Molecular epidemiology of a fatal sarcoptic mange epidemic in endangered San Joaquin kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis mutica)

Abstract Background: In 2013, sarcoptic mange, caused by Sarcoptes scabiei mites, precipitated a catastrophic decline of the formerly stable urban population of endangered San Joaquin kit foxes ( Vulpes macrotis mutica ) in Bakersfield, California, USA. In 2019, a smaller sarcoptic mange outbreak affected kit foxes 58 km southwest of Bakersfield in the town of Taft, California. To determine whether the Taft outbreak could have occurred as spillover from the Bakersfield outbreak and whether epidemic control efforts must involve not only kit foxes but also sympatric dogs ( Canis lupus familiaris ), coyotes ( Canis latrans ), and red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes ), we evaluated genotypes and gene flow among mites collected from each host species.Methods: We used 10 Sarcoptes microsatellite markers (SARM) to perform molecular typing of 445 S. scabiei mites collected from skin scrapings from twenty-two infested kit foxes, two dogs, five coyotes, and five red foxes from Bakersfield, Taft, and other nearby cities.Results: We identified 60 alleles across all SARM loci; kit fox- and red fox-derived mites were relatively monomorphic, while genetic variability was greatest in Bakersfield coyote- and dog-derived mites. AMOVA analysis documented distinct mite populations unique to hosts, with an overall F ST of 0.467. The lowest F ST (i.e. closest genetic relationship, F ST = 0.038) was between Bakersfield and Taft kit fox-derived mites while the largest genetic difference was between Ventura coyote- and Taft kit fox-derived mites (F ST = 0.843).Conclusion: These results confirm the close relationship between the Taft and Bakersfield outbreaks. The Sarcoptes host specificity suggests that, although an inter-species spillover event likely initiated the kit fox mange outbreak, mite transmission is now primarily intraspecific. Therefore, any large-scale population level intervention should focus on treating kit foxes within the city.

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Molecular epidemiology of a fatal sarcoptic mange epidemic in endangered San Joaquin kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis mutica)

10.21203/rs.3.rs-32109/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jaime L. Rudd ◽

Deana L. Clifford ◽

Brian L. Cypher ◽

Joshua M. Hull ◽

A. Jane Riner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Genetic Difference ◽

Population Level ◽

Sarcoptes Scabiei ◽

Sarcoptic Mange ◽

Canis Lupus Familiaris ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Kit Fox ◽

Vulpes Macrotis ◽

Vulpes Macrotis Mutica

Abstract Background: In 2013, sarcoptic mange, caused by Sarcoptes scabiei mites, precipitated a catastrophic decline of the formerly stable urban population of endangered San Joaquin kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis mutica) in Bakersfield, California, USA. In 2019, a smaller sarcoptic mange outbreak affected kit foxes 58 km southwest of Bakersfield in the town of Taft, California. To determine whether the Taft outbreak could have occurred as spillover from the Bakersfield outbreak and whether epidemic control efforts must involve not only kit foxes but also sympatric dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), coyotes (Canis latrans), and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), we evaluated genotypes and gene flow among mites collected from each host species.Methods: We used 10 Sarcoptes microsatellite markers (SARM) to perform molecular typing of 445 S. scabiei mites collected from skin scrapings from twenty-two infested kit foxes, two dogs, five coyotes, and five red foxes from Bakersfield, Taft, and other nearby cities.Results: We identified 60 alleles across all SARM loci; kit fox- and red fox-derived mites were relatively monomorphic, while genetic variability was greatest in Bakersfield coyote- and dog-derived mites. AMOVA analysis documented distinct mite populations unique to hosts, with an overall FST of 0.467. The lowest FST (i.e. closest genetic relationship, FST = 0.038) was between Bakersfield and Taft kit fox-derived mites while the largest genetic difference was between Ventura coyote- and Taft kit fox-derived mites (FST = 0.843).Conclusion: These results confirm the close relationship between the Taft and Bakersfield outbreaks. Although a spillover event likely initiated the kit fox mange outbreak, mite transmission is now primarily kit fox-to-kit fox. Therefore, any large-scale population level intervention should focus on treating kit foxes within the city.

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Molecular epidemiology of a fatal sarcoptic mange epidemic in endangered San Joaquin kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis mutica)

10.21203/rs.3.rs-32109/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jaime L. Rudd ◽

Deana L. Clifford ◽

Brian L. Cypher ◽

Joshua M. Hull ◽

A. Jane Riner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Genetic Difference ◽

Population Level ◽

Sarcoptes Scabiei ◽

Sarcoptic Mange ◽

Canis Lupus Familiaris ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Kit Fox ◽

Vulpes Macrotis ◽

Vulpes Macrotis Mutica

Abstract Background: In 2013, sarcoptic mange, caused by Sarcoptes scabiei mites, precipitated a catastrophic decline of the formerly stable urban population of endangered San Joaquin kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis mutica) in Bakersfield, California, USA. In 2019, a smaller sarcoptic mange outbreak affected kit foxes 58 km southwest of Bakersfield in the town of Taft, California. To determine whether the Taft outbreak could have occurred as spillover from the Bakersfield outbreak and whether epidemic control efforts must involve not only kit foxes but also sympatric dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), coyotes (Canis latrans), and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), we evaluated genotypes and gene flow among mites collected from each host species. Methods: We used 10 Sarcoptes microsatellite markers (SARM) to perform molecular typing of 445 S. scabiei mites collected from skin scrapings from twenty-two infested kit foxes, two dogs, five coyotes, and five red foxes from Bakersfield, Taft, and other nearby cities. Results: We identified 60 alleles across all SARM loci; kit fox- and red fox-derived mites were relatively monomorphic, while genetic variability was greatest in Bakersfield coyote- and dog-derived mites. AMOVA analysis documented distinct mite populations unique to hosts, with an overall FST of 0.467. The lowest FST (i.e. closest genetic relationship, FST = 0.038) was between Bakersfield and Taft kit fox-derived mites while the largest genetic difference was between Ventura coyote- and Taft kit fox-derived mites (FST = 0.843). Conclusions: These results confirm the close relationship between the Taft and Bakersfield outbreaks. Although a spillover event likely initiated the kit fox mange outbreak, mite transmission is now primarily kit fox-to-kit fox. Therefore, any large-scale population level intervention should focus on treating kit foxes within the city.

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Molecular epidemiology of a fatal sarcoptic mange epidemic in endangered San Joaquin kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis mutica)

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-020-04328-3 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jaime L. Rudd ◽

Deana L. Clifford ◽

Brian L. Cypher ◽

Joshua M. Hull ◽

A. Jane Riner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Genetic Difference ◽

Population Level ◽

Sarcoptes Scabiei ◽

Sarcoptic Mange ◽

Canis Lupus Familiaris ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Kit Fox ◽

Vulpes Macrotis ◽

Vulpes Macrotis Mutica

Abstract Background In 2013, sarcoptic mange, caused by Sarcoptes scabiei mites, precipitated a catastrophic decline of the formerly stable urban population of endangered San Joaquin kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis mutica) in Bakersfield, California, USA. In 2019, a smaller sarcoptic mange outbreak affected kit foxes 58 km southwest of Bakersfield in the town of Taft, California. To determine whether the Taft outbreak could have occurred as spillover from the Bakersfield outbreak and whether epidemic control efforts must involve not only kit foxes but also sympatric dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), coyotes (Canis latrans), and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), we evaluated genotypes and gene flow among mites collected from each host species. Methods We used 10 Sarcoptes microsatellite markers (SARM) to perform molecular typing of 445 S. scabiei mites collected from skin scrapings from twenty-two infested kit foxes, two dogs, five coyotes, and five red foxes from Bakersfield, Taft, and other nearby cities. Results We identified 60 alleles across all SARM loci; kit fox- and red fox-derived mites were relatively monomorphic, while genetic variability was greatest in Bakersfield coyote- and dog-derived mites. AMOVA analysis documented distinct mite populations unique to hosts, with an overall FST of 0.467. The lowest FST (i.e. closest genetic relationship, FST = 0.038) was between Bakersfield and Taft kit fox-derived mites while the largest genetic difference was between Ventura coyote- and Taft kit fox-derived mites (FST = 0.843). Conclusions These results confirm the close relationship between the Taft and Bakersfield outbreaks. Although a spillover event likely initiated the kit fox mange outbreak, mite transmission is now primarily kit fox-to-kit fox. Therefore, any large-scale population level intervention should focus on treating kit foxes within the city.

