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Sadie J. Ryan - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Gastrointestinal parasites of the New England cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus transitionalis) and eastern cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus) in the Hudson Valley, New York
Parasitology Research, 2019Co-Authors: Christopher M. Whipps, E. J. Gavard, Jonathan Cohen, Sadie J. RyanAbstract:The New England cottontail rabbit (NEC, Sylvilagus transitionalis ) population has decreased dramatically in New York, USA, and the role of parasites in limiting the population has never been examined. The closely related and sympatric eastern cottontail rabbit (EC, Sylvilagus floridanus ) was introduced into the range of NEC by humans and is currently thriving. This study aimed to investigate gastrointestinal parasites of the NEC and the EC and compare their parasite communities. Fecal pellets from 195 NEC and 125 EC were collected from the Hudson Valley, New York, in the winter of 2013–2014. Centrifugal fecal floats were performed in Sheather’s sugar solution, and parasite ova and cysts were examined microscopically to identify gastrointestinal parasites present. For all pellets combined ( n = 320), 91% were found to harbor at least 1 parasite species, with Eimeria species being the most common. Genetic analysis of pellets using microsatellite DNA identified 248 individual rabbits, with parasite prevalence (94%) similar to the prevalence estimate based on all pellets (91%). EC samples had a significantly higher ( p
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gastrointestinal parasites of the new england cottontail rabbit Sylvilagus transitionalis and eastern cottontail rabbit Sylvilagus floridanus in the hudson valley new york
Parasitology Research, 2019Co-Authors: Christopher M. Whipps, Sadie J. Ryan, E. J. Gavard, Jonathan B. CohenAbstract:The New England cottontail rabbit (NEC, Sylvilagus transitionalis) population has decreased dramatically in New York, USA, and the role of parasites in limiting the population has never been examined. The closely related and sympatric eastern cottontail rabbit (EC, Sylvilagus floridanus) was introduced into the range of NEC by humans and is currently thriving. This study aimed to investigate gastrointestinal parasites of the NEC and the EC and compare their parasite communities. Fecal pellets from 195 NEC and 125 EC were collected from the Hudson Valley, New York, in the winter of 2013–2014. Centrifugal fecal floats were performed in Sheather’s sugar solution, and parasite ova and cysts were examined microscopically to identify gastrointestinal parasites present. For all pellets combined (n = 320), 91% were found to harbor at least 1 parasite species, with Eimeria species being the most common. Genetic analysis of pellets using microsatellite DNA identified 248 individual rabbits, with parasite prevalence (94%) similar to the prevalence estimate based on all pellets (91%). EC samples had a significantly higher (p < 0.05) parasite species richness (1.73, range 0–4) than NEC (1.20, range 0–3). EC and NEC shared 3 moderate to high (9–89%) prevalence parasites, in which EC prevalence was consistently higher. One parasite species was only found in NEC, and two were only found in EC, but the majority of these were of low abundance, precluding further statistical analyses.
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REFERENCE AND BASELINE HEMATOCRIT MEASURES FOR THE THREATENED NEW ENGLAND COTTONTAIL (Sylvilagus TRANSITIONALIS) AND COMPARISON WITH SYMPATRIC EASTERN COTTONTAIL (Sylvilagus FLORIDANUS) RABBITS
Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine : official publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, 2016Co-Authors: Sadie J. Ryan, E. J. Gavard, Amanda E. Cheeseman, Jonathan B. Cohen, Christopher M. WhippsAbstract:Abstract From June 2014 to June 2015, capillary tube collections of blood were obtained concurrently with ear clips of trapped free-ranging, globally vulnerable New England cottontails (NEC; Sylvilagus transitionalis) and eastern cottontail rabbits (EC; Sylvilagus floridanus) in the Hudson Valley region of New York, United States. Species identification (NEC, EC) and sex (NEC) were determined genetically using a mitochondrial DNA assay and Y chromosome marker, respectively. Hematocrit values were obtained using a microhematocrit centrifuge. We provide the reference values 35.15–49.55 (2.5 and 97.5 percentiles) and 90% confidence intervals (CI) [lower: 33.00, 36.08; upper: 46.95, 51.00], for hematocrit of NEC. The mean hematocrit for NEC was 42.35% (SE = 0.58, n = 47) and a comparative contemporaneous mean in the same area for EC [39.96 (SE = 0.81, n = 26)], which was significantly different from NEC (P = 0.02). There was a significant sex difference for NEC [male: 43.99 (SE = 1.02, n = 28); female: 39.92 ...
