Disease threats posed by alien species: the role of a poxvirus in the decline of the native red squirrel in Britain

Rushton, Steven; Lurz, Peter W. W.; Gurnell, John; Nettleton, P. F.; Bruemmer, C.; Shirley, Mark; Sainsbury, Anthony W.

doi:10.1017/s0950268805005303

Cited by 134 publications

(135 citation statements)

References 20 publications

(48 reference statements)

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“…This human-mediated movement of animals could also facilitate the introduction of parasites to new areas. In Great Britain, for example, the competitive exclusion of the native red squirrel by the introduced American grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is also mediated by poxvirus infecting the native species, probably imported into the country via the introduced animals (Rushton et al 2006). …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Natural infection with two genotypes of Cryptosporidium in red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) in Italy

Kváč¹,

Hofmannová²,

Bertolino³

et al. 2008

FOLIA PARASIT

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Abstract.We investigated the genotypes of Cryptosporidium infecting red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris L.) in two areas of the Western Alps in Italy. Examination of 141 faecal samples from 70 red squirrels revealed oocysts of Cryptosporidium in 17 animals (24.3%). Based on 18S rRNA gene sequencing, two genotypes of Cryptosporidium species were found: 15 squirrels were positive for the Cryptosporidium ferret genotype and 2 for the Cryptosporidium chipmunk genotype I. The occurrence and intensity of Cryptosporidium infection did not differ between the study areas or sex. More than 85% of the positive animals were adults; however no difference was found between Cryptosporidium infection in the juvenile and adult age groups. Oocysts of the Cryptosporidium ferret genotype measured 5.5 ± 0.3 × 5.2 ± 0.2 µm (shape index 1.06) and the Cryptosporidium chipmunk genotype I 5.8 ± 0.3 × 5.4 ± 0.3 µm (shape index 1.07). Neonatal and adult CD1 and BABL/c mice inoculated with 1 × 10 3 fresh oocysts of both genotypes did not produce detectable infection.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Natural infection with two genotypes of Cryptosporidium in red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) in Italy

Kváč¹,

Hofmannová²,

Bertolino³

et al. 2008

FOLIA PARASIT

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“…The combination of invasive species and degradation of ecosystems presents a substantial threat in relation to emerging infectious diseases[27, 28]. Novel pathogens can have devastating effects on naive communities; examples include the invasive grey squirrel ( Sciurus carolinensis ) which carries squirrelpox virus that severely adversely affected native red squirrels ( Sciurus vulgaris ) in Britain and Ireland[29, 30]; the introduced raccoon dog ( Nyctereutes procyonoides ) in Europe, which has an expanding range, and which can facilitate the spread of infectious diseases including echinococcosis, trichinellosis and rabies[31]. In this study, we identified that a recently introduced mammalian species ( C .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Emerging Infectious Disease Implications of Invasive Mammalian Species: The Greater White-Toothed Shrew (Crocidura russula) Is Associated With a Novel Serovar of Pathogenic Leptospira in Ireland

et al. 2016

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The greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula) is an invasive mammalian species that was first recorded in Ireland in 2007. It currently occupies an area of approximately 7,600 km2 on the island. C. russula is normally distributed in Northern Africa and Western Europe, and was previously absent from the British Isles. Whilst invasive species can have dramatic and rapid impacts on faunal and floral communities, they may also be carriers of pathogens facilitating disease transmission in potentially naive populations. Pathogenic leptospires are endemic in Ireland and a significant cause of human and animal disease. From 18 trapped C. russula, 3 isolates of Leptospira were cultured. However, typing of these isolates by standard serological reference methods was negative, and suggested an, as yet, unidentified serovar. Sequence analysis of 16S ribosomal RNA and secY indicated that these novel isolates belong to Leptospira alstonii, a unique pathogenic species of which only 7 isolates have been described to date. Earlier isolations were limited geographically to China, Japan and Malaysia, and this leptospiral species had not previously been cultured from mammals. Restriction enzyme analysis (REA) further confirms the novelty of these strains since no similar patterns were observed with a reference database of leptospires. As with other pathogenic Leptospira species, these isolates contain lipL32 and do not grow in the presence of 8-azagunaine; however no evidence of disease was apparent after experimental infection of hamsters. These isolates are genetically related to L. alstonii but have a novel REA pattern; they represent a new serovar which we designate as serovar Room22. This study demonstrates that invasive mammalian species act as bridge vectors of novel zoonotic pathogens such as Leptospira.

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“…This replacement is caused by competition for food resources between the two species that reduces juvenile body growth and recruitment, and female breeding success in red squirrel (Wauters et al 2002a, b;). The replacement is also disease-mediated, as grey squirrels act as a reservoir host to a squirrel poxvirus that causes high mortality in red squirrels (Sainsbury et al 2000;Tompkins et al 2002;Rushton et al 2006). Recently, screening of macro-parasites in Italy is investigating whether other parasite-mediated competition mechanisms might be involved (Romeo et al In prep).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A grey future for Europe: Sciurus carolinensis is replacing native red squirrels in Italy

et al. 2013

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Introduced mammals can cause extinction of native species due to replacement competition, disease, predation or hybridization. We studied the colonization of Piedmont (NW-Italy) by American grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) and its effect on the native red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris). Presence/absence data (2x2 km squares), of both species were (re)constructed using questionnaires, literature, existing databases, unpublished information, and direct monitoring with hair-tubes. In 1970 red squirrels were still widespread and greys were restricted to forests near the introduction site. By 1990, grey squirrels had increased their range to 220 km 2. , which coincided with the disappearance of native squirrels from 33 squares inside this range. The invasive species continued its spread occupying an area of 2,016 km 2 in 2010; within this area red squirrels went extinct in 88 squares. Overall, from 1970 to 2010 red squirrel went extinct in 62% of 2x2 km squares (ca. 1,689 km 2 ), and were replaced by grey squirrels. The spread of the alien species was slow in the first twenty years, but doubled in the successive two decades. Nevertheless spread was slower than in Ireland and England. Grey squirrel adapt to climate and habitats in both North and South Europe, causing extinction of the native red squirrel. A EU LIFE co-funded project with the aim to control the grey squirrel in North Italy and recent trade-restrictions and trade-ban are a first step in reducing the risk of grey squirrels invading other countries, but their effectiveness will have to be evaluated.

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Disease threats posed by alien species: the role of a poxvirus in the decline of the native red squirrel in Britain

Cited by 134 publications

References 20 publications

Natural infection with two genotypes of Cryptosporidium in red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) in Italy

Natural infection with two genotypes of Cryptosporidium in red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) in Italy

Emerging Infectious Disease Implications of Invasive Mammalian Species: The Greater White-Toothed Shrew (Crocidura russula) Is Associated With a Novel Serovar of Pathogenic Leptospira in Ireland

A grey future for Europe: Sciurus carolinensis is replacing native red squirrels in Italy

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