Exposure to selected pathogens in Geoffroy's cats and domestic carnivores from central Argentina

Wild carnivores share a high percentage of parasites and viruses with closely related domestic carnivores. Because of increased overlap and potential contact with domestic species, we conducted a retrospective serosurvey for 11 common carnivore pathogens in 40 Geoffroy's cats (Leopardus geoffroyi) sampled between 2000 and 2008 within or near two protected areas in central Argentina (Lihué Calel National Park, La Pampa, and Campos del Tuyú National Park, Buenos Aires), as well as five domestic cats and 11 domestic dogs from cattle ranches adjacent to Lihué Calel Park. Geoffroy's cats had detectable antibody to canine distemper virus (CDV), feline calicivirus (FCV), feline coronavirus, feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), Toxoplasma gondii, Leptospira interrogans (serovars Ictero/Icter and Ballum), and Dirofilaria immitis. None of the wild cats had antibodies to feline herpesvirus, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline leukemia virus, or rabies virus. Domestic dogs had antibodies to CDV, canine adenovirus, canine herpesvirus, and canine parvovirus. Antibodies to FPV, FCV, FIV, and T. gondii were found in domestic cats.We provide the first data on exposure of free-ranging Geoffroy's cats to pathogens at two sites within the core area of the species distribution range, including the first report of antibodies to CDV in this species. We encourage continued monitoring for diseases in wild and domestic carnivores as well as preventive health care for domestic animals, particularly in park buffer zones where overlap is greatest.Fil: Uhart, Marcela María. ildlife Conservation Society; ArgentinaFil: Rago, María Virginia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Marull, Carolina A.. ildlife Conservation Society; ArgentinaFil: Ferreyra, Hebe del Valle. ildlife Conservation Society; ArgentinaFil: Pereira, Javier Adolfo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”; Argentin

Canine distemper infection in crab-eating fox (cerdocyon thous) from Argentina

Canine distemper virus (CDV) has been reported worldwide in wild carnivores and has been cited as the cause of population declines in some species. Crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thons) from El Palmar National Park, Argentina, were observed either dead or exhibiting clinical neurologic signs. Samples were taken from two individuals thatwere later found to bepositive for CDV by direct immunofluorescence in brain tissue. Based on molecular studies, the CDV strain had a high percentage of identity compared to CDV strains affecting dogs in Argentina. This is the first report of CDV infection in wild carnivores in Argentina.Fil: Ferreyra, Hebe. Wildlife Conservation Society; ArgentinaFil: Gallo Calderon, Marina Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología "Dr. César Milstein". Fundación Pablo Cassará. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología "Dr. César Milstein"; ArgentinaFil: Marticorena, Damián. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Marull, Carolina. Wildlife Conservation Society; ArgentinaFil: Leonardo, Barrios Caro. Parque Nacional El Palmar; Argentin

Isolation and characterization of an H9N2 influenza virus isolated in Argentina

As part of our ongoing efforts on animal influenza surveillance in Argentina, an H9N2 virus was isolated from a wild aquatic bird (Netta peposaca), A/rosy-billed pochard/Argentina/CIP051-559/2007 (H9N2) - herein referred to as 559/H9N2. Due to the important role that H9N2 viruses play in the ecology of influenza in nature, the 559/H9N2 isolate was characterized molecularly and biologically. Phylogenetic analysis of the HA gene revealed that the 559/H9N2 virus maintained an independent evolutionary pathway and shared a sister-group relationship with North American viruses, suggesting a common ancestor. The rest of the genome segments clustered with viruses from South America. Experimental inoculation of the 559/H9N2 in chickens and quail revealed efficient replication and transmission only in quail. Our results add to the notion of the unique evolutionary trend of avian influenza viruses in South America. Our study increases our understanding of H9N2 viruses in nature and emphasizes the importance of expanding animal influenza surveillance efforts to better define the ecology of influenza viruses at a global scale.Fil: Xu, Kemin. University of Maryland; Estados UnidosFil: Ferreri, Lucas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Virología; ArgentinaFil: Rimondi, Agustina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Virología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Olivera, Valeria. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Virología; ArgentinaFil: Romano, Marcelo. Wildlife Conservation Society; ArgentinaFil: Ferreyra, Hebe. Wildlife Conservation Society; ArgentinaFil: Rago, María Virginia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Uhart, Marcela María. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Chen, Hongjun. University of Maryland; Estados UnidosFil: Sutton, Troy. University of Maryland; Estados UnidosFil: Pereda, Ariel Julián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Virología; ArgentinaFil: Perez, Daniel R.. University of Maryland; Estados Unido

