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nephropathies in the european captive cheetah (acinonyx jubatus) population.according to previous studies in captive cheetah ( acinonyx jubatus ) populations, one of the most threatening diseases besides amyloidosis, myelopathy, veno occlusive disease, and gastritis, is renal failure. contrary to captive cheetahs in north america and south africa, morphological data concerning renal lesions in the cheetah european endangered species program (eep) are lacking. this study details the histological characterization as well as immunohistochemical and morphometrical analysis ...201627691976
agreement of bioreactance cardiac output monitoring with thermodilution during hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation in adult swine.the study tests the hypothesis that noninvasive cardiac output monitoring based upon bioreactance (cheetah medical, portland, or) has acceptable agreement with intermittent bolus thermodilution over a wide range of cardiac output in an adult porcine model of hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation.201727749345
serosurvey for selected viral pathogens among sympatric species of the african large predator guild in northern botswana.the recent increase in the creation of transboundary protected areas and wildlife corridors between them lends importance to information on pathogen prevalence and transmission among wildlife species that will become connected. one such initiative is the kavango zambezi transfrontier conservation area of which botswana's okavango delta constitutes a major contribution for wildlife and ecosystems. between 2008 and 2011, we collected serum samples from 14 lions ( panthera leo ), four leopards ( pa ...201727763827
reference intervals for selected serum biochemistry analytes in cheetahs (<i>acinonyx jubatus</i>).published haematologic and serum biochemistry reference intervals are very scarce for captive cheetahs and even more for free-ranging cheetahs. the current study was performed to establish reference intervals for selected serum biochemistry analytes in cheetahs. baseline serum biochemistry analytes were analysed from 66 healthy namibian cheetahs. samples were collected from 30 captive cheetahs at the africat foundation and 36 free-ranging cheetahs from central namibia. the effects of captivity-s ...201627796106
comparison of carnivore, omnivore, and herbivore mammalian genomes with a new leopard assembly.there are three main dietary groups in mammals: carnivores, omnivores, and herbivores. currently, there is limited comparative genomics insight into the evolution of dietary specializations in mammals. due to recent advances in sequencing technologies, we were able to perform in-depth whole genome analyses of representatives of these three dietary groups.201627802837
big cat coalitions: a comparative analysis of regional brain volumes in felidae.broad-based species comparisons across mammalian orders suggest a number of factors that might influence the evolution of large brains. however, the relationship between these factors and total and regional brain size remains unclear. this study investigated the relationship between relative brain size and regional brain volumes and sociality in 13 felid species in hopes of revealing relationships that are not detected in more inclusive comparative studies. in addition, a more detailed analysis ...201627812324
influence of pork and pork by-products on macronutrient and energy digestibility and palatability in large exotic felids.two experiments were conducted to evaluate digestibility and palatability of a new commercial pork-based raw diet for zoo-managed felids. currently 2 protein sources (beef or horse) comprise the majority of commercial raw meat diet formulations for exotic carnivores in zoological institutions. pork-based diets have traditionally not been widely utilized and thus nutrient digestibility of pork has not been adequately evaluated in exotic carnivores. the objectives of this study were 1) to determin ...201627898922
public exposure and number of conspecifics have no influence on ovarian and adrenal activity in the cheetah (acinonyx jubatus).cheetahs in managed zoological collections do not reproduce efficiently, a problem that may be related to environmental/management stressors. in this study, we examined 17 adult female cheetahs to determine the influence of two environmental factors, (1) being housed on- or off-exhibit and (2) number of adult conspecifics (males and/or females) in nearby enclosures, on profiles and concentrations of ovarian and adrenal hormones. secondarily, we assessed a subset of group-housed siblings (n=5 fem ...201727908659
movement patterns of cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus) in farmlands in botswana.botswana has the second highest population of cheetah (acinonyx jubatus) with most living outside protected areas. as a result, many cheetahs are found in farming areas which occasionally results in human-wildlife conflict. this study aimed to look at movement patterns of cheetahs in farming environments to determine whether cheetahs have adapted their movements in these human-dominated landscapes. we fitted high-time resolution gps collars to cheetahs in the ghanzi farmlands of botswana. gps lo ...201727913453
piroplasms in brown hyaenas (parahyaena brunnea) and spotted hyaenas (crocuta crocuta) in namibia and south africa are closely related to babesia lengau.the objective of our study was identification and molecular characterization of piroplasms and rickettsias occurring in brown (parahyaena brunnea) and spotted hyaenas (crocuta crocuta) from various localities in namibia and south africa. whole blood (n = 59) and skin (n = 3) specimens from brown (n = 15) and spotted hyaenas (n = 47) were screened for the presence of babesia, theileria, ehrlichia and anaplasma species using the reverse line blot (rlb) hybridization technique. pcr products of 52/6 ...201727913878
cheetah reunion - the challenge of finding your friends again.animals navigate their environment using a variety of senses and strategies. this multiplicity enables them to respond to different navigational requirements resulting from habitat, scale and purpose. one of the challenges social animals face is how to reunite after periods of separation. we explore a variety of possible mechanisms used to reunite the members of a cheetah coalition dispersed within a large area after prolonged separation. using gps data from three cheetahs reuniting after weeks ...201627926915
