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Michael R. Cranfield - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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outcomes of snare related injuries to endangered mountain Gorillas Gorilla beringei beringei in rwanda
Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 2019Co-Authors: Marlene K. Haggblade, Jean Bosco Noheri, Clementine Usanase, Antoine Mudakikwa, Woutrina A. Smith, Michael R. Cranfield, Kirsten V K GilardiAbstract:Mountain Gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) are one of the most critically endangered great apes in the world. The most common cause of mountain Gorilla morbidity and mortality is trauma (e.g., injury from conspecifics or snare entrapment). We conducted a retrospective case-control study of free-ranging, human-habituated mountain Gorillas to evaluate factors associated with snare entrapment and the results of clinical intervention. Data were collected from clinical records on all clinical intervention cases (n=132) in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, conducted between 1995–2015. Wildlife veterinarians treated 37 Gorillas entrapped in snares and 95 Gorillas for other clinical conditions (including trauma and respiratory illness). Multivariate statistical analyses revealed that young Gorillas (<8 yr old) were more likely than older Gorillas to become snared; that comorbidities delayed times to intervention (≥3 d); and that severity of wounds at the time of intervention were associated with increased risk of lasting impairment (including loss of limb or limb function, or death) within 1 mo after intervention. Our results may influence decisions for Gorilla health monitoring and treatment to most effectively conserve this critically endangered species.
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OUTCOMES OF SNARE-RELATED INJURIES TO ENDANGERED MOUNTAIN GorillaS (Gorilla BERINGEI BERINGEI) IN RWANDA
Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 2018Co-Authors: Marlene K. Haggblade, Jean Bosco Noheri, Clementine Usanase, Antoine Mudakikwa, Woutrina A. Smith, Michael R. Cranfield, Kirsten V K GilardiAbstract:Mountain Gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) are one of the most critically endangered great apes in the world. The most common cause of mountain Gorilla morbidity and mortality is trauma (e.g., injury from conspecifics or snare entrapment). We conducted a retrospective case-control study of free-ranging, human-habituated mountain Gorillas to evaluate factors associated with snare entrapment and the results of clinical intervention. Data were collected from clinical records on all clinical intervention cases (n=132) in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, conducted between 1995–2015. Wildlife veterinarians treated 37 Gorillas entrapped in snares and 95 Gorillas for other clinical conditions (including trauma and respiratory illness). Multivariate statistical analyses revealed that young Gorillas (
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early alzheimer s disease type pathology in the frontal cortex of wild mountain Gorillas Gorilla beringei beringei
Neurobiology of Aging, 2016Co-Authors: Sylvia E Perez, Antoine Mudakikwa, Michael R. Cranfield, Chet C. Sherwood, Joseph M. Erwin, Elliott J MufsonAbstract:Abstract Amyloid beta (Aβ) and tau pathology have been described in the brains of captive aged great apes, but the natural progression of these age-related pathologies from wild great apes, including the Gorilla, is unknown. In our previous study of Western lowland Gorillas (Gorilla Gorilla Gorilla) who were housed in American Zoos and Aquariums–accredited facilities, we found an age-related increase in Aβ-positive plaques and vasculature, tau-positive astrocytes, oligodendrocyte coiled bodies, and neuritic clusters in the neocortex as well as hippocampus in older animals. Here, we demonstrate that aged wild mountain Gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei), who spent their entire lives in their natural habitat, also display an age-related increase in amyloid precursor protein (APP) and/or Aβ-immunoreactive blood vessels and plaques, but very limited tau pathology, in the frontal cortex. These results indicate that Aβ and tau lesions are age-related events that occur in the brain of Gorillas living in captivity and in the wild.
