Qualification zoo-sanitaire du naissain de captage 2013 de l'huître creuse Crassostrea gigas (QUALIF) - Détection précoce des maladies en épreuve thermique de laboratoire

Depuis 2008, des mortalités massives d’huîtres creuses âgées de moins d’un an sont relevées sur le littoral français dès que la température de l’eau de mer atteint le seuil de 16°C. Ces mortalités de naissains sont associées à la détection du virus OsHV-1 μVar. Des travaux de qualification zoo-sanitaire menés depuis 2010 ont montré qu’un lot de naissains issus du captage naturel sur deux était infecté par le virus bien avant l’apparition des mortalités dans le milieu naturel, mais qu’a contrario les naissains d’écloserie expertisés présentaient une fréquence plus faible de portage latent. Dans ce contexte de crise zoo-sanitaire chronique, l’objectif de notre étude consistait à obtenir une information du statut zoo-sanitaire OsHV-1 μVar des populations de naissains du captage 2013 à l’échelle national. Ce travail avait pour finalité de permettre l’identification précoce des zones de captage associées à un risque de mortalité due à l’infection par OsHV-1 μVar. La méthodologie de l’épreuve thermique de laboratoire (ETL) correspond en une période de 1 mois d’isolement des naissains à évaluer en conditions contrôlées de laboratoire. Lors de cette période la température de l’eau de mer est maintenue constante à 21°C et la mortalité est relevée tous les 10 jours. La survie finale associée à des analyses qPCR permettent de qualifier le statut sanitaire en terme de portage OsHV-1 μVar de l’échantillon (statut infecté ou non infecté). Entre février et mars 2014, vingt et un échantillons de naissains âgés de 5 à 7 mois ont été échantillonnés dans six sites du littoral français (étang de Thau, bassin d’Arcachon, pertuis Charentais, baie de Bourgneuf, baie de Vilaine et rade de Brest) pour être qualifiés par ETL au site expérimental Ifremer d’Argenton. Les résultats de la campagne 2014 de qualification zoo-sanitaire confirment qu’en période hivernale, dans le milieu naturel, des naissains de captage peuvent être infectés par OsHV-1 μVar sans développement apparent de maladies ni mortalité. En revanche en ETL, ces lots de naissains infectés par OsHV-1 μVar présentent des taux de mortalité importants. Ainsi, sur les 20 échantillons de naissains de captage étudiés, onze ont révélé des maladies en ETL avec des mortalités cumulées variant de 16 % à 80 %. Ce ratio d’un échantillon sur deux de naissains infectés par OsHV-1 μVar demeure proche de celui observé de 2010 à 2013 lors des travaux précédents qui avaient permis de définir l’ETL. les six sites étudiés ont montré des résultats contrastés. En effet, les résultats se sont révélés favorables pour l’étang de Thau et la baie de Bourgneuf et défavorables dans le cas de la rade de Brest et la Baie de Vilaine. Pour ces deux derniers sites, tous les échantillons de naissains testés ont montré de fortes mortalités pendant l’ETL. Des différences s’observent également intra-site, notamment à Marennes Oléron avec 1 échantillon sur 3 infectés par OsHV-1 μVar ou dans pour Arcachon avec 3 échantillons sur 5. Dans le contexte préoccupant de l’épizootie actuelle, nos résultats confirment que certains lots de naissains de captage sont infectés par OsHV-1 μVar dès les mois de février-mars et pourrait être des acteurs actifs dans le déclenchement annuel du processus infectieux en milieu naturel quand la température de l’eau dépasse 16°C. Par ailleurs, notre étude démontre qu’il serait possible chaque année d’obtenir une qualification sanitaire précoce des zones de captage. Cela permettrait d’améliorer la gestion des risques liés aux transferts de naissains infectés par OsHV-1 μVar dans les différents bassins de production.