iodine-rich imidazolium iodate and periodate salts: en route to single-based biocidal agents.two classes of iodine-rich salts that consist of iodine-rich cations and iodate (io3(-)) or periodate (io4(-)) anions were synthesized. the synthesis of analogous i3o8(-) salts was more difficult because of poor solubility and hydrolytic instability. all iodine-rich salts were fully characterized by infrared, (1)h nuclear magnetic resonance, and (13)c nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy as well as elemental analyses. the molecular structures of compounds 15 and 24 were elucidated by x-ray si ...201627989173
comparative serum fatty acid profiles of captive and free-ranging cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus) in namibia.cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus) are highly specialised large felids, currently listed as vulnerable on the iucn red data list. in captivity, they are known to suffer from a range of chronic non-infectious diseases. although low heterozygosity and the stress of captivity have been suggested as possible causal factors, recent studies have started to focus on the contribution of potential dietary factors in the pathogenesis of these diseases. fatty acids are an important component of the diet, not only ...201627992457
intrinsic factors, adrenal gland morphology, and disease burden in captive cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus) in south africa.adrenal gland weight (aw) and corticomedullary ratio (acmr) are used as indicators of stress in animals. captive cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus) have higher acmrs than free-ranging ones and stress has been linked to gastritis, amyloidosis, glomerulosclerosis, and myocardial fibrosis. we reviewed age, sex, body weight (bw), kidney weight (kw), and left aw and acmr with necropsy findings in 51 south african captive cheetahs. eleven common histopathologic lesions were counted for each animal as measure ...201728026881
the global decline of cheetah acinonyx jubatus and what it means for conservation.establishing and maintaining protected areas (pas) are key tools for biodiversity conservation. however, this approach is insufficient for many species, particularly those that are wide-ranging and sparse. the cheetah acinonyx jubatus exemplifies such a species and faces extreme challenges to its survival. here, we show that the global population is estimated at ∼7,100 individuals and confined to 9% of its historical distributional range. however, the majority of current range (77%) occurs outsi ...201728028225
simplified large african carnivore density estimators from track indices.the range, population size and trend of large carnivores are important parameters to assess their status globally and to plan conservation strategies. one can use linear models to assess population size and trends of large carnivores from track-based surveys on suitable substrates. the conventional approach of a linear model with intercept may not intercept at zero, but may fit the data better than linear model through the origin. we assess whether a linear regression through the origin is more ...201628028454
in the absence of a "landscape of fear": how lions, hyenas, and cheetahs coexist.aggression by top predators can create a "landscape of fear" in which subordinate predators restrict their activity to low-risk areas or times of day. at large spatial or temporal scales, this can result in the costly loss of access to resources. however, fine-scale reactive avoidance may minimize the risk of aggressive encounters for subordinate predators while maintaining access to resources, thereby providing a mechanism for coexistence. we investigated fine-scale spatiotemporal avoidance in ...201628031805
when protected areas prove insufficient: cheetah and "protection-reliant" species. 201728069967
spatial and temporal avoidance of risk within a large carnivore guild.within a large carnivore guild, subordinate competitors (african wild dog, lycaon pictus, and cheetah, acinonyx jubatus) might reduce the limiting effects of dominant competitors (lion, panthera leo, and spotted hyena, crocuta crocuta) by avoiding them in space, in time, or through patterns of prey selection. understanding how these competitors cope with one other can inform strategies for their conservation. we tested how mechanisms of niche partitioning promote coexistence by quantifying patte ...201728070283
wildlife population dynamics in human-dominated landscapes under community-based conservation: the example of nakuru wildlife conservancy, kenya.wildlife conservation is facing numerous and mounting challenges on private and communal lands in africa, including in kenya. we analyze the population dynamics of 44 common wildlife species in relation to rainfall variation in the nakuru wildlife conservancy (nwc), located in the nakuru-naivasha region of kenya, based on ground total counts carried out twice each year from march 1996 to may 2015. rainfall in the region was quasi-periodic with cycle periods dependent on the rainfall component an ...201728103269
mechanical characterization and comparison of energy storage and return prostheses.the suitability of finite element analysis (fea) for standardizing the mechanical characterization of energy storage and return (esar) prostheses was investigated. a methodology consisting of both experimental and numerical analysis was proposed and trialed for the vari-flex(®) modular(tm), flex-foot cheetah and cheetah xtreme by össur(®) and a 1e90 sprinter by ottobock(®). gait analysis was conducted to determine suitable orientation angles for non-destructive testing (ndt) of the esar prosthes ...201728111069
laser-shocked energetic materials with metal additives: evaluation of chemistry and detonation performance.a focused, nanosecond-pulsed laser has been used to ablate, atomize, ionize, and excite milligram quantities of metal-doped energetic materials that undergo exothermic reactions in the laser-induced plasma. the subsequent shock wave expansion in the air above the sample has been monitored using high-speed schlieren imaging in a recently developed technique, laser-induced air shock from energetic materials (lasem). the method enables the estimation of detonation velocities based on the measured l ...201728157864
interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer in asiatic cheetah using nuclei derived from post-mortem frozen tissue in absence of cryo-protectant and in vitro matured domestic cat oocytes.recent accomplishments in the field of somatic cell nuclear transfer (scnt) hold tremendous promise to prevent rapid loss of animal genetic resources using ex situ conservation technology. most of scnt studies use viable cells for nuclear transfer into recipient oocytes. however, preparation of live cells in extreme circumstances, in which post-mortem material of endangered/rare animals is improperly retained frozen, is difficult, if not impossible. this study investigated the possibility of int ...201728166968
gas chromatography-mass spectrometry profiles of urinary organic acids in healthy captive cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus).in captivity, cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus) frequently suffer from several unusual chronic diseases that rarely occur in their free-ranging counterparts. in order to develop a better understanding of their metabolism and health we documented the urine organic acids of 41 apparently healthy captive cheetahs, in an untargeted metabolomic study, using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. a total of 339 organic acids were detected and annotated. phenolic compounds, thought to be produced by the anaer ...201728259021
levosimendan for hemodynamic support after cardiac surgery.acute left ventricular dysfunction is a major complication of cardiac surgery and is associated with increased mortality. meta-analyses of small trials suggest that levosimendan may result in a higher rate of survival among patients undergoing cardiac surgery.201728320259
tracking data from nine free-roaming cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus) collared in the thabazimbi area, limpopo province, south africa.in partnership with the university of pretoria, the endangered wildlife trust's carnivore conservation programme collared six male and three female free-roaming cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus) in the thabazimbi area in limpopo province, south africa. this study was undertaken to determine the spatial ecology of free-roaming cheetahs that occur outside of formal protected areas on private ranchland, where they frequently come into conflict with, and are sometimes killed by, private landowners. the da ...201728325981
cheetahs have a stronger constitutive innate immunity than leopards.as a textbook case for the importance of genetics in conservation, absence of genetic variability at the major histocompatibility complex (mhc) is thought to endanger species viability, since it is considered crucial for pathogen resistance. an alternative view of the immune system inspired by life history theory posits that a strong response should evolve in other components of the immune system if there is little variation in the mhc. in contrast to the leopard (panthera pardus), the cheetah ( ...201728333126
cardiorespiratory effects of dexmedetomidine-butorphanol-midazolam (dbm): a fully reversible anesthetic protocol in captive and semi-free-ranging cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus).multiple anesthesia protocols have been used in the cheetah ( acinonyx jubatus ). twenty healthy, captive cheetahs were immobilized with dexmedetomidine (15.8 ± 1.9 μg/kg), butorphanol (0.22 ± 0.03 mg/kg), and midazolam (0.18 ± 0.03 mg/kg) by intramuscular injection. induction, recumbency, and recovery times were recorded, and physiologic parameters were monitored. anesthesia was antagonized with atipamezole (0.125 ± 0.02 mg/kg) and naltrexone (0.1 ± 0.014 mg/kg) intramuscularly. all cheetahs we ...201728363055
dietary behaviour of man-eating lions as revealed by dental microwear textures.lions (panthera leo) feed on diverse prey species, a range that is broadened by their cooperative hunting. although humans are not typical prey, habitual man-eating by lions is well documented. fathoming the motivations of the tsavo and mfuwe man-eaters (killed in 1898 in kenya and 1991 in zambia, respectively) may be elusive, but we can clarify aspects of their behaviour using dental microwear texture analysis. specifically, we analysed the surface textures of lion teeth to assess whether these ...201728424462
the relationship between direct predation and antipredator responses: a test with multiple predators and multiple prey.most species adjust their behavior to reduce the likelihood of predation. many experiments have shown that antipredator responses carry energetic costs that can affect growth, survival, and reproduction, so that the total cost of predation depends on a trade-off between direct predation and risk effects. despite these patterns, few field studies have examined the relationship between direct predation and the strength of antipredator responses, particularly for complete guilds of predators and pr ...201728475209
inferior vena cava collapsibility detects fluid responsiveness among spontaneously breathing critically-ill patients.measurement of inferior vena cava collapsibility (civc) by point-of-care ultrasound (pocus) has been proposed as a viable, non-invasive means of assessing fluid responsiveness. we aimed to determine the ability of civc to identify patients who will respond to additional intravenous fluid (ivf) administration among spontaneously breathing critically-ill patients.201728525778
a molecular phylogeny of the felidae: immunological distance.the phylogenetic distances between 34 of the 37 extant species of felidae were estimated using albumin immunological distances (aid). albumins from ten cat species were used to prepare antisera in rabbits. a consensus phylogeny was constructed from a matrix of reciprocal aid measurements using four distinct phylogenetic algorithms. a series of one-way measurements using the ten index antisera and those 24 species for which albumins were available (but antisera were not), permitted addition of th ...198528561961
analysis of fluctuating asymmetry in cheetahs. 198728563761