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Early Alzheimer's disease–type pathology in the frontal cortex of wild mountain Gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei)
Neurobiology of Aging, 2015Co-Authors: Sylvia E Perez, Antoine Mudakikwa, Michael R. Cranfield, Chet C. Sherwood, Joseph M. Erwin, Elliott J MufsonAbstract:Abstract Amyloid beta (Aβ) and tau pathology have been described in the brains of captive aged great apes, but the natural progression of these age-related pathologies from wild great apes, including the Gorilla, is unknown. In our previous study of Western lowland Gorillas (Gorilla Gorilla Gorilla) who were housed in American Zoos and Aquariums–accredited facilities, we found an age-related increase in Aβ-positive plaques and vasculature, tau-positive astrocytes, oligodendrocyte coiled bodies, and neuritic clusters in the neocortex as well as hippocampus in older animals. Here, we demonstrate that aged wild mountain Gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei), who spent their entire lives in their natural habitat, also display an age-related increase in amyloid precursor protein (APP) and/or Aβ-immunoreactive blood vessels and plaques, but very limited tau pathology, in the frontal cortex. These results indicate that Aβ and tau lesions are age-related events that occur in the brain of Gorillas living in captivity and in the wild.
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Noninvasive saliva collection techniques for free-ranging mountain Gorillas and captive eastern Gorillas.
Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 2010Co-Authors: Tierra Smiley, Magdalena Lukasik-braum, Jean Mukherjee, Gretchen Kaufman, Donna E Akiyoshi, Lucy H. Spelman, Michael R. CranfieldAbstract:Abstract This study was designed to develop a simple, noninvasive method for saliva collection: a first step toward developing new diagnostic tests to survey Gorillas for infectious diseases. The subjects included free-ranging mountain Gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) in the Parc National des Volcans, Rwanda, and a group of orphan mountain and Grauer's Gorillas (Gorilla beringei graueri) housed nearby in a temporary holding facility. Three collection methods were used to recover saliva from discarded forest food: swabbing, soaking, and washing. Saliva was also collected from orphan Gorillas maintained in a captive setting by using dental ropes inside mesh bags. The presence of Gorilla saliva in each sample was confirmed by using a salivary α-amylase assay and forensic press test paper. The recovery of Gorilla DNA was verified by polymerase chain reaction by using primers specific to mountain and Grauer's Gorillas. Of the three collection techniques used to recover saliva from forest food, directly swa...
Antoine Mudakikwa - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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outcomes of snare related injuries to endangered mountain Gorillas Gorilla beringei beringei in rwanda
Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 2019Co-Authors: Marlene K. Haggblade, Jean Bosco Noheri, Clementine Usanase, Antoine Mudakikwa, Woutrina A. Smith, Michael R. Cranfield, Kirsten V K GilardiAbstract:Mountain Gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) are one of the most critically endangered great apes in the world. The most common cause of mountain Gorilla morbidity and mortality is trauma (e.g., injury from conspecifics or snare entrapment). We conducted a retrospective case-control study of free-ranging, human-habituated mountain Gorillas to evaluate factors associated with snare entrapment and the results of clinical intervention. Data were collected from clinical records on all clinical intervention cases (n=132) in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, conducted between 1995–2015. Wildlife veterinarians treated 37 Gorillas entrapped in snares and 95 Gorillas for other clinical conditions (including trauma and respiratory illness). Multivariate statistical analyses revealed that young Gorillas (<8 yr old) were more likely than older Gorillas to become snared; that comorbidities delayed times to intervention (≥3 d); and that severity of wounds at the time of intervention were associated with increased risk of lasting impairment (including loss of limb or limb function, or death) within 1 mo after intervention. Our results may influence decisions for Gorilla health monitoring and treatment to most effectively conserve this critically endangered species.
