Equine behavioral enrichment toys as tools for non-invasive recovery of viral and host DNA.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research article presents a novel, non-invasive method for extracting environmental DNA (eDNA) from wildlife, particularly zebras. The technique uses equine behavioural enrichment toys to trace the shedding of Equine Herpesvirus (EHV) as well as for genotyping individual zebras.
Objective of the Study
This study aimed at developing a simple, non-invasive method for extracting DNA from wildlife like zebras. The main objectives of the study consisted of:
- Monitoring the presence of wildlife at the individual level
- Identifying pathogens shed by wildlife, particularly Equine Herpesviruses (EHV)
- Establishing an effective protocol for genotyping individual zebras from eDNA
Methodology
The research adopted a novel approach where a commercially available horse enrichment toy was utilized. The toy was placed in the enclosures hosting Grévy’s, mountain, and plains zebra, after which:
- It was swabbed after a duration of 4-24 hours
- eDNA was extracted from these swabs
Results of the Study
PCR and sequencing identified four EHV strains: EHV-1, EHV-7, wild ass herpesvirus and zebra herpesvirus. Besides the pathogens, mitochondrial DNA amplification and sequencing revealed interaction with the toy from 12 of the 16 zebras present in the enclosures.
Conclusion
The study proved that in situations where direct sampling from wildlife is challenging or prohibited, eDNA sampling can act as an effective tool. This non-invasive approach can help in determining individual or population genetics and also successfully detects pathogen shedding in captive wildlife. Based on the study, it’s evident that this methodology could open new avenues for research in wildlife monitoring and disease transmission.
Cite This Article
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany.
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany.
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany.
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany.
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Husbandry / instrumentation
- Animals
- Behavior, Animal
- DNA, Viral / isolation & purification
- Equidae / virology
- Female
- Herpesviridae / classification
- Herpesviridae / genetics
- Herpesviridae / isolation & purification
- Male
- Play and Playthings
- Virus Shedding
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Schilling AK, Mazzamuto MV, Romeo C. A Review of Non-Invasive Sampling in Wildlife Disease and Health Research: What's New?. Animals (Basel) 2022 Jul 2;12(13).
- Dayaram A, Seeber PA, Greenwood AD. Environmental Detection and Potential Transmission of Equine Herpesviruses. Pathogens 2021 Apr 1;10(4).
- Seeber PA, Dayaram A, Sicks F, Osterrieder N, Franz M, Greenwood AD. Noninvasive Detection of Equid Herpesviruses in Fecal Samples. Appl Environ Microbiol 2019 Feb 1;85(3).
- Seeber PA, Quintard B, Sicks F, Dehnhard M, Greenwood AD, Franz M. Environmental stressors may cause equine herpesvirus reactivation in captive Grévy's zebras (Equus grevyi). PeerJ 2018;6:e5422.
- Costantini D, Seeber PA, Soilemetzidou SE, Azab W, Bohner J, Buuveibaatar B, Czirják GÁ, East ML, Greunz EM, Kaczensky P, Lamglait B, Melzheimer J, Uiseb K, Ortega A, Osterrieder N, Sandgreen DM, Simon M, Walzer C, Greenwood AD. Physiological costs of infection: herpesvirus replication is linked to blood oxidative stress in equids. Sci Rep 2018 Jul 9;8(1):10347.
