BATS Research & Training’s Post

Here’s One Solution to Invasive Species: Eat Them These four invasive animals are being served up on menus across the U.S. Published Sep 23, 2022  MALLORY ARNOLD  from OUTSIDE ONLINE Sea turtles, burrowing owls, ocelots, and manatees are bordering on dangerously low numbers, but invasive species—Burmese pythons, European starlings, feral hogs, and lionfish—are populating in out-of-control numbers. Consider the emerald ash borer, a glittery insect native to Russia, China, and Japan that started popping up in Michigan in 2002, destroying ash trees in their wake. It’s hypothesized that the species hitched a ride on cargo ships carrying lumber, and, since then, millions of ash trees have been destroyed in the U.S. Approximately 6,500 nonindigenous species are in the U.S., posing risks to native plants, animals, and ecosystems—but 37 of those species are edible. While it won’t help solve the problem outright, consider putting these four animals on the menu for your next meal. Asian Carp Feral Hog Texas has 4 million wild hogs directly competing for resources against native wildlife like ground-nesting birds. Kudzu Kudzu is an exotic vine that looks similar to poison ivy Lionfish Lionfish, native to the Indian Pacific ocean https://lnkd.in/gCv7H-ux

At one point in time in the recent past, I uttered that animal kingdom becoming more active and wild. I have been watching news of dogs becoming wild and attacking children, excessive cheetah's appearing in many a divine places in India, and now bats spreading rabbis in Latin America. Vampire bats may soon take up residence in the United States and bring with them an ancient pathogen. "What we found was that the distribution of vampire bats has moved northward across time due to past climate change, which has corresponded with an increase in rabies cases in many Latin American countries. The research team also found this expanded reach could be linked to a spillover of rabies. Vampire bats are known carriers of rabies, a disease known for its high mortality rates and often considered the oldest pathogen known by humans, dating back 3,000 years. Latin America is currently feeling the bite of the rabies spread through the loss of livestock, which has generated fear as the bats' migration patterns expand. The Virginia Tech team aims to vigorously identify and track the bats by traveling to Colombia to help contain the spread to other countries, including the United States and its vital cattle industry. #climatechange #animalkingdom #bats #rabbies

Today my copy of 'Seabirds Count' arrived, detailing the most comprehensive survey of breeding seabirds in Britain and Ireland, led by JNCC and supported by partners including the RSPB. The census has shown what we all anticipated, our seabirds need help urgently to reverse decline. In Scotland, the census showed declines across 70% of the species (and noting this is prior to understanding the impacts of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza). Seabird populations in the UK face complex pressures, including climate change, bycatch and predation from invasive species. Such pressures are driven by human activity. We urgently need each of the four governments across the UK to deliver Seabird Conservation Strategies that outline deliverable, funded actions to drive change and reverse decline. Bernadette Butfield, senior policy officer for the RSPB explores here what the census results show and the actions required. https://lnkd.in/eNWbs5sY

OHT’s Dr. Thomas Van Boeckel used geospatial models to map the distribution of bushmeat activities in tropical and subtropical rural communities worldwide that are at risk of zoonotic pathogen spillover. He and coauthors found that mammal species richness and deforestation had the greatest effect on the geographic distribution of bushmeat activity. With rising rates of disease spillover from wildlife to human populations, the authors call for increased surveillance measures, especially in bushmeat activity hotspots, to identify zoonotic disease threats and prevent them from spreading between humans. Read more on our website: https://lnkd.in/eGrtaEhQ Find the article, “Mapping Global Bushmeat Activities to Improve Zoonotic Spillover Surveillance by Using Geospatial Modeling”, here: https://lnkd.in/dNzxB3kM #DiseaseSpillover #ZoonoticDisease