fluctuating asymmetry in the cheetah: methodological and interpretive concerns. 198728563766
morphological variability and asymmetry in the cheetah (acinonyx jubatus), a genetically uniform species.the african cheetah (acinonyx jubatus) is an unusual species because of its extremely low amount of biochemical genetic variation. a comparative analysis of morphological variation of 16 cranial characters from four species of felidae (ocelot, leopardus pardalus; margay, l. wiedii; leopard, panthera pardus; and cheetah) was undertaken to evaluate the consequence of biochemical monomorphism on morphological variation. the species were selected because the cheetah has been shown previously to poss ...198628564107
fluctuating odontometric asymmetry, morphological variability, and genetic monomorphism in the cheetah acinonyx jubatus.the magnitudes of dimensional variability and fluctuating asymmetry in dental dimensions are reported for a sample of south african cheetah acinonyx jubatus. to test the hypothesis that elevated levels of variability and asymmetry are associated with the increased developmental instability reported for this species, our results were contrasted to those for two other felids: felis lybica and f. caracal. these findings suggest that dental dimensions in cheetahs are not significantly more variable ...199128564178
age-associated and deslorelin-induced declines in serum anti-müllerian hormone concentrations in female cheetahs, acinonyx jubatus.anti-müllerian hormone (amh) is widely used in human medicine to non-invasively estimate the size of the ovarian follicle reserve and to predict the ovarian response to gonadotropin stimulation in the context of assisted reproductive technologies (e.g., ivf). these applications of amh testing have recently expanded to non-human mammals, with production animals, such as cows, goats and sheep being the primary focus of amh research. however, few investigations have involved exotic species, and in ...201728602789
analysis of zp1 gene reveals differences in zona pellucida composition in carnivores.the zona pellucida (zp) is an extracellular envelope that surrounds mammalian oocytes. this coat participates in the interaction between gametes, induction of the acrosome reaction, block of polyspermy and protection of the oviductal embryo. previous studies suggested that carnivore zp was formed by three glycoproteins (zp2, zp3 and zp4), with zp1 being a pseudogene. however, a recent study in the cat found that all four proteins were expressed. in the present study, in silico and molecular anal ...201728679462
ketamine-medetomidine and ketamine-medetomidine-midazolam anesthesia in captive cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus)-comparison of blood pressure and kidney blood flow.six clinically healthy captive cheetahs ( acinonyx jubatus ) were anesthetized twice using two different drug combinations to investigate if blood pressure and kidney blood flow are affected by medetomidine dosage. protocol km (2.0 mg/kg ketamine and 0.05 mg/kg medetomidine) was compared with protocol kmm (2.0 mg/kg ketamine, 0.02 mg/kg medetomidine, and 0.1 mg/kg midazolam). heart rate (hr), respiratory rate (rr), body temperature, end-tidal carbon dioxide pressure (etco2), and anesthetic depth ...201728749272
gut microbiomes of free-ranging and captive namibian cheetahs: diversity, putative functions, and occurrence of potential pathogens.although the significance of the gut microbiome for host health is well acknowledged, the impact of host traits and environmental factors on the inter-individual variation of gut microbiomes of wildlife species is not well understood. such information is essential, however, since changes in the composition of these microbial communities beyond the natural range might cause dysbiosis leading to increased susceptibility to infections. we examined the potential influence of sex, age, genetic relate ...201728782134
conservation genetics of the cheetah: lessons learned and new opportunities.the dwindling wildlife species of our planet have become a cause célèbre for conservation groups, governments, and concerned citizens throughout the world. the application of powerful new genetic technologies to surviving populations of threatened mammals has revolutionized our ability to recognize hidden perils that afflict them. we have learned new lessons of survival, adaptation, and evolution from viewing the natural history of genomes in hundreds of detailed studies. a single case history o ...201728821181
serial millisecond crystallography of membrane and soluble protein microcrystals using synchrotron radiation.crystal structure determination of biological macromolecules using the novel technique of serial femtosecond crystallography (sfx) is severely limited by the scarcity of x-ray free-electron laser (xfel) sources. however, recent and future upgrades render microfocus beamlines at synchrotron-radiation sources suitable for room-temperature serial crystallography data collection also. owing to the longer exposure times that are needed at synchrotrons, serial data collection is termed serial millisec ...201728875031
pathology and epidemiology of oxalate nephrosis in cheetahs.to investigate cases of acute oxalate nephrosis without evidence of ethylene glycol exposure, archived data and tissues from cheetahs ( acinonyx jubatus) from north america ( n = 297), southern africa ( n = 257), and france ( n = 40) were evaluated. renal and gastrointestinal tract lesions were characterized in a subset of animals with ( n = 100) and without ( n = 165) oxalate crystals at death. crystals were confirmed as calcium oxalate by raman spectroscopy in 45 of 47 cheetahs tested. crystal ...201728891390
impact of mimicking natural dispersion on breeding success of captive north american cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus).this paper examines the effects of transfer away from natal facility and littermate presence on cheetah breeding success in the aza species survival plan (ssp) population. transfer and breeding history data for captive males and females were gathered from seven and four aza ssp breeding facilities, respectively, to identify factors influencing breeding success. the results indicate that transfer history (p = 0.032), age at transfer (p = 0.013), and female littermate presence/absence (p = 0.04) w ...201728901642