Christopher M. Whipps - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Gastrointestinal parasites of the New England cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus transitionalis) and eastern cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus) in the Hudson Valley, New York
Parasitology Research, 2019Co-Authors: Christopher M. Whipps, E. J. Gavard, Jonathan Cohen, Sadie J. RyanAbstract:The New England cottontail rabbit (NEC, Sylvilagus transitionalis ) population has decreased dramatically in New York, USA, and the role of parasites in limiting the population has never been examined. The closely related and sympatric eastern cottontail rabbit (EC, Sylvilagus floridanus ) was introduced into the range of NEC by humans and is currently thriving. This study aimed to investigate gastrointestinal parasites of the NEC and the EC and compare their parasite communities. Fecal pellets from 195 NEC and 125 EC were collected from the Hudson Valley, New York, in the winter of 2013–2014. Centrifugal fecal floats were performed in Sheather’s sugar solution, and parasite ova and cysts were examined microscopically to identify gastrointestinal parasites present. For all pellets combined ( n = 320), 91% were found to harbor at least 1 parasite species, with Eimeria species being the most common. Genetic analysis of pellets using microsatellite DNA identified 248 individual rabbits, with parasite prevalence (94%) similar to the prevalence estimate based on all pellets (91%). EC samples had a significantly higher ( p
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gastrointestinal parasites of the new england cottontail rabbit Sylvilagus transitionalis and eastern cottontail rabbit Sylvilagus floridanus in the hudson valley new york
Parasitology Research, 2019Co-Authors: Christopher M. Whipps, Sadie J. Ryan, E. J. Gavard, Jonathan B. CohenAbstract:The New England cottontail rabbit (NEC, Sylvilagus transitionalis) population has decreased dramatically in New York, USA, and the role of parasites in limiting the population has never been examined. The closely related and sympatric eastern cottontail rabbit (EC, Sylvilagus floridanus) was introduced into the range of NEC by humans and is currently thriving. This study aimed to investigate gastrointestinal parasites of the NEC and the EC and compare their parasite communities. Fecal pellets from 195 NEC and 125 EC were collected from the Hudson Valley, New York, in the winter of 2013–2014. Centrifugal fecal floats were performed in Sheather’s sugar solution, and parasite ova and cysts were examined microscopically to identify gastrointestinal parasites present. For all pellets combined (n = 320), 91% were found to harbor at least 1 parasite species, with Eimeria species being the most common. Genetic analysis of pellets using microsatellite DNA identified 248 individual rabbits, with parasite prevalence (94%) similar to the prevalence estimate based on all pellets (91%). EC samples had a significantly higher (p < 0.05) parasite species richness (1.73, range 0–4) than NEC (1.20, range 0–3). EC and NEC shared 3 moderate to high (9–89%) prevalence parasites, in which EC prevalence was consistently higher. One parasite species was only found in NEC, and two were only found in EC, but the majority of these were of low abundance, precluding further statistical analyses.
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REFERENCE AND BASELINE HEMATOCRIT MEASURES FOR THE THREATENED NEW ENGLAND COTTONTAIL (Sylvilagus TRANSITIONALIS) AND COMPARISON WITH SYMPATRIC EASTERN COTTONTAIL (Sylvilagus FLORIDANUS) RABBITS
Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine : official publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, 2016Co-Authors: Sadie J. Ryan, E. J. Gavard, Amanda E. Cheeseman, Jonathan B. Cohen, Christopher M. WhippsAbstract:Abstract From June 2014 to June 2015, capillary tube collections of blood were obtained concurrently with ear clips of trapped free-ranging, globally vulnerable New England cottontails (NEC; Sylvilagus transitionalis) and eastern cottontail rabbits (EC; Sylvilagus floridanus) in the Hudson Valley region of New York, United States. Species identification (NEC, EC) and sex (NEC) were determined genetically using a mitochondrial DNA assay and Y chromosome marker, respectively. Hematocrit values were obtained using a microhematocrit centrifuge. We provide the reference values 35.15–49.55 (2.5 and 97.5 percentiles) and 90% confidence intervals (CI) [lower: 33.00, 36.08; upper: 46.95, 51.00], for hematocrit of NEC. The mean hematocrit for NEC was 42.35% (SE = 0.58, n = 47) and a comparative contemporaneous mean in the same area for EC [39.96 (SE = 0.81, n = 26)], which was significantly different from NEC (P = 0.02). There was a significant sex difference for NEC [male: 43.99 (SE = 1.02, n = 28); female: 39.92 ...