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OUTCOMES OF SNARE-RELATED INJURIES TO ENDANGERED MOUNTAIN GorillaS (Gorilla BERINGEI BERINGEI) IN RWANDA
Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 2018Co-Authors: Marlene K. Haggblade, Jean Bosco Noheri, Clementine Usanase, Antoine Mudakikwa, Woutrina A. Smith, Michael R. Cranfield, Kirsten V K GilardiAbstract:Mountain Gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) are one of the most critically endangered great apes in the world. The most common cause of mountain Gorilla morbidity and mortality is trauma (e.g., injury from conspecifics or snare entrapment). We conducted a retrospective case-control study of free-ranging, human-habituated mountain Gorillas to evaluate factors associated with snare entrapment and the results of clinical intervention. Data were collected from clinical records on all clinical intervention cases (n=132) in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, conducted between 1995–2015. Wildlife veterinarians treated 37 Gorillas entrapped in snares and 95 Gorillas for other clinical conditions (including trauma and respiratory illness). Multivariate statistical analyses revealed that young Gorillas (
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toughness of the virunga mountain Gorilla Gorilla beringei beringei diet across an altitudinal gradient
American Journal of Primatology, 2017Co-Authors: Halszka Glowacka, Shelby Carley Mcfarlin, Antoine Mudakikwa, Tara S. Stoinski, Erin R Vogel, Felix Ndagijimana, Deo Tuyisingize, Gary T SchwartzAbstract:The robust masticatory system of mountain Gorillas is thought to have evolved for the comminution of tough vegetation, yet, compared to other primates, the toughness of the mountain Gorilla diet is unremarkable. This may be a result of low plant toughness in the mountain Gorilla environment or of mountain Gorillas feeding selectively on low-toughness foods. The goal of this paper is to determine how the toughness of the mountain Gorilla diet varies across their habitat, which spans a large altitudinal range, and whether there is a relationship between toughness and food selection by mountain Gorillas. We collected data on the following variables to determine whether, and if so how, they change with altitude: leaf toughness of two plant species consumed by mountain Gorillas, at every 100 m increase in altitude (2,600–3,700 m); toughness of consumed foods comprising over 85% of the Gorilla diet across five vegetation zones; and toughness of unconsumed/infrequently consumed plant parts of those foods. Although leaf toughness increased with altitude, the toughness of the Gorilla diet remained similar. There was a negative relationship between toughness and consumption frequency, and toughness was a better predictor of consumption frequency than plant frequency, biomass, and density. Consumed plant parts were less tough than unconsumed/infrequently consumed parts and toughness of the latter increased with altitude. Although it is unclear whether Gorillas select food based on toughness or use toughness as a sensory cue to impart other plant properties (e.g., macronutrients, chemicals), our results that Gorillas maintain a consistent low-toughness dietary profile across altitude, despite toughness increasing with altitude, suggest that the robust Gorilla masticatory apparatus evolved for repetitive mastication of foods that are not high in toughness.
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early alzheimer s disease type pathology in the frontal cortex of wild mountain Gorillas Gorilla beringei beringei
Neurobiology of Aging, 2016Co-Authors: Sylvia E Perez, Antoine Mudakikwa, Michael R. Cranfield, Chet C. Sherwood, Joseph M. Erwin, Elliott J MufsonAbstract:Abstract Amyloid beta (Aβ) and tau pathology have been described in the brains of captive aged great apes, but the natural progression of these age-related pathologies from wild great apes, including the Gorilla, is unknown. In our previous study of Western lowland Gorillas (Gorilla Gorilla Gorilla) who were housed in American Zoos and Aquariums–accredited facilities, we found an age-related increase in Aβ-positive plaques and vasculature, tau-positive astrocytes, oligodendrocyte coiled bodies, and neuritic clusters in the neocortex as well as hippocampus in older animals. Here, we demonstrate that aged wild mountain Gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei), who spent their entire lives in their natural habitat, also display an age-related increase in amyloid precursor protein (APP) and/or Aβ-immunoreactive blood vessels and plaques, but very limited tau pathology, in the frontal cortex. These results indicate that Aβ and tau lesions are age-related events that occur in the brain of Gorillas living in captivity and in the wild.
