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Joanna Fietz - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the vector tick ixodes ricinus feeding on an arboreal rodent the edible dormouse glis glis
Parasitology Research, 2016Co-Authors: Joanna Fietz, Franzrainer Matuschka, Franz Langer, Nadine Havenstein, Dania RichterAbstract:The reservoir competence and long life expectancy of edible dormice, glis glis, suggest that they serve as efficient reservoir hosts for Lyme disease (LD) spirochetes. Their arboreality, however, may reduce the probability to encounter sufficient questing Ixodes ricinus ticks to acquire and perpetuate LD spirochetes. To define the potential role of this small arboreal hibernator in the transmission cycle of LD spirochetes, we examined their rate and density of infestation with subadult ticks throughout the season of activity. Of the 1081 edible dormice that we captured at five study sites in Southern Germany and inspected for ticks at 2946 capture occasions, 26 % were infested with at least one and as many as 26 subadult ticks on their ear pinnae. The distribution of ticks feeding on edible dormice was highly aggregated. Although only few individuals harbored nymphal ticks soon after their emergence from hibernation, the rate of nymphal infestation increased steadily throughout the season and reached about 35 % in September. Dormice inhabiting a site with few conspecifics seemed more likely to be infested by numerous ticks, particularly nymphs, than those individuals living in densely populated sites. Male dormice were more likely to be parasitized by numerous nymphs than were females, independent of their age and body mass. Our observation that season, population density, and sex affect the rates of ticks feeding on edible dormice suggests that the contribution of edible dormice to the transmission cycle of LD spirochetes depends mainly on their ranging behavior and level of activity.
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The vector tick Ixodes ricinus feeding on an arboreal rodent—the edible dormouse glis glis
Parasitology Research, 2015Co-Authors: Joanna Fietz, Franzrainer Matuschka, Franz Langer, Nadine Havenstein, Dania RichterAbstract:The reservoir competence and long life expectancy of edible dormice, glis glis, suggest that they serve as efficient reservoir hosts for Lyme disease (LD) spirochetes. Their arboreality, however, may reduce the probability to encounter sufficient questing Ixodes ricinus ticks to acquire and perpetuate LD spirochetes. To define the potential role of this small arboreal hibernator in the transmission cycle of LD spirochetes, we examined their rate and density of infestation with subadult ticks throughout the season of activity. Of the 1081 edible dormice that we captured at five study sites in Southern Germany and inspected for ticks at 2946 capture occasions, 26 % were infested with at least one and as many as 26 subadult ticks on their ear pinnae. The distribution of ticks feeding on edible dormice was highly aggregated. Although only few individuals harbored nymphal ticks soon after their emergence from hibernation, the rate of nymphal infestation increased steadily throughout the season and reached about 35 % in September. Dormice inhabiting a site with few conspecifics seemed more likely to be infested by numerous ticks, particularly nymphs, than those individuals living in densely populated sites. Male dormice were more likely to be parasitized by numerous nymphs than were females, independent of their age and body mass. Our observation that season, population density, and sex affect the rates of ticks feeding on edible dormice suggests that the contribution of edible dormice to the transmission cycle of LD spirochetes depends mainly on their ranging behavior and level of activity.
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seasonal prevalence of lyme disease spirochetes in a heterothermic mammal the edible dormouse glis glis
Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2014Co-Authors: Joanna Fietz, Jurgen Tomiuk, Franzrainer Matuschka, Dania RichterAbstract:In Europe, dormice serve as competent reservoir hosts for particular genospecies of the tick-borne agent of Lyme disease (LD) and seem to support them more efficiently than do mice or voles. The longevity of edible dormice (glis glis) and their attractiveness for ticks may result in a predominance of LD spirochetes in ticks questing in dormouse habitats. To investigate the role of edible dormice in the transmission cycle of LD spirochetes, we sampled skin tissue from the ear pinnae of dormice inhabiting five different study sites in south western Germany. Of 501 edible dormice, 12.6% harbored DNA of LD spirochetes. Edible dormice were infected most frequently with the pathogenic LD spirochete Borrelia afzelii. The DNA of B. garinii and B. bavariensis was detected in ca. 0.5% of the examined individuals. No spirochetal DNA was detectable in the skin of edible dormice until July, 6 weeks after they generally start to emerge from their obligate hibernation. Thereafter, the prevalence of spirochetal DNA in edible dormice increased during the remaining period of their 4 to 5 months of activity, reaching nearly 40% in September. Males were more than four times more likely to harbor LD spirochetes than females, and yearlings were almost twice more likely to be infected than adults. The seasonality of the prevalence of LD spirochetes in edible dormice was pronounced and may affect their role as a reservoir host in respect to other hosts.
