ABSTRACT
The western-European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) is an insectivore with a wide distribution in Portugal and a potential tool for biomonitoring relevant One Health hazards, including heavy metal(loid)s' pollution. The aim of this study was to positively contribute to the current knowledge about the metal(loid) pollution in Portugal. Forty-six hedgehogs (from rescue centres; with known provenance) were necropsied. Sex, age category and weight were determined. Spines, liver and kidney were collected, and metalloid concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrophotometry (ICP-MS). In general, results did not present alarming metal(loid) concentrations, with the exception of cadmium (Cd) (in the kidneys) and copper (Cu). Hedgehogs from Viana do Castelo and Viseu showed elevated concentrations of arsenic (As) and Castelo Branco presented concerning values of cadmium (Cd). Adult and heavier hedgehogs tended to present higher levels of metal(loid)s. Sex does not seem to significantly affect the metal(loid)s' concentrations. Further analysis would be needed to prioritize areas with detail and allow the application of the necessary mitigation strategies.
Subject(s)
Metalloids , Metals, Heavy , Animals , Cadmium/analysis , Portugal , Hedgehogs , Environmental Monitoring/methods , Metals, Heavy/analysis , Metalloids/analysis , China , Risk AssessmentABSTRACT
The long-eared owl (Asio otus) is a medium-sized owl species that is well-distributed in almost all of the territories in Portugal. Nematodes were found in the oral cavity of a long-eared owl (A. otus) admitted to CRASSA (Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre of Santo André). During a physical exam and stabilization of the bird, five nematodes were collected. The worms were examined and measured under light microscopy, and photos were taken. After a morphological analysis was conducted, all the nematodes (five females) were identified as Synhimantus (Synhimantus) laticeps. Two specimens were subjected to molecular analysis, which confirmed the result. This study provides a combined morphological and genetic approach to S. laticeps. To the authors' best knowledge, this is the first report including genetic sequencing of S. laticeps in a long-eared owl (A. otus) from Portugal.
ABSTRACT
Heavy metal(loid) pollution of ecosystems is a current One Health problem. The liver is one of the most affected organs in cases of acute or chronic exposure to abnormal amounts of these substances, inducing histopathologic lesions. In order to assess the influence of heavy metal(loids), forty-five European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) were submitted to necropsy, and liver samples were collected for a routine histopathology exam and metal(loid)s determination (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu and Pb) by ICP-MS. Age was estimated during the necropsy exam. Biliary hyperplasia was the most frequent lesion observed (16/45; 35.56%). No statistically significant associations were found between biliary hyperplasia and age or sex. Metal(loid)s' concentrations were higher in animals with biliary hyperplasia (except for As). There was a statistically significant difference for both Cd and Co. For As, Cd and Co, cubs and juveniles animals showed significantly lower concentrations than elder individuals. Only for Pb were significant differences found between females and males. As described in the literature, exposure to metal(loid)s may be a cause of biliary hyperplasia, although further research (including the use of biochemical methods) is needed to support these results. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of this association in hedgehogs.
ABSTRACT
European hedgehogs, Erinaceus europaeus (Linnaeus, 1758), are small mammals found in western Europe and also in parts of northern Europe. They can be seen in rural, suburban and urban areas, but are usually found in grassland with edge habitats. These animals are omnivorous and serve as definitive or paratenic hosts for several parasites, including acanthocephalans (phylum Acanthocephala). During necropsy of a European hedgehog, a single adult parasite was collected from the intestinal lumen and preserved in 70% ethanol. After morphological evaluation of the specimen, it was identified as Moniliformis cestodiformis (von Linstow, 1904) (Acanthocephala: Moniliformidae). This is the first report of M. cestodiformis in a European hedgehog, as well as in Europe. More epidemiological studies need to be carried out to map the location and prevalence of this parasite in Portugal and the European continent.
Subject(s)
Acanthocephala , Moniliformis , Animals , Moniliformis/anatomy & histology , Hedgehogs/parasitology , Mammals , EuropeABSTRACT
Columbiformes have a worldwide distribution, of which 166 species occur in Eurasia. They have been reported parasitized by coccidians recurrently in recent years; however, Eimeria labbeana (Labbé, 1896) Pinto, 1928, which is first Eimeria sp. from Columbiformes described in the late nineteenth century, is not taxonomically identified by its oocysts since the 1930s. In this context, the current study aimed to supplement the morphology of E. labbeana from Eurasian collared doves Streptopelia decaocto Frivaldszky, 1838 and from a common woodpigeon Columba palumbus Linnaeus, 1758 in Portugal, providing a preliminary genotypic characterization. Three of the four columbiforms were positive for oocysts identified as E. labbeana, which were morphologically revised as having micropyles, in addition to other minor adjustments. Oocysts from S. decaocto and C. palumbus were morphologically identical and equivalent in all morphometric aspects, besides having genotypic similarity of 99.5%. Phylogenetic analysis based on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene resulted in a large clade with Eimeria spp. and Isospora spp. from different vertebrates and low similarity between Eimeria spp. from Columbiformes, whereas the phylogenetic analysis based on the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene resulted in well-supported monophyletic groups, including one with the coccidians of columbiform birds.
Subject(s)
Coccidiosis , Eimeria , Isospora , Animals , Coccidiosis/veterinary , Columbidae , Eimeria/genetics , Oocysts , Phylogeny , PortugalABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The black stork (Ciconia nigra Linnaeus, 1758) is a recognized endangered species in Europe and most of the specimens from the Western Palearctic region breed in the Iberian Peninsula. Available works regarding parasites in black storks are scarce. This work reports the presence one ecto- and two endoparasite species from a black stork in Portugal. CASE PRESENTATION: A black stork was found in southern Portugal after colliding against electric cables. The specimen did not survive its sustained injuries and a post-mortem exam was performed. During the procedure, several ecto- and endoparasite specimens were found. The collected parasites were lice (Neophilopterus tricolor), nematodes (Desportesius sagittatus) and trematodes (Cathaemasia hians). CONCLUSIONS: Three different species of parasites are reported from a black stork in Portugal. Ecto- and endoparasites of C. nigra have not frequently been described in the literature, and this case report is a contribution to the field. Additional studies will be important to better understand the impact that parasites can have on C. nigra health and survival.
