Wild Mesocarnivores as Reservoirs of Endoparasites Causing Important Zoonoses and Emerging Bridging Infections across Europe

Pathogens, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 12(2), P. 178 - 178

Published: Jan. 23, 2023

Mesocarnivores are small- or mid-sized carnivore species that display a variety of ecologies and behaviours. In Europe, wild mesocarnivores represented by the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), golden jackal (Canis aureus), European wildcat (Felis silvestris), Mustelidae genera Meles, Martes, Mustela, Lutra, invasive raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), raccoons (Procyon lotor), American mink (Neogale vison). These abundant animals thrive in various habitats often develop their activity close to human settlements. Thus, they may play an important role introduction, maintenance, transmission major parasitic zoonoses promote bridging infections with domestic animals. Against this background, article reports discusses some most endoparasites living on basis actual as reservoirs, spreaders, sentinels. The data derived from epizootiological studies different countries, proven speculated implications detected animals’ health, discussed. Through older recent literature review, state-of-the-art knowledge occurrence prevalence parasites under consideration is presented, showing further, warranted investigations need for surveillance vigilance.

Language: Английский

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Wolves recolonize novel ecosystems leading to novel interactions

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 61(5), P. 906 - 921

Published: Feb. 25, 2024

Abstract The wolf ( Canis lupus ) is arguably the most successful species at recolonizing its now human‐dominated former ranges in Europe and North America. Over centuries while was absent, humans have transformed ecosystems to a large extent. In this paper, we highlight key aspects of these human‐modified that include changes (meso)carnivore communities, wolves themselves (genetics, behaviour), woody plant communities playing field for predator–prey interactions (landscape structure). We argue recognition novelty logically leads novel pathways how can influence ecosystem functioning. Thus far, ecological impacts systems largely been predicted based on documented effects they prey or lower trophic levels well‐preserved with low human impact. However, will engage an array potential cascades do not occur more natural This should encourage us re‐assess questions ask about systems. A promising direction future studies exploring what establish under conditions exert their (context dependence) are recolonizing. Policy implications . Understanding context dependence could guide act improve enable again. These may be true societal value having returning landscapes.

Language: Английский

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Fertility Control for Wildlife: A European Perspective

Animals, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(3), P. 428 - 428

Published: Jan. 27, 2023

Trends of human population growth and landscape development in Europe show that wildlife impacts are escalating. Lethal methods, traditionally employed to mitigate these impacts, often ineffective, environmentally hazardous face increasing public opposition. Fertility control is advocated as a humane tool impacts. This review describes mammalian avian contraceptives' effect on reproduction individuals populations, delivery potential costs feasibility using fertility European contexts. These contexts include small, isolated populations situations which lethal either illegal or socially unacceptable, such urban settings, national parks areas where rewilding occurs. The highlights knowledge gaps, impact recruitment, social spatial behaviour target non-target species, provides decision framework assist decisions about the use control, suggests eight reasons for invest this area. Although developing registering contraceptives will have substantial costs, relatively small when compared wildlife's economic environmental impact. Developing safe effective be essential if countries want meet demand methods promote human-wildlife coexistence.

Language: Английский

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Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Pathogens in Raccoon Dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) and Raccoons (Procyon lotor) from Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

Pathogens, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 13(3), P. 270 - 270

Published: March 21, 2024

Raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) and raccoons (Procyon lotor) are invasive alien species originating from East Asia North America, respectively. They discussed as vectors reservoirs for various infectious diseases, including vector-borne zoonotic pathogens, therefore a potential threat to human domestic animal health, well biodiversity conservation. In the years 2021 2022, 110 raccoon 30 were screened via qPCR presence of Leptospira spp., Rickettsia spp. Borreliella in German federal state Schleswig-Holstein part health risk assessment study. confirmed one dog raccoon, identified afzelii raccoon. found 21 (19.44%) 2 (6.90%) raccoons. five dogs, borgpetersenii, kirschneri interrogans.

Language: Английский

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Coyote diet in North America: geographic and ecological patterns during range expansion

Mammal Review, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 52(4), P. 480 - 496

Published: June 21, 2022

Abstract Coyotes Canis latrans have expanded their geographic range by 40% in the last 120 years, raising questions about ecological impacts newly colonised areas. Despite a wealth of local knowledge on coyote diet North America, we little information how and why might vary throughout species' range. We conducted first rangewide meta‐analysis investigating ecoregion, mass, environmental conditions, presence top predators alternative food items are related to dietary diversity, as well consumption small mammals, lagomorphs, vegetation ungulates. Using data from 93 studies, used generalised linear mixed models determine which variables best explained patterns. were generally more carnivorous temperate forests than other ecoregions, primarily due greater ungulate consumption. Dietary diversity was most influenced via negative effect mammal consumption; diverse spring where human footprint greater. There minor variation consumption, but lagomorph winter when coyotes larger. Vegetation greatest summer autumn. Ungulate positively snow cover grey wolves lupus . Both intrinsic extrinsic factors diet. Larger ate larger foods, parallels relationship between mass prey size across carnivore guild. Wolves humans opposing effects seem prioritise eating wild though work is needed quantify scavenging. Collectively, our findings emphasise need for continued or regional studies understand highly variable within ecosystems they currently inhabit poised inhabit.

