Melanismo parcial como una variación fenotípica frecuente de Philodryas chamissonis (Squamata: Dipsadidae) (Wiegmann, 1835) en la Región de O’Higgins, Chile

Unusual differences in coloration and design patterns have been described in some snake species around the world. These descriptions usually consider morphological abnormalities observed in single individuals, but not in a subgroup of the species, and few studies have evaluated the distribution of snake species subgroups with similar coloration and design patterns. In this study, we describe in central Chile the distribution of a subgroup, non-geographically isolated, of the endemic snake Philodryas chamissonis, presenting a similar design pattern named partial melanism, phenotypic variation showing a greater expression in the O’Higgins region, without records at the north of Maipo River.Se han descrito diferencias inusuales en patrones de diseño y coloración en varias especies de serpientes en todo el mundo. Estas descripciones usualmente consideran las diferencias morfológicas observadas en individuos, pero no en un subgrupo de la especie. Pocos estudios han evaluado la distribución de subgrupos de especies de serpientes con patrones de diseño y coloración similares. En este estudio, describimos en Chile central, la distribución de un subgrupo, no aislado geográficamente, de la serpiente endémica Philodryas chamissonis, que presenta un patrón de diseño similar denominado melanismo parcial, una variación fenotípica que mayormente se expresa en la Región de O’Higgins, sin registros hacia el norte del Rio Maipo

Molecular identification of Bartonella spp. and Rickettsia felis in fox fleas, Chile

Seventy-five flea pools (one to ten fleas per pool) from 51 Andean foxes (Lycalopex culpaeus) and five South American grey foxes or chillas (Lycalopex griseus) from the Mediterranean region of Chile were analyzed for the presence of DNA of Bartonella spp. and Rickettsia spp. through quantitative real-time PCR for the nouG and gltA genes, respectively. Positive samples were further characterized by conventional PCR protocols, targeting gltA and ITS genes for Bartonella, and gltA, ompA, and ompB genes for Rickettsia. Bartonella was detected in 48 % of the Pulex irritans pools (B. rochalimae in three pools, B. berkhoffii in two pools, B. henselae in one pool), and 8 % of the Ctenocephalides felis felis pools (B. rochalimae, one pool). Rickettsia was confirmed in 11 % of P. irritans pools and 92 % of the Ct. felis pools. Characterization confirmed R. felis in all sequenced Rickettsia-positive pools. All Ct. canis pools were negative. A Ct. felis pool from a wild-found domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) also resulted positive for R. felis. Although opportunistic, this survey provides the first description of zoonotic pathogens naturally circulating in fleas parasitizing Chilean free-living carnivores

Large-scale survey for canine vector-borne parasites in free-ranging dogs and foxes from six diverse bioclimatic regions of Chile

Chile is a large country with a marked range of climate conditions that make it an ideal scenario for the study of vector-borne parasites (VBPs); however, knowledge about their distribution is limited to a few confined areas of this country. The presence of Hepatozoon spp., piroplasmids, Leishmania spp. and filarioids was investigated through molecular and serological methods in blood and serum samples of 764 free-ranging rural dogs, 154 Andean foxes (Lycalopex culpaeus), and 91 South American grey foxes (Lycalopex griseus) from six bioclimatic regions across Chile. Hepatozoon spp. DNA was exclusively detected in foxes (43% prevalence), including sequences closely related to Hepatozoon felis (24.1%; only Andean foxes), Hepatozoon americanum (16.2%; only grey foxes), and Hepatozoon canis (1.25%; in one grey fox). Risk factor assessment identified a higher probability of Hepatozoon infection in juvenile foxes. DNA of piroplasmids was detected in 0.7% of dogs (Babesia vogeli) but in no fox, whilst antibodies against Babesia sp. were detected in 24% of the dogs and 25% of the foxes, suggesting a wider circulation of canine piroplasmids than previously believed. A positive association between the presence of antibodies against Babesia and high Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato burden was observed in dogs. Leishmania spp. DNA and antibodies were detected in 0.8% and 4.4% of the dogs, respectively. Acanthocheilonema reconditum was the only blood nematode detected (1.5% of the dogs and no fox). Differences in prevalence among bioregions were observed for some of the VBPs. These results expand our knowledge about the occurrence of vector-borne parasites in Chile, some of which are firstly reported herein. This information will facilitate the diagnosis of vector-borne diseases in domestic dogs and improve the control measures for both domestic and wild canids

