the usefulness of individual-based models to identify how a species makes broad use of a landscape for movement. Application of this approach can provide effective quantitative support for decision makers seeking to incorporate wildlife conservation and connectivity into land use planning.

Project description:Migration evolved as a behavior to enhance fitness through exploiting spatially and temporally variable resources and avoiding predation or other threats. Globally, landscape alterations have resulted in declines to migratory populations across taxa. Given the long time periods over which migrations evolved in native systems, it is unlikely that restored populations embody the same migratory complexity that existed before population reductions or regional extirpation.We used GPS location data collected from 209 female bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) to characterize population and individual migration patterns along elevation and geographic continuums for 18 populations of bighorn sheep with different management histories (i.e., restored, augmented, and native) across the western United States.Individuals with resident behaviors were present in all management histories. Elevational migrations were the most common population-level migratory behavior. There were notable differences in the degree of individual variation within a population across the three management histories. Relative to native populations, restored and augmented populations had less variation among individuals with respect to elevation and geographic migration distances. Differences in migratory behavior were most pronounced for geographic distances, where the majority of native populations had a range of variation that was 2-4 times greater than restored or augmented populations. Synthesis and applications. Migrations within native populations include a variety of patterns that translocation efforts have not been able to fully recreate within restored and augmented populations. Theoretical and empirical research has highlighted the benefits of migratory diversity in promoting resilience and population stability. Limited migratory diversity may serve as an additional factor limiting demographic performance and range expansion. We suggest preserving native systems with intact migratory portfolios and a more nuanced approach to restoration and augmentation in which source populations are identified based on a suite of criteria that includes matching migratory patterns of source populations with local landscape attributes.

Project description:BACKGROUND: Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) affect both domestic sheep (scrapie) and captive and free-ranging cervids (chronic wasting disease; CWD). The geographical range of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis; BHS) overlaps with states or provinces that have contained scrapie-positive sheep or goats and areas with present epizootics of CWD in cervids. No TSEs have been documented in BHS, but the susceptibility of this species to TSEs remains unknown. RESULTS: We acquired a library of BHS tissues and found no evidence of preexisting TSEs in these animals. The prion protein gene (Prnp) in all BHS in our library was identical to scrapie-susceptible domestic sheep (A136R154Q171 genotype). Using an in vitro prion protein conversion assay, which has been previously used to assess TSE species barriers and, in our study appears to recollect known species barriers in mice, we assessed the potential transmissibility of TSEs to BHS. As expected based upon Prnp genotype, we observed BHS prion protein conversion by classical scrapie agent and evidence for a species barrier between transmissible mink encephalopathy (TME) and BHS. Interestingly, our data suggest that the species barrier of BHS to white-tailed deer or wapiti CWD agents is likely low. We also used protein misfolding cyclic amplification to confirm that CWD, but not TME, can template prion protein misfolding in A136R154Q171 genotype sheep. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate the in vitro conversion assay used in our study does mimic the species barrier of mice to the TSE agents that we tested. Based on Prnp genotype and results from conversion assays, BHS are likely to be susceptible to infection by classical scrapie. Despite mismatches in amino acids thought to modulate prion protein conversion, our data indicate that A136R154Q171 genotype sheep prion protein is misfolded by CWD agent, suggesting that these animals could be susceptible to CWD. Further investigation of TSE transmissibility to BHS, including animal studies, is warranted. The lack of reported TSEs in BHS may be attributable to other host factors or a lack of TSE surveillance in this species.

Dataset Information

Traceback of the Psoroptes outbreak in British Columbian bighorn sheep (Ovis Canadensis).

Publications

Traceback of the <i>Psoroptes</i> outbreak in British Columbian bighorn sheep (<i>Ovis Canadensis</i>).

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