Generalizing and transferring spatial models: A case study to predict Eurasian badger abundance in Atlantic Spain

Acevedo, Pelayo; González‐Quirós, Pablo; Prieto, José M.; Etherington, Thomas R.; Gortázar, Christian; Balseiro, Ana

doi:10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2013.12.011

Cited by 21 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…During the spring and summer, the beef herds graze in communal (shared) pastures in a mountain chain close to the study area ("Sierra del Sueve"). This means that, in those periods in which the risk of interaction between cattle and badgers is potentially higher, the cattle are at higher altitudes in areas in which badger abundance is lower [32]. The use of communal pastures in spring and summer could, therefore, be a means to reduce the risk of transmitting TB to badgers, although it could pose a new risk of infection associated with the aggregation of several herds [4].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tuberculosis Epidemiology and Badger (Meles meles) Spatial Ecology in a Hot-Spot Area in Atlantic Spain

Acevedo

Prieto

Quirós³

et al. 2019

Pathogens

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We provide a temporal overview (from 2012 to 2018) of the outcomes of tuberculosis (TB) in the cattle and badger populations in a hot-spot in Asturias (Atlantic Spain). We also study the badger’s spatial ecology from an epidemiological perspective in order to describe hazardous behavior in relation to TB transmission between cattle and badgers. Culture and single intradermal tuberculin test (SITT) were available for cattle as part of the National Program for the Eradication of TB. A field survey was also carried out in order to determine the paddocks and buildings used by each farm, and the information obtained was stored by using geographic information systems. Moreover, eighty-three badgers were submitted for necropsy and subsequent bacteriological studies. Ten badgers were also tracked, using global positioning system (GPS) collars. The prevalence of TB in cattle herds in the hot-spot increased from 2.2% in 2012 to 20% in 2016; it then declined to 0.0% in 2018. In contrast, the TB prevalence in badgers increased notably (from 5.55% in 2012–2015 to 10.64% in 2016–2018). Both cattle and badgers shared the same strain of Mycobacterium bovis. The collared badgers preferred paddocks used by TB-positive herds in spring and summer (when they were more active). The males occupied larger home ranges than the females (Khr95: males 149.78 ± 25.84 ha and females 73.37 ± 22.91 ha; Kcr50: males 29.83 ± 5.69 ha and females 13.59 ± 5.00 ha), and the home ranges were smaller in autumn and winter than in summer. The averages of the index of daily and maximum distances traveled by badgers were 1.88 ± (SD) 1.20 km and 1.99 ± 0.71 km, respectively. One of them presented a dispersive behavior with a maximum range of 18.3 km. The most preferred habitat was apple orchards in all seasons, with the exception of winter, in which they preferred pastures. Land uses and landscape structure, which have been linked with certain livestock-management practices, provide a scenario of great potential for badger–cattle interactions, thus enhancing the importance of the badgers’ ecology, which could potentially transmit TB back to cattle in the future.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tuberculosis Epidemiology and Badger (Meles meles) Spatial Ecology in a Hot-Spot Area in Atlantic Spain

Acevedo

Prieto

Quirós³

et al. 2019

Pathogens

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“…Also, note that some badger tunnels may not be able to be geophysically detected if they are small and relatively deeply buried. Higher-populated burrows commonly result in more sett entrances and corresponding tunnels [17] although these have found to differ in different soil types [13], which may make correlating between tunnels much more difficult. Finally, surface vegetation may be a factor to consider when looking to deploy such geoscience techniques; in this study there was little to interfere with the survey, but within dense woodland where it may be difficult to differentiate between animal burrows and tree roots.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Family groups average four to eight adults but have been known to range from two to 23 [11]. [12], who used genotyping hair samples collected at 120 main setts in England and Wales, estimated that the mean social group size of 6.74 (±0.63) badgers, and a total population of ~485,000 badgers (95% confidence), although densities were estimate to vary, both in the UK and in other European countries (see [13]). The interconnected system of tunnels and chambers known as a sett can be generally categorised into four ( Previous research has found badgers roam between the main and other setts (Table 1), cohabit or use other setts [17], with broad correlations between badger numbers that could be estimated by the numbers of sett entrances, tunnels and chambers [18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wildlife crime: The application of forensic geoscience to assist with criminal investigations

Wisniewski

Pringle

Allen

et al. 2019

Forensic Science International

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“…In this portuguese affected area, extensive cattle are the main domestic TB host and have a well-defined connection with some wild TB hosts, especially when food and water are scarce resources (Vieira-Pinto et al 2011). In this multi-host scenario, wild boar (Sus scrofa) and red deer (Cervus elaphus), have a well-known role in the TB-system, but badger (Meles meles) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes) are also present in the area and play an undefined role in TB cross-transmission processes (Gortázar et al 2011, Acevedo et al 2014). Frequently we can observe an interaction and contact between wild and domestic species, which we call interface.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identification and evaluation of risk factors associated to Mycobacterium bovis transmission in southeast hunting areas of central Portugal

Abrantes¹,

Acevedo²,

Martínez-Guijosa³

et al. 2019

Galemys

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Identificación y evaluación de los factores de riesgo asociados a la transmisión de Mycobacterium bovis en zonas de caza del sureste del centro de Portugal Abstract Some European countries have great economic Tuberculosis-related losses, so disease eradication programs have been developed, which is the case of Portugal, especially on the southeast of central region. One of the most probable cause of the eradication fail is the existence of one well-defined wildlife-cattle interface scenario and consequently a Tuberculosis (TB) cross-transmission. Understanding the field risk factors associated with TB infection in this interface is fundamental to develop effective strategies to control the bovine TB in farms. In this study, a TB risk assessment protocol was applied to 8 extensive cattle farms. 153 risk factors were identified in the study: 94 were watering points (61.4%), 40 feeding points (26.2%), 12 food storage points (7.8%) and 7 of other factors (4.6%). These points were mostly classified as high-risk factors in wildlife-cattle interface, once they enable the aggregation, cross-transmission and reveal characteristics that permit the survival of mycobacteria. Our experience suggests that it is necessary a specific design farm biosecurity plan according to the risk factors present in the field. It is needed the involvement of farmers, hunters and health authorities to assist to some progress in this fight against TB dissemination.

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Generalizing and transferring spatial models: A case study to predict Eurasian badger abundance in Atlantic Spain

Cited by 21 publications

References 45 publications

Tuberculosis Epidemiology and Badger (Meles meles) Spatial Ecology in a Hot-Spot Area in Atlantic Spain

Tuberculosis Epidemiology and Badger (Meles meles) Spatial Ecology in a Hot-Spot Area in Atlantic Spain

Wildlife crime: The application of forensic geoscience to assist with criminal investigations

Identification and evaluation of risk factors associated to Mycobacterium bovis transmission in southeast hunting areas of central Portugal

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