Lead ammunition and pollution: an old problem worldwide recognized, neglected in Argentina

La intoxicación de aves acuáticas por ingestión de municiones de plomo es un problema reconocido mundialmente, pero desatendido en Argentina. Existe sobrada información sobre los riesgos de contaminación con este metal pesado, particularmente en humedales, y su impacto negativo sobre la salud de las aves silvestres, el ambiente y el hombre. Para remediar esta situación, en muchos países se sustituyó el plomo por materiales no tóxicos en las municiones usadas en la caza deportiva, acciones que con el tiempo fueron comprobadamente efectivas. Si bien el conocimiento global acumulado sobre la contaminación ambiental con plomo data del siglo XIX, esta problemática no había sido evaluada en Argentina pese a la existencia de humedales de relevancia en cuanto a su biodiversidad y en los cuales las prácticas cinegéticas con municiones de plomo son intensas. Recientemente Argentina se sumó a la larga lista de países que han reportado este problema, repitiendo un escenario conocido en otros lugares del mundo. Ahora los esfuerzos deberán enfocarse también a repetir las soluciones.Poisoning of waterbirds due to the ingestion of lead pellets is a problem recognized worldwide, but currently neglected in Argentina. Abundant information is available on the pollution risks associated to this heavy metal, particularly in wetland ecosystems. Lead pollution has been linked to detrimental effects on the health of wild birds, the environment, and public health. To address these issues, many countries have substituted lead by non-toxic materials for sports hunting ammunition, initiatives which were proven effective over time. Even though knowledge on lead pollution has been building up worldwide since the XIX century, these risks had not been considered in Argentina, in spite of vast and highly-diverse wetlands being used for hunting with lead ammunition. Argentina recently joined the long list of countries reporting the existence of this problem, repeating a well-known worldwide paradigm. Now efforts should be focused on reproducing the worldwide measures applied to mitigate its impact

Genotoxicity analysis of particle formed material collected in two coties in the province of Córdoba, Argentina, by means of a micronulei assay

En los ambientes urbanos, las partículas en suspensión y el material adsorbido a ellas constituyen uno de los contaminantes atmosféricos más importantes debido a que contienen compuestos con conocida actividad genotóxica, mutagénica o carcinogénica. Con el objetivo de evaluar la genotoxicidad de extractos orgánicos e inorgánicos de material particulado recolectado en dos ciudades de la provincia de Córdoba, Argentina, (Córdoba y Río Ceballos), se empleó el ensayo de micronúcleos en Tradescantia pallida. Las muestras fueron obtenidas mediante un equipo colector de gran volumen y luego fueron extraídas con agua y dimetilsulfóxido para separar las fracciones acuosa y orgánica, respectivamente. Los resultados mostraron que la concentración de material particulado recolectado en Córdoba fue significativamente mayor a la de Río Ceballos, debido probablemente a diferencias en la intensidad de tránsito vehicular en ambas ciudades. Además se observó que el dimetilsulfóxido tuvo un efecto significativo en la formación de micronúcleos, lo cual podría enmascarar los resultados del ensayo para la fracción orgánica. Para la fracción acuosa, ambos sitios de muestreo mostraron un efecto significativo en su capacidad genotóxica con respecto a la formación de micronúcleos espontánea.In urban environments, suspended particles and the material absorbed by them are one of the most impor-tant atmospheric pollutants due to the fact that they are formed by compounds with high genotoxic, mutagenic or carcinogenic activity. In order to assess the genotoxicity of organic as well as inorganic extracts ofparticle formed material collected in two cities of the province of Córdoba, Argentina, (Córdoba and RíoCeballos) the micronucleous assay was used in Tradescantia pallida. Samples were obtained using a highvolume collecting equipment and were then extracted with water and dimethilsulphoxide to separate aqueous and organic fractions, respectively. Results showed that the concentration of particle formed materialcollected in Córdoba was significantly higher than in Río Ceballos, probably due to differences in the inten-sity of vehicle traffic in both cities. It was also observed that the dimethilsulphoxide had a significant effecton the formation of micronuclei, which could mask the results of the assay for the organic fraction. In theaqueous fraction, the frequency of micronuclei in both sampling sites was significantly higher, in their genotoxiccapacity concerning the spontaneous formation of micronuclei.Fil: García Ferreyra, María Fernanda. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Cátedra de Química General; ArgentinaFil: Carreras, Hebe Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentin

Satellite-based view of the aerosol spatial and temporal variability in the Córdoba region (Argentina) using over ten years of high-resolution data

Space-based observations offer a unique opportunity to investigate the atmosphere and its changes over decadal time scales, particularly in regions lacking in situ and/or ground based observations. In this study, we investigate temporal and spatial variability of atmospheric particulate matter (aerosol) over the urban area of Córdoba (central Argentina) using over ten years (2003–2015) of high-resolution (1 km) satellite-based retrievals of aerosol optical depth (AOD). This fine resolution is achieved exploiting the capabilities of a recently developed inversion algorithm (Multiangle implementation of atmospheric correction, MAIAC) applied to the MODIS sensor datasets of the NASA-Terra and -Aqua platforms. Results of this investigation show a clear seasonality of AOD over the investigated area. This is found to be shaped by an intricate superposition of aerosol sources, acting over different spatial scales and affecting the region with different yearly cycles. During late winter and spring (August-October), local as well as near- and long-range transported biomass burning (BB) aerosols enhance the Córdoba aerosol load, and AOD levels reach their maximum values (>0.35 at 0.47 µm). The fine AOD spatial resolution allowed to disclose that, in this period, AOD maxima are found in the rural/agricultural area around the city, reaching up to the city boundaries pinpointing that fires of local and near-range origin play a major role in the AOD enhancement. A reverse spatial AOD gradient is found from December to March, the urban area showing AODs 40–80% higher than in the city surroundings. In fact, during summer, the columnar aerosol load over the Córdoba region is dominated by local (urban and industrial) sources, likely coupled to secondary processes driven by enhanced radiation and mixing effects within a deeper planetary boundary layer (PBL). With the support of modelled AOD data from the Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Application (MERRA), we further investigated into the chemical nature of AOD. The results suggest that mineral dust is also an important aerosol component in Córdoba, with maximum impact from November to February. The use of a long-term dataset finally allowed a preliminary assessment of AOD trends over the Córdoba region. For those months in which local sources and secondary processes were found to dominate the AOD (December to March), we found a positive AOD trend in the Córdoba outskirts, mainly in the areas with maximum urbanization/population growth over the investigated decade. Conversely, a negative AOD trend (up to −0.1 per decade) is observed all over the rural area of Córdoba during the BB season, this being attributed to a decrease of fires both at the local and the continental scale.Fil: Della Ceca, Lara Sofia. Comision Nacional de Actividades Espaciales. Instituto de Altos Estudios Espaciales "Mario Gulich"; Argentina. Comision Nacional de Actividades Espaciales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Física de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Instituto de Física de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: García Ferreyra, María Fernanda. Comision Nacional de Actividades Espaciales. Instituto de Altos Estudios Espaciales "Mario Gulich"; Argentina. Comision Nacional de Actividades Espaciales; ArgentinaFil: Lyapustin, Alexei. National Aeronautics and Space Administration; Estados UnidosFil: Chudnovsky, Alexandra. Tel-Aviv University; IsraelFil: Otero, Lidia Ana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas para la Defensa. Centro de Investigación en Láseres y Aplicaciones; Argentina. Universidad de la Defensa Nacional; ArgentinaFil: Carreras, Hebe Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Barnaba, Francesca. Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche; Itali

Lead gunshot pellet ingestion and tissue lead levels in wild ducks from Argentine hunting hotspots

