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International journal for parasitology. Parasites and wildlife2024; 25; 100980; doi: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2024.100980

Molecular analysis of feces reveals gastrointestinal nematodes in reintroduced wild asses of the Negev desert.

Abstract: Reintroduced animals face disease risks, potentially impacting both the reintroduced and the local wildlife/domestic populations. This study focuses on the Asiatic wild asses () reintroduced to the Negev desert in southern Israel. Despite potential threats of disease spill-over to and from domesticated donkeys and horses in the area, there are no records of the gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) of the wild ass population. We used DNA metabarcoding on fecal samples of wild asses collected across seasons and habitats, near water sources that they frequently use. Ten GIN species were detected in the feces, nine belonging to the family Strongylidae, which commonly infects and causes disease in equids worldwide, such as horses, zebras, and donkeys. Some of these Strongylidae species are also found in domesticated equids in Israel, thus raising concerns regarding potential parasite transmission between wild and domestic animals. The high prevalence of certain GIN species suggests frequent transmission, likely due to the congregation of the wild asses around water sources. While we observed statistically significant variations in some GIN species across seasons and habitats, we did not find clear overall differences between GIN communities. DNA metabarcoding proves to be a valuable tool for identifying GIN species in wild animals, with potential applications in monitoring their health and preventing disease transmission to and from domestic animals.
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Publication Date: 2024-08-29 PubMed ID: 39280353PubMed Central: PMC11402423DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2024.100980Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research paper discusses the presence of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) found through DNA metabarcoding of fecal samples in the reintroduced wild asses in the Negev desert, Israel. The study raises concerns about potential disease transmission to and from domestic animals due to these parasites.

Introduction

  • The study focuses on Asiatic wild asses that have been reintroduced to the Negev desert in southern Israel.
  • The risk of disease transmission and spillover to and from local wild and domestic populations is a potential danger with reintroduced animals.
  • Despite this risk, there have been no records of the presence of GIN in this wild ass population.

Methodology

  • The researchers utilized DNA metabarcoding on fecal samples taken from the wild asses across different seasons and habitats. The sample collection was especially concentrated around water sources, which these wild asses frequently use.

Results

  • The analysis detected the presence of ten GIN species in the feces, with nine belonging to the Strongylidae family.
  • Members of the Strongylidae family are known for commonly infecting and causing diseases in equids worldwide including horses, zebras, and donkeys. Some Strongylidae species also exist in domestic equids in Israel.
  • The high prevalence of certain GIN species suggests frequent transmission, which is likely due to the gathering of wild asses around water sources.

Practical Implications

  • The findings raise concerns regarding potential parasite transmission between wild and domestic animals.
  • There were significant variations in some GIN species across different seasons and habitats, however, no overall distinction between GIN communities was noticed.

Conclusion

  • The study highlights the effectiveness of DNA metabarcoding as a tool for the identification of GIN species in wild animals.
  • It could also have potential applications in monitoring their health and preventing disease transmission to and from domestic animals.

Cite This Article

APA
Forman R, Lalzar M, Inbar M, Berman TS. (2024). Molecular analysis of feces reveals gastrointestinal nematodes in reintroduced wild asses of the Negev desert. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl, 25, 100980. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijppaw.2024.100980

Publication

International journal for parasitology. Parasites and wildlife
ISSN: 2213-2244
NlmUniqueID: 101599824
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 25
Pages: 100980
PII: 100980

Researcher Affiliations

Forman, R
  • Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Israel.
Lalzar, M
  • Bioinformatics Services Unit, University of Haifa, Israel.
Inbar, M
  • Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Israel.
Berman, T S
  • Hula Research Centre, Department of Animal Sciences, Tel-Hai Academic College, Upper Galilee, 1220800, Israel.
  • MIGAL- Galilee Research Institute, 11016, Kiryat Shmona, Israel.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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