Sarcoptic mange and other ectoparasitic infections in a red fox ( Vulpes vulpes ) population from central Italy

Perrucci, Stefania; Verin, Ranieri; Mancianti, Francesca; Poli, Alessandro

doi:10.1016/j.parepi.2016.03.007

Cited by 9 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 32 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…All SCT identified in foxes were Ixodes spp., and I. ricinus could be identified in a representative subsample. Ixodes ricinus is the most abundant tick in wooded areas in northern Italy [ 26 ], even found at mountain altitudes (>1500 m) [ 27 ], and is considered one of the most common tick species found on red foxes countrywide, although several other taxa have been recorded [ 18 , 28 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Subcutaneous Ticks in Wild Carnivores: Any Host-Related Differences?

Moroni

Coenda

Garcia-Vozmediano

et al. 2022

Animals

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Ticks under the skin have been shown in different canid species such as red fox, domestic dog, and raccoon dog. Despite being increasingly reported in Europe in the last decade, the biological mechanisms associated to subcutaneous ticks (SCT), as well as the predisposing factors, are not yet clear. The main goal of this study was to investigate the presence of SCT in wild carnivores in Northwestern Italy. Sixty-three wild carnivores were examined, and SCT were submitted to histological examination or stored in ethanol for morphological and molecular identification. A portion of the cox1 gene and 16S rDNA were amplified, and positive PCR products were sequenced. Fifty-one small brown-coloured nodules of about 2 × 3 mm containing ticks in different decomposition stages were observed in 11 out of 30 foxes. Seven ticks were classified as Ixodes ricinus, while 14 ticks were determined only at the genus level (Ixodes spp.), and in two ticks no morphological key was applicable due to the advanced degradation status. By PCR, the rDNA fragment of six ticks (26.1%, 95% CI: 12.6–46.5%) was amplified, and BLAST analysis revealed a 99–100% nucleotide similarity to I. ricinus. At the histological examination, the inflammatory response varied from a mild to a moderate mixed infiltrate, primarily composed by neutrophils and lymphocytes. The results of this study confirm foxes as the main wild reservoir for SCT. The absence of SCT in other carnivores (badgers and martens) is in accordance with other studies. Ixodes ricinus is the most frequently reported tick species, corroborating the idea that longirostral ticks might be more frequently associated to SC embedment than brevirostral ticks.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Subcutaneous Ticks in Wild Carnivores: Any Host-Related Differences?

Moroni

Coenda

Garcia-Vozmediano

et al. 2022

Animals

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Moreover, the time elapsed in detecting carcasses was usually less than a week. From an epidemiological point of view, this indicates that, even if there is no direct contact with the carcass, there is still a risk of acquiring ectoparasites, especially in the case of those with greater mobility and capacity to leave the carcass, such as fleas and ticks (Domínguez 2004 ; Perrucci et al 2016 ). These ectoparasites are detached from the body within a few hours after host death (Nelder and Reeves 2005 ), remaining around the carcass while waiting for a new host.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding potential implications for non-trophic parasite transmission based on vertebrate behavior at mesocarnivore carcass sites

2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

High infection risk is often associated with aggregations of animals around attractive resources. Here, we explore the behavior of potential hosts of non-trophically transmitted parasites at mesocarnivore carcass sites. We used videos recorded by camera traps at 56 red fox (Vulpes vulpes) carcasses and 10 carcasses of other wild carnivore species in three areas of southeastern Spain. Scavenging species, especially wild canids, mustelids and viverrids, showed more frequent rubbing behavior at carcass sites than non-scavenging and domestic species, suggesting that they could be exposed to a higher potential infection risk. The red fox was the species that most frequently contacted carcasses and marked and rubbed carcass sites. Foxes contacted heterospecific carcasses more frequently and earlier than conspecific ones and, when close contact occurred, it was more likely to be observed at heterospecific carcasses. This suggests that foxes avoid contact with the type of carcass and time period that have the greatest risk as a source of parasites. Overall, non-trophic behaviors of higher infection risk were mainly associated with visitor-carcass contact and visitor contact with feces and urine, rather than direct contact between visitors. Moreover, contact events between scavengers and carnivore carcasses were far more frequent than consumption events, which suggests that scavenger behavior is more constrained by the risk of acquiring meat-borne parasites than non-trophically transmitted parasites. This study contributes to filling key gaps in understanding the role of carrion in the landscape of disgust, which may be especially relevant in the current global context of emerging and re-emerging pathogens. Graphical abstract

show abstract

“…Moreover, the time elapsed in detecting carcasses was usually less than a week. From an epidemiological point of view, this indicates that, even if there is no direct contact with the carcass, there is still a risk of acquiring ectoparasites, especially in the case of those with greater mobility and capacity to leave the carcass, such as eas and ticks (Domínguez 2004;Perrucci et al 2016). These ectoparasites are detached from the body within a few hours after host death (Nelder and Reeves 2005), remaining around the carcass while waiting for a new host.…”

Section: Fox Behavior In Relation To Carcass Typementioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring Vertebrate Behavior at Mesocarnivore Carcass Sites: Implications for Non-Trophic Parasite Transmission

Gonzálvez

Martínez‐Carrasco

Moleón

2021

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The spatiotemporal distribution of parasites in ecosystems is heterogeneous. High infection risk is often associated with aggregations of animals around attractive resources. Here, we explore the behavior of potential hosts of non-trophically transmitted parasites at mesocarnivore carcass sites. We used videos recorded by camera traps at 56 red fox (Vulpes vulpes) carcasses and 10 carcasses of other wild carnivore species in three areas of southeastern Spain. In general, scavenging species, especially wild canids, mustelids and viverrids that display rubbing behavior, were more exposed to infection risk at carnivore carcass sites than non-scavenging and domestic species. The red fox was the species that most frequently contacted carcasses and marked and rubbed carcass sites. Foxes contacted heterospecific carcasses more frequently and earlier than conspecific ones, and close contact was more frequently observed at heterospecific carcasses. Thus, foxes seemed to avoid contacting carcasses in those periods and at carcass types of maximum risk of acquiring parasites. Overall, our results suggest that infection risk at carnivore carcass sites may take place mainly for visitor-carcass contact or contact with feces and urine rather than direct contact between visitors. Moreover, contact events between scavengers and carnivore carcasses are far more frequent than consumption events, which indicates that scavenger behavior is more constrained by the risk of acquiring meat-borne parasites than non-trophically transmitted parasites. This study contributes to filling key gaps in understanding the role of carrion in the landscape of disgust, which may be especially relevant in the current global context of emerging and re-emerging pathogens.

show abstract

Sarcoptic mange and other ectoparasitic infections in a red fox ( Vulpes vulpes ) population from central Italy

Cited by 9 publications

References 32 publications

Subcutaneous Ticks in Wild Carnivores: Any Host-Related Differences?

Subcutaneous Ticks in Wild Carnivores: Any Host-Related Differences?

Understanding potential implications for non-trophic parasite transmission based on vertebrate behavior at mesocarnivore carcass sites

Exploring Vertebrate Behavior at Mesocarnivore Carcass Sites: Implications for Non-Trophic Parasite Transmission

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About