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stranded on an island consequences of forest fragmentation for body size variations in an arboreal mammal the edible dormouse glis glis
Population Ecology, 2012Co-Authors: Joanna Fietz, Tanja WeisdootzAbstract:The island rule states that small mammals isolated on islands have the evolutionary tendency to become larger, while large mammals tend to become smaller. However, the underlying mechanisms and life history consequences of these insular shifts in body size still remain speculative. The aim of this study was to investigate whether an arboreal mammal, the edible dormouse (glis glis), showed shifts in body size when inhabiting isolated forest fragments. We analysed a data set of 541 individuals captured between 2005 and 2010 in four different forest fragments and one continuous forest, which served as a reference area. Sex, age, body mass, and size of all individuals were known. We used linear mixed-effect models to investigate whether individuals differed in their body size and mass between forest fragments and continuous forest. Our study revealed that edible dormice inhabiting forest fragments were significantly larger and heavier than individuals in the continuous forest, in accordance with patterns described by the island rule for small mammals. Because edible dormice frequently use nest boxes to rest during the day and to rear offspring, the life history strategies of this rodent can be easily investigated under evolutionary relevant conditions in the field. Thus the edible dormouse represents an excellent model organism for studying the mechanisms underlying shifts in body size as a response to habitat fragmentation and to investigate the consequences of these shifts on their life history strategies.
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seasonal variations in energy turnover and body temperature in free living edible dormice glis glis
2012Co-Authors: Joanna Fietz, Jutta Schmid, John R SpeakmanAbstract:Edible dormice (glis glis) face low food availability after emergence from hibernation, and during years when there is no seed production from their main feeding trees. In this field study we aimed to investigate seasonal changes of energy turnover and body temperature (T b) in edible dormice during periods of high and low food availability, to understand energy saving strategies, besides the use of hibernation and torpor. We therefore measured daily energy expenditure of nine adults using the doubly labelled water and resting metabolic rate of 20 euthermic individuals with portable gas analysers. Additionally, we analysed T b patterns of 118 individuals during years of high and low food availability. All measurements were carried out in the field during the active months of edible dormice between 1996 and 2006 in south western Germany. Results of this study demonstrate that energy turnover and T b in edible dormice vary markedly over their active season and among years. Variations of food intake and the heat increment of feeding are likely to cause a substantial part of these variations together with the reactivation of organs that are atrophied during hibernation. T b patterns strongly suggest that edible dormice reduce their T b to save energy during periods of limited food supply.
Dania Richter - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the vector tick ixodes ricinus feeding on an arboreal rodent the edible dormouse glis glis
Parasitology Research, 2016Co-Authors: Joanna Fietz, Franzrainer Matuschka, Franz Langer, Nadine Havenstein, Dania RichterAbstract:The reservoir competence and long life expectancy of edible dormice, glis glis, suggest that they serve as efficient reservoir hosts for Lyme disease (LD) spirochetes. Their arboreality, however, may reduce the probability to encounter sufficient questing Ixodes ricinus ticks to acquire and perpetuate LD spirochetes. To define the potential role of this small arboreal hibernator in the transmission cycle of LD spirochetes, we examined their rate and density of infestation with subadult ticks throughout the season of activity. Of the 1081 edible dormice that we captured at five study sites in Southern Germany and inspected for ticks at 2946 capture occasions, 26 % were infested with at least one and as many as 26 subadult ticks on their ear pinnae. The distribution of ticks feeding on edible dormice was highly aggregated. Although only few individuals harbored nymphal ticks soon after their emergence from hibernation, the rate of nymphal infestation increased steadily throughout the season and reached about 35 % in September. Dormice inhabiting a site with few conspecifics seemed more likely to be infested by numerous ticks, particularly nymphs, than those individuals living in densely populated sites. Male dormice were more likely to be parasitized by numerous nymphs than were females, independent of their age and body mass. Our observation that season, population density, and sex affect the rates of ticks feeding on edible dormice suggests that the contribution of edible dormice to the transmission cycle of LD spirochetes depends mainly on their ranging behavior and level of activity.
