Article
Ecology
Manuela Gonzalez-Suarez, Alejandro Gonzalez-Voyer, Achaz von Hardenberg, Luca Santini
Summary: The local abundance or population density of different organisms varies widely and is influenced by factors such as body size, diet, and brain size. This study suggests that brain size may be an overlooked driver of mammalian population densities, with larger brains potentially leading to lower population densities due to energetic demands, or higher population densities due to greater ability to exploit resources. Results show that brain mass can explain variation in species' average population density, but the relationship may vary across taxonomic groups. Further research is needed to determine if the role of brain mass in population density varies based on environmental and biotic conditions.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Matteo Panaccio, Caterina Ferrari, Bruno Bassano, Christina R. Stanley, Achaz von Hardenberg
Summary: Social network analysis has become a crucial tool for studying animal behavior, but research on species living in small social groups is limited. This study used GLMMs and hurdle models to overcome challenges in analyzing social network metrics of small and variable groups, focusing on aggressive behavior in Alpine marmots. The results confirmed the impact of dominance and social status on aggression levels, and revealed differences between males and females in agonistic networks that were unexpected in a socially monogamous species.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Stefania Zanet, Ezio Ferroglio, Filippo Orlandini, Bruno Bassano, Elena Battisti, Alice Brambilla
Summary: Pneumonia is the leading cause of death for Alpine ibex in Gran Paradiso National Park, Italy. The etiology of this pneumonia remains unknown, making it difficult to identify the primary infective agent. Monitoring Protostrongylid larvae in individual mountain goats revealed varying infection rates and intensity levels, with Muellerius and Protostrongylus being the dominant genera. Aggregated larval intensity patterns may reflect individual differences in immune response, hormonal states, or genetic fitness.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Marco Genchi, Alice Vismarra, Stefania Zanet, Simone Morelli, Roberta Galuppi, Giuseppe Cringoli, Riccardo Lia, Manuela Diaferia, Antonio Frangipane di Regalbono, Giulia Venegoni, Fabrizio Solari Basano, Antonio Varcasia, Stefania Perrucci, Vincenzo Musella, Emanuele Brianti, Alessia Gazzonis, Michele Drigo, Liliana Colombo, Laura Kramer
Summary: The study evaluated the prevalence of major feline parasites in Italy and identified risk factors associated with their occurrence. The overall prevalence of gastro-intestinal and broncho-pulmonary nematodes was 35.9%, while ectoparasite infestation rate was 35.7%. Risk factors for parasite infection included age, outdoor lifestyle, geographic area and lack of antiparasitic treatment.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Stefania Zanet, Simone Morelli, Angela Di Cesare, Stefano Bo, Donato Traversa, Wilfried Lebon, Frederic Beugnet, Giulia Simonato, Ezio Ferroglio
Summary: The study demonstrated that Broadline (R) provides 100% efficacy against feline thelaziosis and significantly reduces ocular inflammation symptoms after treatment.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Caterina Ferrari, Stefania Zanet, Antonio Rolando, Sandro Bertolino, Bruno Bassano, Achaz von Hardenberg
Summary: This study investigated survival variations among alpine marmot families living in different environmental conditions and found that proximity to forest and visibility affected survival rates. The study also revealed the importance of neighboring family numbers on the stability of the dominant couple and the survival and reproduction of offspring.
POPULATION ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Elena Colombino, Ilaria Biasato, Ilario Ferrocino, Sara Bellezza Oddon, Christian Caimi, Marta Gariglio, Sihem Dabbou, Marta Caramori, Elena Battisti, Stefania Zanet, Ezio Ferroglio, Luca Cocolin, Laura Gasco, Achille Schiavone, Maria Teresa Capucchio
Summary: The study found that administering low doses of live insect larvae as environmental enrichment did not impair mucin composition or the local immune response in chickens. Instead, it seemed to slightly improve the caecal microbiota by enhancing a minor fraction of potentially beneficial taxa that can produce short chain fatty acids.
Article
Biology
Giacomo Stroffolini, Francesco Vladimiro Segala, Tommaso Lupia, Silvia Faraoni, Luca Rossi, Laura Tomassone, Stefania Zanet, Francesco Giuseppe De Rosa, Giovanni Di Perri, Andrea Calcagno
Summary: The study conducted in Piedmont and Aosta Valley, Italy from 2009 to 2018 analyzed the transmission of Lyme disease by ticks. The results showed a yearly increase in positive Western blot tests, consistent with a trend of rising temperatures and humidity.