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Early Alzheimer's disease–type pathology in the frontal cortex of wild mountain Gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei)
Neurobiology of Aging, 2015Co-Authors: Sylvia E Perez, Antoine Mudakikwa, Michael R. Cranfield, Chet C. Sherwood, Joseph M. Erwin, Elliott J MufsonAbstract:Abstract Amyloid beta (Aβ) and tau pathology have been described in the brains of captive aged great apes, but the natural progression of these age-related pathologies from wild great apes, including the Gorilla, is unknown. In our previous study of Western lowland Gorillas (Gorilla Gorilla Gorilla) who were housed in American Zoos and Aquariums–accredited facilities, we found an age-related increase in Aβ-positive plaques and vasculature, tau-positive astrocytes, oligodendrocyte coiled bodies, and neuritic clusters in the neocortex as well as hippocampus in older animals. Here, we demonstrate that aged wild mountain Gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei), who spent their entire lives in their natural habitat, also display an age-related increase in amyloid precursor protein (APP) and/or Aβ-immunoreactive blood vessels and plaques, but very limited tau pathology, in the frontal cortex. These results indicate that Aβ and tau lesions are age-related events that occur in the brain of Gorillas living in captivity and in the wild.
Martha M Robbins - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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effect of mountain Gorilla Gorilla beringei beringei population growth to their key food plant biomass in volcanoes national park rwanda
Rwanda Journal of Engineering Science Technology and Environment, 2019Co-Authors: M J P Samedi, Martha M Robbins, Winnie Eckardt, M Derhe, M Miller, C C Grueter, D NsabimanaAbstract:High densities of large herbivores can have detrimental effects on plant biomass. Understanding the relationship between animal densities and plant distribution and abundance is essential for the conservation of endangered species and ecosystems. Mountain Gorilla censuses conducted for different periods in the last three decades have revealed a steady increase of Gorilla population in Virunga Massif whereby the recent number of Gorillas has doubled compared to their number in the 1980s. It is unclear whether the continuous population growth of the herbivorous Virunga Gorilla within an isolated forest ‘island’ has been affecting Gorilla food plant biomass. This study investigated the effect of varying mountain Gorilla densities on the biomass of the five key food plant species ( Galium spp. , Carduus nyassanus , Peucedanum linderi , Rubus spp. , Laportea alatipes ) that make up >70% of the mountain Gorilla diet. We used plant biomass data collected in a central part of the Virunga massif, commonly known as Karisoke sector from 2009 to 2011, and GPS records of Gorilla groups ranging in the same area nine months prior biomass assessment. Gorilla densities were estimated using the Kernel Utilization Distribution (KDE) analysis (functions: ‘kernelUD’ and ‘getvolumeUD’) from the Adehabitat package in R software, which provides the probability density of Gorilla occurrence at each coordinate (x, y) of the study area. Analyses using GLMs suggest that Gorilla densities (a proxy of previous Gorilla utilization intensity) did neither affect the total biomass of key food plant species nor the biomass of each key food plant species (p>0.05). These results may indicate that current revisit rates of feeding sites by Gorillas allow for complete plant regeneration, and no signs of overharvesting. Alternatively, feeding sites characterized by very high biomass may be preferred by Gorillas and remain sites with the highest biomass even after being frequently used by Gorillas. Findings also suggest that carrying capacity of the Gorilla population in the study areas may not yet be reached if food is the driving constraint. However, monitoring of the relationship between Gorilla densities and food plant biomass must continue while the Virunga population continues growing. Future studies also need to incorporate other sympatric large herbivores in the Virungas who share food plants with mountain Gorillas. Keywords: habitat use, Gorilla density, plants biomass
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acoustic structure and variation in mountain and western Gorilla close calls a syntactic approach