Pedro J. Esteves - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Field and experimental data indicate that the eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) is susceptible to infection with European brown hare syndrome (EBHS) virus and not with rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) virus
Veterinary Research, 2015Co-Authors: Antonio Lavazza, Paolo Tizzani, Pedro J. Esteves, Joana Abrantes, Patrizia Cavadini, Ilaria Barbieri, Ana Pinheiro, Guido Grilli, Emanuela Gioia, Mariagrazia ZanoniAbstract:The eastern cottontail ( Sylvilagus floridanus ) is an American lagomorph. In 1966, it was introduced to Italy, where it is currently widespread. Its ecological niche is similar to those of native rabbits and hares and increasing overlap in distribution brings these species into ever closer contact. Therefore, cottontails are at risk of infection with the two lagoviruses endemically present in Italy: Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease virus (RHDV) and European Brown Hare Syndrome Virus (EBHSV). To verify the susceptibility of Sylvilagus to these viruses, we analyzed 471 sera and 108 individuals from cottontail populations in 9 provinces of north-central Italy from 1999 to 2012. In total, 15–20% of the cottontails tested seropositive for EBHSV; most titres were low, but some were as high as 1/1280. All the cottontails virologically tested for RHDV and EBHSV were negative with the exception of one individual found dead with hares during a natural EBHS outbreak in December 2009. The cottontail and the hares showed typical EBHS lesions, and the EBHSV strain identified was the same in both species (99.9% identity). To experimentally confirm the diagnosis, we performed two trials in which we infected cottontails with both EBHSV and RHDV. One out of four cottontails infected with EBHSV died of an EBHS-like disease, and the three surviving animals developed high EBHSV antibody titres. In contrast, neither mortality nor seroconversion was detected after infection with RHDV. Taken together, these results suggest that Sylvilagus is susceptible to EBHSV infection, which occasionally evolves to EBHS-like disease; the eastern cottontail could therefore be considered a “spill over” or “dead end” host for EBHSV unless further evidence is found to confirm that it plays an active role in the epidemiology of EBHSV.
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Convergent evolution of IL-6 in two leporids (Oryctolagus and Pentalagus) originated an extended protein
Immunogenetics, 2014Co-Authors: Fabiana Neves, Joana Abrantes, Ana Pinheiro, Tereza Almeida, Paulo P. Costa, Pedro J. EstevesAbstract:Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a class-I helical cytokine with a broad spectrum of biological activities and a gene structure conserved throughout vertebrates, with five coding exons. IL-6 from European rabbits belonging to the subspecies Oryctolagus cuniculus cuniculus was previously shown to differ from other mammals by extending an additional 27 amino acids. However, in other leporids ( Sylvilagus spp and Lepus spp) that diverged from the European rabbit ~12 million years ago this mutation was not present. In this study, we extended the study of IL-6 for the Oryctolagus cuniculus algirus subspecies and five additional lagomorphs’ genera ( Brachylagus, Bunolagus, Pentalagus, Romerolagus , and Ochotona ). We confirmed the presence of the mutated stop codon in both O. c. cuniculus and O. c. algirus . We found that the typical stop codon is present in Sylvilagus bachmani and Lepus europaeus , in agreement with previous reports, but also in Bunolagus, Brachylagus , and Ochotona. Remarkably, in Pentalagus we detected a deletion of the stop codon causing an extension of IL-6 for 17 extra residues. Our results indicate that the IL-6 extension in those species occurred by two independent events: one occurred between 2 and 8 million years ago in the ancestral of the Oryctolagus subspecies, and the other occurred in a Pentalagus ancestral at a maximum of 9 million years ago. The absence of this IL-6 extension in Bunolagus , sister genus of Oryctolagus , shows that this evolutionary event happened by convergence suggesting some functional relevance.
