A5047009096- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Bird parasitology and diseases
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Influenza Virus Research Studies
- Mycobacterium research and diagnosis
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Leprosy Research and Treatment
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Infectious Diseases and Tuberculosis
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Virology and Viral Diseases
Animal and Plant Health Agency
2023-2025
University of Exeter
2020-2023
University of Bristol
2015
Humans are considered as the main host for Mycobacterium leprae
Abstract Until recent events, the Antarctic was only major geographical region in which high pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) had never previously been detected. The current panzootic of H5N1 HPAIV has decimated wild bird populations across Europe, North America, and South America. Here we report on detection clade 2.3.4.4b sub-Antarctic regions Georgia Falkland Islands, respectively. We initially detected samples collected from brown skuas at Bird Island, 8 th October 2023. Since...
In social species, conflict with outsiders is predicted to affect within-group interactions and thus influence group dynamics the evolution maintenance of sociality. Although empirical evidence exists for a relationship between out-group intragroup behavior in humans, experimental tests other animals are rare. model fish system, we show that simulated intrusions cause postconflict increases affiliation but no changes aggression. Postconflict was greater following by neighboring compared...
Understanding the ecology and evolution of parasites is contingent on identifying selection pressures they face across their infection landscape. Such a task made challenging by fact that these will likely vary time space, as result seasonal geographical differences in host susceptibility or transmission opportunities. Avian haemosporidian blood are capable infecting multiple co-occurring hosts within ranges, yet whether distribution space varies similarly different species remains unclear....
ABSTRACT Humans are considered the main host for Mycobacterium leprae , aetiologic agent of leprosy, but spill-over to other mammals such as nine-banded armadillos and red squirrels occurs. Although naturally acquired leprosy has also been described in captive nonhuman primates, exact origins infection remain unclear. Here, we report on leprosy-like lesions two wild populations western chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes verus ) Cantanhez National Park, Guinea-Bissau, Taï Côte d’Ivoire, West...
Abstract Endemic island species face unprecedented threats, with many populations in decline or at risk of extinction. One important threat is the introduction novel and potentially devastating diseases, made more pressing due to accelerating global connectivity, urban development, climatic changes. In Galápagos archipelago two wildlife diseases: avian pox ( Avipoxvirus spp.) malaria Plasmodium spp. related Haemosporidia) challenge endemic species. San Cristóbal has seen a paucity disease...
Studies of parasites in wild animal populations often rely on molecular methods to both detect and quantify infections. However, method accuracy is likely be influenced by the sampling approach taken prior nucleic acid extraction. Avian Haemosporidia are studied primarily through screening host blood, a range storage mediums available for short- long-term preservation samples. Previous research has suggested that medium choice may impact PCR-based parasite detection, however, this...
Darwin’s finches are an iconic example of adaptive radiation and evolution under natural selection. Comparative genetic studies using embryos have shed light on the possible evolutionary processes underlying speciation this clade. Molecular identification sex embryonic samples is important for such studies, where information often cannot be inferred otherwise. We tested a fast simple chicken embryo protocol to extract DNA from finch embryos. In addition, we applied minor modifications two...
Abstract Darwin’s finches, endemic to the Galapagos and Cocos islands, are an iconic example of adaptive radiation evolution under natural selection. Comparative genetic studies using embryos finches have shed light on possible evolutionary processes underlying speciation this clade. Molecular identification sex embryonic samples is important for such studies, where information often cannot be inferred otherwise. We tested a fast simple chicken embryo protocol extraction genomic DNA finch...