Behaviour, 2014Co-Authors: Daniela Hedwig, Kurt Hammerschmidt, Martha M Robbins, Roger Mundry, Christophe BoeschAbstract:Our understanding of the functioning of a species’ vocal repertoire can be greatly improved by investigating acoustic variation and using objective classification schemes based on acoustic structure. Here we used a syntactic approach to investigate the acoustic structure of the Gorilla close distance vocalizations (‘close calls’), which remain as yet little understood. We examined 2130 calls of 10 mountain Gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda, and 5 western lowland Gorillas (Gorilla Gorilla Gorilla) from Bai Hokou, Central African Republic. We segmented calls into units using distinct acoustic features and employed model-based cluster analyses to define the repertoire of unit types. We then examined how unit types were combined into calls. Lastly, we compared unit type use between age–sex classes and the two study groups. We found that the Gorilla close calls consist of 5 intergraded acoustic unit types which were flexibly but yet non-randomly concatenated into 159 combinations. Our results are in line with previous quantitative acoustic analyses demonstrating a high degree of acoustic variation in a variety of animal vocal repertoires, particularly close distance vocalizations. Our findings add on to (1) the recent argument that the common practice of describing vocal repertoires as either discrete or graded may be of little value as such distinctions may be driven by human perception and non-quantitative descriptions of vocal repertoires, and (2) recent studies indicating that flexibility in close range social calls can come about through combinatorial systems, which previously have been studied primarily in long distance vocalizations. Furthermore, our study highlights differences in the vocal repertoire of western and mountain Gorillas, as expected given differences in environment and social behaviour. Our results offer opportunities for further in-depth studies investigating the function of the Gorilla close calls, which will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of ape vocal communication in general.
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sympatric chimpanzees pan troglodytes troglodytes and Gorillas Gorilla Gorilla Gorilla in loango national park gabon dietary composition seasonality and intersite comparisons
International Journal of Primatology, 2011Co-Authors: Josephine Head, Christophe Boesch, Loic Makaga, Martha M RobbinsAbstract:Dietary overlap of sympatric apes is complex and understudied, but its examination is essential to further our understanding of species distribution, abundance, and community ecology. Over 3 yr we studied food availability and dietary composition of central chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) and western Gorillas (Gorilla Gorilla Gorilla) in Loango National Park, Gabon. We predicted that living in a habitat dominated by mature forest with sparse terrestrial herbaceous vegetation would lead to an increase in frugivory by Gorillas, resulting in increased dietary overlap between the 2 ape species vs. other sites, but that chimpanzees would remain more frugivorous than Gorillas. Through fecal analysis we measured overlap in fruit consumption between the 2 species on a bimonthly basis using the Renkonens method. Mean overlap was 27.5% but varied greatly seasonally, ranging between 0.3% and 69%, indicating that when examined on a finer scale, the degree of overlap appears much lower than at other study sites. In contrast to studies elsewhere, there was not a positive correlation between rainfall and fruit availability in Loango, and the long dry season was a period of high fruit production. As observed elsewhere, we found a positive correlation between fruit consumption and fruit availability for both chimpanzees and Gorillas and we found that chimpanzees were more frugivorous than Gorillas. A very low availability of herbs did not lead to increased frugivory by Gorillas nor increased overlap between the 2 ape species vs. other field sites. We conclude that forest composition, fruit availability, and dietary variability of sympatric species can vary greatly between locations, and that chimpanzees and Gorillas can adapt to primary forest with little undergrowth, where they concentrate their diet on fruit and leaves.