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The vector tick Ixodes ricinus feeding on an arboreal rodent—the edible dormouse glis glis
Parasitology Research, 2015Co-Authors: Joanna Fietz, Franzrainer Matuschka, Franz Langer, Nadine Havenstein, Dania RichterAbstract:The reservoir competence and long life expectancy of edible dormice, glis glis, suggest that they serve as efficient reservoir hosts for Lyme disease (LD) spirochetes. Their arboreality, however, may reduce the probability to encounter sufficient questing Ixodes ricinus ticks to acquire and perpetuate LD spirochetes. To define the potential role of this small arboreal hibernator in the transmission cycle of LD spirochetes, we examined their rate and density of infestation with subadult ticks throughout the season of activity. Of the 1081 edible dormice that we captured at five study sites in Southern Germany and inspected for ticks at 2946 capture occasions, 26 % were infested with at least one and as many as 26 subadult ticks on their ear pinnae. The distribution of ticks feeding on edible dormice was highly aggregated. Although only few individuals harbored nymphal ticks soon after their emergence from hibernation, the rate of nymphal infestation increased steadily throughout the season and reached about 35 % in September. Dormice inhabiting a site with few conspecifics seemed more likely to be infested by numerous ticks, particularly nymphs, than those individuals living in densely populated sites. Male dormice were more likely to be parasitized by numerous nymphs than were females, independent of their age and body mass. Our observation that season, population density, and sex affect the rates of ticks feeding on edible dormice suggests that the contribution of edible dormice to the transmission cycle of LD spirochetes depends mainly on their ranging behavior and level of activity.
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seasonal prevalence of lyme disease spirochetes in a heterothermic mammal the edible dormouse glis glis
Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2014Co-Authors: Joanna Fietz, Jurgen Tomiuk, Franzrainer Matuschka, Dania RichterAbstract:In Europe, dormice serve as competent reservoir hosts for particular genospecies of the tick-borne agent of Lyme disease (LD) and seem to support them more efficiently than do mice or voles. The longevity of edible dormice (glis glis) and their attractiveness for ticks may result in a predominance of LD spirochetes in ticks questing in dormouse habitats. To investigate the role of edible dormice in the transmission cycle of LD spirochetes, we sampled skin tissue from the ear pinnae of dormice inhabiting five different study sites in south western Germany. Of 501 edible dormice, 12.6% harbored DNA of LD spirochetes. Edible dormice were infected most frequently with the pathogenic LD spirochete Borrelia afzelii. The DNA of B. garinii and B. bavariensis was detected in ca. 0.5% of the examined individuals. No spirochetal DNA was detectable in the skin of edible dormice until July, 6 weeks after they generally start to emerge from their obligate hibernation. Thereafter, the prevalence of spirochetal DNA in edible dormice increased during the remaining period of their 4 to 5 months of activity, reaching nearly 40% in September. Males were more than four times more likely to harbor LD spirochetes than females, and yearlings were almost twice more likely to be infected than adults. The seasonality of the prevalence of LD spirochetes in edible dormice was pronounced and may affect their role as a reservoir host in respect to other hosts.
Franzrainer Matuschka - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the vector tick ixodes ricinus feeding on an arboreal rodent the edible dormouse glis glis
Parasitology Research, 2016Co-Authors: Joanna Fietz, Franzrainer Matuschka, Franz Langer, Nadine Havenstein, Dania RichterAbstract:The reservoir competence and long life expectancy of edible dormice, glis glis, suggest that they serve as efficient reservoir hosts for Lyme disease (LD) spirochetes. Their arboreality, however, may reduce the probability to encounter sufficient questing Ixodes ricinus ticks to acquire and perpetuate LD spirochetes. To define the potential role of this small arboreal hibernator in the transmission cycle of LD spirochetes, we examined their rate and density of infestation with subadult ticks throughout the season of activity. Of the 1081 edible dormice that we captured at five study sites in Southern Germany and inspected for ticks at 2946 capture occasions, 26 % were infested with at least one and as many as 26 subadult ticks on their ear pinnae. The distribution of ticks feeding on edible dormice was highly aggregated. Although only few individuals harbored nymphal ticks soon after their emergence from hibernation, the rate of nymphal infestation increased steadily throughout the season and reached about 35 % in September. Dormice inhabiting a site with few conspecifics seemed more likely to be infested by numerous ticks, particularly nymphs, than those individuals living in densely populated sites. Male dormice were more likely to be parasitized by numerous nymphs than were females, independent of their age and body mass. Our observation that season, population density, and sex affect the rates of ticks feeding on edible dormice suggests that the contribution of edible dormice to the transmission cycle of LD spirochetes depends mainly on their ranging behavior and level of activity.