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Genetic characterization of CCL3, CCL4 and CCL5 in leporid genera Oryctolagus, Sylvilagus and Lepus.
International journal of immunogenetics, 2013Co-Authors: A. Lemos De Matos, Dennis K. Lanning, Pedro J. EstevesAbstract:Summary The genetic diversity of C-C motif chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) ligands CCL3, CCL4 and CCL5 in the leporid genera Oryctolagus, Sylvilagus and Lepus was studied. Our results demonstrate that the three CCR5 chemokine ligands are under strong purifying selection as a result of possible functional binding constraints.
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Pseudogenization of the MCP-2/CCL8 chemokine gene in European rabbit (genus Oryctolagus), but not in species of Cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus) and Hare (Lepus)
BMC Genetics, 2012Co-Authors: Sandra Afonso, Ana Lemos De Matos, Joana Abrantes, Pedro J. EstevesAbstract:Background Recent studies in human have highlighted the importance of the monocyte chemotactic proteins (MCP) in leukocyte trafficking and their effects in inflammatory processes, tumor progression, and HIV-1 infection. In European rabbit ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ) one of the prime MCP targets, the chemokine receptor CCR5 underwent a unique structural alteration. Until now, no homologue of MCP-2/ CCL8 ^a, MCP-3/ CCL7 or MCP-4/ CCL13 genes have been reported for this species. This is interesting, because at least the first two genes are expressed in most, if not all, mammals studied, and appear to be implicated in a variety of important chemokine ligand-receptor interactions. By assessing the Rabbit Whole Genome Sequence (WGS) data we have searched for orthologs of the mammalian genes of the MCP-Eotaxin cluster. Results We have localized the orthologs of these chemokine genes in the genome of European rabbit and compared them to those of leporid genera which do ( i.e . Oryctolagus and Bunolagus ) or do not share the CCR5 alteration with European rabbit ( i.e. Lepus and Sylvilagus ). Of the Rabbit orthologs of the CCL8 , CCL7 , and CCL13 genes only the last two were potentially functional, although showing some structural anomalies at the protein level. The ortholog of MCP-2/ CCL8 appeared to be pseudogenized by deleterious nucleotide substitutions affecting exon1 and exon2. By analyzing both genomic and cDNA products, these studies were extended to wild specimens of four genera of the Leporidae family: Oryctolagus , Bunolagus, Lepus, and Sylvilagus . It appeared that the anomalies of the MCP-3/ CCL7 and MCP-4/ CCL13 proteins are shared among the different species of leporids. In contrast, whereas MCP-2/ CCL8 was pseudogenized in every studied specimen of the Oryctolagus - Bunolagus lineage, this gene was intact in species of the Lepus - Sylvilagus lineage, and was, at least in Lepus , correctly transcribed. Conclusion The biological function of a gene was often revealed in situations of dysfunction or gene loss. Infections with Myxoma virus (MYXV) tend to be fatal in European rabbit (genus Oryctolagus ), while being harmless in Hares (genus Lepus ) and benign in Cottontail rabbit (genus Sylvilagus ), the natural hosts of the virus. This communication should stimulate research on a possible role of MCP-2/ CCL8 in poxvirus related pathogenicity.
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Study of Sylvilagus rabbit TRIM5α species-specific domain: how ancient endoviruses could have shaped the antiviral repertoire in Lagomorpha.
BMC evolutionary biology, 2011Co-Authors: Ana Lemos De Matos, Wessel Van Der Loo, Helena Areal, Dennis K. Lanning, Pedro J. EstevesAbstract:Background Since the first report of the antiretroviral restriction factor TRIM5α in primates, several orthologs in other mammals have been described. Recent studies suggest that leporid retroviruses like RELIK, the first reported endogenous lentivirus ever, may have imposed positive selection in TRIM5α orthologs of the European rabbit and European brown hare. Considering that RELIK must already have been present in a common ancestor of the leporid genera Lepus, Sylvilagus and Oryctolagus, we extended the study of evolutionary patterns of TRIM5α to other members of the Leporidae family, particularly to the genus Sylvilagus. Therefore, we obtained the TRIM5α nucleotide sequences of additional subspecies and species of the three leporid genera. We also compared lagomorph TRIM5α deduced protein sequences and established TRIM5α gene and TRIM5α protein phylogenies.
