Counting elusive animals: Comparing field and genetic census of the entire mountain gorilla population of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

Guschanski, Katerina; Vigilant, Linda; McNeilage, Alastair; Gray, Maryke; Kagoda, Edwin; Robbins, Martha M.

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2008.10.024

Cited by 124 publications

(98 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…All genotypes mismatching at one locus were checked for data entry errors or allelic dropout possibilities (17). To guard for potential allelic dropout, we allowed an allelic mismatch at one locus, but only if it represented a missing allele (45).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Noninvasive Follow-Up of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection in Wild-Living Nonhabituated Western Lowland Gorillas in Cameroon

Etienne

Locatelli

Ayouba

et al. 2012

J Virol

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Simian immunodeficiency viruses infecting western lowland gorillas (SIVgor) are closely related to HIV-1 and are most likely the ancestors of HIV-1 groups O and P. At present, limited data are available on genetic diversity, transmission, viral evolution, and pathogenicity of SIVgor in its natural host. Between 2004 and 2011, 961 putative gorilla fecal samples were collected at the Campo Ma'an National Park, Cameroon. Among them, 16% cross-reacted with HIV-1 antibodies, corresponding to at least 34 infected gorillas. Combining host genotyping and field data, we identified four social groups composed of 7 to 15 individuals each, with SIV rates ranging from 13% to 29%. Eleven SIVgor-infected gorillas were sampled multiple times; two most likely seroconverted during the study period, showing that SIVgor continues to spread. Phylogenetic analysis of partialenvandpolsequences revealed cocirculation of closely related and divergent strains among gorillas from the same social group, indicating SIVgor transmissions within and between groups. Parental links could be inferred for some gorillas infected with closely related strains, suggesting vertical transmission, but horizontal transmission by sexual or aggressive behavior was also suspected. Intrahost molecular evolution in one gorilla over a 5-year period showed viral adaptations characteristic of escape mutants, i.e., V1V2 loop elongation and an increased number of glycosylation sites. Here we show for the first time the feasibility of noninvasive monitoring of nonhabituated gorillas to study SIVgor infection over time at both the individual and population levels. This approach can also be applied more generally to study other pathogens in wildlife.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Noninvasive Follow-Up of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection in Wild-Living Nonhabituated Western Lowland Gorillas in Cameroon

Etienne

Locatelli

Ayouba

et al. 2012

J Virol

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“…Fresh fecal samples (less than 24 h after defecation) were collected during a 2-week census designed to study gorilla population density surrounding MCC in February 2010. Each day, four teams composed of three experienced trackers and one researcher walked predetermined forest transects designed to optimize the sampling area and to avoid duplicating the sampling of the same gorilla group (16). When a gorilla trace was found, the team tracked the traces to locate the nest built by the gorilla group the previous night.…”

Section: Sample Collection (I) Wild Animalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

No Evidence for Transmission of Antibiotic-Resistant Escherichia coli Strains from Humans to Wild Western Lowland Gorillas in Lopé National Park, Gabon

Benavides

Godreuil

Bodenham

et al. 2012

Appl Environ Microbiol

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ABSTRACTThe intensification of human activities within the habitats of wild animals is increasing the risk of interspecies disease transmission. This risk is particularly important for great apes, given their close phylogenetic relationship with humans. Areas of high human density or intense research and ecotourism activities expose apes to a high risk of disease spillover from humans. Is this risk lower in areas of low human density? We determined the prevalence ofEscherichia coliantibiotic-resistant isolates in a population of the critically endangered western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and other wild mammals in Lopé National Park (LNP), Gabon, and we tested whether the observed pattern could be explained by bacterial transmission from humans and domestic animals into wildlife populations. Our results show a high prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial isolates in humans and low levels in gorillas and other wildlife. The significant differences in the genetic background of the resistant bacteria isolated from humans and gorillas suggest that transmission is low or does not occur between these two species. These findings indicate that the presence of antibiotic-resistant strains in wildlife do not imply direct bacteria transmission from humans. Thus, in areas of low human density, human-wildlifeE. colitransmission seems to be low. The presence of antibiotic-resistant isolates in gorillas may be better explained by other mechanisms for resistance acquisition, such as horizontal gene exchange among bacteria or naturally acquired resistance.

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“…The number of individuals per group was estimated by nest counting and/or microsatellite analysis of samples collected around the nesting site. Since weaned gorillas generally make one nest every night, the number of nests corresponds to the number of weaned individuals present in the group; however, more than one nest per individual can occasionally be observed (5,13). By performing microsatellite analysis, we were able to infer the number of individuals at a given nest site and to identify samples that were collected more than once from the same individual.…”

Section: Vol 84 2010 Sivgor Prevalence and Distribution In Wild Gormentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular Epidemiology of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection in Wild-Living Gorillas

Neel

Etienne

et al. 2010

J Virol

110

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Chimpanzees and gorillas are the only nonhuman primates known to harbor viruses closely related to HIV-1. Phylogenetic analyses showed that gorillas acquired the simian immunodeficiency virus SIVgor from chimpanzees, and viruses from the SIVcpz/SIVgor lineage have been transmitted to humans on at least four occasions, leading to HIV-1 groups M, N, O, and P. To determine the geographic distribution, prevalence, and species association of SIVgor, we conducted a comprehensive molecular epidemiological survey of wild gorillas in Central Africa. Gorilla fecal samples were collected in the range of western lowland gorillas (n ‫؍‬ 2,367) and eastern Grauer gorillas (n ‫؍‬ 183) and tested for SIVgor antibodies and nucleic acids. SIVgor antibody-positive samples were identified at 2 sites in Cameroon, with no evidence of infection at 19 other sites, including 3 in the range of the Eastern gorillas. In Cameroon, based on DNA and microsatellite analyses of a subset of samples, we estimated the prevalence of SIVgor to be 1.6% (range, 0% to 4.6%), which is significantly lower than the prevalence of SIVcpzPtt in chimpanzees (5.9%; range, 0% to 32%). All newly identified SIVgor strains formed a monophyletic lineage within the SIVcpz radiation, closely related to HIV-1 groups O and P, and clustered according to their field site of origin. At one site, there was evidence for intergroup transmission and a high intragroup prevalence. These isolated hot spots of SIVgor-infected gorilla communities could serve as a source for human infection. The overall low prevalence and sporadic distribution of SIVgor could suggest a decline of SIVgor in wild populations, but it cannot be excluded that SIVgor is still more prevalent in other parts of the geographical range of gorillas.

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Counting elusive animals: Comparing field and genetic census of the entire mountain gorilla population of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

Cited by 124 publications

References 38 publications

Noninvasive Follow-Up of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection in Wild-Living Nonhabituated Western Lowland Gorillas in Cameroon

Noninvasive Follow-Up of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection in Wild-Living Nonhabituated Western Lowland Gorillas in Cameroon

No Evidence for Transmission of Antibiotic-Resistant Escherichia coli Strains from Humans to Wild Western Lowland Gorillas in Lopé National Park, Gabon

Molecular Epidemiology of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection in Wild-Living Gorillas

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