UrbanCepaea nemoralissnails are less likely to have nematodes trapped within their shells

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 10, 2024

Abstract Urbanization is a major human-induced environmental change which can impact not only individual species, but also the way these species interact with each other. As group, terrestrial molluscs frequently wide diversity of parasites, yet interactions vary across space and in response to pressures poorly documented. In this study we leveraged recently discovered defence mechanism, by snails trap parasitic nematodes their shells, explore how snail-nematodes may city life. We examined shells from generalist snail Cepaea nemoralis sampled three urban areas Belgium for trapped nematodes, attempted link urbanization shell phenotypic traits. found that even small degree led large decreases rates encapsulation, larger were more likely contain nematodes. However, no evidence colour, had been previously linked immune function, was correlated encapsulation rates. discuss between-population variation result urbanization-induced changes on side, or both, suggest potential tests future studies aiming disentangle mechanisms.

Language: Английский

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Effects of habitat quality on body condition and chronic stress in Brazilian non‐volant small mammals

Animal Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: July 29, 2024

Abstract Habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation of habitats are among the most pervasive impacts on species persistence. Mammals may vary in their response to these impacts, both abundance physiological parameters. Herein, we verified how habitat quality influenced small mammal nutritional status stress levels five semi‐deciduous forest remnants Brazilian Cerrado. To assess species' responses, used body condition as an indicator neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio chronic Gracilinanus agilis Rhipidomys macrurus . We sampled 264 animals belonging following species: G. , Didelphis albiventris Akodon montensis Oligoryzomys spp., Rattus rattus R. Oecomys cleberi Hylaeamys megacephalus three unidentified rodent species. found no negative effect reduced however, N/L ratios were lower only high‐quality habitats, demonstrating that this parameter is accurate stress. Based preliminary analysis, also reported impoverished fauna, mainly dominated by generalist species, low‐quality habitats. Thus, conclude short‐term reduction leads increased levels, which can turn lead future population declines culminate biotic homogenization.

Language: Английский

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Pilot study suggests cellular immunity changes in bats from urban landscapes

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 15, 2024

Abstract Environmental pollution and habitat loss are influencing the health status of wild animals increase risk zoonosis outbreaks. For example, ongoing urbanisation leads to significant changes burden anthropogenic stressors. Bats a diverse mammalian order occurring in urban areas. In pilot study, we investigated general immunity two common bat species along urban-natural gradients. We used haematological parameters as cellular indicators intensity light proxy for level (i.e. stress) at sampling points. found higher total white blood cell, lymphocytes neutrophil proportions Nyctalus noctula from suburban habitats comparison those natural ones. At same time Eptesicus serotinus , commonly living cities, had lower trend towards neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio intoxication index compared N. which only uses suburban-urban area seasonally. Our study suggests that bats is altered by stressors, yet depends on species-specific tolerance. call more research this and, precaution principle, conservation areas mitigate negative impact stressors wildlife.

Language: Английский

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Influence of human activity on gut microbiota and immune responses of Darwin’s finches in the Galápagos Islands

Avian Conservation and Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 19(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Urbanization can influence many environmental factors that affect the condition, immunity, and gut microbiota of birds. Over past several decades, Galápagos Islands Ecuador have experienced increasing human activity, which has led to recent changes in morphology, microbiota, immunity Darwin's finches. However, these traits not been characterized before exponential growth population size tourist visitation rates, i.e., 2009. The goal this study was determine effect land use on fecal immune response, body measurements finches 2008, at a time rapidly activity islands. Specifically, we compared (bacterial diversity, community structure membership, relative abundance bacterial taxa), proxies (lysozyme haptoglobin, complement antibody, natural antibody levels), (body mass tarsus length) across undeveloped, agricultural, urban areas for medium ground (Geospiza fortis) small (G. fuliginosa). Lysozyme lower observed species richness higher non-urban both finch species. In finches, four genera (Methylobacterium-Methylorubrum, Escherichia-Shigella, Brucella, Citrobacter spp.) were undeveloped areas. Paucibacter, Achromobacter, Delftia, Stenotrophomonas, Brucella spp. had abundances agricultural whereas genus Cutibacterium more abundant from than Medium smaller other two areas, but did differ Our results suggest an impact measures