Luis A. Ruedas - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Taxonomy of the Sylvilagus brasiliensis complex in Central and South America (Lagomorpha: Leporidae)
Journal of Mammalogy, 2019Co-Authors: Luis A. Ruedas, Jorge Salazar-bravo, Sofia Marques Silva, Johnnie H. French, Roy N. Platt, José Manuel Mora, Cody W. ThompsonAbstract:A taxonomic framework for South American cottontail rabbits (Lagomorpha: Leporidae: Sylvilagus) was recently published by Diersing and Wilson (2017). Although we agree with some of its taxonomic conclusions (e.g., species status for S. apollinaris and S. fulvescens), we disagree with others. We provide herein evidence supporting S. andinus as a valid species based on morphological characters and novel molecular data. We also provide details of the morphological characters of S. apollinaris and S. fulvescens that support separating these from S. brasiliensis. We adduce data suggestive to the effect that—absent any type material—S. defilippi is at best a nomen dubium. Finally, we provide evidence in support of recognizing additional Neotropical species of Sylvilagus.Un esquema taxonomico para los conejos sudamericanos (Lagomorpha: Leporidae: Sylvilagus) fue recientemente publicado por Diersing y Wilson (2017). Aunque estamos de acuerdo con algunas de sus conclusiones (por ejemplo: estatus de especie valida para S. apollinaris y S. fulvescens), no estamos de acuerdo con las restantes conclusiones taxonomicas. Aportamos aqui pruebas convincentes sobre la caracteristica naturaleza de los caracteres morfologicos y moleculares de S. andinus, pruebas que esgrimimos en apoyo de la hipotesis que esta ultima es una especie valida, asi confirmando su escision de S. brasiliensis. Proporcionamos detalles de los caracteres morfologicos de S. apollinaris y S. fulvescens que confirman la decision taxonomica de asimismo separarlos de S. brasiliensis. Proporcionamos datos en aditamento que indican que a falta de cualquier material tipo para S. defilippi, este nombre es en el mejor de los casos un nomen dubium. Finalmente, ofrecemos datos y evidencia apoyando nuestras decisiones de reconocer un mayor numero de especies Neotropicales de Sylvilagus que previamente se conocian.
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Illuminating the obscured phylogenetic radiation of South American Sylvilagus Gray, 1867 (Lagomorpha: Leporidae)
Journal of Mammalogy, 2019Co-Authors: Sofia Marques Silva, Luis A. Ruedas, Larissa Hasnah Santos, José De Sousa E Silva, Alexandre AleixoAbstract:Largely shallow and putatively explosive divergences in the family Leporidae (rabbits and hares; order: Lagomorpha) have resulted in phylogenetic relationships that remain currently unresolved. These rapid radiations in different branches of the leporid tree have resulted in conflicting phylogenetic hypotheses. However, this phylogenetic incongruence may also result from inadequate taxon or character sampling, due to the high number of extinct and difficult to sample extant species, and highly conserved morphological characters. Sylvilagus (cottontail rabbits) constitute about 30% of the known extant leporid species. New species are routinely being recognized, and phylogenetic relationships with respect to other leporid genera, and within the genus, have failed to be recovered with certainty. Within Sylvilagus, the South American S. brasiliensis is the most widespread and poorly known taxon, likely comprising multiple species. Here, we reanalyze previously published molecular data from phylogenetic studies on Leporidae, focusing on the S. brasiliensis group, and assessing phylogenetic relationships using bifurcating trees and split networks to identify phylogenetic regions with polytomies. We estimate differentiation and phylogenetic relationships of molecular lineages within the S. brasiliensis group. Our analyses suggest that this group contains a number of divergent taxa, well differentiated from other cottontail species. We discern two major polytomies during leporid diversification. The first, at the base of the leporid radiation, likely resulted from a combination of hard (rapid radiation) and soft polytomies (high number of unsampled extinct species). The second polytomy likely resulted from a rapid radiation during the initial diversification of the genus Sylvilagus. We conclude that only a molecular phylogeny based on a broader taxonomic representation will fully resolve leporid phylogeny.