First confirmed report of Hawksbill Sea Turtle Eretmochelys imbricata in nearshore waters of Easter Island (Rapa Nui)

Indexación: Web of Science; Scielo.The hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata; Critically Endangered) has a circumtropical distribution. In Polynesia it inhabits the waters of a great number of islands; however, up to date there are no official records for Easter Island. We document the first report of E. imbricata in Easter Island and Chile based on underwater photographs and examination of one individual. The confirmation of the presence of hawksbills extends the known distribution range for the species, increases the number of sea turtle species recorded for Chile, and highlights the need for further research on potential threats to the species and the importance of Rapa Nui as developmental and foraging habitat for hawksbills.http://ref.scielo.org/y6gvr

First confirmed report of Hawksbill Sea Turtle Eretmochelys imbricata in nearshore waters of Easter Island (Rapa Nui)

The hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata; Critically Endangered) has a circumtropical distribution. In Polynesia it inhabits the waters of a great number of islands; however, up to date there are no official records for Easter Island. We document the first report of E. imbricata in Easter Island and Chile based on underwater photographs and examination of one individual. The confirmation of the presence of hawksbills extends the known distribution range for the species, increases the number of sea turtle species recorded for Chile, and highlights the need for further research on potential threats to the species and the importance of Rapa Nui as developmental and foraging habitat for hawksbills

Antimicrobial resistance genes in Andean foxes inhabiting anthropized landscapes in central Chile

6 Pág.Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is considered an emerging public health problem. Greater AMR development rate is associated with "antibiotic-using" environments. Wildlife thriving in anthropized landscapes could be good indicators of the burden of AMR and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in these areas. The aim of this study was to determine the presence and load of ARGs in fecal swabs of wild Andean foxes (Lycalopex culpaeus) from anthropized landscapes of central Chile. DNA was extracted from samples of 72 foxes; 22 ARGs encoding resistance against 8 antibiotic groups were evaluated using qPCR. Eighteen of the 22 ARGs were found and tet(Q) (65.3%; 15/72 of the samples) was the most common gene detected. Almost half of the foxes presented a 'multiresistant microbiome' (i.e. at least three ARG encoding resistance to different groups of antimicrobials). Prevalence of tet(Q) was higher in the cold-humid season than in the warm-dry season, but not for other genes. Up to 15 and 13 ARGs were detected in the fecal samples from two additional foxes that were kept 6 and 11 days, respectively, in a clinical environment (Wildlife Rescue Center) and received antibiotic treatment. Some of the ARGs detected (e.g. mecA and blaCTX-M) in the present study are of particular concern from the public health perspective. Wild foxes seem to be good sentinels for ARG environmental burden in highly anthropized environments of central Chile.This study was funded by FONDECYT 1161593 and “Fondo para la iniciación a la investigación UNAB”. This study was approved by the authorities in bioethics from the Universidad Andres Bello under authorization 08/2016. Capture permits were granted by the Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero (Resolutions n°: 1878-2016, 4469-2016, 3379-2017, 3380-2017, 8153-2017, 2655/2018, 4454/2018).Peer reviewe