evaluation of symmetric dimethylarginine as an early biomarker of chronic kidney disease in captive cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus).symmetric dimethylarginine (sdma) has been shown to be a valuable biomarker for early detection of chronic kidney disease (ckd) in canine and feline patients. recognition of early (subclinical) kidney disease would be of value in cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus) as prevalence of ckd is relatively high in this species in captivity. fifty-eight banked serum and plasma samples from seven adult cheetahs that died of ckd were analyzed for creatinine, urea, and sdma. a marked increase in sdma was noted on ...201728920795
epidemiology of clinical feline herpesvirus infection in zoo-housed cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus).objective to determine the incidence of and risk factors for clinical feline herpesvirus (fhv) infection in zoo-housed cheetahs and determine whether dam infection was associated with offspring infection. design retrospective cohort study. animals 144 cheetah cubs born in 6 zoos from 1988 through 2007. procedures data were extracted from the health records of cheetahs and their dams to identify incident cases of clinical fhv infection and estimate incidence from birth to 18 months of age. univar ...201728959932
eosinophilic plasmacytic conjunctivitis concurrent with gingival fistula caused by schizophyllum commune in a captive cheetah (acinonyx jubatus).we describe for the first time the diagnosis of schizophyllum commune infection in a captive cheetah. eosinophilic plasmacytic conjunctivitis was detected histopathologically in a biopsy specimen. both a second surgical specimen and drainage fluid from a gingival mass and fistula contained fungal hyphae in giant cells with granulomatous inflammation. allergic s. commune mycosis was suspected at this point. a monokaryotic isolate was characterized morphologically, and then identified genetically. ...201729034160
energy and biocides storage compounds: synthesis and characterization of energetic bridged bis(triiodoazoles).energetic bridged triiodopyrazoles and triiodoimidazoles were designed and synthsized by reacting potassium triiodopyrazolate or triiodoimidazolate with corresponding dichloro compounds. all compounds were fully characterized by 1h and 13c nmr spectroscopy, ir spectroscopy, and elemental analyses. the structure of compound 1 was further confirmed by single-crystal x-ray diffraction. all of the compounds exhibit good thermal stability with decomposition temperatures between 199 and 270 °c and hig ...201729035045
new generation agent defeat weapons: energetic n,n'-ethylene-bridged polyiodoazoles.sodium salts of iodine-rich pyrazole and imidazole with 1-(2-bromoethyl)-5-aminotetrazole are useful precursors for energetic n,n'-ethylene-bridged polyiodoazoles. compounds 1-3 were characterized with ir, and 1 h and 13 c nmr spectroscopy as well as elemental analyses. the molecular structures of 1 and 2 were confirmed by using single crystal x-ray diffraction. heats of formation were calculated using gaussian 03 and detonation properties and biocidal efficiency were calculated with cheetah 7. ...201729047175
use of levosimendan in cardiac surgery: an update after the levo-cts, cheetah, and licorn trials in the light of clinical practice.levosimendan is a calcium sensitizer and adenosine triphosphate-dependent potassium channel opener, which exerts sustained hemodynamic, symptomatic, and organ-protective effects. it is registered for the treatment of acute heart failure, and when inotropic support is considered appropriate. in the past 15 years, levosimendan has been widely used in clinical practice and has also been tested in clinical trials to stabilize at-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery. recently, 3 randomized, place ...201829076887
suspected adverse reactions to oral administration of a praziquantel-pyrantel combination in captive cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus).objective to characterize adverse reactions to oral administration of a combination of praziquantel and pyrantel embonate or pyrantel pamoate, with or without oxantel embonate, in captive cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus). design retrospective case series and case-control study. animals 16 captive cheetahs with signs of adverse reaction to oral administration of praziquantel and pyrantel, with or without oxantel embonate (affected group), and 27 cheetahs without such reactions (unaffected group), all ...201729099259
ultrasonographically determined renal values and comparisons to serum biochemistry renal variables in aged semi-captive cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus).cheetahs in captivity have a high prevalence of chronic renal diseases. we ultrasonographically evaluated the renal volumes, a variety of renal dimensions, interarcuate artery resistive indices (ri) as well as aortic diameters and the length of the ventral aspect of the 6th lumbar vertebrae in 27 aged semi-captive anesthetized cheetahs. renal size, dimensions and ratios were compared to urine specific gravity, serum creatinine and urea values.201729110712
seasonal recurrence of cowpox virus outbreaks in captive cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus).cowpox virus infections in captive cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus) with high morbidity and mortality have already been reported in the uk and russia in the 1970s. however, most of the reported cases have been singular events. here, we report a total of five cowpox virus outbreaks in cheetahs in the same safari park in denmark between 2010 and 2014. nine cheetahs showed varying severity of clinical disease; two of them died (22%). all episodes occurred between august and october of the respective yea ...201729121668
the effects of intrinsic enrichment on captive felids.environmental enrichment is a well-known technique, which has been used to enhance the welfare of captive animals. the aim of this study is to investigate how three different forms of intrinsic enrichment, namely, a hay ball without scent, a hay ball with catnip, and a hay ball with cinnamon, influenced the behavior of six cheetah and two sumatran tigers at fota wildlife park, ireland. enrichment-directed behaviors, as well as pacing, locomotion, inactive, and exploratory behaviors were investig ...201729165868