Lead poisoning in waterfowl due to ingestion of lead pellets is a long recognized worldwide problem but poorly studied in South America, particularly in Argentinean wetlands where duck hunting with lead gunshot is extensive. In 2008, we found high pellet ingestion rates in a small sample of hunted ducks. To expand our knowledge on the extent of lead exposure and to assess health risks from spent shot intake, during 2011 and 2012 we sampled 415 hunter-killed ducks and 96 live-trapped ducks. We determined the incidence of lead shot ingestion and lead concentrations in bone, liver and blood in five duck species: whistling duck (Dendrocygna bicolor), white-faced tree duck (D. viduata), black-bellied whistling-duck (D. autumnalis), rosy-billed pochard (Netta peposaca) and Brazilian duck (Amazonetta brasiliensis). The ingestion of lead shot was confirmed in 10.4% of the ducks examined (43/415), with a prevalence that varied by site and year, from 7.6% to 50%. All bone samples (n=382) and over 60% of liver samples (249/412) contained lead concentrations above the detection limit. The geometric mean lead concentration in tissues (mg/kg dry weight) was 0.31 (GSD=3.93) and 3.61 (GSD=4.02) for liver and bone, respectively, and 0.20 (GSD=2.55) in blood (mg/kg wet weight). Lead levels surpassed toxicity thresholds at which clinical poisoning is expected in 3.15% of liver samples, 23.8% of bones and 28% of blood samples. Ducks with ingested lead pellets were much more likely to have high levels of lead in their liver. Rosy-billed pochards were consistently more prone to ingesting lead shot than other duck species sampled. However, whistling ducks showed higher levels of lead in liver and bone. Our results suggest that lead from ammunition could become a substantial threat for the conservation of wild duck populations in Argentina. The replacement of lead by non-toxic shot would be a reasonable and effective solution to this problem.Fil: Ferreyra, Hebe. Wildlife Conservation Society; Estados UnidosFil: Romano, Marcelo. Centro de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Ambiente; ArgentinaFil: Beldomenico, Pablo Martín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias. Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Caselli, Andrea. Wildlife Conservation Society; Estados Unidos. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Correa, Ana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias. Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Uhart, Marcela Maria. Wildlife Conservation Society; Estados Unidos. University of California; Estados Unido

Impact of yellow fever outbreaks on two howler monkey species (Alouatta guariba clamitans and A. caraya) in Misiones, Argentina

Two yellow fever outbreaks (YFOs) ocurred in northeastern Argentina between November 2007 and October 2008, seriously affecting populations of two howler monkey species: the brown howler Alouatta guariba clamitans and the black howler Alouatta caraya. Both howlers live syntopically in El Piñalito Provincial Park, Misiones, where four groups (36 individuals) were studied since January 2005. The first dead howlers were found on January 20, 2008, in El Piñalito. Systematic searches found 14 dead howlers within the area (12 from the study groups and two from neighboring groups), with only two young seen on January 25, 2008, and none found since up to December 2008. In October 2008, another YFO hit howler monkey populations from El Soberbio, Misiones. Overall, 59 howlers were found dead in Misiones from November 2007 to December 2008. Thanks to the alert of the howler's death in El Piñalito, a prompt human vaccination campaign started in the area. Wild howler monkey populations from both species are in a delicate situation in Misiones, especially the brown howler, an already endangered species in Argentina and endemic to the Atlantic Forest. If we add the recurrence of YFOs to the reduction of suitable habitat to small fragments, it could be only a matter of time until howler populations disappear from the Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest in Misiones.Fil: Holzmann, Ingrid. Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlantico, Puerto Iguazu; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas; ArgentinaFil: Agostini, Ilaria. Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlantico, Puerto Iguazu; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas; Argentina. Istituto Di Scienze E Tecnologie Della Cognizione, Rome;Fil: Areta, Juan Ignacio. Grupo Falco; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Ferreyra, Hebe. Wildlife Conservation Society; ArgentinaFil: Beldomenico, Pablo Martín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; Argentina. Wildlife Conservation Society; ArgentinaFil: Di Bitetti, Mario Santiago. Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlantico, Puerto Iguazu; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin