12 research outputs found

    CARACTERISATION PERCEPTIVE DES VARIETES HYBRIDES CHINOISES DU MAÏS : LA SÉLECTIVITÉ SENSORIELLE EST-ELLE DÉTERMINANTE AU BÉNIN ?

    Get PDF
    Agricultural researches usually advocate high yielding competitive crop varieties in order to supply foodstuff to the increasing population. However, this is not to care for the social dimension of adoption in the technology transfer process. That is why the present paper acknowledges actors like producers, food processors, marketers and others, whose perception with respect to growing, harvesting and processing stages of maize, to be included in the perceptive evaluation of Chinese hybrid varieties at the research centers. Four new varieties of maize are promoted: T2 (Guidan 162), T3 (Jinguyuan 688), T4 (Jinyu No.8) and T5 (Xianyu 335). Actors compare new Chinese varieties of maize to their traditional ones. On the basis of a comparative appraisal index (CAI), ie. a new variety is likely to be adopted if the differences of score between its descriptors and those of the traditional variety are greater than zero. In terms of results, T2 and T4 are the most likely to be adopted in the South and the Center. In the North, on the contrary, T5 is substituted to T4. Because of a low performance on various descriptors, T3 is unlikely to be adopted. While in the south and the center of Benin, sensorial descriptors remain decisive in the adoption profile, agromorphological and harvest stage descriptors are more likely to affect adoption in the North. Based on the increasing economic importance of maize, actors’ perception in the North significantly matters in the process of adoption of new varieties

    CARACTERISATION PERCEPTIVE DES VARIETES HYBRIDES CHINOISES DU MAÏS : LA SÉLECTIVITÉ SENSORIELLE EST-ELLE DÉTERMINANTE AU BÉNIN ?

    Get PDF
    Agricultural researches usually advocate high yielding competitive crop varieties in order to supply foodstuff to the increasing population. However, this is not to care for the social dimension of adoption in the technology transfer process. That is why the present paper acknowledges actors like producers, food processors, marketers and others, whose perception with respect to growing, harvesting and processing stages of maize, to be included in the perceptive evaluation of Chinese hybrid varieties at the research centers. Four new varieties of maize are promoted: T2 (Guidan 162), T3 (Jinguyuan 688), T4 (Jinyu No.8) and T5 (Xianyu 335). Actors compare new Chinese varieties of maize to their traditional ones. On the basis of a comparative appraisal index (CAI), ie. a new variety is likely to be adopted if the differences of score between its descriptors and those of the traditional variety are greater than zero. In terms of results, T2 and T4 are the most likely to be adopted in the South and the Center. In the North, on the contrary, T5 is substituted to T4. Because of a low performance on various descriptors, T3 is unlikely to be adopted. While in the south and the center of Benin, sensorial descriptors remain decisive in the adoption profile, agromorphological and harvest stage descriptors are more likely to affect adoption in the North. Based on the increasing economic importance of maize, actors’ perception in the North significantly matters in the process of adoption of new varieties

    Molecular prevalence, genetic characterization and patterns of Toxoplasma gondii infection in domestic small mammals from Cotonou, Benin

    Get PDF
    Toxoplasmosis, one of the most prevalent parasitic infections in humans and animals, is caused by the intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Small mammals play a key role as intermediate reservoir hosts in the maintenance of the T. gondii life cycle. In this study, we estimated the molecular prevalence and provide genetic diversity data for T. gondii in 632 small mammals sampled in four areas of Cotonou city, Benin. Both the brain and heart of each individual were screened through T. gondii-targeting qPCR, and positive samples were then genotyped using a set of 15 T. gondii-specific microsatellites. Prevalence data were statistically analyzed in order to assess the relative impact of individual host characteristics, spatial distribution, composition of small mammal community, and urban landscape features. An overall T. gondii molecular prevalence of 15.2% was found and seven genotypes, all belonging to the Africa 1 lineage, could be retrieved from the invasive black rat Rattus rattus and the native African giant shrew Crocidura olivieri. Statistical analyses did not suggest any significant influence of the environmental parameters used in this study. Rather, depending on the local context, T. gondii prevalence appeared to be associated either with black rat, shrew, or mouse abundance or with the trapping period. Overall, our results highlight the intricate relationships between biotic and abiotic factors involved in T. gondii epidemiology and suggest that R. rattus and C. olivieri are two competent reservoirs for the Africa 1 lineage, a widespread lineage in tropical Africa and the predominant lineage in Benin