Qualification zoo-sanitaire du naissain de captage 2014 de l'huître creuse Crassostrea gigas (QUALIF) - Détection précoce des maladies en épreuve thermique de laboratoire

Depuis 2008, des mortalités massives d’huîtres creuses âgées de moins d’un an sont relevées sur le littoral français dès que la température de l’eau de mer atteint le seuil de 16°C. Ces mortalités de naissains sont associées à la détection du virus OsHV-1 μVar. Depuis 2010, des travaux de qualification zoo-sanitaire ont montré qu’environ un lot de naissains de captage sur deux était infecté par le virus avant l’apparition des mortalités dans le milieu naturel. En 2014, dans le cadre de la première action QUALIF, les résultats de la qualification zoo-sanitaire des naissains du captage de l’année 2013 à l’échelle nationale ont mis en évidence le caractère infectieux des maladies développées par ces naissains porteurs latents d’OsHV-1 μVar. L’objectif 2015 du second volet QUALIF consistait à reproduire le travail de qualification zoo-sanitaire OsHV-1 μVar pour les naissains du captage de l’année 2014. Les résultats (2014 et 2015) permettront d’aborder la variation interannuelle du statut zoo-sanitaire des naissains pour chacun des sites étudiés. La méthodologie de l’épreuve de qualification zoo-sanitaire consiste en une période de 1 mois d’isolement des naissains en conditions contrôlées de laboratoire. Lors de cette épreuve, la température de l’eau de mer est maintenue constante à 21°C et la mortalité est relevée tous les 10 jours. La survie finale et les analyses qPCR permettent de qualifier le statut sanitaire en terme de portage OsHV-1 μVar de l’échantillon (infecté ou non infecté). De début janvier à fin mars 2015, 39 échantillons de naissains âgés de 5 à 7 mois ont été prélevés dans 6 sites du littoral français (étang de Thau, bassin d’Arcachon, bassin de Marennes Oléron, baie de Bourgneuf, embouchure de La Vilaine et rade de Brest) pour être testés en épreuve thermique de laboratoire (ETL) dans l’outil expérimental Ifremer à Argenton. Les résultats montrent que 25 des 39 (soit 64 %) lots de naissains de captage testés ont développé des maladies en ETL associés à des mortalités cumulées variant de 6 à 72 %. Cette valeur de 64 % de lots détectés est plus élevée que celle précédemment observée en 2014 (55 %). Les résultats de cette seconde campagne de qualification zoo-sanitaire sont favorables pour les naissains de l’étang de Thau (absence de mortalité), moins favorables pour ceux d’Arcachon, Marennes Oléron, et ceux de la baie de Bourgneuf (réponses contrastées en terme de mortalité intra-site) et très défavorables pour les naissains de La Vilaine et de la rade de Brest (mortalités observées sur tous les échantillons testés). La principale conclusion de cette seconde étude de qualification zoo-sanitaire est identique à celle de 2014, à savoir qu’il est existe dans le milieu naturel en période hivernale des lots de naissains de captage infectés par OsHV-1 μVar sans développement apparent des maladies. Ces lots de naissains porteurs latents d’OsHV-1 μVar sont détectables en ETL et la présence d’OsHV-1 μVar peut alors être confirmée par qPCR. Dans le contexte actuel d’épizooties chroniques, nos résultats confirment à nouveau qu’il est possible d’identifier précocement les lots de naissains infectés ou non par OsHV-1 μVar. Ces animaux infectés sont un réservoir du virus en période hivernale. Dès que la température de l’eau de mer franchit le seuil de 16°C, ils participeront à la réémergence des maladies en milieu naturel. Par ailleurs, cette seconde étude de qualification zoo-sanitaire confirme la possibilité d’apprécier le risque sanitaire pour chaque zone de captage en fonction de la détection précoce des lots de naissains infectés par OsHV-1 μVar.

Dietary assessment of the western Lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) group in Zoo Basel, Switzerland

Dissertação de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina Veterinária

Tuberculosis determined by Mycobacterium bovis in captive waterbucks (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) in São Paulo, Brazil

Two waterbucks from São Paulo Zoo Foundation exhibited respiratory symptoms in July 2004. After euthanasia, granulommas in lungs and mediastinic lymph nodes were observed. Acid-fast bacilli isolated were identified as Mycobacterium bovis spoligotype SB0121 by PRA and spoligotyping. They were born and kept in the same enclosure with the same group, without any contact to other species housed in the zoo. This is the first detailed description of M. bovis infection in Kobus ellipsiprymnus.

