Temporal and spatial dynamics of trypanosomes infecting the brush-tailed bettong (Bettongia penicillata): a cautionary note of disease-induced population decline

Particle and Fibre Toxicology

RC Andrew Thompson²  Stephanie S Godfrey²  Adrian F Wayne¹  Craig K Thompson² 

[1] Science Division, Department of Parks and Wildlife, Manjimup WA 6258, Australia;School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, 90 Murdoch University, South Street, Western Australia 6150, Australia

关键词: Interspecific competition;    Wildlife disease;    Bettongia penicillata;    Woylie;    T. copemani;    Trypanosoma vegrandis;   

Others  :  807371
DOI  :  10.1186/1756-3305-7-169

 received in 2013-11-27, accepted in 2014-04-01,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

Background

The brush-tailed bettong or woylie (Bettongia penicillata) is on the brink of extinction. Its numbers have declined by 90% since 1999, with their current distribution occupying less than 1% of their former Australian range. Woylies are known to be infected with three different trypanosomes (Trypanosoma vegrandis, Trypanosoma copemani and Trypanosoma sp. H25) and two different strains of T. copemani that vary in virulence. However, the role that these haemoparasites have played during the recent decline of their host is unclear and is part of ongoing investigation.

Methods

Woylies were sampled from five locations in southern Western Australia, including two neighbouring indigenous populations, two enclosed (fenced) populations and a captive colony. PCR was used to individually identify the three different trypanosomes from blood and tissues of the host, and to investigate the temporal and spatial dynamics of trypanosome infections.

Results

The spatial pattern of trypanosome infection varied among the five study sites, with a greater proportion of woylies from the Perup indigenous population being infected with T. copemani than from the neighbouring Kingston indigenous population. For an established infection, T. copemani detection was temporally inconsistent. The more virulent strain of T. copemani appeared to regress at a faster rate than the less virulent strain, with the infection possibly transitioning from the acute to chronic phase. Interspecific competition may also exist between T. copemani and T. vegrandis, where an existing T. vegrandis infection may moderate the sequential establishment of the more virulent T. copemani.

Conclusion

In this study, we provide a possible temporal connection implicating T. copemani as the disease agent linked with the recent decline of the Kingston indigenous woylie population within the Upper Warren region of Western Australia. The chronic association of trypanosomes with the internal organs of its host may be potentially pathogenic and adversely affect their long term fitness and coordination, making the woylie more susceptible to predation.

【 授权许可】

   
2014 Thompson et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

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