Distinct mtDNA lineages in free-ranging Ammotragus(aoudad) from the United States indicate multiple introductions from northern Africa.

Translocation records indicate aoudad (Ammotragus lervia) populations in the United States are a product of multiple human-mediated introductions. Two mitochondrial markers (cytochrome b, cytb; displacement loop, D loop) and one nuclear gene (prion protein gene exon 3, PRNP) were used to determine: (1) genetic variation, (2) if genetic units correspond to taxonomic designations, (3) the number and geographic origin of translocations, and (4) divergence times. Three phylogenetic analyses (Bayesian inference, maximum likelihood, and parsimony) produced similar topologies with two clades (I and II). Clade I contained progeny of individuals resulting from introductions to Texas and Spain, and individuals from Algeria. Individuals in Clade II were progeny of past introductions to the United States and Europe, and northern Algeria. Clade II was subdivided into two subclades (A and B) representing two haplogroups. No genetic variation was detected in the PRNP sequences. Three haplogroups appeared to correspond to the subspecies A. l. lervia and A. l. sahariensis whose native distribution includes northwestern Africa. Network analyses assigned haplogroups to two major groups similar to those depicted in the phylogenetic analyses. Genetic distances ranged from 0.80% to 5.17% and 2.99% to 15.42% for cytb and D loop, respectively; and were higher than normally recovered for caprids, warranting a reexamination of subspecific status. Divergence dates indicated a major split between A. l. lervia and A. l. sahariensis circa 2.38 mya. Together, the high level of genetic divergences among US populations and apparent presence of two subspecies of aoudad in the United States support the hypothesis of multiple introductions from multiple sources.

Barbary sheep tissues as bioindicators of radionuclide and stabile element contamination in Croatia: exposure assessment for consumers.

Muscle, liver and kidney of 21 Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia) from Mosor Mountain, Croatia, were sampled to quantify the activity of caesium and potassium radionuclides and five toxic and ten essential stabile elements in order to establish reference values for this species and to evaluate the potential of Barbary sheep tissues to reflect environmental pollution. We also assessed seasonal diet (botanical composition and dry matter content) of Barbary sheep based on analyses of a rumen content of culled animals. None of the 19 plant species (mostly grasses) identified as part of the Barbary sheep diet is known as a stabile element or radionuclide hyperaccumulator. Measured levels reflected low environmental pollution with arsenic, cadmium, mercury and lead, with levels generally less than those reported for wild herbivorous ungulates. Methodological differences (detection limit of elements in muscle) were shown to hamper interpretation and comparison of the Toxic Contamination Index (TCI) values with those published for other species. There was no homeostasis disturbance of trace elements in Barbary sheep, either due to inadequate intake via food or as an adverse effect due to a high toxic metal(loid) burden. Consumption of the muscle and liver of wild Barbary sheep can be considered safe for the health of adult consumers regarding toxic metal(loid)s and radioactive caesium, though the liver should be avoided as a food item in vulnerable population groups due to the possible adverse effects of cadmium and lead. Otherwise, muscle and liver are a rich source of copper, iron, selenium and zinc for consumers and, as such, can benefit the overall dietary intake of essential elements.

Serological survey of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies in Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia) at the Curitiba Zoo, southern Brazil / Estudo sorológico de anticorpos anti-Leptospira spp. em aoudads (Ammotragus lervia) no zoológico de Curitiba, sul do Brasil

Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonosis, affecting humans, domestic and wild animals. The present study aimed to evaluate prevalence of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies in Barbary sheep at the Curitiba zoo. Microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was performed using 17 serogroups. Antibodies against Leptospira spp. were observed in 23.5% samples and Icterohaemorrhagiae was the only prevalent serogroup. The presence of anti-Leptospira antibodies in Barbary sheep indicates exposure to leptospires; thus monitoring and preventive measures are necessary in zoo's captive animals, since they can act as sentinels of environmental exposure in an area with high movement of people.(AU)

A leptospirose é uma zoonose mundial que afeta seres humanos, animais domésticos e selvagens. O presente estudo objetivou avaliar a prevalência de anticorpos anti-Leptospira spp. em aoudads do zoológico de Curitiba. Foi realizado o teste de Soroaglutinação microscópica (SAM) utilizando 17 sorogrupos. Anticorpos contra Leptospira spp. foram observados em 23.5% das amostras de aoudads e Icterohaemorrhagiae foi o único sorogrupo prevalente. A presença de anticorpos em aoudads indica exposição a leptospiras portanto monitoramento e medidas preventivas são necessários em animais confinados em zoológicos, uma vez eles podem atuar como sentinelas de exposição ambiental em uma área com alta circulação de pessoas.(AU)

DIAGNOSIS OF PREGNANCY IN BARBARY SHEEP (AMMOTRAGUS LERVIA) USING A BOVINE ASSAY FOR PREGNANCY-ASSOCIATED GLYCOPROTEINS.

