Ecological and epizootic roles of Golden jackal, genus Canis aureus in the Northwest of Black Sea coast

Abstract

Penetration of jackal, typical representative of Asia Minor-Balkan group, genus Canis aureus into the territory of the Northwest Black Sea coast - has become a rather unexpected phenomenon and led to environmental, zoogeographical and epizootic issues. The last one may lead to the development of potentially dangerous epizootic processes, the assessment of the threat and possible consequences require systematic researches. The purpose of this work was to study the ecological and epizootic role of Canis aureus in the territory of the Northwest Black Sea coast. The investigations concerning epizootic status of jackal were carried out during 2014–2018 in the territory of Odesa and Mykolayiv Regions with means of laboratory control samples of the materials which were selected and taken from hunters. The results of researches have shown that there is a complete, self-regulating and rather dense population of C. aureus in this region, it does not lose the rate of intensive reproduction and has a clearly expressed western line of genus penetration. In the process of migratory settlement, jackal demonstrates clear and static dependences on humidified and hydro morphed landscapes. When the bodies of animals were observed, we could find the presence of ticks and several types of fleas that could act as a biological transmission objects in the circles of spontaneous circulation of naturally occurring zoonotic pathogens, ensuring their inter-species migration and short-term reservation. According to the results of laboratory examinations of 9 samples of jackals’ blood serum, the presence of antibodies to the causative agent of erysipelas was determined in 5 (55.5%) cases. In response to a single brucellosis antigen The specific antibodies were not found in the reaction with single brucellosis antigen. The investigations on the presence of leptospirosis were carried out with test strains of 9 serogroups. Specific anti-lepidopteran antibodies were found in all investigated serum samples. The predominance of antibodies to the Grippotyphosa, Hebdomadis, Sejroe, Bataviae serogroups, mice field rodents are their host, indicates the trophic nature of antigenic contacts. The new species for Ukraine – jackal Cainis aureus carries a significant potential epizootic threat as a host and carrier of pathogens natural-focal zoonotic infections and invasions, the most dangerous among them is rabies.

Exposure of Free-Ranging Wild Animals to Zoonotic Leptospira interrogans Sensu Stricto in Slovenia

“…The seroprevalence of antibodies against leptospiral serovars found in this study was comparable to the seroprevalence reported in golden jackals from Ukraine (100%; 9/9). Both golden jackals tested had titres against five serovars [ 62 ].…”

High‐level seroprevalence against Leptospira interrogans serovars among wild foxes, jackals and stray dogs in the North Khorasan Province, Iran

“…The prevalence was slightly lower than recorded among red foxes from Croatia (57.6%) (Milas et al, 2006). In a recently conducted study on jackals, Nakonechnyi et al (2019) found positive reactions against Leptospira interrogans among all nine animals that were tested.…”

A descriptive spatiotemporal analysis of rabies in domestic carnivores and wildlife in Ukraine in 2012-2018

“…4). The peaks of rabies epidemic in fox populations in autumn and winter (from October to February) are driven mainly by fox ecology, with peak numbers of cases coinciding with fox resettlement due to breeding, habitat expansion and aggressive behaviour which facilitates fighting over territory (28,31). Fluctuations in fox numbers also depend on the availability of food and the number of infected individuals in the population (5).…”

“…Although culling occurs throughout Ukraine, each oblast regulates the cull differently, and hence large regional variation in fox population density across Ukraine. Although veterinary and sanitary requirements aim at a fox population density of 0.5-1 head per 1000 ha at the end of culling, fox population density in most oblasts (in the western and central parts of Ukraine) exceeds that rate up to 3-3.5 head per 1000 ha (31). The culling foxes for evaluation of the effectiveness of ORV, which was conducted by hunters mainly in autumn in different numbers, also influencing the reporting efforts depending on each oblast.…”

“…1) compared to other regions. The higher density of cases in Vinnytsia and other southwestern regions may be influenced by the larger fox population (24,25,31). The lower density of rabies cases in the western regions near the border with EU countries (especially the Zakarpattia oblast) may be partially explained by the mountainous environment, which can influence fox presence and density, and may limit the movement of wild animals, resulting in a slower progression of rabies.…”