Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Philipp Andesner, Stephanie Vallant, Thomas Seeber, Reinhard Lentner, Wolfgang Arthofer, Florian M. Steiner, Birgit C. Schlick-Steiner
Summary: The rapid climate change and habitat degradation by human activities are recognized as the top threats to biodiversity. Employing umbrella species like Western Capercaillie and Black Grouse for ecosystem health monitoring is popular and cost-effective, with regional population surveys based on genetic data being conducted for conservation management. Standardization is necessary to ensure reliable comparability among laboratories in genetic analysis.
CONSERVATION GENETICS RESOURCES
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Rajmund Sokol, Patrycja Pluta
Summary: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of endoparasites in fecal samples collected from Galliformes kept in different types of aviaries. The study found that birds housed in permanent aviaries had a higher prevalence of parasitic infections compared to birds in seminatural free-flight aviaries. This suggests that Galliformes reared in seminatural aviaries may be better suited for reintroduction to their natural habitats.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Rebecca S. Chen, Carl D. Soulsbury, Christophe Lebigre, Gilbert Ludwig, Kees van Oers, Joseph I. Hoffman
Summary: Intensive hunting activities can have major impacts on natural populations, but even recreational hunting can subtly affect animal behavior and movement. This study focused on the black grouse population in Finland to investigate the effects of hunting on genetic diversity, inbreeding, and dispersal. The results showed that while there was little genetic structure in the population, immigration rates into hunted sites were higher, suggesting that migration may mitigate the risk of inbreeding. A spatially heterogeneous matrix of hunted and unhunted regions may be important for sustainable harvests in the future.
EVOLUTIONARY APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Paolo Tizzani, Angela Fanelli, Eric Belleau
Summary: This study investigated the gastroenteric parasites community of black grouse in the French Alps, and built a species distribution model for Capillaria caudinflata, revealing that the main factors influencing parasite distribution are the mean temperature of the coldest quarter, latitude, and distance from ski tour ways.
RESEARCH IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Xiaodong Gao, Xibao Wang, Xiaoyang Wu, Yongquan Shang, Xuesong Mei, Shengyang Zhou, Qinguo Wei, Guolei Sun, Yuehuan Dong, Weijia Cui, Honghai Zhang
Summary: Black-billed capercaillie is an endangered species in China and a first-class state-protected animal. This study examined the diversity and composition of the black-billed capercaillie gut microbiome and provided important scientific data for the conservation of this species in China.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Daren C. Card, Andrew G. Van Camp, Trenten Santonastaso, Michael I. Jensen-Seaman, Nicola M. Anthony, Scott V. Edwards
Summary: The study identified the core MHC genomic region in two squamate species and revealed similarities and differences in the genomic structure and composition of MHC regions between squamates and mammals. The investigation also highlighted unique features of the anole MHC, such as higher proportions of DNA transposons and larger MHC region size. Evolutionary analyses of MHC homologs in squamates and other amniotes demonstrated species-specific relationships and functional relevance of certain codons under diversifying selection.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Ornithology
Joy Coppes, Aaron Westhauser, Karl-Eugen Schroth, Veronika Braunisch, Marc Foerschler, Rudi Suchant
Summary: Capercaillie broods in the Black Forest prefer open forest stands with canopy gaps, long daily sun exposure on the ground, and an intermediate cover of Bilberry. Ground vegetation cover and Mountain Pine shrubs are preferred, while stands with high levels of regeneration cover are avoided. Additional creation of structured open stands and forest gaps in areas with high sun exposure and dominant ground vegetation types is recommended to improve habitats for Capercaillie broods.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Xin (Cynthia) Ye, Nicole M. Roslin, Andrew D. Paterson, Christopher J. Lyons, Victor Pegado, Phillip Richmond, Casper Shyr, Oriol Fornes, XiaoHua Han, Michelle Higginson, Colin J. Ross, Deborah Giaschi, Cheryl Gregory-Evans, Millan S. Patel, Wyeth W. Wasserman
Summary: This study investigates the genetic basis of isolated strabismus in a seven-generation family and identifies a linkage signal on chromosome 14q12. Through next-generation sequencing and bioinformatic analysis, a 4 bp non-coding deletion is identified as a top candidate for the observed strabismus phenotype. This finding provides insights into the regulation of FOXG1 and sheds light on the mechanisms underlying strabismus and FOXG1 syndrome.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Yiming Yuan, Huanmin Zhang, Guoqiang Yi, Zhen You, Chunfang Zhao, Haixu Yuan, Kejun Wang, Junying Li, Ning Yang, Ling Lian
Summary: The study evaluated the polymorphism of the chicken MHC B-F/B-L region in 21 chicken populations using the WaferGen platform, identifying a high density of single nucleotide polymorphisms and INDELs, with most variants located within introns and flanking regions. Chinese domestic populations exhibited higher diversity compared to White Leghorns and Cornish chickens, while indigenous breeds like Nandan Yao, Xishuangbanna Game, Gushi, and Xiayan chickens showed the highest density of SNPs and INDELs. The highly inbred lines 6(3) and 7(2) demonstrated the lowest diversity due to prolonged intense selection.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Jessica L. Dobson, Thomas W. Pike, Jose Gonzalez-Rodriguez, Carl D. Soulsbury
Summary: This study reveals the histology basis and importance of the skin coloration in avian bare-skin signals, using the Black Grouse as a model. It also highlights the visual structural differences between signals of different sizes.
JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Prashant R. Suryawanshi, Chandan Badapanda, Krishna M. Singh, Ankita Rathore
Summary: This study investigates the taxonomic profile and potential biomass degradation enzymes in the rumen of Black Bengal goats. The results suggest that the rumen of Black Bengal goats contains a diverse range of microbial communities, with Bacteroidetes being the most abundant phylum. Genes encoding glycoside hydrolases were found to be the most prevalent in the rumen. These findings highlight the potential applications of the rumen microbiota in ruminant research and industry.
ANIMAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Luke W. Meredith, Mustafa Aboualy, Rachel Ochola, Patrick Okwarah, Mehmet Ozel, Abdinasir Abubakar, Amal Barakat
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of pathogen sequencing in public health decision-making. The Eastern Mediterranean Region initially faced limitations in sequencing capacity but has made significant improvements with support from the WHO and stakeholders. This sequencing capacity not only serves COVID-19 surveillance but also offers an opportunity to integrate genomic surveillance into existing networks for early detection and response to high-threat pathogens.
INFLUENZA AND OTHER RESPIRATORY VIRUSES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jinshao Li, Ke He, Qian Zhang, Xiaoyi Wu, Zhong Li, Xuejun Pan, Yong Wang, Cheng Li, Manman Zhang
Summary: In this study, we investigated the biological and genomic characteristics of two pathogenic fungi, Fusarium oxysporum (strain QK8) and F. solani (strain SX13), which cause brown rot disease in Gastrodia elata crops. We found their optimal growth conditions and conducted indoor tests to evaluate their virulence. Moreover, we assembled and analyzed the genomes of these two strains and compared them with existing data. These findings lay the groundwork for further research on G. elata brown rot disease.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Carlos Carreras, Victor Ordonez, Alex Garcia-Cisneros, Owen S. Wangensteen, Creu Palacin, Marta Pascual, Xavier Turon
Summary: Global environmental changes can have a profound impact on ecosystems, making it crucial to gather biological and ecological information on key species in order to predict and mitigate potential effects. The genetic structure of the black sea urchin Arbacia lixula in Mediterranean shallow littoral ecosystems was assessed using genotyping by sequencing (GBS), revealing significant genetic differentiation among populations and identifying salinity as a key driver of genetic structure. Despite shallow genetic differentiation, candidate regions for local adaptation were identified, suggesting that A. lixula has ample scope for thriving and adapting in the warming Mediterranean.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Hadj Ahmed Belaouni, Stephane Compant, Livio Antonielli, Branislav Nikolic, Abdelghani Zitouni, Angela Sessitsch
Summary: Endophytic strains of Bacillus cereus group were isolated from halophytes in Algeria and were found to have the ability to alleviate salt stress in tomatoes and wheat. Comparative genomics analysis of Bacillus sp. BH32 revealed genes related to stress tolerance, antioxidant production, plant growth promotion, and secondary metabolite production.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jacob Hoglund, Lucas Bolender, Maria Cortazar-Chinarro, Sara Meurling, Anssi Laurila, Adam Hermaniuk, Christophe Dufresnes
Summary: Genetic variation in European green toads is negatively correlated with northern latitude, impacting the conservation status of the species in Sweden. Fringe populations of green toads in the northern limit are genetically impoverished and closely related to populations around the Baltic Sea basin, displaying low neutral and adaptive variation compared to central populations, consistent with patterns observed in other amphibians. This situation raises concerns about the evolutionary potential of remaining populations to cope with environmental challenges in Sweden.
CONSERVATION GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
David O'Brien, Linda Laikre, Sean Hoban, Michael W. Bruford, Robert Ekblom, Martin C. Fischer, Jeanette Hall, Christina Hvilsom, Peter M. Hollingsworth, Francine Kershaw, Cinnamon S. Mittan, Tarek A. Mukassabi, Rob Ogden, Gernot Segelbacher, Robyn E. Shaw, Cristiano Vernesi, Anna J. MacDonald
Summary: Genetic diversity, an important component of biodiversity, is often under-reported and narrowly focused on domesticated or commercial species. Various approaches have been developed to address this issue, but the multiplicity of methods can cause confusion. We propose a unified reporting mechanism to evaluate genetic diversity.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Peter Halvarsson, Paulius Baltrusis, Petter Kjellander, Johan Hoglund
Summary: By investigating the community structure of parasitic intestinal nematodes in four wildlife hosts in Sweden, this study found that the majority of identified parasite species were specific to wildlife. The potential for cross-infections of nematodes between wildlife and domestic sheep appears to be relatively low, although not completely negligible.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Johan Hoglund, Paulius Baltrusis, Nizar Enweji, Katarina Gustafsson
Summary: This study investigated the efficacy of anthelmintics on sheep farms in Sweden. The results showed that the efficacy of benzimidazoles and ivermectin was lower than expected, and resistance was common. Levamisole and moxidectin showed good efficacy, but the timing of post-sampling may have underestimated the severity of the situation. Additionally, parasite DNA was detected even on farms declared as susceptible. A nationwide randomized study is needed to provide an update on the extent of anthelmintic resistance and identify risk factors.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Venkat Talla, Veronika Mrazek, Jacob Hoglund, Niclas Backstrom
Summary: The clouded apollo butterfly in Sweden is currently endangered and only found in three geographically separated populations. Conservation efforts include habitat restoration and captive breeding. By using whole-genome resequencing and population genomic approaches, we found that the different populations in Sweden have similar but comparatively low levels of genetic diversity, with significant genetic differentiation between the northernmost and southern populations. We also discovered population sub-structure in one of the populations. These findings provide insights into the genetic consequences of population declines and fragmentation, and important information for the conservation of clouded apollo butterflies in Sweden.