Language: Английский

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Age-Related Effects of Urbanisation on Innate Immune Function in Eurasian Blackbird Turdus Merula, an Urban Exploiter

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Increasing urbanisation poses significant risks to organisms confronted with new and rapidly changing environments. Long-term exposure urban environments may involve changes in the immune system. A properly functioning system is essential for health maintenance, including prevention of infection, so identifying understanding links between immunological can offer insights into wildlife disease emergence. Here, we investigated relationship four innate defences nestling adult Eurasian Blackbirds Turdus merula five locations differing level urbanisation. Two were positively correlated adults, but no relationships found nestlings. Also, apparent trade-offs body condition observed. Our results suggest that does not negatively impact birds, be upregulated birds cope environmental stressors related habitats.

Language: Английский

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Urban Cepaea nemoralis snails are less likely to have nematodes trapped within their shells

Peer Community Journal, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 4

Published: Sept. 3, 2024

Urbanization is a major human-induced environmental change which can impact not only individual species, but also the way these species interact with each other. As group, terrestrial molluscs frequently wide diversity of parasites, yet interactions vary across space and in response to pressures poorly documented. In this study we leveraged recently discovered defence mechanism, by snails trap parasitic nematodes their shells, explore how snail-nematodes may city life. We examined shells from generalist snail Cepaea nemoralis sampled three urban areas Belgium for trapped nematodes, attempted link urbanization shell phenotypic traits. found that even small degree led large decreases rates encapsulation, larger were more likely contain nematodes. However, no evidence colour, had been previously linked immune function, was correlated encapsulation rates. discuss between-population variation result urbanization-induced changes on side, or both, suggest potential tests future studies aiming disentangle mechanisms.

Language: Английский

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Impacts of urbanization on the health of American Robins (Turdus migratorus) in Chicagoland

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 25, 2024

Wild animals in urbanized environments face several unique challenges, including increased anthropogenic stressors, decreased natural food availability and quality, pollutant exposure. While some work has shown that individual urbanization stressors can have negative impacts on aspects of wild bird physiology, other studies demonstrated ambiguous or sometimes positive interactions. As such, the impact multiple, coincident urban avian health still needs to be fully understood. Here, we addressed this knowledge gap by holistically measuring multiple physiological markers American robin (Turdus migratorius) across a gradient throughout Chicagoland. We predicted birds using highly habitats would experience higher heavy metal contamination, oxidative stress, lower body condition, malaria burden, measures immune response compared exurban Chicagoland area. Multiple linear models revealed robins more areas exhibited levels contamination slightly elevated associated impairments their counterparts sites. Additionally, noise light pollution were significantly with stress infection status, respectively, albeit different directions. Overall, our findings underscore how complex environmental changes accompany populations.

Language: Английский

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Urbanization Shifts Immunometabolism in a Common Bumblebee

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(12)

Published: Dec. 1, 2024

ABSTRACT The growing urbanization process is accompanied by the emergence of new habitats for wildlife, and cities are sometimes seen as refuges pollinators such wild bees compared to intensively cultivated rural habitats. However, contrasting living conditions that combine high fragmentation, exposure pollutants, heat island effects, with low pesticide use potentially availability resources, make it difficult predict overall effect urban on health bees. Moreover, if responses bee populations in terms species richness diversity have been focus many recent studies, individual more rarely investigated. More specifically, data impacts physiology lacking. To help fill this gap, we collected red‐tailed bumblebee ( Bombus lapidarius ) workers along a gradient defined level soil imperviousness, estimated environmental (air quality) ecological (pathogens' prevalence loads; local competition) pressures they locally experienced. In parallel, quantified expression selected immune marker genes. We measured how system bumblebees responds which parameters best explain observed changes gene expression. evidenced three markers, tightly linked cellular metabolism, whose expressions increase urbanization, independently infection pollution exposure. suggest induction their reveals shift immunometabolism, supposedly response stressful experienced areas built‐up cover. these genes likely at root any activation; could thus be used markers estimate levels stress pollinators.

Language: Английский

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