Serosurvey for selected viral pathogens among sympatric species of the African large predator guild in northern Botswana

The recent increase in the creation of trans-boundary protected areas and wildlife corridors between them lend importance to information on pathogen prevalence and transmission among wildlife species that will become connected. One such initiative is the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Ar...

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Main Authors: Chaber, A, Cozzi, G, Broekhuis, F, Hartley, R, McNutt, J
Format: Journal article
Published: Wildlife Disease Association 2017
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author Chaber, A
Cozzi, G
Broekhuis, F
Hartley, R
McNutt, J
author_facet Chaber, A
Cozzi, G
Broekhuis, F
Hartley, R
McNutt, J
author_sort Chaber, A
collection OXFORD
description The recent increase in the creation of trans-boundary protected areas and wildlife corridors between them lend importance to information on pathogen prevalence and transmission among wildlife species that will become connected. One such initiative is the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA/TFCA) of which Botswana’s Okavango Delta constitute a major contribution in terms of wildlife and ecosystems. Between 2008 and 2011, we collected serum samples from 14 lions (Panthera leo), four leopards (P. pardus), 19 spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta), and six cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) in the Okavango. Samples were tested for antibodies against: canine distemper virus (CDV), feline panleukopenia virus, enteric coronavirus, feline calicivirus, feline herpesvirus (FHV-1), and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Evidence of exposure to all of these pathogens was found to varying degrees in at least one of the species sampled. High seroprevalence (> 90%) was only found for FHV-1 and FIV in lions. Only hyenas (26%, 5/19) were seropositive against CDV. Apart from one case, all individuals displayed physical conditions consistent with normal health for a minimum of 12 months following sampling. Our results emphasize the need for a comprehensive multi-species approach to disease monitoring and the development of coordinated management strategies for sub-populations likely to be connected in trans-boundary initiatives.
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spelling oxford-uuid:90873f89-0f0e-42b5-9027-5b631bd741692022-03-26T23:12:14ZSerosurvey for selected viral pathogens among sympatric species of the African large predator guild in northern BotswanaJournal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:90873f89-0f0e-42b5-9027-5b631bd74169Symplectic Elements at OxfordWildlife Disease Association2017Chaber, ACozzi, GBroekhuis, FHartley, RMcNutt, JThe recent increase in the creation of trans-boundary protected areas and wildlife corridors between them lend importance to information on pathogen prevalence and transmission among wildlife species that will become connected. One such initiative is the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA/TFCA) of which Botswana’s Okavango Delta constitute a major contribution in terms of wildlife and ecosystems. Between 2008 and 2011, we collected serum samples from 14 lions (Panthera leo), four leopards (P. pardus), 19 spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta), and six cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) in the Okavango. Samples were tested for antibodies against: canine distemper virus (CDV), feline panleukopenia virus, enteric coronavirus, feline calicivirus, feline herpesvirus (FHV-1), and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Evidence of exposure to all of these pathogens was found to varying degrees in at least one of the species sampled. High seroprevalence (> 90%) was only found for FHV-1 and FIV in lions. Only hyenas (26%, 5/19) were seropositive against CDV. Apart from one case, all individuals displayed physical conditions consistent with normal health for a minimum of 12 months following sampling. Our results emphasize the need for a comprehensive multi-species approach to disease monitoring and the development of coordinated management strategies for sub-populations likely to be connected in trans-boundary initiatives.
spellingShingle Chaber, A
Cozzi, G
Broekhuis, F
Hartley, R
McNutt, J
Serosurvey for selected viral pathogens among sympatric species of the African large predator guild in northern Botswana
title Serosurvey for selected viral pathogens among sympatric species of the African large predator guild in northern Botswana
title_full Serosurvey for selected viral pathogens among sympatric species of the African large predator guild in northern Botswana
title_fullStr Serosurvey for selected viral pathogens among sympatric species of the African large predator guild in northern Botswana
title_full_unstemmed Serosurvey for selected viral pathogens among sympatric species of the African large predator guild in northern Botswana
title_short Serosurvey for selected viral pathogens among sympatric species of the African large predator guild in northern Botswana
title_sort serosurvey for selected viral pathogens among sympatric species of the african large predator guild in northern botswana
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