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The vector tick Ixodes ricinus feeding on an arboreal rodent—the edible dormouse glis glis
Parasitology Research, 2015Co-Authors: Joanna Fietz, Franzrainer Matuschka, Franz Langer, Nadine Havenstein, Dania RichterAbstract:The reservoir competence and long life expectancy of edible dormice, glis glis, suggest that they serve as efficient reservoir hosts for Lyme disease (LD) spirochetes. Their arboreality, however, may reduce the probability to encounter sufficient questing Ixodes ricinus ticks to acquire and perpetuate LD spirochetes. To define the potential role of this small arboreal hibernator in the transmission cycle of LD spirochetes, we examined their rate and density of infestation with subadult ticks throughout the season of activity. Of the 1081 edible dormice that we captured at five study sites in Southern Germany and inspected for ticks at 2946 capture occasions, 26 % were infested with at least one and as many as 26 subadult ticks on their ear pinnae. The distribution of ticks feeding on edible dormice was highly aggregated. Although only few individuals harbored nymphal ticks soon after their emergence from hibernation, the rate of nymphal infestation increased steadily throughout the season and reached about 35 % in September. Dormice inhabiting a site with few conspecifics seemed more likely to be infested by numerous ticks, particularly nymphs, than those individuals living in densely populated sites. Male dormice were more likely to be parasitized by numerous nymphs than were females, independent of their age and body mass. Our observation that season, population density, and sex affect the rates of ticks feeding on edible dormice suggests that the contribution of edible dormice to the transmission cycle of LD spirochetes depends mainly on their ranging behavior and level of activity.
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seasonal prevalence of lyme disease spirochetes in a heterothermic mammal the edible dormouse glis glis
Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2014Co-Authors: Joanna Fietz, Jurgen Tomiuk, Franzrainer Matuschka, Dania RichterAbstract:In Europe, dormice serve as competent reservoir hosts for particular genospecies of the tick-borne agent of Lyme disease (LD) and seem to support them more efficiently than do mice or voles. The longevity of edible dormice (glis glis) and their attractiveness for ticks may result in a predominance of LD spirochetes in ticks questing in dormouse habitats. To investigate the role of edible dormice in the transmission cycle of LD spirochetes, we sampled skin tissue from the ear pinnae of dormice inhabiting five different study sites in south western Germany. Of 501 edible dormice, 12.6% harbored DNA of LD spirochetes. Edible dormice were infected most frequently with the pathogenic LD spirochete Borrelia afzelii. The DNA of B. garinii and B. bavariensis was detected in ca. 0.5% of the examined individuals. No spirochetal DNA was detectable in the skin of edible dormice until July, 6 weeks after they generally start to emerge from their obligate hibernation. Thereafter, the prevalence of spirochetal DNA in edible dormice increased during the remaining period of their 4 to 5 months of activity, reaching nearly 40% in September. Males were more than four times more likely to harbor LD spirochetes than females, and yearlings were almost twice more likely to be infected than adults. The seasonality of the prevalence of LD spirochetes in edible dormice was pronounced and may affect their role as a reservoir host in respect to other hosts.
