Author: Jamie

Congratulations to Dr Amy Miller on the publication of her new book chapter: ‘Pain recognition in rabbits’!

Here are some excepts from the chapter!

Recognizing pain in rabbits

In a familiar low-stress environment, normal rabbits are typically alert, active, and inquisitive.¹³ When in pain, they may appear apprehensive, anxious, or dull.¹⁴ Conversely, it has also been noted that when painful they may show aggressive behavior, whereas activity may be increased alongside increased scratching or licking.¹⁴ Rabbits will frequently scan their environment and will attempt to flee or hide if any danger is perceived¹⁵ e.g., in the presence of an unfamiliar caregiver.

Subjective and objective clinical signs

Various indicators can be of value when assessing pain in rabbits, although they should be used with caution as they may not be pain specific and could be the results of e.g. stress or fear.

Behavioral assessment

Observing and quantifying spontaneous behavior has been used successfully in pain assessment following surgery in various laboratory species such as rats,²¹ guinea pigs²² and also companion species including cats²³ and dogs.²⁴

Composite pain scales

Composite pain scales take into account various behavioral and physiological parameters when assessing pain. The first composite pain scale, developed specifically for rabbits was the CANCRS which was designed specifically for the clinical environment and appropriate to be used with various breeds.³³

Congratulations to Tora and Maria for their publication in Neurobiology of Disease

Abstract

To read the paper, click here

Congratulations to Dr Desiré Dalton and colleagues on the publication of their new paper in Global Ecology and Conservation

Abstract

The Southern Ground-hornbill (SGH) (Bucorvus leadbeateri) is considered an umbrella species for biodiversity conservation in savannah biomes since they require large territories and significant protection measures that help to conserve a wide range of biodiversity with similar savanna and grassland requirements. Declines of the species are attributed to low reproductive rates coupled with multiple anthropogenic threats, including secondary poisoning, and persecution. Little is known about connectivity and population structure of SGH populations in Africa, south of the equator. Knowledge of population differentiation is needed to ensure that targeted conservation management plans can be implemented to slow population declines and ensure survival of the species. To inform a long-term conservation strategy, we investigated the broad-scale population structure of Southern Ground-hornbill across their sub-equatorial range. Our study based on 16 microsatellite loci identified moderate variation (average of 5.889 alleles per locus and a mean observed heterozygosity of 0.546) similar to other long-lived avian species. In contrast, mitochondrial DNA sequences analysis identified low diversity (Hd = 0.3313, π = 0.0015). A Bayesian assignment approach, principal component analysis, analysis of molecular variance and phylogenetic analysis identified weak to moderate population structuring across long distances and mitochondrial data showed a shallow phylogeny. Restriction to long-distance dispersal was detected that could not be attributed to isolation by distance, suggesting that other factors, such as their dispersal biology, are shaping the observed genetic differentiation. Although our study does not support the designation of populations as independent conservation units, we advocate that population management should continue to follow the Precautionary Principle (mixing founders from the same range state, rather than allowing mixing of founders from the extremes of the range) until there is scientific certainty. Following further research, if no independent conservation units are detected, then the global captive population can contribute to reintroductions across the range. In the wild, populations at the edge of the species range may need additional management strategies and gene flow should be promoted between neighbouring populations.

To read the paper, click here

New publication of a virological paper in Trends in Parasitology

Abstract

The nudiviruses (family: Nudiviridae) are large double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) viruses that infect insects and crustaceans, and have most recently been identified from ectoparasitic members (fleas and lice). This virus family was created in 2014 and has since been expanded via the discovery of multiple novel viral candidates or accepted members, sparking the need for a new taxonomic and evolutionary overview. Using current information (including data from public databases), we construct a new comprehensive phylogeny, encompassing 49 different nudiviruses. We use this novel phylogeny to propose a new taxonomic structure of the Nudiviridae by suggesting two new viral genera (Zetanudivirus and Etanudivirus), from ectoparasitic lice. We detail novel emerging relationships between nudiviruses and their hosts, considering their evolutionary history and ecological role.

To read the paper, click here

Congratulations to Dr Ambroise Baker and colleagues for the publication of their research in Nature Communications

Abstract

Since its inception, the theory of alternative equilibria in shallow lakes has evolved and been applied to an ever wider range of ecological and socioecological systems. The theory posits the existence of two alternative stable states or equilibria, which in shallow lakes are characterised by either clear water with abundant plants or turbid water where phytoplankton dominate. Here, we used data simulations and real-world data sets from Denmark and north-eastern USA (902 lakes in total) to examine the relationship between shallow lake phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll-a) and nutrient concentrations across a range of timescales. The data simulations demonstrated that three diagnostic tests could reliably identify the presence or absence of alternative equilibria. The real-world data accorded with data simulations where alternative equilibria were absent. Crucially, it was only as the temporal scale of observation increased (>3 years) that a predictable linear relationship between nutrient concentration and chlorophyll-a was evident. Thus, when a longer term perspective is taken, the notion of alternative equilibria is not required to explain the response of chlorophyll-a to nutrient enrichment which questions the utility of the theory for explaining shallow lake response to, and recovery from, eutrophication.

To download the full article, click here