Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Serenella d'Ingeo, Marcello Siniscalchi, Valeria Straziota, Gianluca Ventriglia, Raffaella Sasso, Angelo Quaranta
Summary: Recent studies show that cats are sensitive to human emotional odours, particularly fear odours, and can regulate their behavior accordingly. These findings also provide the first evidence of lateralized emotional functions of olfactory pathways in cats.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Virology
Tsutomu Nishizawa, Reiko Usui, Yoko Narabu, Masaharu Takahashi, Kazumoto Murata, Hiroaki Okamoto
Summary: A novel pegivirus was discovered in pet cats in Japan, with a low similarity to reported viruses in other species. This virus was detected in 1.6% of pet cats.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
K. Ann Horsburgh, Anna L. Gosling, Ethan E. Cochrane, Patrick Kirch, Jillian A. Swift, Mark D. McCoy
Summary: This study examines the genetic origins and migration routes of domestic pigs in Polynesia using ancient DNA analysis. The results suggest that the founding populations of pigs in Polynesia can be traced back to northern peninsular Southeast Asia, and were brought to the islands through long-distance voyages by Austronesian-speaking people. The findings highlight the significance of domestic pigs in understanding the settlement history of Polynesia.
Article
Ecology
Shahar Dubiner, Itai Namir, Ron Chen, Eran Levin
Summary: Camouflage, specifically the tabby pattern, is advantageous for feral cats in natural habitats. This pattern allows them to better blend in with their surroundings, increasing their probability of survival.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Alexandra C. Behnke, Kristyn R. Vitale, Monique A. R. Udell
Summary: The Secure Base Effect refers to the ability of animals to use a bonded caretaker as a source of comfort to reduce stress in novel or stressful situations. Recent research has shown that some pet cats display SBE in the presence of their human owners. The presence of owner scent may be sufficient to elicit SBE in cats, but further studies are needed to confirm this.
APPLIED ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Ecology
Beatrice Nussberger, Soraia Barbosa, Mark Beaumont, Mathias Currat, Sebastien Devillard, Marco Heurich, Jo Howard-McCombe, Federica Mattucci, Carsten Nowak, Claudio Sebastian Quilodran, Helen Senn, Paulo Celio Alves
Summary: Preserving natural genetic diversity and ecological function of wild species is a major goal in conservation biology. Anthropogenic hybridization poses a threat to wild populations by changing their genetic makeup and potentially causing extinction. The impacts of gene flow from domestic cats on European wildcats are largely unknown, but it has been shown to overwhelm wild genomes in small and isolated populations. Understanding hybridization dynamics is crucial for managing and preserving the genetic diversity and integrity of the European wildcat. This paper aims to provide an overview of anthropogenic hybridization in European wildcats, clarify evaluation methods, and propose management and research guidelines.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Peter Szenczi, Andrea Urrutia, Robyn Hudson, Oxana Banszegi
Summary: The study found that kittens retain a long-lasting memory of their mother's body odour acquired before weaning, and as adults they can still distinguish their mother's odour from others. This suggests that familiarity with odours plays a role in olfactory-guided behavior even in other contexts.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Muriel Gros-Balthazard, Jonathan M. Flowers, Khaled M. Hazzouri, Sylvie Ferrand, Frederique Aberlenc, Sarah Sallon, Michael D. Purugganan
Summary: Researchers recovered seven date palm seeds from archaeological sites in the Southern Levant, dating from the fourth century BCE to the second century CE, which were germinated to yield viable plants. Whole-genome sequencing of these ancient samples showed genetic relationships between the ancient Judean date palms and modern West Asian and North African date palm varieties. These findings provide insights into crop evolution and the introgression of genetic features from the Cretan palm Phoenix theophrasti into modern North African date palm populations.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Anastasia Diakou, Despina Migli, Dimitris Dimzas, Simone Morelli, Angela Di Cesare, Dionisios Youlatos, Petros Lymberakis, Donato Traversa
Summary: The study investigated the occurrence of endoparasites in European wildcats in Greece, finding that all necropsied wildcats were infected by different parasite taxa, and a majority of faecal samples were also positive. Some of the parasites identified are common in domestic and wild felids, while others, newly described in the European wildcat, have significant pathogenic potential that could pose a threat to infected felids and human health under specific circumstances.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Minori Arahori, Ayano Kimura, Saho Takagi, Hitomi Chijiiwa, Kazuo Fujita, Hika Kuroshima
Summary: Research found that observing human behavior does not enable cats to solve problems more effectively or change their behavior. Other than learning ability, cats' biological characteristics and experimental context may contribute to these negative results.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Maria Aires Pereira, Carmen Nobrega, Teresa L. L. Mateus, Daniela Almeida, Andreia Oliveira, Catarina Coelho, Rita Cruz, Paula Oliveira, Ana Faustino-Rocha, Maria J. J. Pires, Joao R. Mesquita, Helena Vala