Claudia Bieber - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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multiple paternity in a population of free living edible dormice glis glis
Mammalian Biology, 2018Co-Authors: Katharina Weber, Franz Hoelzl, Steve Smith, Jessica S. Cornils, Claudia Bieber, Boglarka BalintAbstract:Abstract The mating system represents one key element of a species’ life history. Although some life history traits of the edible dormouse (glis glis) have been investigated thoroughly, little information is available about the mating system of this arboreal, nocturnal, hibernating rodent. Molecular studies have suggested that polygynandry and high prevalence of multiple sired litters are typical among small rodent species. Previous behavioral studies have proposed a promiscuous mating system for the edible dormouse, but clear evidence is still missing. In this study, the genetic mating system of G. glis was evaluated by genotyping free-living dam-offspring groups. Based on the assumption that males establish territories at least during the mating season, male individuals in the vicinity of the selected females were included in the investigation. Parentage assignment was conducted by applying the COLONY and GERUD software, using 19 polymorphic microsatellite loci. Multiple mating within this population of edible dormice was detected by both programs, since all investigated litters were sired by at least two males. Therefore, the results provide the first evidence of polygynandrous mating and multiple paternity occurring in a wild population of edible dormice. However, paternity analysis of the chosen males revealed a low assignment rate of offspring to the candidate sires. These findings support previous hypotheses of non-territoriality in males.
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the insensitive dormouse reproduction skipping is not caused by chronic stress in glis glis
The Journal of Experimental Biology, 2018Co-Authors: Jessica S. Cornils, Franz Hoelzl, Claudia Bieber, Nikolaus Huber, Richard Zink, Hanno Gerritsmann, F SchwarzenbergerAbstract:ABSTRACT Entire populations of edible dormice (glis glis) can skip reproduction in years without mast seeding of deciduous trees (particularly beech or oak seed), because juveniles require high-calorie seeds for growth and fattening prior to hibernation. We hypothesized that, in mast failure years, female dormice may be forced to spend larger amounts of time foraging for low-quality food, which would increase their exposure to predators, mainly owls. This may lead to chronic stress, i.e. long-term increased secretion of glucocorticoids (GC), which can have inhibitory effects on reproductive function in both female and male mammals. We monitored reproduction in free-living female dormice over 3 years with varying levels of food availability, and performed a supplemental feeding experiment. To measure stress hormone levels, we determined fecal GC metabolite (GCM) concentrations collected during the day, which reflect hormone secretion rates in the previous nocturnal activity phase. We found that year-to-year differences in beech mast significantly affected fecal GCM levels and reproduction. However, contrary to our hypothesis, GCM levels were lowest in a non-mast year without reproduction, and significantly elevated in full-mast and intermediate years, as well as under supplemental feeding. Variation in owl density in our study area had no influence on GCM levels. Consequently, we conclude that down-regulation of gonads and reproduction skipping in mast failure years in this species is not caused by chronic stress. Thus, in edible dormice, delayed reproduction apparently is profitable in response to the absence of energy-rich food in non-mast years, but not in response to chronic stress.
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Telomeres are elongated in older individuals in a hibernating rodent, the edible dormouse (glis glis).
Scientific Reports, 2016Co-Authors: Franz Hoelzl, Steve Smith, Jessica S. Cornils, Denise Aydinonat, Claudia BieberAbstract:Telomeres are elongated in older individuals in a hibernating rodent, the edible dormouse ( glis glis )
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telomeres are elongated in older individuals in a hibernating rodent the edible dormouse glis glis
Scientific Reports, 2016Co-Authors: Franz Hoelzl, Steve Smith, Jessica S. Cornils, Denise Aydinonat, Claudia BieberAbstract:Telomere shortening is thought to be an important biomarker for life history traits such as lifespan and aging, and can be indicative of genome integrity, survival probability and the risk of cancer development. In humans and other animals, telomeres almost always shorten with age, with more rapid telomere attrition in short-lived species. Here, we show that in the edible dormouse (glis glis) telomere length significantly increases from an age of 6 to an age of 9 years. While this finding could be due to higher survival of individuals with longer telomeres, we also found, using longitudinal measurements, a positive effect of age on the rate of telomere elongation within older individuals. To our knowledge, no previous study has reported such an effect of age on telomere lengthening. We attribute this exceptional pattern to the peculiar life-history of this species, which skips reproduction in years with low food availability. Further, we show that this “sit tight” strategy in the timing of reproduction is associated with an increasing likelihood for an individual to reproduce as it ages. As reproduction could facilitate telomere attrition, this life-history strategy may have led to the evolution of increased somatic maintenance and telomere elongation with increasing age.
