Distribution of Carnivore protoparvovirus 1 in free-living leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis chinensis) and its association with domestic carnivores in Taiwan

Chang

et al. 2020

Preprint

Self Cite

The leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) has been listed as an endangered species under the Wildlife Conservation Act in Taiwan since 2009. In this study, we targeted viral pathogens, included carnivore protoparvovirus 1 (CPPV-1), feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), coronavirus (CoV), and canine morbillivirus (CMV), using molecular screening. The spatial and temporal dynamics of the target pathogens were evaluated. Through sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, we aimed to clarify the phylogenetic relationship of isolated viral pathogens between leopard cats and domestic carnivores. Samples from 23 and 29 leopard cats that were live-trapped and found dead, respectively, were collected from Miaoli County from 2015 to 2019 in northwestern Taiwan. CPPV-1 and coronavirus were detected in leopard cats. The prevalence (95% confidence interval) of CPPV-1, and CoV was 63.5% (50.4%–76.6%) and 8.8% (0%–18.4%), respectively. The majority of sequences of each CPPV-1 strain amplified from Taiwanese leopard cats and domestic carnivores were identical. All the amplified CoV sequences from leopard cats were identified as feline coronavirus. The spatial and temporal aggregation of CPPV-1 infection in leopard cats was not determined in the sampling area, which indicated a wide distribution of CPPV-1 in the leopard cat habitat. We consider sympatric domestic carnivores to be the probable primary reservoir for the pathogens identified. We strongly recommend establishing efforts to manage CPPV-1 and FCoV in the leopard cat habitat, with an emphasis on vaccination programs and population control measures for free-roaming dogs and cats.IMPORTANCEThe leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) is an endangered species in Taiwan. The effects of infectious diseases on the wildlife population have increasingly been recognized. In this study, we targeted highly pathogenic viral pathogens in wild cat species, included carnivore protoparvovirus 1 (CPPV-1), feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), coronavirus (CoV), and canine morbillivirus (CMV), using molecular screening. Furthermore, we collected the epidemiological and phylogenetic data to understand the spatial and temporal dynamics of the target pathogens in the wild leopard cat population and identified the possible origin of target pathogens. Based on our study, we consider sympatric domestic carnivores to be the probable primary reservoir for the pathogens identified. Our study provides a deeper understanding related to the distribution of target viral pathogens in the wild leopard cats. The information is essential for leopard cat conservation and pathogen management.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Molecular Survey for Selected Viral Pathogens in Wild Leopard Cats (Prionailurus bengalensis) in Taiwan with an Emphasis on the Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Carnivore Protoparvovirus 1

Chang

et al. 2020

Preprint

Self Cite

Live capture and handling of Taiwanese leopard cats Prionailurus bengalensis: an evaluation of trap designs and capture protocol

et al. 2022

Self Cite

Behavioural and ecological studies often require capture and handling of animals for marking or collaring. Cage traps, in various designs, are commonly used for live-capture of small mammals. Apart from costs and practicality, trap designs need to balance trap success and safety for the trapped animal. Inevitably, trapping and handling causes stress for the animals involved and can even result in injury or mortality. To optimise trap methods, it is important to share experiences. In this study, we describe our trapping and handling protocol for leopard cat, an elusive small felid which can be challenging to trap. We determine which factors influence trap success and compare three custom made cage trap designs: aviary-, box-and side-traps. We found that trap chance was affected by trap design, location and seasonality but, despite being causes of leopard cat mortality, not by human or domestic dog presence. The sidetrap provided the best tradeoff between trap success and safety, and was economic and easy to handle. Sacrificing live-bait was unnecessary to successfully trap leopard cats. More male than female leopard cats visited the traps, resulting in a sex-bias in trapped individuals. Due to a long response time, especially when continuous trap monitoring was absent, the time between leopard cat capture and release was > 10 h (mean ± SE = 16:18 ± 01:57 h). We therefore recommend to always use remote continuous monitoring devices when trapping animals. Although not related to drug dosage, recovery time was negatively related to the distance leopard cats moved after release, whereas total time between capture and release was not. To minimize exposure to human and domestic dog related threats, we released leopard cats after nightfall within their natural 18:00-06:00 h activity time, and only released individuals once fully responsive, which took > 4 h.

Mesopredators in forest edges

Luskin,

Arnold,

Sovie

et al. 2023

Wildlife Letters

Fragments and edges account for most remaining forest habitats globally. Apex predators and megaherbivores often decline in these degraded habitats while smaller generalist omnivores can persist or thrive in forest edges, especially if they can utilize nonnative resources (“cross‐boundary food subsidies”). Outcomes for small‐medium carnivores (mesopredators) remain unclear or idiosyncratic. We tested responses of a widespread and common forest mesopredator to edges and the composition of the adjacent nonforested areas using 91 camera trapping surveys in Southeast Asia. Leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis and Prionailurus javanensis) showed a hump‐shaped relationship with forest cover and a positive association with oil palm plantations, but they did not increase near other types of nonnative land cover. Leopard cats' success in edges appears due to their hunting abundant rodent prey inside oil palm plantations, providing natural pest management for farmers. Abundant leopard cats also hunt and suppress native small vertebrates, which may trigger negative ecological cascades and suppress biodiversity in forest edges.