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A novel adenovirus of Western lowland Gorillas ( Gorilla Gorilla Gorilla )
Virology Journal, 2010Co-Authors: Diana Wevers, Martha M Robbins, Christophe Boesch, Fabian H. Leendertz, Josephine Head, Nelly Scuda, Carsten Ludwig, Joachim E. Kühn, Bernhard EhlersAbstract:Adenoviruses (AdV) broadly infect vertebrate hosts including a variety of primates. We identified a novel AdV in the feces of captive Gorillas by isolation in cell culture, electron microscopy and PCR. From the supernatants of infected cultures we amplified DNA polymerase (DPOL), preterminal protein (pTP) and hexon gene sequences with generic pan primate AdV PCR assays. The sequences in-between were amplified by long-distance PCRs of 2 - 10 kb length, resulting in a final sequence of 15.6 kb. Phylogenetic analysis placed the novel Gorilla AdV into a cluster of primate AdVs belonging to the species Human adenovirus B (HAdV-B). Depending on the analyzed gene, its position within the cluster was variable. To further elucidate its origin, feces samples of wild Gorillas were analyzed. AdV hexon sequences were detected which are indicative for three distinct and novel Gorilla HAdV-B viruses, among them a virus nearly identical to the novel AdV isolated from captive Gorillas. This shows that the discovered virus is a member of a group of HAdV-B viruses that naturally infect Gorillas. The mixed phylogenetic clusters of Gorilla, chimpanzee, bonobo and human AdVs within the HAdV-B species indicate that host switches may have been a component of the evolution of human and non-human primate HAdV-B viruses.
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Western lowland Gorillas (Gorilla Gorilla Gorilla) change their activity patterns in response to frugivory.
American Journal of Primatology, 2009Co-Authors: Shelly Masi, Chloe Cipolletta, Martha M RobbinsAbstract:The most important environmental factor explaining interspecies variation in ecology and sociality of the great apes is likely to be variation in resource availability. Relatively little is known about the activity patterns of western lowland Gorillas (Gorilla Gorilla Gorilla), which inhabit a dramatically different environment from the well-studied mountain Gorillas (G. beringei beringei). This study aims to provide a detailed quantification of western lowland Gorillas' activity budgets using direct observations on one habituated group in Bai Hokou, Central African Republic. We examined how activity patterns of both sexes are shaped by seasonal frugivory. Activity was recorded with 5-min instantaneous sampling between December 2004 and December 2005. During the high-frugivory period the Gorillas spent less time feeding and more time traveling than during the low-frugivory period. The silverback spent less time feeding but more time resting than both females and immatures, which likely results from a combination of social and physiological factors. When compared with mountain Gorillas, western lowland Gorillas spend more time feeding (67 vs. 55%) and traveling (12 vs. 6.5%), but less time resting (21 vs. 34%) and engaging in social/other activities (0.5 vs. 3.6%). This disparity in activity budgets of western lowland Gorillas and mountain Gorillas may be explained by the more frugivorous diet and the greater dispersion of food resources experienced by western lowland Gorillas. Like other apes, western lowland Gorillas change their activity patterns in response to changes in the diet. Am. J. Primatol. 71:91–100, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Elliott J Mufson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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early alzheimer s disease type pathology in the frontal cortex of wild mountain Gorillas Gorilla beringei beringei
Neurobiology of Aging, 2016Co-Authors: Sylvia E Perez, Antoine Mudakikwa, Michael R. Cranfield, Chet C. Sherwood, Joseph M. Erwin, Elliott J MufsonAbstract:Abstract Amyloid beta (Aβ) and tau pathology have been described in the brains of captive aged great apes, but the natural progression of these age-related pathologies from wild great apes, including the Gorilla, is unknown. In our previous study of Western lowland Gorillas (Gorilla Gorilla Gorilla) who were housed in American Zoos and Aquariums–accredited facilities, we found an age-related increase in Aβ-positive plaques and vasculature, tau-positive astrocytes, oligodendrocyte coiled bodies, and neuritic clusters in the neocortex as well as hippocampus in older animals. Here, we demonstrate that aged wild mountain Gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei), who spent their entire lives in their natural habitat, also display an age-related increase in amyloid precursor protein (APP) and/or Aβ-immunoreactive blood vessels and plaques, but very limited tau pathology, in the frontal cortex. These results indicate that Aβ and tau lesions are age-related events that occur in the brain of Gorillas living in captivity and in the wild.