    The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

    Get PDF
    INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

    Biological invasions in international seaports: a case study of exotic rodents in Cotonou

    No full text
    All datasets used for this study are entirely deposited in the Small Mammal Collection at the IRD/CBGP (https://doi.org/10.15454/WWNUPO) as well as at URIB/LARBA/EPAC. The datasets are available upon request.International audienceBlack rat (Rattus rattus), brown rat (Rattus norvegicus), and house mouse (Mus musculus) are known to be among the most common anthropophilic rodent species in cities worldwide. These species are responsible for the destruction of domestic and industrial materials, considerable damage to food stocks as well as zoonotic pathogens circulation and transmission to humans and animals. These invasive species have disseminated in all continents following human-mediated exchanges, especially maritime transports. In particular, seaports appear as privileged rats and mice's entry points into new regions, thus making them international regulations' priorities for rodent surveillance and management. Yet, studies on seaport rodents are rare; in particular, investigations on their genetic structure are almost inexistent, thus precluding science-guided interventions. In order to fill such a gap, our study focused on the population genetics of R. rattus, R. norvegicus and M. musculus in the Autonomous Port of Cotonou, Benin. Nine different sites were surveyed for three years. In total, 366 R. rattus, 188 R. norvegicus and 244 M. musculus were genotyped using 18 microsatellites, 16 microsatellites and 17 microsatellites, respectively. Our results show very well-structured genetic clusters in all three species as well as limited impacts of rodent control campaigns. Using comparisons with genotypes from other European, Asian and African countries, we suggest for the first time that settlement of newly introduced individuals may be a rare event. Implications in terms of management units and control and monitoring are discussed

    PrĂ©valence molĂ©culaire, caractĂ©risation gĂ©nĂ©tique et schĂ©mas d’infection par Toxoplasma gondii chez les petits mammifĂšres domestiques de Cotonou, BĂ©nin