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seasonal changes in liver size in edible dormice glis glis non invasive measurements using ultrasonography
European Journal of Wildlife Research, 2011Co-Authors: Claudia Bieber, Katharina Auserlechner, Christiane Skerget, Christian WalzerAbstract:We used non-invasive ultrasonography to investigate seasonal changes in liver size of an obligate hibernator; the edible dormouse (glis glis). We repeatedly measured liver size in dormice at two study sites, (1) an enclosure-housed colony and (2) a free-ranging population. We observed a significant increase in transverse liver size throughout the active season; however, this effect was most pronounced in animals with low body mass early in the active season. Ultrasonography imaging revealed that the content of fat in the liver (distributed in an unexpected pattern of discrete focal areas) visibly increased at the end of the active season both in the field and enclosure. Thus, the observed increase in liver size of dormice seems mainly related to fat accumulation. We found no principal differences in the time courses of transversal liver size between the two study sites. Our results support the view that non-invasive ultrasonography is an accurate method to study internal organ sizes, such as liver, in the laboratory and in the field.
Franz Langer - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the vector tick ixodes ricinus feeding on an arboreal rodent the edible dormouse glis glis
Parasitology Research, 2016Co-Authors: Joanna Fietz, Franzrainer Matuschka, Franz Langer, Nadine Havenstein, Dania RichterAbstract:The reservoir competence and long life expectancy of edible dormice, glis glis, suggest that they serve as efficient reservoir hosts for Lyme disease (LD) spirochetes. Their arboreality, however, may reduce the probability to encounter sufficient questing Ixodes ricinus ticks to acquire and perpetuate LD spirochetes. To define the potential role of this small arboreal hibernator in the transmission cycle of LD spirochetes, we examined their rate and density of infestation with subadult ticks throughout the season of activity. Of the 1081 edible dormice that we captured at five study sites in Southern Germany and inspected for ticks at 2946 capture occasions, 26 % were infested with at least one and as many as 26 subadult ticks on their ear pinnae. The distribution of ticks feeding on edible dormice was highly aggregated. Although only few individuals harbored nymphal ticks soon after their emergence from hibernation, the rate of nymphal infestation increased steadily throughout the season and reached about 35 % in September. Dormice inhabiting a site with few conspecifics seemed more likely to be infested by numerous ticks, particularly nymphs, than those individuals living in densely populated sites. Male dormice were more likely to be parasitized by numerous nymphs than were females, independent of their age and body mass. Our observation that season, population density, and sex affect the rates of ticks feeding on edible dormice suggests that the contribution of edible dormice to the transmission cycle of LD spirochetes depends mainly on their ranging behavior and level of activity.
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The vector tick Ixodes ricinus feeding on an arboreal rodent—the edible dormouse glis glis
Parasitology Research, 2015Co-Authors: Joanna Fietz, Franzrainer Matuschka, Franz Langer, Nadine Havenstein, Dania RichterAbstract:The reservoir competence and long life expectancy of edible dormice, glis glis, suggest that they serve as efficient reservoir hosts for Lyme disease (LD) spirochetes. Their arboreality, however, may reduce the probability to encounter sufficient questing Ixodes ricinus ticks to acquire and perpetuate LD spirochetes. To define the potential role of this small arboreal hibernator in the transmission cycle of LD spirochetes, we examined their rate and density of infestation with subadult ticks throughout the season of activity. Of the 1081 edible dormice that we captured at five study sites in Southern Germany and inspected for ticks at 2946 capture occasions, 26 % were infested with at least one and as many as 26 subadult ticks on their ear pinnae. The distribution of ticks feeding on edible dormice was highly aggregated. Although only few individuals harbored nymphal ticks soon after their emergence from hibernation, the rate of nymphal infestation increased steadily throughout the season and reached about 35 % in September. Dormice inhabiting a site with few conspecifics seemed more likely to be infested by numerous ticks, particularly nymphs, than those individuals living in densely populated sites. Male dormice were more likely to be parasitized by numerous nymphs than were females, independent of their age and body mass. Our observation that season, population density, and sex affect the rates of ticks feeding on edible dormice suggests that the contribution of edible dormice to the transmission cycle of LD spirochetes depends mainly on their ranging behavior and level of activity.