Explore the vast range of titles available.

Fragmentation of wildlife populations is increasing on a global scale and understanding current population genetic structure, genetic diversity, and genetic connectivity is key to informing wildlife management and conservation. We genotyped 992 pumas (Puma concolor) at 42 previously developed microsatellite loci and identified 10 genetic populations throughout the states of California and Nevada, USA. Although some genetic populations had large effective population sizes, others were small and inbred. Genetic diversity was extremely variable (heterozygosity, uHe = 0.33–0.53), with some populations nearly as low as an endangered subspecies, the Florida Panther (P. c. coryi, uHe = 0.24). Specifically, pumas in the Sierra Nevada were genetically diverse and formed the largest genetic source population in the region. In contrast, coastal and southern populations surrounded by urbanization had low genetic diversity, fragmented gene flow, and tended to be genetic sinks. The strong population genetic structuring of pumas across California (FST = 0.05–0.39) is vastly different than other genetic studies in less-urbanized states, including our analysis in Nevada, where pumas had few barriers to gene flow and weak population differentiation. Our results have far-reaching conservation and management implications for pumas and indicate large-scale fragmentation in one of North America’s most biodiverse and rapidly-urbanizing regions.

Fluoroscopic angiography evaluates the heart and vascular tree in real time and can be recorded for further diagnostic analysis and measurements. Although reports have been published of the use of fluoroscopic angiography in birds, this technique has not been evaluated in any avian species. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a fluoroscopic angiography protocol in 12 adult Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis). Under general anesthesia, the birds were positioned in right lateral (LAT) recumbency on a fluoroscopy table. A bolus of nonionic iodinated contrast agent was injected through a catheter inserted into the basilic or medial metatarsal vein during video acquisition. The same bolus was repeated to obtain the ventrodorsal (VD) view with the bird placed in dorsal recumbency. Eleven studies were performed. A total of 19 (10 VD, 9 LAT) continuous, real-time, fluoroscopic angiograms were successfully captured. The brachiocephalic trunk, aorta, pulmonary arteries, pulmonary veins, and caudal vena cava were visualized, and selected intraluminal measurements collected. The intraobserver and interobserver variability for 3 observers was calculated. Intraobserver agreement was found to be near perfect (intraclass correlation coefficient ≥0.95), whereas interobserver agreement was moderate to substantial (intraclass correlation coefficient ≥0.52). Coefficients of variation were excellent (VD 0.99, LAT 0.99) for intraobserver assessments and moderate (VD 0.72, LAT 0.52) for interobserver assessments. For the interobserver assessments, the VD projection measurements performed better than the LAT measurements. These results suggest that although there was some variation between different observers, relatively consistent vascular measurements could be obtained. The described fluoroscopic angiography protocol is a repeatable and reliable technique that could be useful for the diagnosis and monitoring of cardiovascular diseases in birds.

Domestication and breeding for human‐desired morphological traits can reduce population genetic diversity via founder events and artificial selection, resulting in inbreeding depression and genetic disorders. The ferret (Mustela putorius furo) was domesticated from European polecats (M. putorius), transported to multiple continents, and has been artificially selected for several traits. The ferret is now a common pet, a laboratory model organism, and feral ferrets can impact native biodiversity. We hypothesized global ferret trade resulted in distinct international genetic clusters and that ferrets transported to other continents would have lower genetic diversity than ferrets from Europe because of extreme founder events and no hybridization with wild polecats or genetically diverse ferrets. To assess these hypotheses, we genotyped 765 ferrets at 31 microsatellites from 11 countries among the continents of North America, Europe, and Australia and estimated population structure and genetic diversity. Fifteen M. putorius were genotyped for comparison. Our study indicated ferrets exhibit geographically distinct clusters and highlights the low genetic variation in certain countries. Australian and North American clusters have the lowest genetic diversities and highest inbreeding metrics whereas the United Kingdom (UK) cluster exhibited intermediate genetic diversity. Non‐UK European ferrets had high genetic diversity, possibly a result of introgression with wild polecats. Notably, Hungarian ferrets had the highest genetic diversity and Hungary is the only country sampled with two wild polecat species. Our research has broad social, economic, and biomedical importance. Ferret owners and veterinarians should be made aware of potential inbreeding depression. Breeders in North America and Australia would benefit by incorporating genetically diverse ferrets from mainland Europe. Laboratories using ferrets as biomedical organisms should consider diversifying their genetic stock and incorporating genetic information into bioassays. These results also have forensic applications for conserving the genetics of wild polecat species and for identifying and managing sources of feral ferrets causing ecosystem damage.

