Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay—A rapid detection tool for identifying red fox (Vulpes vulpes) DNA in the carcasses of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena)

Heers, Teresa; Neer, Abbo van; Becker, André; Grilo, Miguel L.; Siebert, Ursula; Abdulmawjood, Amir

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0184349

Cited by 8 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Therefore, this can be seen as a good indicator of an interaction with a fox in porpoises. This is also supported by a definite case of fox scavenging, which was confirmed using genetic methods 20 . It needs to be stated though, that scavenging by birds can result in similar looking lesions, increasing the chance of misinterpretation.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 53%

“…To increase the rate of standardisation during the decision-making process, tools such as the presented decision tree can be of help. In addition to the pathological assessment, the use of supporting methods such as the molecular verification of specific predator DNA is also highly encouraged 3,8,20 . The development of other complementary methods such as the histopathological assessment of the wound margin as an objective parameter would further increase the reliability of the results.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Assessing harbour porpoise carcasses potentially subjected to grey seal predation

Neer¹,

Groß²,

Kesselring³

et al. 2020

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As a follow-up on the data presented for seals, we herein report and discuss outcomes resulting from a retrospective evaluation of harbour porpoise stranding and necropsy data from Schleswig–Holstein, Germany (n = 4463) to enable an objective evaluation of potential ecological effects of grey seal predation on porpoises. Results are compared to a recent case of definite grey seal predation as well as to reports from other countries. Porpoise carcasses potentially subject to grey seal predation show severe lacerations, with large parts of skin and underlying tissue being detached from the body. Loss of blubber tissue is common. Based on the occurrence frequencies of encountered lesions, a list of parameters as well as a complementary decision tree are suggested to be used for future assessments. The results shown add to an increasingly standardised assessment protocol of suspected grey seal predation cases making respective results comparable between different areas and countries. The usage of a standardised protocol may increase the awareness of grey seal predation and the reporting of such cases. By this, differences in the predation and feeding patterns as well as the potential ecological relevance of this behaviour may be elucidated.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 53%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing harbour porpoise carcasses potentially subjected to grey seal predation

Neer¹,

Groß²,

Kesselring³

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

Self Cite

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“…Transfer of fox DNA onto this living cat may have been via secondary contact such as a shared rubbing post. Molecular identification of salivary DNA is widely used in wildlife management and investigation to identify a predator species, 15,24 and in some cases a specific animal or human, 4,5,20,21,25 but this study highlights the usefulness of DNA testing in cases of suspected human-inflicted mutilation on animals.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Fox (Vulpes vulpes) involvement identified in a series of cat carcass mutilations

et al. 2021

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This study was designed to identify the cause of mutilation and death in 32 cats, part of a larger cohort found dead in Greater London, the United Kingdom, between 2016 and 2018. At the time, discussion in the media led to concerns of a human serial cat killer (dubbed The Croydon Cat Killer) pursuing domestic cats, causing a state of disquietude. Given the link between animal abuse and domestic violence, human intervention had to be ruled out. Using a combination of DNA testing, computed tomography imaging, and postmortem examination, no evidence was found to support any human involvement. Instead, a significant association between cat carcass mutilation and the presence of fox DNA was demonstrated. Gross examination identified shared characteristics including the pattern of mutilation, level of limb or vertebral disarticulation, wet fur, wound edges with shortened fur, and smooth or irregular contours, and marks in the skin, muscle, and bone consistent with damage from carnivore teeth. Together these findings supported the theory that the cause of mutilation was postmortem scavenging by red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes). The probable cause of death was established in 26/32 (81%) carcasses: 10 were predated, 8 died from cardiorespiratory failure, 6 from blunt force trauma, one from ethylene glycol toxicity, and another from liver failure. In 6 carcasses a cause of death was not established due to autolysis and/or extensive mutilation. In summary, this study highlights the value of a multidisciplinary approach to fully investigate cases of suspected human-inflicted mutilation of animals.

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“…Further research should be conducted in order to assess the suitability of other methods that could be used in the differentiation process, such as the histological evaluation of wound margins to differentiate between causes of trauma (e.g. cutting or tearing) or easy to use methods enabling the detection of grey seal DNA in harbour seal carcasses similar to the ones suggested for porpoise carcasses 31 , 32 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing seal carcasses potentially subjected to grey seal predation

Neer

Groß

Kesselring

et al. 2021

Sci Rep

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In order to conduct an objective evaluation of potential ecological effects of grey seal predation on marine mammals, it is essential to establish a broad knowledge base helping in the thorough identification of such cases during post-mortem examination. The aim of this work is to report and discuss outcomes resulting from a retrospective evaluation of harbour (Phoca vitulina) and grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) stranding and necropsy data (n = 3274). In addition, the results are compared to a recent case of definite grey seal predation from Germany as well as reports from other countries. Carcasses potentially subjected to grey seal predation show severe lacerations with a circular pattern leaving a smooth, linear and cut-like wound margin. Large parts of skin and underlying tissue are detached from the body and loss of blubber is common. Occurrence frequencies of encountered lesions are presented and a list of parameters to be used for the assessment of similar cases as well as a complementary decision tree are suggested. With the proposed parameters, categories and tools, a baseline can be built in order to facilitate the standardised recognition of predation cases during post-mortem examinations of seals between groups working with populations across several geographic ranges.

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Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay—A rapid detection tool for identifying red fox (Vulpes vulpes) DNA in the carcasses of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena)

Cited by 8 publications

References 24 publications

Assessing harbour porpoise carcasses potentially subjected to grey seal predation

Assessing harbour porpoise carcasses potentially subjected to grey seal predation

Fox (Vulpes vulpes) involvement identified in a series of cat carcass mutilations

Assessing seal carcasses potentially subjected to grey seal predation

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