DNA extraction from hair shafts of wild Brazilian felids and canids

Wild felids and canids are usually the main predators in the food chains where they dwell and are almost invisible to behavior and ecology researchers. Due to their grooming behavior, they tend to swallow shed hair, which shows up in the feces. DNA found in hair shafts can be used in molecular studies that can unravel, for instance, genetic variability, reproductive mode and family structure, and in some species, it is even possible to estimate migration and dispersion rates in given populations. First, however, DNA must be extracted from hair. We extracted successfully and dependably hair shaft DNA from eight wild Brazilian felids, ocelot, margay, oncilla, Geoffroy's cat, pampas cat, jaguarundi, puma, and jaguar, as well as the domestic cat and from three wild Brazilian canids, maned wolf, crab-eating fox, and hoary fox, as well as the domestic dog. Hair samples came mostly from feces collected at the Sao Paulo Zoo and were also gathered from non-sedated pet or from recently dead wild animals and were also collected from museum specimens. Fractions of hair samples were stained before DNA extraction, while most samples were not. Our extraction protocol is based on a feather DNA extraction technique, based in the phenol: chloroform: isoamyl alcohol general method, with proteinase K as digestive enzyme.

Genetically Diverse Coronaviruses in Captive Bird Populations in a Brazilian Zoological Park

This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of coronaviruses (CoVs) in captive birds placed inside a zoological park in Brazil. The role of captive birds in the epidemiology of CoVs in the tropics is poorly understood. A total of 25 (n = 25) different species were tested for viral RNA using individual fecal samples collected from healthy birds. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction targeting the 30 untranslated region was used to detect CoV RNA, and positive samples were submitted for sequence analysis. The phylogenetic search revealed nine mutations in the black shouldered peafowl (Pavus cristatus) CoV sequence, which clustered separately from samples previously described in England. This is the first report on the detection of the CoV genome in captive birds in Brazil.

Isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from Captive Ateles paniscus

An adult female red-faced black spider monkey (Ateles paniscus), housed for 2 years in the Parque Estoril Zoo in Sao Paulo, Brazil, showed apathy. Clinical examination revealed discrete emaciation, swelling and induration of lymph nodes, and presence of a mass in the abdominal cavity. Therapies with enrofloxacin, azithromycin, and ceftiofur were ineffective. The animal died after 6 months. Necropsy and histopathology confirmed granulommas in lymph nodes, parietal and visceral pleura, lungs, liver, spleen, and kidneys. Acid-fast bacilli were isolated and identified as Mycobacterium tuberculosis by polymerase chain reaction restriction analysis and Spoligotyping techniques. The zoo personnel and other animals that had had contact with the infected primate were negative to tuberculosis diagnostic procedures, such as sputum exam (baciloscopy) and thorax radiography. It was impossible to determine whether the infection occurred before or after the arrival of the animal to the Parque Estoril Zoo. This is the first report of M. tuberculosis infection in Ateles paniscus, a neotropical primate.

HEMOPLASMAS IN WILD CANIDS AND FEUDS IN BRAZIL

Hemotropic mycoplasmas, epicellular erythrocytic bacterial parasites lacking a cell wall, are the causative agents of infectious anemia in numerous mammalian species. The presence of hemotropic mycoplasmas in blood samples of neotropical and exotic wild canids and felids from Brazilian zoos were recorded using molecular techniques. Blood samples were collected from 146 Brazilian wild felids, 19 exotic felids, 3 European wolves (Canis lupus), and from 97 Brazilian wild canids from zoos in the Brazilian states of Sao Paulo and Mato Grosso and the Federal District. Using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR), this work found 22 (13%) wild felids positive to Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum [4 jaguars (Panthera onca); 3 pumas (Puma concolor); 10 ocelots (Leopardus pardalis); 2 jaguarondis (Puma yagouaroundi); and 3 little spotted cats (Leopardus tigrinus)]. Only one little spotted cat (Leopardus tigrinus) was positive to Mycoplasma haemofelis, and none was positive to Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis. Two bush dogs (Speothos venaticus) were positive for a Mycoplasma sp. closely related to Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum, and two European wolves were positive for a Mycoplasma sp. closely related to candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum. This is the first study regarding the molecular detection of hemotropic mycoplasmas in wild canids.