Bronchoscopy is an important tool for identifying an underlying etiology for respiratory disease in cats. However, the procedure is challenging, because feline airways are small and prone to bronchoconstriction.BACKGROUNDBronchoscopy is an important tool for identifying an underlying etiology for respiratory disease in cats. However, the procedure is challenging, because feline airways are small and prone to bronchoconstriction.Bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) are appropriate and safe diagnostic procedures in the cat.HYPOTHESISBronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) are appropriate and safe diagnostic procedures in the cat.Sixty-eight cats.ANIMALSSixty-eight cats.Flexible bronchoscopy was performed in all cats with the cats under propofol infusion with jet ventilation. The procedures were reviewed for BAL volumes instilled and recovered and for the number and type of complications with the use of 3 flexible endoscopes < 5.0-mm outer diameter. The BAL procedure was compared among scopes by using a one-way analysis of variance. Complication rates were compared by using chi-square analysis. Significance was set at P < .05.METHODSFlexible bronchoscopy was performed in all cats with the cats under propofol infusion with jet ventilation. The procedures were reviewed for BAL volumes instilled and recovered and for the number and type of complications with the use of 3 flexible endoscopes < 5.0-mm outer diameter. The BAL procedure was compared among scopes by using a one-way analysis of variance. Complication rates were compared by using chi-square analysis. Significance was set at P < .05.Clinical diagnoses included inflammatory airway disease in 46 of 68 cats, pneumonia in 10 of 68, neoplastic disease in 8 of 68, and other conditions in 4 of 68 cats. Mean lavage volumes instilled for the 3 scopes were 2.62-5.05 mL/kg (range, 0.77-9.38 mL/kg). Mean percent fluid recovered for the 3 scopes was 51-73%, (range, 0-140%). BAL cell counts were adequate for cytologic assessment (> 300 cells/microL) in 61 of 64 cats (97%), and in 107 of 120 samples (89%) collected. Complications occurred in 38% of procedures; however, these were mild in 24% of cats; 6% of cats died or were euthanized after the procedure. Complications were not associated with fluid volume instilled or recovered, and could not be related to the underlying disease process.RESULTSClinical diagnoses included inflammatory airway disease in 46 of 68 cats, pneumonia in 10 of 68, neoplastic disease in 8 of 68, and other conditions in 4 of 68 cats. Mean lavage volumes instilled for the 3 scopes were 2.62-5.05 mL/kg (range, 0.77-9.38 mL/kg). Mean percent fluid recovered for the 3 scopes was 51-73%, (range, 0-140%). BAL cell counts were adequate for cytologic assessment (> 300 cells/microL) in 61 of 64 cats (97%), and in 107 of 120 samples (89%) collected. Complications occurred in 38% of procedures; however, these were mild in 24% of cats; 6% of cats died or were euthanized after the procedure. Complications were not associated with fluid volume instilled or recovered, and could not be related to the underlying disease process.Flexible bronchoscopy with BAL was well tolerated in most cats examined.CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCEFlexible bronchoscopy with BAL was well tolerated in most cats examined.

Hummingbird sex identification can be difficult, especially for juveniles. Accurate sex identification is vital for ecology, population health, and conservation biology studies; therefore, a simple molecular technique, that is accurate with less-invasive sampling methods such as feathers, would be useful. Eleven PCR primer pairs reported to identify sex of other bird species were tested in five hummingbird species inhabiting western North America (Anna’s: Calypte anna , Black-chinned: Archilochus alexandri , Allen’s: Selasphorus sasin , Rufous: Selasphorus rufus , and Costa’s Hummingbird: Calypte costae ). The two best performing primer pairs were compared using DNA from tissue, blood, and feathers. One primer set was 100 % accurate and optimal for all samples. The less invasive feather sampling method accurately identified sex and has important conservation application for hummingbirds and for ensuring field-sexing data accuracy.

The domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) is an important model organism for the study of avian influenza and other diseases of humans and animals, as well as a popular pet animal. In order to evaluate genetic diversity and study disease relationships in ferrets, 22 nuclear microsatellite loci (17 dinucleotide and 5 tetranucleotide) were developed from ferret genomic libraries and organized into seven multiplex sets. Polymorphism was preliminarily assessed in one population in Australia and one in the USA, sampled with 25 individuals each. The loci displayed allelic diversity ranging from 1 to 5 alleles, and expected and observed heterozygosities ranging from 0.04 to 0.65 and 0.04 to 0.76, respectively. Additionally, the loci amplified products in 15 samples from the wild ancestor, European polecat (Mustela putorius) and domestic ferret-polecat hybrids. In polecat/hybrid samples, allelic diversity ranged from 3 to 8 alleles, and expected and observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.13 to 0.81 and 0.13 to 0.80 respectively. These markers will be useful for molecular assessments of genetic diversity and applications to evolution, ecology, and health in domestic ferrets and wild polecats.

Lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis (LPR) is a common histologic finding in dogs with chronic nasal disease; however, potential etiologies of this disorder have not been examined. We investigated the hypothesis that specific microbes contribute to clinical disease in dogs with LPR. Paraffin-embedded nasal biopsies were obtained from 19 dogs with LPR, 10 dogs with nasal neoplasia, and 10 dogs with nasal aspergillosis. Nucleic acids were extracted from paraffin blocks, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed for detection of target genes for bacterial and fungal DNA, canine adenovirus 2 (CAV-2), parainfluenza virus 3 (PI-3), Chlamydial Chlamydophila spp., and Bartonella spp. Conventional PCR was used for detection of Mycoplasma spp. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U-test for nonparametric data, and significance was set at P < 0.05. DNA or RNA for CAV-2, PI-3, Bartonella, Mycoplasma, and Chlamydophila was not detected in any nasal biopsy. DNA loads for bacterial DNA did not differ among disease groups. Detection of fungal DNA in nasal biopsies was highest in dogs with aspergillosis (P < 0.0001); however, nasal biopsies of LPR dogs also displayed higher fungal DNA levels than samples from dogs with nasal neoplasia (P = 0.016). Detection of high levels of fungal DNA in nasal biopsies of dogs with LPR suggests that fungal organisms may be causally associated with the inflammation observed, although the possibility of entrapment or accumulation of fungi in the nasal cavity due to chronic inflammation cannot be excluded. Further investigations are required to elucidate the underlying etiopathogenesis of LPR.Lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis (LPR) is a common histologic finding in dogs with chronic nasal disease; however, potential etiologies of this disorder have not been examined. We investigated the hypothesis that specific microbes contribute to clinical disease in dogs with LPR. Paraffin-embedded nasal biopsies were obtained from 19 dogs with LPR, 10 dogs with nasal neoplasia, and 10 dogs with nasal aspergillosis. Nucleic acids were extracted from paraffin blocks, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed for detection of target genes for bacterial and fungal DNA, canine adenovirus 2 (CAV-2), parainfluenza virus 3 (PI-3), Chlamydial Chlamydophila spp., and Bartonella spp. Conventional PCR was used for detection of Mycoplasma spp. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U-test for nonparametric data, and significance was set at P < 0.05. DNA or RNA for CAV-2, PI-3, Bartonella, Mycoplasma, and Chlamydophila was not detected in any nasal biopsy. DNA loads for bacterial DNA did not differ among disease groups. Detection of fungal DNA in nasal biopsies was highest in dogs with aspergillosis (P < 0.0001); however, nasal biopsies of LPR dogs also displayed higher fungal DNA levels than samples from dogs with nasal neoplasia (P = 0.016). Detection of high levels of fungal DNA in nasal biopsies of dogs with LPR suggests that fungal organisms may be causally associated with the inflammation observed, although the possibility of entrapment or accumulation of fungi in the nasal cavity due to chronic inflammation cannot be excluded. Further investigations are required to elucidate the underlying etiopathogenesis of LPR.