    No full text
    This study is part of a long-term partnership between Cotonou Autonomous Seaport, the Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, the French Institute of Research for Sustainable Development, and the Tropical Neurology Institute (Inserm U1094, IRD U270 EpiMaCT, University of Limoges). We are grateful to Ladji, Agla and Saint-Jean authorities as well as inhabitants who kindly authorized us to access their households for trapping and interview purposes. We thank the Autonomous Port of Cotonou authorities and staff who facilitated our access to their infrastructures. We also thank the CBGP Small Mammal Collection (Centre de Biologie pour la Gestion des Populations, 2018, “CBGP – Small mammal Collection”, https://doi.org/10.15454/WWNUPO) for the conservation of samples from Benin.International audienceToxoplasmosis, one of the most prevalent parasitic infections in humans and animals, is caused by the intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Small mammals play a key role as intermediate reservoir hosts in the maintenance of the T. gondii life cycle. In this study, we estimated the molecular prevalence and provide genetic diversity data for T. gondii in 632 small mammals sampled in four areas of Cotonou city, Benin. Both the brain and heart of each individual were screened through T. gondii-targeting qPCR, and positive samples were then genotyped using a set of 15 T. gondii-specific microsatellites. Prevalence data were statistically analyzed in order to assess the relative impact of individual host characteristics, spatial distribution, composition of small mammal community, and urban landscape features. An overall T. gondii molecular prevalence of 15.2% was found and seven genotypes, all belonging to the Africa 1 lineage, could be retrieved from the invasive black rat Rattus rattus and the native African giant shrew Crocidura olivieri. Statistical analyses did not suggest any significant influence of the environmental parameters used in this study. Rather, depending on the local context, T. gondii prevalence appeared to be associated either with black rat, shrew, or mouse abundance or with the trapping period. Overall, our results highlight the intricate relationships between biotic and abiotic factors involved in T. gondii epidemiology and suggest that R. rattus and C. olivieri are two competent reservoirs for the Africa 1 lineage, a widespread lineage in tropical Africa and the predominant lineage in Benin.La toxoplasmose, l’une des infections parasitaires les plus rĂ©pandues chez l’homme et les animaux, est causĂ©e par le parasite protozoaire intracellulaire Toxoplasma gondii. Les petits mammifĂšres jouent un rĂŽle clĂ© en tant qu’hĂŽtes rĂ©servoirs intermĂ©diaires dans le maintien du cycle de vie de T. gondii. Dans cette Ă©tude, nous estimons sa prĂ©valence molĂ©culaire et fournissons des donnĂ©es sur sa diversitĂ© gĂ©nĂ©tique chez 632 petits mammifĂšres Ă©chantillonnĂ©s dans quatre localitĂ©s de la ville de Cotonou. Le cerveau et le cƓur de chaque individu ont Ă©tĂ© analysĂ©s par qPCR ciblant T. gondii, et les Ă©chantillons positifs ont ensuite Ă©tĂ© gĂ©notypĂ©s Ă  l’aide d’un ensemble de 15 microsatellites spĂ©cifiques Ă  T. gondii. Les donnĂ©es de prĂ©valence ont Ă©tĂ© analysĂ©es statistiquement afin d’évaluer l’impact relatif des caractĂ©ristiques individuelles de l’hĂŽte, de la distribution spatiale, de la composition de la communautĂ© des petits mammifĂšres ainsi que des caractĂ©ristiques du paysage urbain. Une prĂ©valence molĂ©culaire globale de T. gondii de 15,2 % a Ă©tĂ© estimĂ©e et sept gĂ©notypes, tous appartenant Ă  la lignĂ©e Africa 1, ont pu ĂȘtre extraits du rat noir Rattus rattus, espĂšce envahissante, et de la musaraigne Crocidura olivieri, espĂšce indigĂšne. Les analyses statistiques n’ont pas suggĂ©rĂ© d’influence significative des paramĂštres environnementaux utilisĂ©s dans cette Ă©tude. Au contraire, selon le contexte local, la prĂ©valence de T. gondii semble ĂȘtre associĂ©e Ă  l’abondance de rats noirs, de musaraignes ou de souris ainsi qu’à la pĂ©riode de piĂ©geage. Dans l’ensemble, nos rĂ©sultats mettent en Ă©vidence les relations complexes entre les facteurs biotiques et abiotiques impliquĂ©s dans l’épidĂ©miologie de T. gondii et suggĂšrent que R. rattus et C. olivieri sont deux rĂ©servoirs compĂ©tents pour la lignĂ©e Africa 1, une lignĂ©e rĂ©pandue en Afrique tropicale et prĂ©dominante au BĂ©nin

    PrĂ©valence molĂ©culaire, caractĂ©risation gĂ©nĂ©tique et schĂ©mas d’infection par Toxoplasma gondii chez les petits mammifĂšres domestiques de Cotonou, BĂ©nin

