Gastrointestinal parasitic infestation in the Rock ptarmiganLagopus mutain the French Alps and French Pyrenees based on long-term sampling (1987–2018)

Abstract

Data presented in this work represents the first record of parasites from the Alpine and Pyrenean Lagopus muta subspecies, providing valuable information to consider for conservation management. From 1987 to 2018, 207 Rock ptarmigans were collected in the framework of a long-term sanitary monitoring in France. Eight parasites were found in the Alpine Rock ptarmigan, and one in the Pyrenean subspecies. Only two parasites occurred with high prevalence in the Alpine Rock ptarmigan: Capillaria caudinflata (38.9%) and Eimeria sp. (34.7%). Prevalence of the other parasites (Ascaridia compar, Cestodes, Amphimerus sp. and Trichostrongylus tenuis) was lower than 20%. Dispharynx nasuta was found with a prevalence of 52.9% in the Pyrenean Rock ptarmigan. Overall, we found a spatially aggregated distribution of parasites in the northern French Alps, probably due to both favourable climatic conditions for parasite cycle and high host density. Statistical analyses indicated a positive effect of altitude and latitude on C. caudinflata occurrence whereas risk factors for Eimeria sp. were the distance from urban areas and land cover. In addition, the majority of the infested birds came from areas close to ski-pistes, where human disturbance increases the susceptibility to diseases, causing stress to wildlife.

First Data on Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infection in the Red-Legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa) in Italy

“…The results of this study provide an important contribution to the literature on parasite communities in wild Galliformes, an order that is less studied than others. While for Alpine Galliformes (Black grouse Lyrurus tetrix; Hazel grouse Tetrastes bonasia; Rock partridge Alectoris graeca saxatilis; Rock ptarmigan Lagopus muta) the information has improved in the last few years [8,[16][17][18][19], the data for other European Galliformes such as A. rufa, Phasianus colchicus and Perdix perdix is still scarce.…”

“…Variations in characteristics of host populations and/or their habitat seem to determine the composition and richness of communities at a fine scale [27]. On another side, a low parasite richness is commonly found in host species living at the edge of their distribution range and at low density [17].…”

Cheilospirura hamulosa in the Rock Partridge (Alectoris graeca saxatilis): Epidemiological Patterns and Prediction of Parasite Distribution in France

“…In contrast with our results, this work found an opposite gradient with the Northern part of the French Alps considered at higher risk of infection. However, the results in this case were related to a different host species (Lagopus muta) and a different parasite (Capillaria caudinflata) [29]. Indeed, it is important to highlight that parasite species distribution is largely determined by their hosts, and the variation in host abundance may influence parasites' geographical range [61].…”

“…Sanitary surveillance in free roaming populations is carried out at population level, and the data needs to be aggregated and analyzed using advance statistical approaches. In the context of wildlife sanitary surveillance, the application of spatio-temporal analysis techniques has provided valuable insights [28,29]. Additionally, spatial modelling has increasingly been employed as a support for decision makers, for population management and surveillance, predicting parasite distributions [30][31][32][33], and allowing the prioritization of the zones where conservation actions need to be applied.…”

Evolution of Rabies in South America and Inter-Species Dynamics (2009–2018)

“…Three Poisson generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) were built to evaluate the risk factors associated with the number of rabies cases in humans. Multilevel models are routinely used in veterinary epidemiology to properly describe the variance associated with a group level [ 29 , 30 ].…”