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CLIMATIC SUITABILITY OF SAN JOAQUIN KIT FOX (VULPES MACROTIS MUTICA) DENS FOR SARCOPTIC MANGE (SARCOPTES SCABIEI) TRANSMISSION

Journal of Wildlife Diseases ◽

10.7589/2019-02-035 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 56 (1) ◽

pp. 126

Author(s):

Ariel Irene Loredo ◽

Jamie Leann Rudd ◽

Janet Elizabeth Foley ◽

Deana Louise Clifford ◽

Brian Leslie Cypher

Keyword(s):

Sarcoptes Scabiei ◽

Sarcoptic Mange ◽

Climatic Suitability ◽

Kit Fox ◽

San Joaquin Kit Fox ◽

Vulpes Macrotis ◽

Vulpes Macrotis Mutica

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Resource partitioning between kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis) and coyotes (Canis latrans): a comparison of historical and contemporary dietary overlap

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/cjz-2017-0246 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 96 (5) ◽

pp. 497-504 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

P.A. Byerly ◽

R.C. Lonsinger ◽

E.M. Gese ◽

A.J. Kozlowski ◽

L.P. Waits

Keyword(s):

Great Basin ◽

Native Species ◽

Dietary Diversity ◽

Canis Latrans ◽

Population Level ◽

Relative Importance ◽

Dietary Overlap ◽

Kit Fox ◽

Prey Diversity ◽

Vulpes Macrotis

Range expansions by generalists can alter communities and introduce competitive pressures on native species. In the Great Basin Desert, USA, coyotes (Canis latrans Say, 1823) have colonized and are now sympatric with native kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis Merriam, 1888). Since both species have similar diets, dietary partitioning may facilitate coexistence. We analyzed coyote and kit fox diets, then compared our results to an earlier study. Because populations are dynamic, we expected that decreases in prey or increases in predator abundance could alter dietary patterns. We found no significant changes in population-level prey diversity for kit foxes or coyotes, but found high levels of dietary overlap between species. We did detect a significant decrease in the relative importance of leporids (family Leporidae) in the diets of both canids, but they remained important for coyotes. The relative importance of small mammals was greater for kit foxes than coyotes, but their importance had not changed significantly over time. We detected significant declines in prey diversity per sample (scat-level dietary diversity) for both canids, suggesting that during a foraging event, individuals may encounter less diverse prey now than historically. These findings suggested that kit foxes and coyotes were not limited by prey, despite high dietary overlap.

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HEMATOLOGIC VALUES OF THE ENDANGERED SAN JOAQUIN KIT FOX, VULPES MACROTIS MUTICA

Journal of Wildlife Diseases ◽

10.7589/0090-3558-23.1.144 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 144-151 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Patrick M. McCue ◽

Thomas P. O'Farrell

Keyword(s):

Kit Fox ◽

San Joaquin Kit Fox ◽

Vulpes Macrotis ◽

Vulpes Macrotis Mutica

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Of microbes and mange: consistent changes in the skin microbiome of three canid species infected with Sarcoptes scabiei mites

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-019-3724-0 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Alexandra L. DeCandia ◽

Kennedy N. Leverett ◽

Bridgett M. vonHoldt

Keyword(s):

North American ◽

Treatment Strategies ◽

Skin Barrier ◽

Sarcoptes Scabiei ◽

Sarcoptic Mange ◽

Interspecies Transmission ◽

Skin Microbiome ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Mammal Species ◽