CONSERVATION GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sara Martin-Garcia, Maria Cortazar-Chinarro, Mariano Rodriguez-Recio, Jose Jimenez, Jacob Hoglund, Emilio Virgos
Summary: Choosing the most appropriate sampling method is crucial for estimating population size. This study compared two commonly used sampling methods for the red fox and found that camera trapping provided a slightly higher minimum number of individuals compared to DNA faecal genotyping. Abundance estimates from camera trapping were positively correlated with the number of individuals detected, while there was a non-significant negative relationship between DNA faecal genotyping and abundance estimates.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Niclas Hogberg, Anna Hessle, Lena Lidfors, Johan Hoglund
Summary: This study investigated the effects of mixed gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections on the growth and post-weaning activity patterns of ram lambs. The lambs and ewes were grazed in pastures naturally contaminated with GIN, and were divided into low parasite exposure (LP) and high parasite exposure (HP) groups. The results showed that delayed weaning age reduced the adverse effects of GIN infection on body weight gain, while an earlier weaning age reduced the risk of Haemonchus contortus infection. Automated behavior recordings were also demonstrated to be a potential diagnostic tool for nematode infections in sheep.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Johan Hoglund, Katarina Gustafsson
Summary: In Sweden, sheep are often treated for gastrointestinal parasites before being let out to pasture with their lambs in the spring, which may increase resistance selection. However, the evidence for the effectiveness of this strategy is inconclusive, and further research is needed to address this issue.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
B. Tarbiat, N. Enweji, D. S. Jansson, E. Wallstrom, E. Osterman-Lind, J. Hoglund
Summary: Poultry roundworms have re-emerged in European countries due to noncaged housing, impacting bird welfare and productivity. The Swedish Egg Association initiated a control program in 2009, but its data have not been fully explored, and understanding of producer perception is inadequate. This study addresses these issues through analyzing program data and conducting an online survey. The findings highlight the need for strategic sampling, appropriate diagnostic tools, and education on anthelmintics use and resistance development.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POULTRY RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Johannes Charlier, Tong Wang, Sien H. Verschave, Johan Hoeglund, Edwin Claerebout
Summary: Gastrointestinal nematode infections pose a significant threat to the health and well-being of calves in pasture-based rearing systems. The serum pepsinogen assay, although an established tool, is not widely implemented due to its high cost and lack of standardization. This study evaluates the O. ostertagi-Ab ELISA as a cost-effective and robust alternative diagnostic method for first-season grazing calves and suggests that it can replace the serum pepsinogen assay for monitoring purposes at the end of the grazing season.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
M. Cortazar-Chinarro, A. Richter-Boix, P. Rodin-Morch, P. Halvarsson, J. B. Logue, A. Laurila, J. Hoglund
Summary: Microbiomes play a crucial role in determining the ecology and behavior of their hosts. This study investigated the effects of geography, evolutionary history, and host genetics on the skin microbiome diversity and structure in a widespread amphibian. The results showed that microbiome diversity was correlated with host genetic diversity, and the bacterial community composition varied between geographical clusters and specific host genetic variations.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Desiree S. Jansson, Johan Hoglund, Elisabeth Bagge, Tomas Jinnerot, Magne Kaldhusdal
Summary: In recent years, the number of organic chicken farms has increased. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of coccidia vaccination in preventing diseases in organic chickens. The results showed that vaccinated chickens had milder gut lesions, fewer harmful bacteria, and similar or higher body weight compared to unvaccinated chickens. No deaths from coccidiosis or necrotic enteritis occurred among vaccinated chickens. This study provides valuable knowledge for the development of the organic chicken industry and has relevance to the management of these diseases in conventional broilers.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Niclas Hogberg, Paulius Baltrusis, Nizar Enweji, Johan Hoglund
Summary: This study evaluated three genomic DNA extraction kits for the detection of H. contortus DNA in faecal samples using droplet digital PCR. The Nucleospin DNA Stool kit showed the highest DNA yield and lowest coefficient of variation, making it a viable option for diagnostic purposes.
ACTA VETERINARIA SCANDINAVICA
(2022)