Pregnancy diagnosis is an important part in reproduction management of wild ruminants involved in free-ranging and captive programs. Pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) are placenta-expressed proteins released into maternal blood circulation. Tests with high specificity have been developed and validated in domestic species and have been used in some wild ungulate species. One hundred and seventeen serum samples collected from 72 mature female Barbary sheep ( Ammotragus lervia ) were tested using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. Pregnancy was determined either postmortem (n = 5) or by visualization of parturition (n = 33). The other sera were controls from known nonpregnant females (n = 71). The following values were obtained: sensitivity = 100.0%, specificity = 95.8%. Using a commercial ELISA for the detection of PAGs appears to be a rapid, inexpensive, and accurate test for pregnancy diagnosis in the endangered Barbary sheep. The number of offspring cannot be determined with this method.

First report of oestrosis in aoudad from southeastern Spain.

In spring 2016, we analyzed the skull of 44 aoudads (Ammotragus lervia) from Sierra Espuña Regional Park (SE Spain) for the presence of oestrid larvae. Oestrus ovis larvae were found in 27.3% of sampled hosts, with a mean intensity of 1.5 ± 6.1 larvae/per parasitized host (range 1-21). To our knowledge, this is the first report of oestrosis affecting this host species.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex infection in Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia) at the Curitiba Zoo, southern Brazil: case report / Infecção pelo complexo Mycobacterium tuberculosis em carneiro da Barbária (Ammotragus lervia) no Zoológico de Curitiba, sul do Brasil: relato de caso

Tuberculosis is one of the most important mandatory notification diseases in the world caused by bacteria of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, infecting both humans and animals. A sudden death of a Barbary sheep in Curitiba Zoo, and presence of multifocal nodules in lungs at necropsy raised suspicion of tuberculosis. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) from organs and fluid was performed and detected M. tuberculosis complex in a lung sample. This research reports the M. tuberculosis complex infection in Barbary sheep, a zoonosis of great relevance to public health and emphasizes the need to implement prevention measures. Furthermore, the research may provide a better understanding for species conservation, occurrence and transmission of diseases in captivity, reservoir potential and public health impact to zoo personnel and visitors.(AU)

A tuberculose é uma das doenças mundiais de notificação obrigatória mais importantes causada pelo complexo Mycobacterium tuberculosis que pode infectar pessoas e animais. A morte repentina de um carneiro da Barbária no Zoológico de Curitiba, que apresentou nódulos multifocais no pulmão à necropsia, levantou a suspeita de tuberculose. Foi realizada a Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase Quantitativa (qPCR) de fragmentos de órgãos e fluido. A qPCR detectou a presença do complexo M. tuberculosis nas amostras de pulmão. Este estudo relata a infecção pelo complexo M. tuberculosis no carneiro da Barbária, uma zoonose de grande relevância para a saúde pública, ressaltando-se a necessidade da implementação de medidas de prevenção. Além disso, pode prover um melhor entendimento sobre conservação de espécies, ocorrência e transmissão de doenças em cativeiro, potencial reservatório e impacto na saúde pública para visitantes e funcionários dos zoológicos.(AU)

Occurrences of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in Barbary sheep at Curitiba zoo, southern Brazil / Ocorrências de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii e anti-Neospora caninum em aoudads no zoológico de Curitiba, sul do Brasil

Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia) have the potential to act as hosts of important infectious diseases, particularly zoonoses. Blood samples from 17 Barbary sheep at the Curitiba zoo were collected to evaluate occurrences of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora caninum antibodies, tested using the indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). Anti-T. gondii and anti-N. caninum antibodies were detected in 4/17 (23.5%) and 4/17 (23.5%) samples, respectively. The present study has shown that Barbary sheep at Curitiba zoo were exposed to T. gondii and N. caninum and therefore may act as intermediate hosts, spreading toxoplasmosis and neosporosis within and between species in shared areas.

Aoudads (Ammotragus lervia) têm o potencial para atuar como hospedeiros de importantes doenças infecciosas, em particular as zoonoses. Amostras de sangue de 17 aoudads do zoológico de Curitiba foram coletadas para avaliar ocorrências de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii e anti-Neospora caninum, testados pela reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI). Anticorpos anti-T. gondii e anti-N. caninum foram detectados em 4/17 (23,5%) e 4/17 (23,5%) das amostras dos aoudads, respectivamente. O presente estudo revelou que os aoudads no zoológico de Curitiba estão expostos a T. gondii e N. caninum e, portanto, podem atuar como hospedeiros intermediários e fatores de difusão da toxoplasmose e da neosporose intra e interespécies em áreas compartilhadas.

Balantidiasis in the gastric lymph nodes of Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia): an incidental finding

A 4-year-old female Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia) was found dead in the Gwangju Uchi Park Zoo. The animal had previously exhibited weakness and lethargy, but no signs of diarrhea. The carcass was emaciated upon presentation. The main gross lesion was characterized by severe serous atrophy of the fat tissues of the coronary and left ventricular grooves, resulting in the transformation of the fat to a gelatinous material. The rumen was fully distended with food, while the abomasum evidenced mucosal corrugation with slight congestion. Microscopic examination revealed the presence of Balantidium coli trophozoites within the lymphatic ducts of the gastric lymph node and the abdominal submucosa. On rare occasions, these organisms may invade extra-intestinal organs, in this case the gastric lymph nodes and abomasum.