Call for reading: Testing Mini-FLOTAC for the Monitorization of Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infections in Birds Kept at Four Iberian Zoological Institutions https://lnkd.in/d-tgkTnh Birds kept in zoological institutions are highly exposed to gastrointestinal (GI) parasitism caused by coccidia and nematodes. The current research aimed to characterize the avian GI parasitic fauna in several zoological collections in Portugal and Spain. During the full year of 2022, a total of 120 fecal samples were collected from four zoological institutions: Lisbon Zoo, Olivais Pedagogical Farm, and Avian Biodiversity Center (Lisbon, Portugal), and Avifauna park (Lugo, Spain). Analysis was conducted in domestic bird species (autochthonous and exotic poultry breeds), and 18 different exotic bird species like Galliformes (peacock, pheasant), Anseriformes (duck), Psittaciformes (parrot, macaw, cockatiel, parakeet, cockatoo), Coraciiformes (motmot), Charadriiformes (avocet), Strigiformes (owl), Phoenicopteriformes (flamingo), Struthioniformes (ostrich), Rheiformes (rhea), and Casuariiformes (emu, cassowary). Feces were processed using Mini-FLOTAC (MF), to identify parasitic forms and quantify their shedding (oocysts or eggs per gram of feces). Moreover, 15 fecal samples from pheasants were also processed using the McMaster method (McM), to compare the parasite shedding and frequencies between techniques. MF implementation allowed identification of coccidia infections in all bird collections. Also, peacocks of the Lisbon Zoo tested positive for Trichostrongylus tenuis and Strongyloides pavonis, and the exotic birds from Avifauna park were also positive for several nematode species, with Ascaridia sp., Capillaria sp., Strongyloides sp., and Syngamus trachea eggs being detected in pheasants’ feces. Moreover, the analysis of pheasants’ feces with MF detected prevalences of 33% for coccidia oocysts, and 47% for Capillaria sp. and Ascaridia sp. eggs, while McM detected prevalences of 13%, 27%, and 40% for the respective parasite taxa, with no differences being observed between methods (p = 0.39, p = 0.45, and p = 0.50, respectively). This research provided more scientific support regarding the importance of using Mini-FLOTAC in routine parasitological diagnosis in birds kept at zoological institutions.

#EcoSaludGlobal #Mapping Global #Bushmeat Activities to Improve #Zoonotic #Spillover #Surveillance by Using #Geospatial Modeling Human populations that hunt, butcher, and sell bushmeat (bushmeat activities) are at increased risk for zoonotic pathogen spillover. Despite associations with global epidemics of severe illnesses, such as Ebola and mpox, quantitative assessments of bushmeat activities are lacking. However, such assessments could help prioritize pandemic prevention and preparedness efforts. We used geospatial models that combined published data on bushmeat activities and ecologic and demographic drivers to map the distribution of bushmeat activities in rural regions globally. The resulting map had high predictive capacity for bushmeat activities (true skill statistic = 0.94). The model showed that mammal species richness and deforestation were principal drivers of the geographic distribution of bushmeat activities and that countries in West and Central Africa had the highest proportion of land area associated with bushmeat activities. These findings could help prioritize future surveillance of bushmeat activities and forecast emerging zoonoses at a global scale.

🦇 Rabies Virus Circulation in a Highly Diverse Bat Assemblage from a High-Risk Area for Zoonoses Outbreaks in the Brazilian Amazon 🦇 A recent study sheds light on the circulation of the rabies virus within a diverse bat community in the Brazilian Amazon, a region notorious for zoonoses outbreaks. This research highlights the intricate dynamics of rabies virus transmission among bats in one of the world's most biodiverse areas. The study focuses on a high-risk area in the Brazilian Amazon, where the interplay between various bat species and their habitats creates a conducive environment for zoonotic diseases. Bats are known reservoirs for numerous pathogens, and understanding their role in the spread of rabies is crucial for public health and wildlife conservation efforts. Key findings include: Diverse Bat Assemblage: The region's rich bat diversity includes species that are known carriers of the rabies virus, emphasizing the need for comprehensive monitoring and management strategies. Zoonotic Risk: The high-risk nature of the area for zoonotic outbreaks calls for heightened surveillance and proactive measures to prevent potential spillover events to humans and other animals. Conservation and Public Health: Balancing the conservation of bat populations with public health initiatives is essential. Strategies must be implemented to mitigate the risk of rabies transmission while preserving the ecological roles of bats. This research underscores the importance of ongoing surveillance and the development of effective strategies to manage and mitigate the risks associated with rabies and other zoonotic diseases in such biodiverse regions. 🌍🦠🩺 #Zoonoses #RabiesVirus #PublicHealth #Conservation #AmazonBiodiversity https://lnkd.in/d743bR38