cardiopulmonary effects of anaesthesia maintained by propofol infusion versus isoflurane inhalation in cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus).to compare the cardiopulmonary effects of propofol total intravenous anaesthesia (tiva) with isoflurane in cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus) to evaluate feasibility for field use.201729169839
determination of the diversity of astroviruses in feces from cats in florida.astroviruses are small, nonenveloped rna viruses that have been linked to numerous diseases in a variety of species, including enteric disease in humans and cheetahs. species mamastrovirus 2, previously known as feline astrovirus, has been isolated from the feces of domestic cats and cheetahs. a total of 122 cat fecal samples from alachua county, fl animal services and the veterinary community outreach program at the university of florida were analyzed, and 35 contained astroviral rna that was a ...201729202674
save iran's cheetah from extinction. 201729220006
non-invasive identification of protein biomarkers for early pregnancy diagnosis in the cheetah (acinonyx jubatus).approximately 80% of cheetahs living in typical zoological collections never reproduce. in more than 60% of breedings, the female is confirmed to ovulate, but parturition fails to occur. it is unknown if these non-pregnant intervals of elevated progesterone (deemed luteal phases) are conception failures or a pregnancy terminating in embryonic/fetal loss. there have been recent advances in metabolic profiling and proteome analyses in many species with mass spectrometry used to identify 'biomarker ...201729236714
the distribution and numbers of cheetah (acinonyx jubatus) in southern africa.assessing the numbers and distribution of threatened species is a central challenge in conservation, often made difficult because the species of concern are rare and elusive. for some predators, this may be compounded by their being sparsely distributed over large areas. such is the case with the cheetah acinonyx jubatus. the iucn red list process solicits comments, is democratic, transparent, widely-used, and has recently assessed the species. here, we present additional methods to that process ...201729250465
hiss and snort call types of wild-living giraffes giraffa camelopardalis: acoustic structure and context.vocalization as part of vigilance behaviour is widespread across animal taxa, including ruminants. calls of wild-living giraffes have never been recorded and spectrographically investigated. this study reports the acoustic structure of vigilance-related hiss and snort calls of wild-living giraffes giraffa camelopardalis.201829316966
biomechanics of predator-prey arms race in lion, zebra, cheetah and impala.the fastest and most manoeuvrable terrestrial animals are found in savannah habitats, where predators chase and capture running prey. hunt outcome and success rate are critical to survival, so both predator and prey should evolve to be faster and/or more manoeuvrable. here we compare locomotor characteristics in two pursuit predator-prey pairs, lion-zebra and cheetah-impala, in their natural savannah habitat in botswana. we show that although cheetahs and impalas were universally more athletic t ...201829364874
the occurrence of some nonblood protozoan parasites in wild and domestic mammals in south africa.relatively little is known about protozoan parasites in african animals. here we investigated the occurrence of protozoan parasites in mammals from south africa. oocysts of protozoan parasites were detected in 13 of 56 (23%) fecal samples using conventional microscopic examination methods. cryptosporidium spp. and isospora spp. were detected in eight (14 %) and five (9 %) samples, respectively. mixed parasitic infection of cryptosporidium spp. and isospora spp. was recorded in banded mongoose ( ...201829369722
recent inner ear specialization for high-speed hunting in cheetahs.the cheetah, acinonyx jubatus, is the fastest living land mammal. because of its specialized hunting strategy, this species evolved a series of specialized morphological and functional body features to increase its exceptional predatory performance during high-speed hunting. using high-resolution x-ray computed micro-tomography (μct), we provide the first analyses of the size and shape of the vestibular system of the inner ear in cats, an organ essential for maintaining body balance and adapting ...201829396425
oral, maxillofacial and dental diseases in captive cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus).descriptions of several oral, maxillofacial and dental conditions/diseases exist for a variety of captive large felids, but little is reported on the pathology of free roaming large felids. apart from focal palatine erosions (fpes) as initially described by fitch and fagan (1982) and some reference to absent incisor teeth, few data exist on diseases affecting the oral, maxillofacial and dental structures of cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus), regardless of their captivity status. this study reports 18 ...201829422320
one year daily changes in fecal sexual steroids of two captive female cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus) in italy.the present study evaluated changes of fecal sexual steroids in two female cheetahs (geijsha and duchessa) in northern italy throughout one year. wet feces were collected daily from two sibling animals of the same age, housed with conspecific males and managed in the same conditions, and estrogens and progestogens concentrations were analyzed by radioimmunoassay (ria). evidence of ovarian activity based on regular fluctuation in estrogen excretion was demonstrated in both females. none of the an ...201829449038
material matters: analysis of density uncertainty in 3d printing and its consequences for radiation oncology.using 3d printing to fabricate patient-specific devices such as tissue compensators, boluses, and phantoms is inexpensive and relatively simple. however, most 3d printing materials have not been well characterized, including their radiologic tissue equivalence. the purposes of this study were to (a) determine the variance in hounsfield units (hu) for printed objects, (b) determine if hu varies over time, and (c) calculate the clinical dose uncertainty caused by these material variations.201829493803
