Peniche, G;
Olson, PD;
Bennett, DJ;
Wong, L;
Sainsbury, AW;
Durrant, C;
(2016)
Protecting Free-Living Dormice: Molecular Identification of Cestode Parasites in Captive Dormice (Muscardinus avellanarius) Destined for Reintroduction.
EcoHealth
, 14
(Supp. 01)
pp. 106-116.
10.1007/s10393-016-1108-x.
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Abstract
The success of any population translocation programme relies heavily on the measures implemented to control and monitor the spread of disease. Without these measures, programmes run the risk of releasing immunologically naïve species or, more dangerously, introducing novel infectious agents to native populations. As a precaution, a reintroduction programme for the common or hazel dormouse, Muscardinus avellanarius, in England screens dormice before release following captive breeding. Using PCR sequencing of a range of genes, we tested whether the same species of tapeworm(s) were present in captive and free-living dormice. Whilst only Rodentolepis straminea were identified in free-living dormice, cestode ova found in a captive individual produced a molecular match closely related to Hymenolepis microstoma and a previously unrecorded Rodentolepis species. To prevent putting at risk the free-living population, we recommended the continued treatment of dormice showing tapeworm infection before release. Our work demonstrates how molecular techniques can be used to inform reintroduction programmes, reduce risk from disease and increase chances of reintroduction success.
Type: | Article |
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Title: | Protecting Free-Living Dormice: Molecular Identification of Cestode Parasites in Captive Dormice (Muscardinus avellanarius) Destined for Reintroduction |
Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
DOI: | 10.1007/s10393-016-1108-x |
Publisher version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10393-016-1108-x |
Language: | English |
Additional information: | The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10393-016-1108-x. |
Keywords: | Rodentolepis straminea, Hymenolepis fraterna, Hymenolepis microstoma, Cestodes, Translocation, Disease |
UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences > Div of Biosciences |
URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1477260 |
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