Language: Английский

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Current and future climatic regions favourable for a globally introduced wild carnivore, the raccoon Procyon lotor

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 9(1)

Published: June 24, 2019

Invasive species are considered as one of the major threats to biodiversity and represent a challenge in conservation natural ecosystems, preventing damage agricultural production, human health risks. Environmental Niche Modelling has emerged powerful tool predict patterns range expansion non-native direct effective strategies for managing biological invasions. The raccoon, Procyon lotor, is wild mesocarnivore presenting high adaptability showing successful introduced populations worldwide. Here, we modelled current future climatically favourable areas raccoon using two protocols, based on data sets filtrated geographic environmental spaces. Projections from these models show extensive geographical covering regions temperate biomes. Moreover, predictions 2050 reveals new north regions. However, results modeling approaches differ extent predicted Protocols geographically filtered present more conservative forecasts, while protocol filtration presents forecasts across greater areas. Given characteristics ecological requirements generalist carnivore such latter appears relevant should be privileged development plans ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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The Raccoon (Procyon lotor) as a Neozoon in Europe

Animals, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(2), P. 273 - 273

Published: Jan. 13, 2023

The raccoon (Procyon lotor) is a North American half-bear that present in much of Europe and Asia as result both accidental planned releases. In Europe, raccoons were introduced primarily source fur for the industry. 1930s, released into wild Central Europe. At same time, animals from farms private holdings continued to enter wild. following decades, spread over large parts addition invasive European initial population, individual releases occurred frequently, mainly Southern high adaptability favors its expansion new habitats. It has reproductive rate, very mobile, encounters few predators Raccoons have recently become topic interest when populations colonized suburban urban areas. Despite proximity humans, however, there been hardly any conflicts date, unlike America. A significant negative impact on native fauna suspected but not proven. identified vectors zoonotic diseases. Nevertheless, monitoring increasing numbers seems advisable.

Language: Английский

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Bacterial and Viral Pathogens with One Health Relevance in Invasive Raccoons (Procyon lotor, Linné 1758) in Southwest Germany

Pathogens, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 12(3), P. 389 - 389

Published: March 1, 2023

In Europe, raccoons are invasive neozoons with their largest population in Germany. Globally, this mesocarnivore acts as a wildlife reservoir for many (non-)zoonotic (re-)emerging pathogens, but very little epidemiological data is available southwest This exploratory study aimed to screen free-ranging Baden-Wuerttemberg (BW, Germany) the occurrence of selected pathogens One Health relevance. Organ tissue and blood samples collected from 102 animals, obtained by hunters 2019 2020, were subsequently analysed two bacterial four viral using qPCR approach. Single positive carnivore protoparvovirus-1 (7.8%, n = 8), canine distemper virus (6.9%, 7), pathogenic Leptospira spp. (3.9%, 4) Anaplasma phagocytophilum (15.7%, 16). West Nile influenza A not detected. Due behaviour synanthropic habit, may increase risk infections wildlife, domestic zoo animals humans acting link between them. Therefore, further studies should be initiated evaluate these risks.

Language: Английский

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Commercially Available Olfactory Cues from Apex Predators Do Not Deter the Raccoon (Procyon Lotor), a Problematic Mesopredator

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Predation on endangered mussels by invasive raccoons: a case study from western Poland

Nature Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 58, P. 183 - 194

Published: March 27, 2025

The raccoon Procyon lotor is an invasive alien carnivorous mammal whose impact on populations of native species in Europe poorly understood. Raccoon are rising both range and density, which increases predation pressure. a food opportunist its local animal depends the availability food, especially during critical winter period. In 2020–2021, we observed extreme accumulation empty shells mussels (Bivalvia, Unionidae) foraged by raccoons Lubuskie Lakeland western Poland. aim this study was to determine whether could be important source for difficult period areas where they have been introduced. We hypothesised that would prefer thin-shelled over thick-shelled as their food. identified mussel estimated numbers piles found small river banks. raccoons’ prey consisted 2,340 belonging three genera ( Anodonta , Pseudanodonta Unio ) five cygnea anatina pictorum tumidus complanata ). Two them, status endangered Poland red listed IUCN respectively Vulnerable (VU) Endangered (EN) globally.

Language: Английский

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