Multiple small sessile raised lesions were detected on the ventral surface of the tongue in two 13-year-old domestic cats. The lesions were incidental in both cats. Lesions from both cats appeared histologically as well-demarcated foci of markedly thickened folded epithelium that formed keratin-filled shallow cuplike structures. Large keratinocytes that contained a swollen nucleus surrounded by a clear cytoplasmic halo (koilocytes) were common, suggesting a diagnosis of a papillomavirus-induced papillomas, and papillomavirus antigen was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. The papillomas exhibited diffuse intense cytoplasmic and nuclear immunoreactivity against cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A protein (also known as p16 or INK4a protein). Felis catus papillomavirus type 1 DNA sequences were amplified from both papillomas. The papillomas resolved in 1 cat within 3 months of diagnosis, while the papillomas were still visible 4 months after diagnosis in the other cat. This is the first evidence that these papillomas are caused by F. catus papillomavirus type 1.Keywords felis catus papillomavirus, papilloma, oral cavity, wart, cat Papillomaviruses (PVs) have been detected in all species that have been studied, with most species infected by multiple PV types. Most PV infections do not result in the development of clinically detectable lesions; however, depending on both PV type and host factors, PVs can cause a range of hyperplastic and neoplastic lesions.1 Currently, 4 PV types have been fully classified from domestic cats, including Felis catus PV-1 (FcaPV-1) from a cutaneous viral plaque, FcaPV-2 and FcaPV-3 from cutaneous bowenoid in situ carcinomas, and FcaPV-4 from a sample of gingivitis.2,10 PV infection is also thought to cause feline sarcoids (fibropapillomas), although current evidence suggests that these lesions are caused by a bovine PV. The PVs of domestic cats have been referred to as Felis domesticus PVs.In contrast to those of other species, PV-induced papillomas (warts) in domestic cats are rare, with only 2 oral papillomas and 2 cutaneous papillomas previously reported.2,9 While a cutaneous papilloma was found to contain DNA sequences from a human PV type, the PV type present in oral papillomas in domestic cats has not been previously investigated. Herein, 2 cats with oral papillomas are described. Papillomas in both cats developed on the ventral surface of the tongue and contained FcaPV-1 PV DNA sequences.Cat No. 1 was a 13-year-old neutered male domestic shorthair cat that was observed during a routine dental procedure to have numerous <3-mm diameter pale raised lesions on the ventral surface of the tongue (Fig. 1). Similar lesions on the ventral surface of the tongue were also observed in a 13-year-old male neutered Abyssinian cat (cat No. 2) during surgical drainage of a ranula. Samples were taken from both cats and submitted for histology.Lesions from both cats consisted of well-demarcated foci of markedly thickened folded epithelium that projected as thick tongues into the underly...

Despite decades of interest, adaptive explanations for biased offspring sex ratios in mammals remain contentious, largely because direct tests of the underlying fitness assumptions of adaptive hypotheses are rarely conducted. These tests are complicated by the difficulty of manipulating offspring sex prior to significant maternal investment owing to the biological constraints of viviparity. We test the adaptive advantage of sex allocation through crossfostering offspring by sex in tammar wallabies. We examine whether offspring sex is correlated with maternal investment ability (i.e. TriversWillard hypothesis, TWH). In addition, we test the assumption that maternal investment has a greater influence on the fitness of sons than of daughters. We failed to find statistical support for maternal investment ability influencing a son's weaning success or body size more than a daughter's, although this result was probably owing to small sample sizes. In support of the TWH, females that gave birth to a son had higher investment ability (likelihood of weaning an offspring) regardless of the sex of offspring fostered.

The use of multiple source populations provides a way to maximise genetic variation and reduce the impacts of inbreeding depression in newly established translocated populations. However, there is a risk that individuals from different source populations will not interbreed, leading to population structure and smaller effective population sizes than expected. Here, we investigate the genetic consequences of mixing two isolated, morphologically distinct island populations of boodies (Bettongia lesueur) in a translocation to mainland Australia over three generations. Using 18 microsatellite loci and the mitochondrial D-loop region, we monitored the released animals and their offspring between 2010 and 2013. Despite high levels of divergence between the two source populations (FST = 0.42 and ϕST = 0.72), there was clear evidence of interbreeding between animals from different populations. However, interbreeding was non-random, with a significant bias towards crosses between the genetically smaller-sized Barrow Island males and the larger-sized Dorre Island females. This pattern of introgression was opposite to the expectation that male–male competition or female mate choice would favour larger males. This study shows how mixing diverged populations can bolster genetic variation in newly established mammal populations, but the ultimate outcome can be difficult to predict, highlighting the need for continued genetic monitoring to assess the long-term impacts of admixture.

Island populations are an interesting dichotomy in conservation biology. On the one hand, they can be a refuge for species where mainland populations have been decimated by loss of habitat and predation by exotic predators. On the other hand, island populations usually have reduced genetic diversity and are more susceptible to extinction through genetic and demographic processes. Genetic variation and morphological characters were measured for island and mainland populations of Parantechinus apicalis, small dasyurid marsupials, restricted to southwest Australia. Genetic variation at seven microsatellite loci revealed low levels of heterozygosity (H e = 0.20 − 0.44) and high levels of inbreeding (F e = 0.40 − 0.72) in island populations compared with the mainland population (H e = 0.73). A nested clade analysis revealed that allopatric fragmentation was probably responsible for the association between geographical location and control region haplotypes, which is consistent with the isolation of populations on islands and indicative of two main populations of P. apicalis representing separate conservation units for management. While these results are typical of many island populations, they have important implications in terms of the conservation of threatened species in Australia and around the world, where island populations are a common source of founders for captive breeding and translocation to mainland sites.

Summary Understanding the spatial ecology of invasive rats (Rattus spp.) is necessary to inform management actions to reduce their impact on native flora and fauna. This study investigates home range sizes of exotic rats around seabird colonies and urban areas on Christmas Island, where rat predation is suspected to be adversely affecting fledgling success among local seabirds. It was hypothesised that rat home range sizes would be smaller in urban areas owing to more consistent food availability. Home ranges of male rats were significantly larger compared with their female counterparts, with male rats maintaining larger home ranges in urban areas compared with seabird colonies. Conversely, female rats had smaller home ranges in urban areas compared with seabird colonies. Our findings suggest a possible correlation between the spatial distribution of food resources and home range size. Additionally, the spatial distribution of breeding females across the landscape had a significant influence on the home ranges of male rats. These findings have important implications for proposed efforts to manage rat populations on Christmas Island, while also providing valuable information regarding the ecology of invasive rats on tropical islands.