a new perspective on the pathogenesis of chronic renal disease in captive cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus).the sustainability of captive cheetah populations is limited by high mortality due to chronic renal disease. this necropsy study, conducted on 243 captive cheetahs from one institution, investigated the relationships between focal palatine erosions, gastritis, enterocolitis, glomerulosclerosis, chronic renal infarcts, renal cortical and medullary fibrosis, and renal medullary amyloidosis at death. associations between the individual renal lesions and death due to chronic renal disease and compar ...201829513736
levosimendan for perioperative cardioprotection: myth or reality?levosimendan is a calcium sensitizer drug causing increased contractility in the myocardium and vasodilation in the vascular system. it is mainly used for the therapy of acute decompensated heart failure. several studies on animals and humans provided evidence of the cardioprotective properties of levosimendan including preconditioning and anti-apoptotic. in view of these favorable effects, levosimendan has been tested in patients undergoing cardiac surgery for the prevention or treatment of low ...201829564979
energy expenditure in people with transtibial amputation walking with crossover and energy storing prosthetic feet: a randomized within-subject study.energy storing feet are unable to reduce the energy required for normal locomotion among people with transtibial amputation. crossover feet, which incorporate aspects of energy storing and running specific feet, are designed to maximize energy return while providing stability for everyday activities.201829614468
the reporting of a bacillus anthracis b-clade strain in south africa after more than 20 years.anthrax is a disease with an age old history in africa caused by the gram-positive endospore forming soil bacterium bacillus anthracis. epizootics of wild ungulates occur annually in the enzootic region of pafuri, kruger national park (knp) in the limpopo province of south africa. rigorous routine surveillance and diagnostics in knp, has not revealed these rare isolates since the 1990s, despite unabated annual outbreaks. in 2011 a cheetah was diagnosed as anthrax positive from a private game res ...201829716659
on the optimization of low-cost fdm 3d printers for accurate replication of patient-specific abdominal aortic aneurysm geometry.there is a potential for direct model manufacturing of abdominal aortic aneurysm (aaa) using 3d printing technique for generating flexible semi-transparent prototypes. a patient-specific aaa model was manufactured using fused deposition modelling (fdm) 3d printing technology. a flexible, semi-transparent thermoplastic polyurethane (tpu), called cheetah water (produced by ninjatek, usa), was used as the flexible, transparent material for model manufacture with a hydrophilic support structure 3d p ...201829782613
synchrotron radiation reveals the identity of the large felid from monte argentario (early pleistocene, italy).we describe here a partial skull with associated mandible of a large felid from monte argentario, italy (early pleistocene; ~1.5 million years). propagation x-ray phase-contrast synchrotron microtomography of the specimen, still partially embedded in the rock matrix, allows ascribing it reliably to acinonyx pardinensis, one of the most intriguing extinct carnivorans of the old world plio-pleistocene. the analysis of images and 3d models obtained through synchrotron microtomography - here applied ...201829844540
body temperature, activity patterns and hunting in free-living cheetah: biologging reveals new insights.as one of the few felids that is predominantly diurnal, cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus) can be exposed to high heat loads in their natural habitat. little is known about long-term patterns of body temperature and activity (including hunting) in cheetahs because long-term concurrent measurements of body temperature and activity have never been reported for cheetahs, or, indeed, for any free-living felid. we report here body temperature and locomotor activity measured with implanted data loggers over ...201929851240
reactions of female cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus) to urine volatiles from males of varying genetic distance.understanding the factors used by female cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus) to make mate choice decisions could benefit zoo breeding programs, which currently assign mates based primarily on genetic distance. because transporting animals between institutions is costly and can be stressful, females are often limited in the number of males available for mating. one solution would be to determine if an easily transported substance could be used to gauge interest by a female to a potential mate. here, we i ...201829900582
benign pigmented dermal basal cell tumor in a namibian cheetah (acinonyx jubatus).a 3.5-year-old wild born cheetah (acinonyx jubatus), living in a large enclosure on a private namibian farm, developed a large exophytic nodular neoplasm in its skin at the height of the left shoulder blade. we describe the clinical appearance, the surgical removal, and histological examination of the tumor, which was diagnosed as a moderately pigmented benign basal cell tumor. a three-year follow-up showed no evidence of recurrence after the surgery. although neoplasia is reported in nondomesti ...201629955422
synteny search identifies carnivore y chromosome for evolution of male specific genes.the explosive accumulation of mammalian genomes has provided a valuable resource to characterize the evolution of the y chromosome. unexpectedly, the y-chromosome sequence has been characterized in only a small handful of species, with the majority being model organisms. thus, identification of y-linked scaffolds from unordered genome sequences is becoming more important. here, we used a syntenic-based approach to generate the scaffolds of the male-specific region of the y chromosome (msy) from ...201930019860