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Early Alzheimer's disease–type pathology in the frontal cortex of wild mountain Gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei)
Neurobiology of Aging, 2015Co-Authors: Sylvia E Perez, Antoine Mudakikwa, Michael R. Cranfield, Chet C. Sherwood, Joseph M. Erwin, Elliott J MufsonAbstract:Abstract Amyloid beta (Aβ) and tau pathology have been described in the brains of captive aged great apes, but the natural progression of these age-related pathologies from wild great apes, including the Gorilla, is unknown. In our previous study of Western lowland Gorillas (Gorilla Gorilla Gorilla) who were housed in American Zoos and Aquariums–accredited facilities, we found an age-related increase in Aβ-positive plaques and vasculature, tau-positive astrocytes, oligodendrocyte coiled bodies, and neuritic clusters in the neocortex as well as hippocampus in older animals. Here, we demonstrate that aged wild mountain Gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei), who spent their entire lives in their natural habitat, also display an age-related increase in amyloid precursor protein (APP) and/or Aβ-immunoreactive blood vessels and plaques, but very limited tau pathology, in the frontal cortex. These results indicate that Aβ and tau lesions are age-related events that occur in the brain of Gorillas living in captivity and in the wild.
Thaddeus K Graczyk - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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hyperkeratotic mange caused by sarcoptes scabiei acariformes sarcoptidae in juvenile human habituated mountain Gorillas Gorilla Gorilla beringei
Parasitology Research, 2001Co-Authors: Thaddeus K Graczyk, Michael R. Cranfield, Antoine Mudakikwa, Ute EilenbergerAbstract:To facilitate ecotourism and behavioral research, free-ranging mountain Gorillas (Gorilla Gorilla beringei) have been habituated to humans. During routine health monitoring, five juvenile Gorillas were observed with active crusted dermatitis and alopecia. Papular and vesicular lesions and crusts with papular eruption and oozing were numerous and disseminated over the body of one Gorilla with a confirmed infestation of scabies. In this Gorilla, the hyperkeratotic crusts were loose and thick with a flaky and scaly appearance. Histologically, the epidermis was thickened, displayed hyperkeratosis and was infiltrated with lymphocytes and neutrophils. Examination of skin scraping yielded a positive identification of adults and eggs of Sarcoptes scabiei mites. The Gorillas were treated with ivermectin, 200 mg kg–1. As S. scabiei mites can cross-infect various mammalian species causing self-limiting dermatitis, these ectoparasites can be propagated in the habitats shared by Gorillas, people, and livestock, and therefore they represent an anthropozoonotic threat.
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cryptosporidium parvum genotype 2 infections in free ranging mountain Gorillas Gorilla Gorilla beringei of the bwindi impenetrable national park uganda
Parasitology Research, 2001Co-Authors: Thaddeus K Graczyk, Alexandre J Dasilva, John Bosco Nizeyi, Gladys R N N Kalema, Michael R. Cranfield, Norman J PieniazekAbstract:For behavioral research and due to growing ecotourism, some populations of free-ranging mountain Gorillas (Gorilla Gorilla beringei) have become habituated to humans. Molecular analysis of two Cryptosporidium sp. oocyst isolates originating from two human-habituated Gorilla groups and two oocyst isolates from non-habituated Gorillas yielded positive identification of C. parvum Genotype 2 (G2; i.e., "cattle", "animal-adapted", or "zoonotic"). As G2 is cross-transmissible between humans and animals, C. parvum infections can be propagated in the habitats of human-habituated, free-ranging Gorillas through both zoonotic and anthroponotic transmission cycles.