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Morphological and chromosomal taxonomic assessment of Sylvilagus brasiliensis gabbi (Leporidae)
mammalia, 2007Co-Authors: Luis A. Ruedas, Jorge Salazar-bravoAbstract:The cottontail rabbit species, Sylvilagus brasiliensis ,i s currently understood to be constituted by 18 subspecies ranging from east central Mexico to northern Argentina, and from sea level to at least 4800 m in altitude. This hypothesis of a single widespread polytypic species remains to be critically tested. In other species groups of Sylvilagus from other geographic areas, the use of chromosomal information has been important in delineating taxonomic boundaries. To date, however, no chromosomal data are available for Sylvilagus south of Mexico. Here we report the chromosomal complement of two individuals (a male and a female) putatively ascribed to Sylvilagus brasiliensis on the basis of morphological characters and collected from southern Peno´nsula del Azuero in Panama. The diploid number (2n) of these two individuals was 38 and the fundamental number (autosomal arms, aFN) was 72. Karyotypes of S. brasiliensis from southern Mexico have reported two chromosomal forms: 2ns36, FNs68 and 2ns40, FNs76. We complement the chromosomal data with a morphological examination of the Panama specimens and of holotype materials pertinent to the taxonomic identity of Mesoamerican taxa of Sylvilagus. These findings, in association with others regarding the phylogenetic relationships of Sylvilagus from the Neotropics, reinforce the idea that the current taxonomic treatment of the species merits critical scrutiny. In particular, we excise Sylvilagus gabbi from subspecific synonymy with S. brasiliensis and remove the subspecies truei from brasiliensis to gabbi.
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Systematics of Sylvilagus Gray, 1867 (Lagomorpha: Leporidae) from Southwestern North America
Journal of Mammalogy, 1998Co-Authors: Luis A. RuedasAbstract:A multivariate morphological analysis of 26 cranial, mandibular, and dental characters was carried out on five taxa of cottontails: Sylvilagus floridanus chapmani (J. A. Allen, 1899), S.f. cognatus (Nelson, 1907), S. f. holzneri (Mearns, 1896), S. f. robustus (Bailey, 1905), and S. nuttallii pinetis (J. A. Allen, 1894). Discrete characters of upper P2 and P3 and lower p3 were examined in the above taxa, S. n. grangerii (J. A. Allen, 1895), and S. a. audubonii in the context of cladistic analyses. In the latter series of analyses, particular attention was paid to inter- and intrapopulational variation in the S. f. floridanus (J. A. Allen, 1890) and robustus taxa and in S. audubonii (Baird, 1857). I describe dental variation among holotypes and topotypes of these three taxa. My principal objective was to assess whether or not S. robustus was a subspecies of S. floridanus . An analysis of variance indicated that robustus differed from other taxa in six characters (greatest length of skull, condylobasal length, breadth of rostrum, interbasioccipital length, width of tympanic bullae, and mastoid breadth). Principal component analysis indicated ontogenetic differences between robustus and remaining taxa. Neighbor joining analysis in every case correctly classified each specimen examined to its predetermined taxon. Besides a large difference in size, several discrete differences in cranial and dental morphology separated S. robustus from the parapatric S. f. chapmani and from the nominal subspecies, S. f. floridanus ;, characters based on premolar enamel pattern in particular differentiated between S. f. floridanus and robustus . In phylogenetic analyses of 24 dental characters, S. cognatus , S. robustus , and S. holzneri were successive sister taxa to an unresolved clade consisting of two paraphyletic S. nuttallii “subspecies” and two subspecies of S. floridanus (sensu stricto). I propose that Sylvilagus robustus is a species distinct from S. floridanus and its subspecies, some of which probably also constitute distinct species. These results help clarify biogeographic problems inherent in the genus Sylvilagus under the current taxonomic framework.
