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Molecular confirmation of high prevalence of species of Hepatozoon infection in free-ranging African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) in the Kruger National Park, South Africa.

ABSTRACT: Reports in the literature indicate that species of Hepatozoon commonly occur in African wild dog (AWD) or painted wolf (Lycaon pictus) populations. These findings were based on examination of blood smears by microscopy, and specific identity of the Hepatozoon sp. gamonts seen could not be confirmed. We present the first in-depth molecular data on the prevalence of species of Hepatozoon in a free-ranging AWD population. In a general health survey of AWDs in the Kruger National Park, blood specimens (n = 74) collected from 54 individuals were examined for the presence of Hepatozoon spp. At first sampling, specimens from 42 of 54 individuals (77.7%) were positive, based on the primer set HepF300 and HepR900. Twenty individuals were resampled between 51 and 69 days after first sampling; one of these was resampled twice. Samples from six individuals that had tested negative previously now reacted positive. Assuming that all 54 individuals were still alive, the prevalence had therefore increased to 48 individuals infected, or 88.8%. Resultant 18S rDNA sequences isolated from these specimens share high similarity to other Hepatozoon canis genotypes. Phylogenetic analysis recovered the Hepatozoon sp. isolated from AWDs within the H. canis cluster, which includes species of Hepatozoon from other canid and tick hosts.

SUBMITTER: Netherlands EC

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8056134 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Large carnivores have experienced widespread extirpation and species are now threatened globally. The ecological impact of the loss of large carnivores has been prominent in Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique, after most were extirpated during the 1977-92 civil war. To remedy this, reintroductions are now being implemented in Gorongosa, initiating with endangered African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus), hereafter 'wild dogs'. We describe the first transboundary translocation and reintroduction of founding packs of wild dogs to Gorongosa over a 28-month study period and evaluate the success of the reintroduction based on five key indicator categories. We also assess how wild dog space use and diet influenced their success. We found that pre-release, artificial pack formation in holding enclosures aided group cohesion and alpha pair establishment. Post-release, we also observed natural pack formations as a result of multiple dispersal events. Founder and naturally formed packs produced pups in two of the three breeding seasons and packs successfully recruited pups. Survival rate for all wild dogs was 73% and all mortality events were from natural causes. Consequently, the population grew significantly over the study period. All indicators of success were fully achieved and this study documents the first successful reintroduction of wild dogs into a large, unfenced landscape in Mozambique and only the second on the continent. Potential mechanisms underlying these early successes were the avoidance of habitats intensively used by lions, dietary partitioning with lion, avoidance of human settlements, and Gorongosa's management strategy. We predict further population expansion in Gorongosa given that 68% of the park is still unused by wild dogs. This expansion could be stimulated by continued reintroductions over the short- to medium-term. Recovery of wild dogs in Gorongosa could aid in the re-establishment of a larger, connected population across the greater Gorongosa-Marromeu landscape.

Project description:Human-carnivore conflict can threaten human life and livelihoods, leading to retaliation that negatively affects carnivore conservation. The endangered African wild dog Lycaon pictus is prone to human-carnivore conflict. Therefore, it is imperative to understand which landscape features are associated with African wild dog occurrence since selection or avoidance of these features could predict the levels of conflict. We investigated resource selection in the African wild dog in relation to four anthropogenic landscape features (livestock density, agriculture, roads and human land use) within the landscape that may pose a mortality risk, as well as one natural feature (nature reserves). We compared spatio-temporal space use patterns of four African wild dog packs in north-eastern South Africa. Data were collected from one collared individual per pack. These packs constituted approximately 10% of the total remaining African wild dog population in South Africa. Two packs occurred outside of the Kruger National Park and had access to multiple areas with farmland and other anthropogenic features, whereas the remaining two packs mainly occurred within the boundaries of the Kruger National Park but made occasional forays outside of park boundaries. Utilising Resource Selection Functions and GIS analyses, we found that agricultural landscape features, roads and nature reserves were important predictors of African wild dog occurrence for all four packs. In addition to potential conflict with farmers, high odds of occurrence on roads with fast-moving traffic and road mortality was highlighted as a concern for three of the packs. While farms and areas that house livestock were readily available, pack presence occurred in areas with few farms and low livestock densities, pointing to avoidance of areas where human-carnivore conflict and resulting mortality could occur. Our study highlights potential threats to the persistence of the African wild dog, which can be used to inform future conservation efforts of the species.

Dataset Information

Molecular confirmation of high prevalence of species of Hepatozoon infection in free-ranging African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) in the Kruger National Park, South Africa.

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