    No full text
    This study is part of a long-term partnership between Cotonou Autonomous Seaport, the Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, the French Institute of Research for Sustainable Development, and the Tropical Neurology Institute (Inserm U1094, IRD U270 EpiMaCT, University of Limoges). We are grateful to Ladji, Agla and Saint-Jean authorities as well as inhabitants who kindly authorized us to access their households for trapping and interview purposes. We thank the Autonomous Port of Cotonou authorities and staff who facilitated our access to their infrastructures. We also thank the CBGP Small Mammal Collection (Centre de Biologie pour la Gestion des Populations, 2018, “CBGP – Small mammal Collection”, https://doi.org/10.15454/WWNUPO) for the conservation of samples from Benin.International audienceToxoplasmosis, one of the most prevalent parasitic infections in humans and animals, is caused by the intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Small mammals play a key role as intermediate reservoir hosts in the maintenance of the T. gondii life cycle. In this study, we estimated the molecular prevalence and provide genetic diversity data for T. gondii in 632 small mammals sampled in four areas of Cotonou city, Benin. Both the brain and heart of each individual were screened through T. gondii-targeting qPCR, and positive samples were then genotyped using a set of 15 T. gondii-specific microsatellites. Prevalence data were statistically analyzed in order to assess the relative impact of individual host characteristics, spatial distribution, composition of small mammal community, and urban landscape features. An overall T. gondii molecular prevalence of 15.2% was found and seven genotypes, all belonging to the Africa 1 lineage, could be retrieved from the invasive black rat Rattus rattus and the native African giant shrew Crocidura olivieri. Statistical analyses did not suggest any significant influence of the environmental parameters used in this study. Rather, depending on the local context, T. gondii prevalence appeared to be associated either with black rat, shrew, or mouse abundance or with the trapping period. Overall, our results highlight the intricate relationships between biotic and abiotic factors involved in T. gondii epidemiology and suggest that R. rattus and C. olivieri are two competent reservoirs for the Africa 1 lineage, a widespread lineage in tropical Africa and the predominant lineage in Benin.La toxoplasmose, l’une des infections parasitaires les plus rĂ©pandues chez l’homme et les animaux, est causĂ©e par le parasite protozoaire intracellulaire Toxoplasma gondii. Les petits mammifĂšres jouent un rĂŽle clĂ© en tant qu’hĂŽtes rĂ©servoirs intermĂ©diaires dans le maintien du cycle de vie de T. gondii. Dans cette Ă©tude, nous estimons sa prĂ©valence molĂ©culaire et fournissons des donnĂ©es sur sa diversitĂ© gĂ©nĂ©tique chez 632 petits mammifĂšres Ă©chantillonnĂ©s dans quatre localitĂ©s de la ville de Cotonou. Le cerveau et le cƓur de chaque individu ont Ă©tĂ© analysĂ©s par qPCR ciblant T. gondii, et les Ă©chantillons positifs ont ensuite Ă©tĂ© gĂ©notypĂ©s Ă  l’aide d’un ensemble de 15 microsatellites spĂ©cifiques Ă  T. gondii. Les donnĂ©es de prĂ©valence ont Ă©tĂ© analysĂ©es statistiquement afin d’évaluer l’impact relatif des caractĂ©ristiques individuelles de l’hĂŽte, de la distribution spatiale, de la composition de la communautĂ© des petits mammifĂšres ainsi que des caractĂ©ristiques du paysage urbain. Une prĂ©valence molĂ©culaire globale de T. gondii de 15,2 % a Ă©tĂ© estimĂ©e et sept gĂ©notypes, tous appartenant Ă  la lignĂ©e Africa 1, ont pu ĂȘtre extraits du rat noir Rattus rattus, espĂšce envahissante, et de la musaraigne Crocidura olivieri, espĂšce indigĂšne. Les analyses statistiques n’ont pas suggĂ©rĂ© d’influence significative des paramĂštres environnementaux utilisĂ©s dans cette Ă©tude. Au contraire, selon le contexte local, la prĂ©valence de T. gondii semble ĂȘtre associĂ©e Ă  l’abondance de rats noirs, de musaraignes ou de souris ainsi qu’à la pĂ©riode de piĂ©geage. Dans l’ensemble, nos rĂ©sultats mettent en Ă©vidence les relations complexes entre les facteurs biotiques et abiotiques impliquĂ©s dans l’épidĂ©miologie de T. gondii et suggĂšrent que R. rattus et C. olivieri sont deux rĂ©servoirs compĂ©tents pour la lignĂ©e Africa 1, une lignĂ©e rĂ©pandue en Afrique tropicale et prĂ©dominante au BĂ©nin

    PrĂ©valence molĂ©culaire, caractĂ©risation gĂ©nĂ©tique et schĂ©mas d’infection par Toxoplasma gondii chez les petits mammifĂšres domestiques de Cotonou, BĂ©nin