E. J. Gavard - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Gastrointestinal parasites of the New England cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus transitionalis) and eastern cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus) in the Hudson Valley, New York
Parasitology Research, 2019Co-Authors: Christopher M. Whipps, E. J. Gavard, Jonathan Cohen, Sadie J. RyanAbstract:The New England cottontail rabbit (NEC, Sylvilagus transitionalis ) population has decreased dramatically in New York, USA, and the role of parasites in limiting the population has never been examined. The closely related and sympatric eastern cottontail rabbit (EC, Sylvilagus floridanus ) was introduced into the range of NEC by humans and is currently thriving. This study aimed to investigate gastrointestinal parasites of the NEC and the EC and compare their parasite communities. Fecal pellets from 195 NEC and 125 EC were collected from the Hudson Valley, New York, in the winter of 2013–2014. Centrifugal fecal floats were performed in Sheather’s sugar solution, and parasite ova and cysts were examined microscopically to identify gastrointestinal parasites present. For all pellets combined ( n = 320), 91% were found to harbor at least 1 parasite species, with Eimeria species being the most common. Genetic analysis of pellets using microsatellite DNA identified 248 individual rabbits, with parasite prevalence (94%) similar to the prevalence estimate based on all pellets (91%). EC samples had a significantly higher ( p
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gastrointestinal parasites of the new england cottontail rabbit Sylvilagus transitionalis and eastern cottontail rabbit Sylvilagus floridanus in the hudson valley new york
Parasitology Research, 2019Co-Authors: Christopher M. Whipps, Sadie J. Ryan, E. J. Gavard, Jonathan B. CohenAbstract:The New England cottontail rabbit (NEC, Sylvilagus transitionalis) population has decreased dramatically in New York, USA, and the role of parasites in limiting the population has never been examined. The closely related and sympatric eastern cottontail rabbit (EC, Sylvilagus floridanus) was introduced into the range of NEC by humans and is currently thriving. This study aimed to investigate gastrointestinal parasites of the NEC and the EC and compare their parasite communities. Fecal pellets from 195 NEC and 125 EC were collected from the Hudson Valley, New York, in the winter of 2013–2014. Centrifugal fecal floats were performed in Sheather’s sugar solution, and parasite ova and cysts were examined microscopically to identify gastrointestinal parasites present. For all pellets combined (n = 320), 91% were found to harbor at least 1 parasite species, with Eimeria species being the most common. Genetic analysis of pellets using microsatellite DNA identified 248 individual rabbits, with parasite prevalence (94%) similar to the prevalence estimate based on all pellets (91%). EC samples had a significantly higher (p < 0.05) parasite species richness (1.73, range 0–4) than NEC (1.20, range 0–3). EC and NEC shared 3 moderate to high (9–89%) prevalence parasites, in which EC prevalence was consistently higher. One parasite species was only found in NEC, and two were only found in EC, but the majority of these were of low abundance, precluding further statistical analyses.
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REFERENCE AND BASELINE HEMATOCRIT MEASURES FOR THE THREATENED NEW ENGLAND COTTONTAIL (Sylvilagus TRANSITIONALIS) AND COMPARISON WITH SYMPATRIC EASTERN COTTONTAIL (Sylvilagus FLORIDANUS) RABBITS
Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine : official publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, 2016Co-Authors: Sadie J. Ryan, E. J. Gavard, Amanda E. Cheeseman, Jonathan B. Cohen, Christopher M. WhippsAbstract:Abstract From June 2014 to June 2015, capillary tube collections of blood were obtained concurrently with ear clips of trapped free-ranging, globally vulnerable New England cottontails (NEC; Sylvilagus transitionalis) and eastern cottontail rabbits (EC; Sylvilagus floridanus) in the Hudson Valley region of New York, United States. Species identification (NEC, EC) and sex (NEC) were determined genetically using a mitochondrial DNA assay and Y chromosome marker, respectively. Hematocrit values were obtained using a microhematocrit centrifuge. We provide the reference values 35.15–49.55 (2.5 and 97.5 percentiles) and 90% confidence intervals (CI) [lower: 33.00, 36.08; upper: 46.95, 51.00], for hematocrit of NEC. The mean hematocrit for NEC was 42.35% (SE = 0.58, n = 47) and a comparative contemporaneous mean in the same area for EC [39.96 (SE = 0.81, n = 26)], which was significantly different from NEC (P = 0.02). There was a significant sex difference for NEC [male: 43.99 (SE = 1.02, n = 28); female: 39.92 ...
