Anatomy of the vertebral column, ribs and sternum in orange rumped agouti (Dasyprocta leporina Linnaeus, 1758): Structural and Functional perspectives.

The axial skeleton of orange rumped agouti, Dasyprocta leporina, was studied for better understanding of its locomotor behaviour. The bones from eight adult agoutis of both sexes were observed for their anatomical features and functional significance. The vertebral formula was found to be C7 T12 L7 S5 Cy5-6 . The well-developed occipital crest, caudally oriented prominent axis spine and well-developed transverse processes from C3 -C7 indicated a highly flexible neck with greater sagittal mobility. Articular facets were horizontal in anterior series while oblique in the posterior series, which enabled them to perform both lateral and sagittal movements during locomotion. The caudally directed thoracic spines, T12 as anticlinal vertebra and prominent mamillary process in the posterior series were suggestive of strong dorso-ventral flexion/extension and rotation. The robust lumbar vertebrae, well-developed transverse processes with cranio-ventral extension, were the feature for powerful sagittal/dorsoventral movement. The presence of spinous processes and well-developed transverse processes in all caudal vertebrae was an indication of a highly movable tail. The ribs were 13 pairs with first seven as sternal and six as asternal. They were laterally compressed in the anterior series as a cursorial adaptation. A strong muscular attachment to vertebrae provides this rodent speed, agility, dexterity and strength suitable for survival in food chain.

The application of PCR and reverse line blot hybridization to detect arthropod-borne hemopathogens of dogs and cats in Trinidad.

Arthropod-borne diseases are important causes of morbidity and mortality of companion animals in Trinidad. As clinical signs are vague, more sensitive methods to diagnose these diseases based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by reverse line blot hybridization (RLB) of amplified products are being developed. An RLB of 14 oligonucleotide probes coupled with polymerase chain-amplified regions of 16S rRNA or 18S rRNA genes of hemoparasites from cats and dogs detected Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma platys, Babesia canis vogeli, feline mycoplasmas ("Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum,"Mycoplasma haemofelis), and some unknown species within the Babesia/Theileria group and the Anaplasma/Ehrlichia tribe. Amplified products were obtained from blood samples collected from 348 dogs and 15 cats. Overall, hemopathogen DNA was detected in 92 (26.4 per cent) dogs and six (40.0 per cent) cats. E. canis (49, 14.1 per cent) and feline mycoplasma (5, 33.3 per cent) DNA were most frequently identified in dogs and cats, respectively. B. canis vogeli (1, 6.7 per cent) and E. canis (1, 6.7 per cent) were also detected in cats. Mixed infections of Anaplasma/Ehrlichia sp. and Babesia sp. were present in five (1.4 per cent) dogs, while mixed infections of the feline mycoplasmas were present in two (13.3 per cent) cats, one of which was also positive for E. canis. Pyrexia was significantly associated with a positive RLB result in dogs (P= 0.00, chi(2), 1 df). This is the first reported application of macro-arraying techniques to detect arthropod-borne hemopathogens of companion animals in the Americas and the first detection of DNA of B. canis vogeli and E. canis in cats in Trinidad.

The application of PCR and reverse line blot hybridization to detect arthropod-borne hemopathogens of dogs and cats in Trinidad.

Arthropod-borne diseases are important causes of morbidity and mortality of companion animals in Trinidad. As clinical signs are vague, more sensitive methods to diagnose these diseases based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by reverse line blot hybridization (RLB) of amplified products are being developed. An RLB of 14 oligonucleotide probes coupled with polymerase chain-amplified regions of 16S rRNA or 18S rRNA genes of hemoparasites from cats and dogs detected Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma platys, Babesia canis vogeli, feline mycoplasmas ("Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum,"Mycoplasma haemofelis), and some unknown species within the Babesia/Theileria group and the Anaplasma/Ehrlichia tribe. Amplified products were obtained from blood samples collected from 348 dogs and 15 cats. Overall, hemopathogen DNA was detected in 92 (26.4%) dogs and six (40.0%) cats. E. canis (49, 14.1%) and feline mycoplasma (5, 33.3%) DNA were most frequently identified in dogs and cats, respectively. B. canis vogeli (1, 6.7%) and E. canis (1, 6.7%) were also detected in cats. Mixed infections of Anaplasma/Ehrlichia sp. and Babesia sp. were present in five (1.4%) dogs, while mixed infections of the feline mycoplasmas were present in two (13.3%) cats, one of which was also positive for E. canis. Pyrexia was significantly associated with a positive RLB result in dogs (P= 0.00, chi(2), 1 df). This is the first reported application of macro-arraying techniques to detect arthropod-borne hemopathogens of companion animals in the Americas and the first detection of DNA of B. canis vogeli and E. canis in cats in Trinidad.