    No full text
    This study is part of a long-term partnership between Cotonou Autonomous Seaport, the Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, the French Institute of Research for Sustainable Development, and the Tropical Neurology Institute (Inserm U1094, IRD U270 EpiMaCT, University of Limoges). We are grateful to Ladji, Agla and Saint-Jean authorities as well as inhabitants who kindly authorized us to access their households for trapping and interview purposes. We thank the Autonomous Port of Cotonou authorities and staff who facilitated our access to their infrastructures. We also thank the CBGP Small Mammal Collection (Centre de Biologie pour la Gestion des Populations, 2018, “CBGP – Small mammal Collection”, https://doi.org/10.15454/WWNUPO) for the conservation of samples from Benin.International audienceToxoplasmosis, one of the most prevalent parasitic infections in humans and animals, is caused by the intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Small mammals play a key role as intermediate reservoir hosts in the maintenance of the T. gondii life cycle. In this study, we estimated the molecular prevalence and provide genetic diversity data for T. gondii in 632 small mammals sampled in four areas of Cotonou city, Benin. Both the brain and heart of each individual were screened through T. gondii-targeting qPCR, and positive samples were then genotyped using a set of 15 T. gondii-specific microsatellites. Prevalence data were statistically analyzed in order to assess the relative impact of individual host characteristics, spatial distribution, composition of small mammal community, and urban landscape features. An overall T. gondii molecular prevalence of 15.2% was found and seven genotypes, all belonging to the Africa 1 lineage, could be retrieved from the invasive black rat Rattus rattus and the native African giant shrew Crocidura olivieri. Statistical analyses did not suggest any significant influence of the environmental parameters used in this study. Rather, depending on the local context, T. gondii prevalence appeared to be associated either with black rat, shrew, or mouse abundance or with the trapping period. Overall, our results highlight the intricate relationships between biotic and abiotic factors involved in T. gondii epidemiology and suggest that R. rattus and C. olivieri are two competent reservoirs for the Africa 1 lineage, a widespread lineage in tropical Africa and the predominant lineage in Benin.La toxoplasmose, l’une des infections parasitaires les plus rĂ©pandues chez l’homme et les animaux, est causĂ©e par le parasite protozoaire intracellulaire Toxoplasma gondii. Les petits mammifĂšres jouent un rĂŽle clĂ© en tant qu’hĂŽtes rĂ©servoirs intermĂ©diaires dans le maintien du cycle de vie de T. gondii. Dans cette Ă©tude, nous estimons sa prĂ©valence molĂ©culaire et fournissons des donnĂ©es sur sa diversitĂ© gĂ©nĂ©tique chez 632 petits mammifĂšres Ă©chantillonnĂ©s dans quatre localitĂ©s de la ville de Cotonou. Le cerveau et le cƓur de chaque individu ont Ă©tĂ© analysĂ©s par qPCR ciblant T. gondii, et les Ă©chantillons positifs ont ensuite Ă©tĂ© gĂ©notypĂ©s Ă  l’aide d’un ensemble de 15 microsatellites spĂ©cifiques Ă  T. gondii. Les donnĂ©es de prĂ©valence ont Ă©tĂ© analysĂ©es statistiquement afin d’évaluer l’impact relatif des caractĂ©ristiques individuelles de l’hĂŽte, de la distribution spatiale, de la composition de la communautĂ© des petits mammifĂšres ainsi que des caractĂ©ristiques du paysage urbain. Une prĂ©valence molĂ©culaire globale de T. gondii de 15,2 % a Ă©tĂ© estimĂ©e et sept gĂ©notypes, tous appartenant Ă  la lignĂ©e Africa 1, ont pu ĂȘtre extraits du rat noir Rattus rattus, espĂšce envahissante, et de la musaraigne Crocidura olivieri, espĂšce indigĂšne. Les analyses statistiques n’ont pas suggĂ©rĂ© d’influence significative des paramĂštres environnementaux utilisĂ©s dans cette Ă©tude. Au contraire, selon le contexte local, la prĂ©valence de T. gondii semble ĂȘtre associĂ©e Ă  l’abondance de rats noirs, de musaraignes ou de souris ainsi qu’à la pĂ©riode de piĂ©geage. Dans l’ensemble, nos rĂ©sultats mettent en Ă©vidence les relations complexes entre les facteurs biotiques et abiotiques impliquĂ©s dans l’épidĂ©miologie de T. gondii et suggĂšrent que R. rattus et C. olivieri sont deux rĂ©servoirs compĂ©tents pour la lignĂ©e Africa 1, une lignĂ©e rĂ©pandue en Afrique tropicale et prĂ©dominante au BĂ©nin

    Maritime international trade and bioinvasions: A three‐year long survey of small mammals in Autonomous Port of Cotonou, Benin