🔍 Exploring the World of Bed Bugs 🐜 Did you know that there are several species of bed bugs? While most people are familiar with the common bed bug (Cimex lectularius) and the tropical bed bug (Cimex hemipterus), there are a few others worth mentioning: Certainly! Here are more details about each of the bed bug species mentioned: 🚨Cimex lectularius (Common bed bug): Commonly found in temperate regions. Typically feeds on human blood. Can cause itching, discomfort, and allergic reactions in some individuals. Adapted to living in human environments, such as beds and furniture. 🚨Cimex hemipterus (Tropical bed bug): Thrives in warmer climates, particularly tropical and subtropical regions. Similar in appearance and behavior to the common bed bug. Feeds on the blood of humans and other animals. Found in human dwellings, particularly in areas with poor sanitation. 🚨Cimex adjunctus: Less common than the common bed bug and tropical bed bug. Similar in appearance and behavior to other bed bug species. Found in various habitats, including human dwellings and animal nests. 🚨Cimex pilosellus: A less common species of bed bug. Found in certain regions, particularly in association with bats and their roosting sites. Feeds primarily on the blood of bats but may also bite humans if their primary host is unavailable. 🚨Cimex pipistrelli: Another species often associated with bats. Typically found in areas where bats roost, such as caves and attics. Feeds on the blood of bats but may occasionally bite humans. These species vary in distribution, habitat preferences, and feeding behaviors, but they all belong to the family Cimicidae and share similar characteristics as blood-feeding ectoparasites. These species are known to infest human habitats, causing nuisance and discomfort. While the common and tropical bed bugs are the most widespread and problematic, it's essential to be aware of the diversity within the bed bug family. Stay informed, stay vigilant! 🛏️ #BedBugs #Entomology #LinkedInPost

Over the past year I have been driving strategies to strengthen our little penguin health program that can help us prepare for future health and biosecurity risks. I would like to give a huge shout out to Jasmin Hufschmid, Lee Skerratt & Rebecca Vaughan for leading the development of the Disease Risk Analysis (DRA) for Little Penguins on Phillip Island. We have made this DRA visible for other practitioners who may find this resource useful! https://lnkd.in/dYHZSYTF Top Australian and international experts in penguin disease, parasitology, biology, and ecology collaborated to help develop the construction of a risk matrix ranking for little penguin populations on the Phillip Island (and also relevant to other species).  This report is extensive, and findings included:  🐧80 hazards of concern for little penguins.   🐧5 hazards were rated as high risk including: High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI H5N1), marine oil event/oiling, predation (terrestrial and marine), and wildfire.  🐧Additional measures are required to address knowledge gaps through further health and environmental research and conducting annual reviews to refine and document management strategies. Following on from this DRA, we are now collaborating with Jasmin Hufschmid and Lee Skerratt from University of Melbourne to progress little penguin health research projects over the next 3 years. Watch this space! The more we understand about the health of our colony, the more we can develop and prepare strategies to support our population. This DRA was generously funded by The Penguin Foundation and we are grateful for all the donors and adoptees that virtually adopt a penguin or privately donate! Your generosity is helping us to protect our penguins. Wildlife Health Australia The Australian Veterinary Association Phillip Island Nature Parks Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) BirdLife International BirdLife Australia

New research by Stiller et al. (2024): "Complexity of avian evolution revealed by family-level genomes" has revealed the largest and most detailed bird family tree ever, spanning 93 million years and representing 92% of bird families species. This research is part of the ongoing B10K Project, which aims to sequence the genomes of all living bird species, which will aid conservation efforts, particularly for evolutionarily distinct and endangered bird species whose entire family branch could be at risk of extinction. Definitely worth a read! Nature https://lnkd.in/g-jw6udH Good summary and further insights: https://lnkd.in/ghfK8sg6