Wildlife Disease News Digest

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Genomic Fossils In Lemurs Shed Light On Origin And Evolution Of HIV And Other Primate Lentiviruses
ScienceDaily - www.sciencedaily.com (Source: Public Library of Science)
24 Mar 2009
Photo credit: iStockphoto

A retrovirus related to HIV became stably integrated into the genome of several lemurs around 4.2 million years ago, according to research led by Dr. Cédric Feschotte at the University of Texas, Arlington. The new analysis of prosimian immunodeficiency virus (pSIV) offers new insights into the evolution of lentiviruses. During replication, retroviruses integrate within the chromosomes of their host cells. If germ cells are infected, the integrated viral DNA can be transmitted from parent to offspring and may eventually become assimilated as part of the genetic material of the host species. This 'endogenization' process has occurred repeatedly during evolution, and has involved diverse retroviruses, giving rise to a sizeable portion of the genome of many vertebrate species – for example, ~8% of the human genome.

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Whooper mortality rate called highest in 20 years
Rockport Pilot - www.rockportpilot.com
24 Mar 2009
Photo Credit: Randolph Femmer
Area: Arkansas, United States

The ninth aerial census of the 2008-09 crane season at Aransas was conducted March 15 with observer Tom Stehn of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Conditions were less than ideal with overcast skies and occasional light rain. Parts of the crane range were not flown as rain and lightning ended the flight after 3.7 hours.

Whooping Crane Numbers
The estimated flock size is 249 which includes 226 adults and 23 juveniles. The estimated peak winter flock size was 232 adults and 38 juveniles for a total of 270.

Mortality
The flight provided evidence of three additional mortalities, with total winter mortality now estimated at six adults and 15 chicks. That is a loss of 7.8 percent of the flock.

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Cause Of Mussel Poisoning Identified
ScienceDaily - www.sciencedaily.com (Source: Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres)
24 Mar 2009
Photo Credit: Urban Tillmann, Alfred Wegener Institute

The origin of the neurotoxin azaspiracid has finally been identified after a search for more than a decade. The azaspiracid toxin group can cause severe poisoning in human consumers of mussels after being enriched in the shellfish tissues. The scientific periodical European Journal of Phycology reports in its current issue (Vol. 44/1: p. 63-79) that a tiny algal species, the dinoflagellate Azadinium spinosum, is responsible. Researchers from the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research in the Helmholtz Association have isolated and described the hitherto unknown organism as a new genus and species of dinoflagellate.

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Cited Journal Article
>>>Azadinium spinosum gen. et sp. nov. (Dinophyceae) identified as a primary producer of azaspiracid toxins. European Journal of Phycology. 2009 Feb; 44(1): 63-79.

How to Prevent the Next Pandemic
Scientific American - www.sciam.com
Mar 2009
N Wolfe
Photo credit: Jen Christian

Key Concepts

Most human infectious diseases originated in animals.
Historically, epidemiologists have focused on domestic animals as the source of these scourges. But wild animals, too, have transmitted many diseases to us, including HIV.
To address the threat posed by wild animals, researchers are studying the microbes of these creatures and the people who come into frequent contact with them.
Such monitoring may enable scientists to spot emerging infectious diseases early enough to prevent them from becoming pandemics.

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OTHER WILDLIFE HEALTH RELATED NEWS
Photo credit: Wayne Maddison