The genus Rhagomys (Thomas 1917) (Rodentia, Cricetidae, Sigmodontinae) in South America: morphological considerations, geographic distribution and zoogeographic comments

American Museum of Natural History

How rare is too rare to harvest? Management challenges posed by timber species occurring at low densities in the Brazilian Amazon

Tropical forests are characterized by diverse assemblages of plant and animal species compared to temperate forests. Corollary to this general rule is that most tree species, whether valued for timber or not, occur at low densities (<1 adult tree ha(-1)) or may be locally rare. In the Brazilian Amazon, many of the most highly valued timber species occur at extremely low densities yet are intensively harvested with little regard for impacts on population structures and dynamics. These include big-leaf mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), ipe (Tabebuia serratifolia and Tabebuia impetiginosa), jatoba (Hymenaea courbaril), and freijo cinza (Cordia goeldiana). Brazilian forest regulations prohibit harvests of species that meet the legal definition of rare - fewer than three trees per 100 ha - but treat all species populations exceeding this density threshold equally. In this paper we simulate logging impacts on a group of timber species occurring at low densities that are widely distributed across eastern and southern Amazonia, based on field data collected at four research sites since 1997, asking: under current Brazilian forest legislation, what are the prospects for second harvests on 30-year cutting cycles given observed population structures, growth, and mortality rates? Ecologically `rare` species constitute majorities in commercial species assemblages in all but one of the seven large-scale inventories we analyzed from sites spanning the Amazon (range 49-100% of total commercial species). Although densities of only six of 37 study species populations met the Brazilian legal definition of a rare species, timber stocks of five of the six timber species declined substantially at all sites between first and second harvests in simulations based on legally allowable harvest intensities. Reducing species-level harvest intensity by increasing minimum felling diameters or increasing seed tree retention levels improved prospects for second harvests of those populations with a relatively high proportion of submerchantable stems, but did not dramatically improve projections for populations with relatively flat diameter distributions. We argue that restrictions on logging very low-density timber tree populations, such as the current Brazilian standard, provide inadequate minimum protection for vulnerable species. Population declines, even if reduced-impact logging (RIL) is eventually adopted uniformly, can be anticipated for a large pool of high-value timber species unless harvest intensities are adapted to timber species population ecology, and silvicultural treatments are adopted to remedy poor natural stocking in logged stands. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Learning for fun: The unique contribution of educational leisure experiences

What do visitors want or expect from an educational leisure activity such as a visit to a museum, zoo, aquarium or other such experience? Is it to learn something or to experience learning? This paper uses the term 'learning for fun' to refer to the phenomenon in which visitors engage in a learning experience because they value and enjoy the process of learning itself. Five propositions regarding the nature of learning for fun are discussed, drawing on quantitative and qualitative data from visitors to a range of educational leisure activities. The commonalities between learning for fun and other theoretical constructs such as 'experience,' 'flow', 'intrinsic motivation', and 'curiosity' are explored. It is concluded that learning for fun is a unique and distinctive offering of educational leisure experiences, with implications for future research and experience design.

Contributions of Non-consumptive Wildlife Tourism to Conservation

Wildlife tourism has the potential to contribute to conservation through a variety of mechanisms. This chapter presents a preliminary assessment of the extent to which this potential is currently being realised, comparing tourism based on viewing of animals in captive settings (with a focus on federated zoos) with that in free-ranging situations (wildlife watching). The key mechanisms involved are: direct wildlife management and research; use of income derived from wildlife tourism to fund conservation; education of visitors to behave in a more conservation-friendly manner; political lobbying in support of conservation; and provision of a socio-economic incentive for conservation. All of these occur in at least some zoos and wildlife-watching situations, and collectively the contribution of non-consumptive wildlife tourism to conservation is significant, though impossible to quantify. The key strengths of the zoo sector in this regard are its inputs into captive breeding and its potential to educate large numbers of people. in contrast, wildlife watching provides significant socio-economic incentives for conservation of natural habitats. There seem to be significant opportunities for expanding the role of non-consumptive wildlife tourism in conservation.