    No full text
    International audience1. International trade has been favouring the dissemination of a wide suite of invasive alien species. Upstream prevention through the monitoring of entry points is identified as an appropriate strategy to achieve control of bioinvasions and their consequences. Maritime transportation has been responsible for the introduction worldwide of exotic rodents that are major pests for crops and food stocks as well as reservoirs of many zoonotic pathogens. In order to limit further dissemination, the International Health Regulation constrains decisions makers and socio-economic stakeholders to manage ship-mediated import/export of rodents within seaports.2. Unfortunately, eco-evolutionary insights into rodent introduction events that could guide preventive actions in seaports are very scarce. In order to bridge this gap, we here describe the results of a 3 year-long survey of small mammals conducted in the Port of Cotonou, Benin.3. Our aim was to assess the spatiotemporal distribution, diversity and relative abundance of invasive and native rodents.4. 960 small mammal individuals were captured in nine within-seaport sites. We found (i) a marked predominance of invasive species (84% of the individuals belonging to Mus musculus, Rattus rattus, R. norvegicus), (ii) with native species (i.e. Mastomys natalensis and the shrew Crocidura olivieri) essentially restricted to peripheral non-industrial areas, as well as (iii) a fine-scale spatial segregation stable over time between the invasive Norway rats and house mice on the one hand, and the black rats and shrews on the other hand.5. Furthermore, trapping before and after two successive rodent control campaigns indicates that they were ineffective and that subsequent rodent recolonisation occurred 6–12 months following intervention.6. Synthesis and applications. Our results are discussed in terms of ecological processes at play (e.g. interspecific interactions) and operational recommendations (e.g. assessment of proper eradication units, environmental modifications)

    Maritime international trade and bioinvasions: a three-year long survey of small mammals in Autonomous Port of Cotonou, Benin

    No full text
    <ol> <li>International trade has been favoring the dissemination of a wide panel of invasive alien species. Upstream prevention through the monitoring of entry points is identified as an appropriate strategy to achieve control of bioinvasions and their consequences. Maritime transports have been responsible for the introduction worldwide of exotic rodents that are major pests for crops and food stocks as well as reservoirs of many zoonotic pathogens. In order to limit further dissemination, the International Health Regulation constrains decision makers and socio-economic stakeholders to manage ship-mediated import/export of rodents within seaports. Unfortunately, eco-evolutionary insights into rodent introduction events that could guide preventive actions in seaports are very scarce.</li> <li>In order to bridge this gap, we here describe the results of a three-year-long survey of small mammals conducted in the Port of Cotonou, Benin, that aims at assessing the spatio-temporal distribution, diversity and relative abundance of invasive and native rodents.</li> <li>960 small mammal individuals were captured in nine within-seaport sites. We found (i) a marked predominance of invasive species (84% of the individuals belonging to <em>Mus</em> <em>musculus</em>, <em>Rattus</em> <em>rattus</em>, <em>R. norvegicus</em>), (ii) with native species (i.e., <em>Mastomys natalensis</em> and the shrew <em>Crocidura olivieri</em>) essentially restricted to peripheral non-industrial areas, as well as (iii) a fine-scale spatial segregation stable over time between the invasive Norway rats and house mice on the one hand, and the black rats and shrews on the other hand.</li> <li>Furthermore, trapping before and after two successive rodent anticoagulant-based control campaigns indicates that they were poorly efficient and that subsequent rodent recolonization occurs 6–12 months following intervention.</li> <li> <em>Synthesis and applications</em>: Our results are discussed in terms of ecological processes at play (e.g., interspecific interactions) and operational actions that may be implemented to improve rodent control (e.g., assessment of proper eradication units, environmental modifications) and to limit re-infestation (e.g., rat-proofing of moors and buildings).</li> </ol><p>Funding provided by: Institut de Recherche pour le DĂ©veloppement<br>Crossref Funder Registry ID: https://ror.org/05q3vnk25<br>Award Number: 100602R</p><p>Funding provided by: Port Autonome de Cotonou*<br>Crossref Funder Registry ID: <br>Award Number: </p><p>Funding provided by: Agence belge de dĂ©veloppement - Enabel*<br>Crossref Funder Registry ID: <br>Award Number: </p><p><span>1- Sampling design, </span></p> <p><span>2- Trapping and identification of small mammals, </span></p> <p><span><span>3- Trapping data analysis (</span></span><span>Trap-specific and species-specific trapping effort, </span><span>Species-specific relative abundance according, </span><span>Specific diversity, </span><span>Co-occurrence analyses, </span><span>Occupancy modelling)</span></p&gt
    corecore