Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Chad V. Jarolimek, Josh J. King, Simon C. Apte, Jane Hall, Anil Gautam, Megan Gillmore, Christopher Doyle
Summary: This review summarizes the available information on metal concentrations in marine mammals, birds, and turtles from Australia. Despite data gaps, the available evidence suggests that metal concentrations are similar to those found in other regions of the world.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Jan Votypka, Eva Stribrna, David Modry, Josef Bryja, Anna Bryjova, Julius Lukes
Summary: This study investigated the diversity of small mammal trypanosomes in East and Central Africa and discovered new species of T. lewisi and Herpetosoma. The study found that T. lewisi has a wide distribution and low host specificity, while other newly detected trypanosome species showed specificity to their endemic hosts. Ethiopia was identified as the region with the highest trypanosome diversity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Alice Magri, Roberta Galuppi, Marialetizia Fioravanti
Summary: The genus Trypanosoma includes flagellated protozoa that can infect humans and animals, causing diseases like Chagas disease in the Americas and human African trypanosomiasis. In Europe, the presence of Trypanosoma species is mainly linked to travel history of human patients or introduction of infected animals. The epidemiological status of trypanosomes infecting mammals in Europe is not well understood.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Anna-Sheree Krige, R. C. Andrew Thompson, Allan Wills, Glen Burston, Sian Thorn, Peta L. Clode
Summary: This study investigated the presence of indigenous trypanosomes in tabanids from an endemic area of southwest Australia, revealing a high prevalence of trypanosomatid DNA in collected tabanids, with T. noyesi being the most frequent species. The study confirmed intact parasites within tabanid salivary glands and the proboscis, suggesting potential biological and mechanical transmission pathways. Further research is needed to determine the vectorial competence of tabanids in transmitting Australian trypanosomes between wildlife.
INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Annu Phogat, Jagjeet Singh, Vijay Kumar, Vinay Malik
Summary: Acetamiprid, a widely used alternative to organophosphates and carbamates, has adverse effects on non-targeted organisms and is detected in various environmental sources. Metabolism of acetamiprid generates toxic metabolites that affect neurological, hepatorenal, immunological, genotoxic, and reproductive systems. Therapeutic use of plant extracts and antioxidants can alleviate acetamiprid-induced oxidative stress.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Roya Adavoudi, Malgorzata Pilot
Summary: Hybridization, the breeding between two distinct taxonomic units, can introduce novel adaptive variation and increase fitness, but also threaten species genetic integrity and survival. Most studies focus on documenting hybridization events and analyzing their causes, while little is known about the consequences of hybridization and its impact on the parental species.
Review
Immunology
Zixi Song, Jiahong Zou, Mengya Wang, Zhenwei Chen, Qingchao Wang
Summary: Pyroptosis is a programmed cell death process executed by gasdermin family proteins. In fish, it mainly depends on NLRP3 inflammasome and is influenced by pathogenic microorganism infection and environmental pollutants.
JOURNAL OF INFLAMMATION RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Ala E. Tabor
Summary: Australia has been a leader in tick vaccine research, developing vaccines and precursors for various types of ticks, but challenges in market conservation persist. New research programs have emerged, providing new directions for tick vaccine development.
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Iris Schaap, Larissa Buedenbender, Sarah Johann, Henner Hollert, Gulsah Dogruer
Summary: This systematic review examines the published literature on pollutant-induced adverse health effects in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red listed marine mammal species. The findings reveal a lower availability of exposure-effect data for higher extinction risk species, highlighting the need for more research. The most studied pollutants are POPs, metals, and pesticides.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Amrita Banerjee, Weilin L. Shelver
Summary: Plastic-based products are widely used in daily life but their limited biodegradability has raised pollution concerns globally, particularly micro- and nanoplastics. These pollutants are widespread in various environments and have well-documented biological effects on aquatic organisms, while their impacts on mammals remain insufficiently studied. Small size, positive charge, high dose, and presence of toxic additives or pollutants in micro/nanoplastics appear to induce cellular toxicity through oxidative stress, membrane damage, immune response, and genotoxicity.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Rafael Andre Lourenco, Satie Taniguchi, Josilene da Silva, Fabiana Dias Costa Gallotta, Marcia Caruso Bicego
Summary: Most marine mammal species are endangered, threatened, or depleted due to factors like organic contaminants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from human activities. This review aims to compare methodologies and data on the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in marine mammal tissues for the adoption of policies to reduce their impact on the marine environment.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Laura J. Zantis, Emma L. Carroll, Sarah E. Nelms, Thijs Bosker
Summary: Microplastics receive increasing attention due to concerns about their impact on the environment and human health. Marine mammals, as indicators of marine ecosystem health, may be vulnerable to microplastic exposure. Studies have found microplastics in marine mammal tissues and feces, but methodological and reporting deficiencies make comparisons and extrapolations difficult.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Caitlin P. Wells, Rebecca Barbier, Shelley Nelson, Rachel Kanaziz, Lise M. Aubry
Summary: Global climate change is impacting the life history traits of mammalian hibernators, with warmer temperatures advancing phenology and increasing reproductive success, while warming and drying trends have uncertain effects on body condition and survival.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Rune Dietz, Robert J. Letcher, Jon Aars, Magnus Andersen, Andrei Boltunov, Erik W. Born, Tomasz M. Ciesielski, Krishna Das, Sam Dastnai, Andrew E. Derocher, Jean-Pierre Desforges, Igor Eulaers, Steve Ferguson, Ingeborg G. Hallanger, Mads P. Heide-Jorgensen, Lars-Eric Heimburger-Boavida, Paul F. Hoekstra, Bjorn M. Jenssen, Stephen Gustav Kohler, Martin M. Larsen, Ulf Lindstrom, Anna Lippold, Adam Morris, Jacob Nabe-Nielsen, Nynne H. Nielsen, Elizabeth Peacock, Marianna Pinzone, Frank F. Riget, Aqqalu Rosing-Asvid, Heli Routti, Ursula Siebert, Garry Stenson, Gary Stern, Jakob Strand, Jens Sondergaard, Gabriele Treu, Gisli A. Vikingsson, Feiyue Wang, Jeffrey M. Welker, Oystein Wiig, Simon J. Wilson, Christian Sonne
Summary: This study assessed the risk of mercury exposure in Arctic mammal species and found that most populations have low health risks, but certain subpopulations are highly exposed and at risk. However, there are still knowledge gaps in the risk assessment of mercury exposure in Arctic mammals.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Rachid Koual, Marie Buysse, Justine Grillet, Florian Binetruy, Sofian Ouass, Hein Sprong, Maxime Duhayon, Nathalie Boulanger, Frederic Jourdain, Aurelien Alafaci, Julien Verdon, Helene Verheyden, Claude Rispe, Olivier Plantard, Olivier Duron
Summary: This study identified two new strains of trypanosomes in ticks, suggesting that ticks may be specific arthropod hosts for these trypanosomes. Phylogenetic analysis further indicates that ticks can transmit these trypanosomes to a variety of mammal species on different continents.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)