Salmonella in Raptors and Aquatic Wild Birds in Chile

Salmonella enterica is one of the main causes of gastrointestinal disease worldwide. Wild birds are capable of harboring a variety of Salmonella serovars, which could have an important role in the epidemiology of salmonellosis in humans and production animals. We tested 519 fecal samples from raptors and aquatic birds from different regions of central (three rehabilitation centers for wildlife and the coastal area) and southern areas of Chile for Salmonella. All samples were obtained in 2015 and 2017, covering all four seasons. Salmonella was isolated from 12 of the 519 samples (2%) analyzed, from two carnivorous birds, four birds with generalist habits, and six waterfowl. Among the isolates obtained, one showed resistance to gentamicin, and one showed a multidrug-resistance phenotype, with resistance to ampicillin, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, gentamicin, kanamycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and tetracycline. These results demonstrated the importance of characterizing Salmonella in wild birds because previous studies have shown genetic and phenotypic evidence suggesting interspecies transmission of Salmonella enterica that is resistant to antimicrobials between humans and wild and domestic birds.Comision Nacional de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica (CONICYT) CONICYT FONDECYT 11140108 Millennium Science Initiative of the Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism, Government of Chile UNAB Initiatio

Molecular identification of Bartonella spp. and Rickettsia felis in fox fleas, Chile

Seventy-five flea pools (one to ten fleas per pool) from 51 Andean foxes (Lycalopex culpaeus) and five South American grey foxes or chillas (Lycalopex griseus) from the Mediterranean region of Chile were analyzed for the presence of DNA of Bartonella spp. and Rickettsia spp. through quantitative real-time PCR for the nouG and gltA genes, respectively. Positive samples were further characterized by conventional PCR protocols, targeting gltA and ITS genes for Bartonella, and gltA, ompA, and ompB genes for Rickettsia. Bartonella was detected in 48 % of the Pulex irritans pools (B. rochalimae in three pools, B. berkhoffii in two pools, B. henselae in one pool), and 8 % of the Ctenocephalides felis felis pools (B. rochalimae, one pool). Rickettsia was confirmed in 11 % of P. irritans pools and 92 % of the Ct. felis pools. Characterization confirmed R. felis in all sequenced Rickettsia-positive pools. All Ct. canis pools were negative. A Ct. felis pool from a wild-found domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) also resulted positive for R. felis. Although opportunistic, this survey provides the first description of zoonotic pathogens naturally circulating in fleas parasitizing Chilean free-living carnivores.Fil: Millán, Javier Maximiliano. Universidad Andrés Bello; Chile. Universidad de Zaragoza; EspañaFil: Sepúlveda García, Paulina. Universidad Austral de Chile; ChileFil: Di Cataldo, María Sophia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Canales, Nivia. Universidad Austral de Chile; ChileFil: Sallaberry Pincheira, Nicole. Universidad Andrés Bello; ChileFil: Painean, Javier. Universidad Austral de Chile; ChileFil: Cevidanes, Aitor. Centro de Investigación. Neiker - Tecnalia; EspañaFil: Müller, Ananda. Universidad Austral de Chile; Chil

Survey of Zoonotic Bacterial Pathogens in Native Foxes in Central Chile: First Record of Brucella canis Exposure

Brucella abortus, B. canis, and pathogenic Leptospira are zoonotic pathogens that infect humans, as well as domestic and wild animals. In wild canids, they may affect their fertility and reproduction, threatening their conservation. Wild canids play a crucial role in the environment as meso- and top-predators and environmental sentinels for zoonotic pathogens. In Chile, three species of wild canids are present, and due to changes in land use and environmental dynamics, it is of utmost relevance to determine the role of these species in the epidemiology of brucellosis and leptospirosis. This study aimed to detect the exposure to B. abortus, B. canis, and pathogenic Leptospira by serologic, bacteriologic, and molecular techniques in native foxes from rehabilitation and exhibition centers in Central Chile. Forty-six blood samples were obtained from Lycalopex culpaeus and L. griseus, detecting 10.9% of seropositivity to B. canis and 7.7% to L. Javanica. No seropositivity was seen for B. abortus. Exposure was not registered by culture and qPCR in any of the sampled animals. Our findings are the first register of exposure to any Brucella species in wild canids in Chile and highlight the need to establish surveillance programs of these emerging pathogens