Alpha And Beta Diversity

Abstract Background Sarcoptic mange is a highly contagious skin disease caused by the ectoparasitic mite Sarcoptes scabiei. Although it afflicts over 100 mammal species worldwide, sarcoptic mange remains a disease obscured by variability at the individual, population and species levels. Amid this variability, it is critical to identify consistent drivers of morbidity, particularly at the skin barrier. Methods Using culture-independent next generation sequencing, we characterized the skin microbiome of three species of North American canids: coyotes (Canis latrans), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus). We compared alpha and beta diversity between mange-infected and uninfected canids using the Kruskal–Wallis test and multivariate analysis of variance with permutation. We used analysis of composition of microbes and gneiss balances to perform differential abundance testing between infection groups. Results We found remarkably consistent signatures of microbial dysbiosis associated with mange infection. Across genera, mange-infected canids exhibited reduced microbial diversity, altered community composition and increased abundance of opportunistic pathogens. The primary bacteria comprising secondary infections were Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, previously associated with canid ear and skin infections, and Corynebacterium spp., previously found among the gut flora of S. scabiei mites and hematophagous arthropods. Conclusions This evidence suggests that sarcoptic mange infection consistently alters the canid skin microbiome and facilitates secondary bacterial infection, as seen in humans and other mammals infected with S. scabiei mites. These results provide valuable insights into the pathogenesis of mange at the skin barrier of North American canids and can inspire novel treatment strategies. By adopting a “One Health” framework that considers mites, microbes and the potential for interspecies transmission, we can better elucidate the patterns and processes underlying this ubiquitous and enigmatic disease.

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Comparison of Flea (Siphonaptera) Burdens on the Endangered San Joaquin Kit Fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica (Carnivora, Canidae)) Inhabiting Urban and Nonurban Environments in Central Valley, California

Journal of Medical Entomology ◽

10.1093/jme/tjy031 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 55 (4) ◽

pp. 995-1001 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ashley Jane Riner ◽

Jaime L Rudd ◽

Deana L Clifford ◽

Brian L Cypher ◽

Janet E Foley ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Central Valley ◽

Kit Fox ◽

San Joaquin Kit Fox ◽

Vulpes Macrotis ◽

Vulpes Macrotis Mutica

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Spatiotemporal spread of sarcoptic mange in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in Switzerland over more than 60 years: lessons learnt from comparative analysis of multiple surveillance tools

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-019-3762-7 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Simone Roberto Rolando Pisano ◽

Fridolin Zimmermann ◽

Luca Rossi ◽

Simon Capt ◽

Ezgi Akdesir ◽

...

Keyword(s):

19Th Century ◽

General Health ◽

Vulpes Vulpes ◽

Red Fox ◽

Sarcoptes Scabiei ◽

Health Surveillance ◽

Sarcoptic Mange ◽

Red Foxes ◽

First Case ◽

Combining Data

Abstract Background Sarcoptic mange is a contagious skin disease of wild and domestic mammals caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei. Reports of sarcoptic mange in wildlife increased worldwide in the second half of the 20th century, especially since the 1990s. The aim of this study was to provide new insights into the epidemiology of mange by (i) documenting the emergence of sarcoptic mange in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in the last decades in Switzerland; and (ii) describing its spatiotemporal spread combining data obtained through different surveillance methods. Methods Retrospective analysis of archived material together with prospective data collection delivered a large dataset from the 19th century to 2018. Methods included: (i) a review of historical literature; (ii) screening of necropsy reports from general health surveillance (1958–2018); (iii) screening of data on mange (1968–1992) collected during the sylvatic rabies eradication campaign; (iv) a questionnaire survey (<1980–2017) and (v) evaluation of camera-trap bycatch data (2005–2018). Results Sarcoptic mange in red foxes was reported as early as 1835 in Switzerland. The first case diagnosed in the framework of the general health surveillance was in 1959. Prior to 1980, sarcoptic mange occurred in non-adjacent surveillance districts scattered all over the country. During the period of the rabies epidemic (1970s-early 1990s), the percentage of foxes tested for rabies with sarcoptic mange significantly decreased in subregions with rabies, whereas it remained high in the few rabies-free subregions. Sarcoptic mange re-emerged in the mid-1990s and continuously spread during the 2000–2010s, to finally extend to the whole country in 2017. The yearly prevalence of mange in foxes estimated by camera-trapping ranged from 0.1–12%. Conclusions Sarcoptic mange has likely been endemic in Switzerland as well as in other European countries at least since the mid-19th century. The rabies epidemics seem to have influenced the pattern of spread of mange in several locations, revealing an interesting example of disease interaction in free-ranging wildlife populations. The combination of multiple surveillance tools to study the long-term dynamics of sarcoptic mange in red foxes in Switzerland proved to be a successful strategy, which underlined the usefulness of questionnaire surveys.

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