Article
Parasitology
Luigi Gradoni, Ezio Ferroglio, Stefania Zanet, Walter Mignone, Luigi Venco, Gioia Bongiorno, Eleonora Fiorentino, Rudi Cassini, Marika Grillini, Giulia Simonato, Alice Michelutti, Fabrizio Montarsi, Alda Natale, Manuela Gizzarelli, Valentina Foglia Manzillo, Fabrizio Solari Basano, Roberto Nazzari, Ornella Melideo, Diego Gatti, Gaetano Oliva
Summary: This study monitored the further spread of canine leishmaniosis (CanL) in northern continental Italy from 2018 to 2019. New endemic foci of CanL were discovered and the stability of previously recorded foci was confirmed. Additionally, competent phlebotomine vectors were collected for the first time in several municipalities. The distribution of new endemic areas showed a decreasing gradient from west to east.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Caterina Ferrari, Cristian Pasquaretta, Enrico Caprio, Luigi Ranghetti, Giuseppe Bogliani, Antonio Rolando, Sandro Bertolino, Bruno Bassano, Achaz von Hardenberg
Summary: Both extrinsic and intrinsic factors influence the activity budget of alpine marmots. Marmots spend most of their time above ground foraging, especially when it is cloudy, while vigilance behavior is related to factors such as site, season, and time of day, reaching its peak in July. Social behaviors are mostly associated with sex and age-dominance status, with affiliative behaviors more common in yearlings compared to other status. Overall, intrinsic factors mainly regulate agonistic and affiliative behaviors, while extrinsic factors affect the probabilities of engaging in all types of behavioral categories.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Rachele Vada, Stefania Zanet, Ezio Ferroglio
Summary: In the past decades, wildlife has been recognized as relevant for the transmission of pathogens to humans and animals. This paper analyzes the scientific interest in wildlife diseases over time and identifies the changing research focus. The study shows an increasing interest in wildlife diseases, with a shift towards zoonotic diseases and emergent diseases in recent years. Understanding the trends in scientific interest is important for future disease management and ecosystem management.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy, Stefania Zanet, Marco Poggi, Khalaf F. Alsharif, Maha S. Lokman, Anna Trisciuoglio, Ezio Ferroglio
Summary: Leishmaniasis is a group of diseases caused by Leishmania protozoa, primarily transmitted by sandfly bites, with humans and animals as potential reservoirs. The study found that recovered dogs after treatment more frequently showed immune reactions to specific antigens, which can help predict the clinical outcomes of the disease.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy, Stefania Zanet, Marco Poggi, Khalaf F. Alsharif, Ahmad Agil, Anna Trisciuoglio, Ezio Ferroglio
Summary: The study revealed a high prevalence of L. infantum among cats in an endemic region of Northwestern Italy, with all infected animals being asymptomatic. Infection by L. infantum was found to be associated with alterations in some hematological parameters and correlated with some infectious agents.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Stefania Zanet, Elena Battisti, Federico Labate, Francesca Oberto, Ezio Ferroglio
Summary: Changes in the parasitic fauna of horses have led to cyathostomins becoming the major parasites in adult horses, while large strongyles have decreased in prevalence. Parascaris spp. remains the most important parasite in foals and weanlings. Anthelmintic resistance is prevalent worldwide in cyathostomins and Parascaris spp., impacting treatment decisions. Testing in Northern Italy found high rates of strongyle-type eggs in horses and lower rates of Parascaris spp., with reduced efficacy of fenbendazole and pyrantel pamoate against cyathostomins. Ground-based actions are needed to prevent clinical disease and reduce selection pressure of resistant parasites.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Angela Fanelli, Elena Battisti, Stefania Zanet, Anna Trisciuoglio, Ezio Ferroglio
Summary: The study reveals a moderate exposure to Toxoplasma gondii in roe deer and red deer in Europe, with the highest prevalence in Western Europe. Moderator analysis indicates significant differences in seroprevalence of roe deer across different geographical areas.
ZOONOSES AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)