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coprophagy and intestinal parasites implications to human habituated mountain Gorillas Gorilla Gorilla beringei
Recent research developments in microbiology, 2001Co-Authors: Thaddeus K Graczyk, Michael R. CranfieldAbstract:Coprophagy, i.e., eating one's own excrement (autocoprophagy) or another individual's excrement (allocoprophagy), is a normal phenomenon in a variety of animals, i.e., coprophagous species, and an abnormal phenomenon in mentally impaired humans. In coprophagous species, the practice has nutritional importance providing essential nutrients for growth and development. It may also occur due to behavioral problems and aberrations, or dietary amino acid insufficiencies. Coprophagy may also enhance fecal-oral transmission of intestinal parasites with direct life cycles. Coprophagy is practiced by free-ranging, human-habituated mountain Gorillas (Gorilla Gorilla beringei) which are vegetarians. Gorillas can only fulfill requirements for protein and amino acids by maintaining strong food selection; coprophagy may facilitate acquiring these nutrients and prevent nutritional deficiency. Several arguments based on analyses of Gorilla intestinal parasitofauna indicate that coprophagy is an operational force in parasite transmission. A positive consequence of coprophagy related to parasite transmission can be the generation of herd immunity and paramunity in Gorillas. Coprophagy, through constant re-inoculation of intestinal parasites, may stimulate the Gorilla intestinal immune system to produce IgA coproantibodies, and enhance enteric immunization. The practice may also favor ingestion of coproantibodies.
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capillaria hepatica nematoda infections in human habituated mountain Gorillas Gorilla Gorilla beringei of the parc national de volcans rwanda
Journal of Parasitology, 1999Co-Authors: Thaddeus K Graczyk, Michael R. Cranfield, Linda J. LowenstineAbstract:Habituation to humans of free-ranging populations of endangered mountain Gorillas (Gorilla Gorilla beringei) raised concern of anthropozoonotic transmission of parasitic helminths and protozoans. Examinations of liver tissue of 19 Gorillas found dead in the Pare National de Volcans, Rwanda, revealed 10 cases of hepatic nematodiasis due to Capillaria hepatica. Identifiable C. hepatica eggs were present in the liver of 4 Gorillas (3 juveniles, 1 adult), and nematode cross-sections were found in I juvenile Gorilla. Six other adult Gorillas had areas of periportal and subcapsular fibrosis with calcified eggs. Histologically, the lesions surrounded by the areas of mild inflammatory reaction were characterized by subcapsular, periportal foci of fibrosis in which were embedded numerous C. hepatica eggs. Control of hepatic capillariasis in the remaining populations of mountain Gorillas should be focused on eradication or control of populations of rodent pests (i.e., mice and rats) that sustain the reservoir of C. hepatica in habitats shared by Gorillas and humans.
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cryptosporidium sp and giardia sp infections in mountain Gorillas Gorilla Gorilla beringei of the bwindi impenetrable national park uganda
Journal of Parasitology, 1999Co-Authors: John Bosco Nizeyi, Gladys R N N Kalema, Robert Mwebe, Ann Nanteza, Michael R. Cranfield, Thaddeus K GraczykAbstract:For conservation purposes and because of growing ecotourism, some mountain Gorilla (Gorilla Gorilla beringei) populations have been habituated to humans. Fecal specimens (n = 100) of nonhabituated and human-habituated Gorillas (5 populations: 6 age classes) were tested for Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts and Giardia sp. cysts by conventional staining and immunofluorescent antibody (IFA). Cryptosporidium sp. infections (prevalence 11%) were not restricted to very young Gorillas but were observed in 3-yr-old to >12-yr-old Gorillas; most of the infections (73%) occurred in human-habituated Gorillas. The prevalence of Giardia sp. infections was 2%; 1 nonhabituated Gorilla was concomitantly infected. Oocysts of Cryptosporidium sp. in the Gorilla stools were morphologically, morphometrically, and immunologically undistinguishable from a bovine isolate of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts. Mean concentration of Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts and Giardia sp. cysts in Gorilla stools was 9.39 × 10 4 /g, and 2.49 × 10 4 /g, respectively. There was no apparent relationship between oocyst concentration and Gorilla age, sex, or habituation status. Most Cryptosporidium sp. infections found in Gorillas with closest proximity to people may be a result of the babituation process and ecotourism. This study constitutes the first report of Cryptosporidium sp. infections in the family Pongidae, in the free-ranging great apes, and in the species of Gorilla.