Abstract Background:Bronchoscopy is an important tool for identifying an underlying etiology for respiratory disease in cats. However, the procedure is challenging, because feline airways are small and prone to bronchoconstriction. Hypothesis:Bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) are appropriate and safe diagnostic procedures in the cat. Animals:Sixty-eight cats. Methods:Flexible bronchoscopy was performed in all cats with the cats under propofol infusion with jet ventilation. The procedures were reviewed for BAL volumes instilled and recovered and for the number and type of complications with the use of 3 flexible endoscopes < 5.0-mm outer diameter. The BAL procedure was compared among scopes by using a one-way analysis of variance. Complication rates were compared by using chi-square analysis. Significance was set at P < .05. Results:Clinical diagnoses included inflammatory airway disease in 46 of 68 cats, pneumonia in 10 of 68, neoplastic disease in 8 of 68, and other conditions in 4 of 68 cats. Mean lavage volumes instilled for the 3 scopes were 2.62–5.05 mL/kg (range, 0.77–9.38 mL/kg). Mean percent fluid recovered for the 3 scopes was 51–73%, (range, 0–140%). BAL cell counts were adequate for cytologic assessment (> 300 cells/μL) in 61 of 64 cats (97%), and in 107 of 120 samples (89%) collected. Complications occurred in 38% of procedures; however, these were mild in 24% of cats; 6% of cats died or were euthanized after the procedure. Complications were not associated with fluid volume instilled or recovered, and could not be related to the underlying disease process. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Flexible bronchoscopy with BAL was well tolerated in most cats examined.

Abstract Lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis (LPR) is a common histologic finding in dogs with chronic nasal disease; however, potential etiologies of this disorder have not been examined. We investigated the hypothesis that specific microbes contribute to clinical disease in dogs with LPR. Paraffin-embedded nasal biopsies were obtained from 19 dogs with LPR, 10 dogs with nasal neoplasia, and 10 dogs with nasal aspergillosis. Nucleic acids were extracted from paraffin blocks, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed for detection of target genes for bacterial and fungal DNA, canine adenovirus 2 (CAV-2), parainfluenza virus 3 (PI-3), Chlamydia/Chlamydophila spp., and Bartonella spp. Conventional PCR was used for detection of Mycoplasma spp. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U-test for nonparametric data, and significance was set at P < 0.05. DNA or RNA for CAV-2, PI-3, Bartonella, Mycoplasma, and Chlamydophila was not detected in any nasal biopsy. DNA loads for bacterial DNA did not differ among disease groups. Detection of fungal DNA in nasal biopsies was highest in dogs with aspergillosis (P < 0.0001); however, nasal biopsies of LPR dogs also displayed higher fungal DNA levels than samples from dogs with nasal neoplasia (P= 0.016). Detection of high levels of fungal DNA in nasal biopsies of dogs with LPR suggests that fungal organisms may be causally associated with the inflammation observed, although the possibility of entrapment or accumulation of fungi in the nasal cavity due to chronic inflammation cannot be excluded. Further investigations are required to elucidate the underlying etiopathogenesis of LPR.

Arenaviruses are one of the largest families of human hemorrhagic fever viruses and are known to infect both mammals and snakes. Arenaviruses package a large (L) and small (S) genome segment in their virions. For segmented RNA viruses like these, novel genotypes can be generated through mutation, recombination, and reassortment. Although it is believed that an ancient recombination event led to the emergence of a new lineage of mammalian arenaviruses, neither recombination nor reassortment has been definitively documented in natural arenavirus infections. Here, we used metagenomic sequencing to survey the viral diversity present in captive arenavirus-infected snakes. From 48 infected animals, we determined the complete or near complete sequence of 210 genome segments that grouped into 23 L and 11 S genotypes. The majority of snakes were multiply infected, with up to 4 distinct S and 11 distinct L segment genotypes in individual animals. This S/L imbalance was typical: in all cases intrahost L segment genotypes outnumbered S genotypes, and a particular S segment genotype dominated in individual animals and at a population level. We corroborated sequencing results by qRT-PCR and virus isolation, and isolates replicated as ensembles in culture. Numerous instances of recombination and reassortment were detected, including recombinant segments with unusual organizations featuring 2 intergenic regions and superfluous content, which were capable of stable replication and transmission despite their atypical structures. Overall, this represents intrahost diversity of an extent and form that goes well beyond what has been observed for arenaviruses or for viruses in general. This diversity can be plausibly attributed to the captive intermingling of sub-clinically infected wild-caught snakes. Thus, beyond providing a unique opportunity to study arenavirus evolution and adaptation, these findings allow the investigation of unintended anthropogenic impacts on viral ecology, diversity, and disease potential.