Helminth biocoenosis of Lepus europaeus meridiei (Hilzheimer, 1906) from Pianosa island, Italy

Pianosa is a 10 km(2) Italian island in the Tyrrhenian Sea which is part of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park. In this island lives a brown hare population which, according to the literature, belongs to the ancestral taxon Lepus europaeus meridei that offers a unique opportunity to observe how the parasite biocoenosis shapes in condition of isolation, limited space availability and high population density. The aim of this work is to describe the helminth component community of a non-managed, isolated, and dense hare population, evaluating host-parasite relationship and parasite community structure. All 26 analyzed hares (13 males and 13 females) were in good physical conditions, and all of them harboured exclusively the nematode Protostrongylus oryctolagi only. This is the first report of this lungworm species in Italy. The estimated overall abundance was 48.15 worms per examined hare (range 3-258, median 50) and the parasites were unevenly distributed across host population, with few hosts having most parasites (aggregated or overdispersed distribution). No significant relationship was detected between the number of isolated parasites and hare sex and weigh. The effect of the isolation of Pianosa's hare population seems to have acted reducing parasite richness, while the high host density is probably the cause of the high prevalence and abundance of the single helminth species collected. In conclusion, despite the low impact of parasites confirmed also by the overdispersed parasite distribution, the low diversity of the studied parasite community sounds a warning for the management of the hare population and the whole Pianosa's ecosystem

A YEAR AS AN ELEPHANT: MONITORING T'WO ZOO-HOUSED ASIAN ELEPHANTS ACROSS SEASONS

Animal welfare can vary over an individuars lifespan and can differ between individuals of the same group. Long-term data collection carried out integrating various welfare parameters play a key role in assessing the quality of life ofzoo-housed species. This project aimed to monitor the welfare status of the Asian elephants hosted at Pistoia Zoo across seasons through the analysis of ethological and physiological animal-based measures. The study involved two adult females of 47 and 46 years of age that were observed over a 6-month period from August 2015 to June 2016 using a within-subject randomised exrxrimental design. Behaviours were video-recorded, and data were collected via continuous focal animal sampling method. Six 5-min focal observation sessions per subject per day were conducted and on an average 102 hours of observation per individual were ohtained. Moreover 223 fresh faecal samples were collected to measure the concentration of faecal cortisol using the Radio Immuno Assay techniquc based on binding of3H-stcroid by competitive adsorption. Data were analysed using nonparametric and randomization tests and the Behavioural Competence Index. Results showed that the elephants dedicated more time to active behaviours and less time to locomotion and stereotypic swaying and pacing compared to previous studies performed on individuals hosted in Other European zoos. Differences in the expression Of locomotor, self-directed, feeding, stereotypic and rcsting behaviour betwcen subjects and across seasons were also found. The subjects showed a high level of behavioural competence even if they displayed stereotyped behaviours. The analysis of faecal samples pointed out that the cortisol concentration was stable across seasons and no significant difference was found between subjects

Sero-epidemiological investigation on Toxoplasma gondii infection in Apennine wolf (Canis lupus italicus) and wild boar (Sus scrofa) in Italy

Abstract Background The wild boar (Sus scrofa) and the Apennine wolf (Canis lupus italicus) are two wild species that have both increased their presence in the Italian territory, albeit in varying numbers. They can be occasionally found in peri-urban areas as well. Both of these species can serve as intermediate hosts for Toxoplasma gondii, as they can become infected either through the consumption of oocysts found in water, soil, or on vegetables, or through the ingestion of meat containing bradyzoites. Consequently, these animals can be regarded as key indicators of Toxoplasma presence in the wild or peri-urban environment. In our study, we examined a total of 174 wild boar meat juice and 128 wolf sera from Italy for the detection of T. gondii IgG using the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Results The results showed that 40 (22.6%) of the wild boar meat juice and 34 (26.6%) of the wolf serum samples tested positive. Interestingly, there were no significant differences in seropositivity with respect to gender, age group, or the region of origin in both species. Conclusions Overall the results indicate a moderate exposure in both the species under investigation, highlighting the spread of T. gondii in sylvatic and periurban environments. The prevalence of T. gondii in wild boar is consistent with findings from other studies conducted in Europe. Our study, with a considerably larger sample size compared to the available research in European context, provides valuable data on the seroprevalence of T. gondii in wolves

Molecular and Serological Detection of Bovine Coronaviruses in Marmots (Marmota marmota) in the Alpine Region

: In this study, virological surveillance focused on coronaviruses in marmots in the Alpine region in 2022, captured as part of a population control reduction program in the Livigno area. Seventy-six faecal samples were randomly collected from marmots at the time of capture and release and tested for genome detection of pan-coronavirus, pan-pestivirus, canine distemper virus, and influenza A and D virus. Nine faecal samples were positive in the Pan-CoV RT-PCR, while all were negative for the other viruses. Pan-coronavirus positives were further identified using Illumina's complete genome sequencing, which showed the highest homology with Bovine Coronavirus previously detected in roe deer in the Alps. Blood samples (n.35) were collected randomly from animals at release and tested for bovine coronavirus (BCoV) antibodies using competitive ELISA and VNT. Serological analyses revealed that 8/35 sera were positive for BCoV antibodies in both serological tests. This study provides molecular and serological evidence of the presence of BCoV in an alpine marmot population due to a likely spillover event. Marmots share areas and pastures with roe deer and other wild ruminants, and environmental transmission is a concrete possibility