Tagging Giant Otters (Pteronura brasiliensis) (Carnivora, Mustelidae) for radio-telemetry studies

Memphis Zoo, U.S. Forest Service, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico CNPq, Earthwatch Institute

STANDARDIZATION OF SOME ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC PARAMETERS OF CAPTIVE LEOPARD CATS (LEOPARDUS TIGRINUS)

Thirty-three captive leopard cats, Leopardus tigrinus, were anesthetized with xylazine (1-2 mg/kg) and ketamine (10 mg/kg), and electrocardiograph (ECG) tests were recorded in all leads with 1 cm = 1 mV sensibility and 25 mm/sec speed repeating DII lead at 50 mm/sec speed with the same sensibility. Results expressed by mean and standard deviation were: heart rate (HR) = 107 +/- 17 (bpm); P-wave = 0.048 +/- 0.072 (s) x 0.128 +/- 0.048 (mV); PR interval = 0.101 +/- 0.081 (s); QRS compound = 0.053 +/- 0.012 (s) x 1.446 +/- 0.602 (mV); QT interval = 0.231 +/- 0.028 (s); R-wave (CV(6)LL) = 1.574 +/- 0.527 (mV); R-wave (CV(6)LU) = 1.583 +/- 0.818 (mV); heart rhythm: normal sinus rhythm (15.2%), sinus rhythm with wandering pacemaker (WPM) (60.6%), sinus arrhythmia with WPM (24.2%); electric axis: between +30 degrees and +60 degrees (6.1%), +60 (6.1%), between +60 degrees and +90 degrees (57.6%), +90 degrees (9%), between +90 degrees and +120 degrees (21.2%); ST segment: normal (75.7%), elevation (18.2%), depression (6.1%); T-wave polarity (DII): positive (100%); T-wave (V(10)): absent (6.1%), negative (63.6%), positive (18.2%), and with interference (12.1%). Through ECG data comparison with other species, unique features of Leopardus tigrinus` (leopard cat) ECG parameters were detected. Some of the study animals presented with an R-Wave amplitude that was indicative of left ventricle overload according to patterns for normal domestic cats (Felis cati). Echocardiographic exams revealed normal heart cavities` function and morphology. The aim of this study was to establish some electrocardiographic parameters of captive L. tigrinus.

Electrocardiographic parameters of captive lions (Panthera leo) and tigers (Panthera tigris) immobilized with ketamine plus xylazine

Twenty-seven healthy captive lions (Panthera leo) and 13 healthy captive tigers (Panthera tigris) from S to Paulo Zoo (Fundacao Parque Zoologico de Rio Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil) collection were selected for this study. They were anesthetized with ketamine (10 mg/kg) combined with xylazine (1-2 mg/kg) for physical examinations. hematologic and serum chemical analysis and electrocardiogram recording. The main aim of this research was to gather initial information about normal electrocardiographic parameters of large felids. Standard P-QRS-T deflections on leads described for domestic carnivores were analyzed, and they did not greatly differ from those of large felids. taking into account the greater weight and corporal mass of large felids. Heart rate of lions ranged frorn 42 to 76 beats per minute (bpm). Heart rate of tigers ranged from 56 to 97 bpm. In both species, the most common rhythm detected was normal sinus rhythm followed by sinus arrhythmia: wandering, pacemaker was also observed with normal sinus rhythm or sinus arrhythmia. Mean electrical axis lay between +60 degrees and +120 degrees. QRS complexes were predominantly positive in leads DI, DII, DIII, and AVF and negative in AVR and AVL. This Study provides insights into normal electrocardiograms of large felids. Wider investigations on the same subject arc necessary to establish criteria for the recognition of abnormalities in these species and should include other anesthetic drug(s) combinations and reports of electrocardiographic features of animals with cardiac disease and electrolytes disturbances.