Summary: This study investigated the presence of antibodies against T. gondii and N. caninum in client-owned cats from Portugal and identified risk factors. The overall seroprevalences of anti-T. gondii and anti-N. caninum were 13.1% and 3.8%, respectively. Indoor lifestyle was identified as a significant protection factor against T. gondii infection, while the presence of a chronic disease and seropositivity to N. caninum were identified as significant risk factors to T. gondii seroprevalence. This is the first report of N. caninum seropositivity in cats from Portugal.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elodie Portanier, Helene Henri, Pierre Benedetti, Frederic Sanchis, Corinne Regis, Pascale Chevret, Marco Zedda, Adil El Filali, Sandrine Ruette, Sebastien Devillard
Summary: In the face of extinction crisis, it is crucial to identify new conservation units for the protection of highly threatened species like felids. In this study, the genetic identity of Corsican wildcats was reported using ddRADseq, revealing their significant genetic differentiation from European wildcats and closer relationship to Sardinian wildcats than domestic cats. Further investigation is needed to assess the status of Corsican wildcats and trace their introduction history in Corsica.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Fernando Najera, Elena Crespo, Amalia Garcia-Talens, Rebeca Grande-Gomez, Francisco Javier Herrera-Sanchez, Michaela Gentil, Carmen Cortes-Garcia, Elisabeth Mueller, Rafael Calero-Bernal, Luis Revuelta
Summary: The study describes the diagnosis of Sarcoptes scabiei in a dead European wildcat in Spain, marking the first description of this mite in a European wildcat. Considering the critical demography of European wildcats in the southernmost population of the Iberian Peninsula, the potential impacts of infectious diseases, including sarcoptic mange, should be taken into account in disease surveillance programs for this species.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Goncalo Matias, Luis Miguel Rosalino, Paulo Celio Alves, Annika Tiesmeyer, Carsten Nowak, Luana Ramos, Katharina Steyer, Christos Astaras, Mareike Brix, Csaba Domokos, Rene Janssen, Andrew C. Kitchener, Xavier Mestdagh, Lionel L'Hoste, Nicolas Titeux, Despina Migli, Dionisios Youlatos, Markus Pfenninger, Sebastian Devillard, Sandrine Ruette, Stefano Anile, Pablo Ferreras, Francisco Diaz-Ruiz, Pedro Monterroso
Summary: Hybridisation between domestic and wild cats poses a threat to wildlife conservation. This study examines the effects of ecological drivers on the genetic integrity of the European wildcat, finding that different factors influence genetic introgression across different biomes. Overall, the wildcat's genetic integrity remains high, except in the Mediterranean and Temperate Insular biomes. Forest integrity is a common factor promoting genetic integrity.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Biology
Paloma Diaz-Maroto, Alba Rey-Iglesia, Isabel Cartajena, Lautaro Nunez, Michael Westbury, Valeria Varas, Mauricio Moraga, Paula F. Campos, Pablo Orozco-terWengel, Juan Carlos Marin, Anders J. Hansen
Summary: The study reveals the genetic diversity of ancient South American camelids through mitochondrial genomes and osteometric analysis, showing the prevalence of interbreeding practices during the domestication process, and proposing a domestication hypothesis that includes an ancient guanaco population that no longer exists.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
N. A. Gustafson, B. Gandolfi, L. A. Lyons
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Danielle Aberdein, John S. Munday, Barbara Gandolfi, Keren E. Dittmer, Richard Malik, Dorian J. Garrick, Leslie A. Lyons
Article
Dermatology
Catherine A. Outerbridge, Verena K. Affolter, Leslie A. Lyons, Samantha L. Crothers, Andrea T. H. Lam, Terri E. Bonenberger, Peter J. Ihrke, Stephen D. White
VETERINARY DERMATOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Barbara Gandolfi, Hasan Alhaddad, Mona Abdi, Leslie H. Bach, Erica K. Creighton, Brian W. Davis, Jared E. Decker, Nicholas H. Dodman, Jennifer C. Grahn, Robert A. Grahn, Bianca Haase, Jens Haggstrom, Michael J. Hamilton, Christopher R. Helps, Jennifer D. Kurushima, Hannes Lohi, Maria Longeri, Richard Malik, Kathryn M. Meurs, Michael J. Montague, James C. Mullikin, William J. Murphy, Sara M. Nilson, Niels C. Pedersen, Carlyn B. Peterson, Clare Rusbridge, Rashid Saif, Diane G. Shelton, Wesley C. Warren, Muhammad Wasim, Leslie A. Lyons
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2018)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Marike Visser, Kristina L. Weber, Leslie A. Lyons, Gonzalo Rincon, Dawn M. Boothe, Dawn A. Merritt
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS
(2019)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
F. Genova, M. Longeri, L. A. Lyons, A. Bagnato, M. G. Strillacci
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Yoshihiko Yu, Kate L. Shumway, Jodi S. Matheson, Marie E. Edwards, Timothy L. Kline, Leslie A. Lyons
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Yoshihiko Yu, Erica K. Creighton, Reuben M. Buckley, Leslie A. Lyons
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Reuben M. Buckley, Barbara Gandolfi, Erica K. Creighton, Connor A. Pyne, Delia M. Bouhan, Michelle L. LeRoy, David A. Senter, Johnny R. Gobble, Marie Abitbol, Leslie A. Lyons
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Leslie A. Lyons
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
L. A. Lyons, R. M. Buckley, R. J. Harvey, Danielle Aberdein, Asa Ohlsson Andersson, Tomas F. Bergstrom, Adam R. Boyko, Margret L. Casal, Brian W. Davis, Ottmar Distl, N. Matthew Ellinwood, Oliver P. Forman, Edward Ginns, Daisuke Hasegawa, Vidhya Jagannathan, Isabel Hernandez, Maria Kaukonen, Emilie Leclerc, Tosso Leeb, Hannes Lohi, Mark A. Magnuson, Shrinivasrao P. Mane, John S. Munday, Alexandra N. Myers, Simon M. Peterson-Jones, Clare Rusbridge, Beth Shapiro, William F. Swanson, Rory J. Todhunter, Elizabeth A. Wilcox, Yoshihiko Yu
Summary: Tabby patterns in cats are influenced by at least three loci, including Tabby and Ticked loci. The Ticked locus on cat chromosome B1 is suggested to control the presence or absence of ticked patterns. Variant analysis identified candidate genes and variants associated with the Ticked locus, including Dickkopf Wnt Signaling Pathway Inhibitor 4 (DKK4) variants.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Gabriele Habacher, Richard Malik, Philippa J. P. Lait, Lyndon M. Coghill, Rondo P. Middleton, Wesley C. Warren, Leslie A. Lyons
Summary: A 14-week-old female domestic longhair kitten presented with shifting lameness and delayed growth. The kitten was diagnosed with vitamin D-dependent rickets type 2, which was caused by a frameshift mutation affecting the gene coding for the vitamin D3 receptor. Precision medicine techniques were used to identify the genetic variant and personalize the treatment.
JOURNAL OF FELINE MEDICINE AND SURGERY
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Maria Lyraki, Angie Hibbert, Sorrel Langley-Hobbs, Philippa Lait, Reuben M. Buckley, Wesley C. Warren, Leslie A. Lyons
Summary: This is a case report of a 9-month-old male domestic longhair cat presenting with pathological fractures, chronic musculoskeletal pain, and poor growth. Physical examination and advanced imaging revealed multiple facial and skeletal abnormalities. A variant in the CTSK gene was identified through whole-exome sequencing. Symptomatic management was carried out with diet, environmental modifications, and analgesia.
JOURNAL OF FELINE MEDICINE AND SURGERY OPEN REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Lynette A. Hart, Abigail P. Thigpen, Neil H. Willits, Leslie A. Lyons, Irva Hertz-Picciotto, Benjamin L. Hart
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2018)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Lynette A. Hart, Benjamin L. Hart, Abigail P. Thigpen, Neil H. Willits, Leslie A. Lyons, Stefanie Hundenski
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2018)
Article
Anthropology
Julia Becher, Alex Schoeman, Gavin Whitelaw, Stephen Buckley, Jean-Pierre Celliers, Sara Cafisso, Matthias Belser, Maxime Rageot, Cynthianne Spiteri
Summary: This study represents the first application of Organic Residue Analysis (ORA) to southern African early farming pottery to gain a deeper understanding of past human behavior and subsistence patterns. The study found evidence of dairy processing and multi-purpose functionality of the ceramics. It also discovered potential medicinal use and the involvement of dung in pottery sealing and mending.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Anthropology
Jon Clindaniel, Matthew Magnani
Summary: Large sources of digital trace data have become important in the study of material culture. The authors introduce a computational method to observe digital formation processes and highlight the importance of accounting for these processes in studies utilizing digital trace data.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Anthropology
Rebecca A. G. Reid, Miranda M. E. Jans, Lesley A. Chesson, Rebecca J. Taylor, Gregory E. Berg
Summary: Chemical treatment of skeletal remains can reduce overall DNA quality and quantity but has no significant impact on stable isotope ratio analysis. Examination of treated and untreated human remains through histological and stable isotope analysis reveals that treated remains exhibit better preservation compared to untreated remains. Stable isotope ratio analysis is viable for both treated and untreated remains, regardless of their origin.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Anthropology
Laura Tome, Eneko Iriartec, Antonio Blanco-Gonzalez, Margarita Jambrina-Enriquez, Natalia Eguez, Antonio V. Herrera-Herrera, Carolina Mallola
Summary: This paper presents the outcomes of a microcontextual geoarchaeological study conducted on earthen dwellings from the Early Iron Age village of Cerro de San Vicente. The study employed soil micromorphology, lipid biomarker analysis, XRD, and XRF analyses to investigate various aspects of the dwellings, including construction materials, site formation processes, and daily life practices. The results have shed light on the construction layers, floor use, maintenance, repaving, periods of abandonment and decay, and the presence of lipid biomarkers associated with dwelling functionality. The study significantly contributes to our understanding of ancient construction practices and the utilization of domestic spaces during the Early Iron Age.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2024)