Contrasting pattern of Eimeria spp. oocyst emission in chamois (Rupicaprar.rupicapra) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) from Italian Alps
Poster
Data di Pubblicazione:
2014
Citazione:
Contrasting pattern of Eimeria spp. oocyst emission in chamois (Rupicaprar.rupicapra) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) from Italian Alps / T. Trogu, N. Formenti, N. Ferrari, P. Lanfranchi. - In: HYSTRIX. - ISSN 0394-1914. - 25:Suppl.(2014), pp. P176.141-P176.141. (Intervento presentato al 9. convegno Congresso Italiano di Teriologia tenutosi a Civitella Alfedena (AQ) nel 2014) [10.4404/hystrix-25.0-10096].
Abstract:
Parasites have often been considered as partial limiting factor of
wildlife populations, underlining their impact on animal welfare.
Despite previous surveys showed a possible relation between
coccidian infection and juvenile mortality in livestock, little
information is available on the detrimental effects of protozoa
infections on wild ungulate population dynamics.
Therefore we investigated oocyst emission in chamois (Rupicapra
r. rupicapra) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) as dominant
species in Alps whose census data are available, and we modelled
through Generalized Linear Models in order to evaluate
which epidemiological factors may influence oocyst emissions.
Overall 96 chamois and 68 red deer faecal samples have been
monthly collected through transects within the Alpe Veglia-Alpe
Devero Natural Park, in 2011 and 2013 from June to November.
Samples have been analyzed by FLOTAC techniques to estimate
oocyst per gram of faeces (OPG). The overall oocyst prevalence
was 66% and 75% respectively in chamois and red deer. In
chamois, kids emissions are significantly higher than those of
adults, suggesting that classes 0 are more susceptible than older
age classes due to their immature immune system. Moreover
higher summer faecal OPG emissions were recorded in both
chamois and red deer suggesting the positive effects of advantageous
conditions of temperature and humidity even though the
presence of newborn could also play a role influencing this major
emission. In red deer there are no significant differences between
classes 0 and adults, nevertheless in 2013 calves oocyst emissions
were significantly higher than those registered in 2011.
This could be caused by the snow coat persistance until July
that causes energy expenditures in calves and could reduce the
strength of their immune system. Future in-depth analyses about
Eimeria spp. and other protozoa, such as Giardia spp. and
Cryptosporidium spp., because of their impact on populations,
have been planned, also in relation to data emerged from census,
to investigate any influence between them.
Tipologia IRIS:
01 - Articolo su periodico
Elenco autori:
T. Trogu, N. Formenti, N. Ferrari, P. Lanfranchi
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