assessing puberty in ex situ male cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus) via fecal hormone metabolites and body weights.cheetahs are one of the most heavily studied felid species, with numerous publications on health, disease, and reproductive physiology produced over the last 30 years. despite this relatively long history of research, there is a paucity of crucial biological data, such as pubertal onset, which has direct and significant applications to improved management of ex situ cheetah populations. this study aimed to determine age of pubertal onset in ex situ male cheetahs using non-invasive fecal steroid ...201830026021
natural and anthropogenic drivers of cub recruitment in a large carnivore.recruitment is a critical parameter governing population dynamics and influences population persistence. understanding the drivers of recruitment is therefore important for conservation, especially for long-lived mammals such as large carnivores, which have low reproductive rates, rendering them prone to extinction. using cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus) as a model species, i investigated the variation in cub recruitment in relation to habitat and the abundance of tourists and predators. per litter, ...201830038771
the international mouse phenotyping consortium (impc): a functional catalogue of the mammalian genome that informs conservation.the international mouse phenotyping consortium (impc) is building a catalogue of mammalian gene function by producing and phenotyping a knockout mouse line for every protein-coding gene. to date, the impc has generated and characterised 5186 mutant lines. one-third of the lines have been found to be non-viable and over 300 new mouse models of human disease have been identified thus far. while current bioinformatics efforts are focused on translating results to better understand human disease pro ...201830100824
fatal tickborne phlebovirus infection in captive cheetahs, japan.two captive cheetahs from a zoo in japan died of a severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome-like illness. severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus, an endemic tickborne phlebovirus, was detected systemically with secretion of infectious viruses into the saliva. these cases highlight the risk for exposure of captive animals to endemic arthropodborne pathogens.201830124411
ultrasound assessment of the change in carotid corrected flow time in fluid responsiveness in undifferentiated shock.adequate assessment of fluid responsiveness in shock necessitates correct interpretation of hemodynamic changes induced by preload challenge. this study evaluates the accuracy of point-of-care doppler ultrasound assessment of the change in carotid corrected flow time induced by a passive leg raise maneuver as a predictor of fluid responsiveness. noninvasive cardiac output monitoring (nicom, cheetah medical, newton center, ma) system based on a bioreactance method was used.201830134304
the fastest animals and vehicles are neither the biggest nor the fastest over lifetime.here we show how the size of a body affects its maximum average speed of movement through its environment. the theoretical challenge was to predict that 'outliers' must exist, such as the cheetah for terrestrial animals and the jet fighter for airplanes. we show that during a travel that starts from rest and continues at cruising speed, the body size for minimum travel time, or maximum average speed, is not the biggest. the results are compared with extensive data for military aircraft for chase ...201830150767
living on the edge: multiscale habitat selection by cheetahs in a human-wildlife landscape.animals select habitats that will ultimately optimize their fitness through access to favorable resources, such as food, mates, and breeding sites. however, access to these resources may be limited by bottom-up effects, such as availability, and top-down effects, such as risk avoidance and competition, including that with humans. competition between wildlife and people over resources, specifically over space, has played a significant role in the worldwide decrease in large carnivores. the goal o ...201830151175
sex and species differences of stress markers in sympatric cheetahs and leopards in namibia.physiological stress markers may provide valuable insight for our understanding of costs of given life-history strategies or of wildlife health condition, most importantly in case of threatened species. in the last decade, there has been growing interest in the ecological relevance of cellular oxidative stress, which would provide complimentary information to that obtained by the classic analyses of glucocorticoid hormones. in this study, we analysed the sex and species variation of five blood-b ...201930201541
retrospective analysis and validation of serum symmetric dimethylarginine (sdma) concentrations in cheetahs ( acinonyx jubatus).kidney disease is common among captive cheetahs ( acinonyx jubatus). serum creatinine is the most common measurement to estimate glomerular filtration rate (gfr) because of the ease of its clinical use, but it is a crude estimate that only increases after significant disease is already present and is affected by extrarenal factors. symmetric dimethylarginine (sdma) is a renal biomarker in humans, dogs, and cats that correlates with serum creatinine and gfr and appears to be an earlier and more s ...201830212357
tinder for cheetahs. 201830273322
roads threaten asiatic cheetahs in iran.wildlife-vehicle collisions are an important cause of mortality for many animal species. they also prove extremely detrimental to the critically endangered asiatic cheetah (acinonyx jubatus venaticus) [1,2]. one to two asiatic cheetahs are killed by vehicles on iran's roads annually [3,4]. as such, the asiatic cheetah could be the next charismatic felid subspecies to go extinct in the near future [5]. we identified one statistically-significant cluster of cheetah-vehicle collisions on the shahro ...201830300597
cheetahs discriminate familiar and unfamiliar human voices.domestic species can make the distinction between several human sub-groups, especially between familiar and unfamiliar persons. the domestication hypothesis assumes that such advanced cognitive skills were driven by domestication itself. however, such capacities have been shown in wild species as well, highlighting the potential role of early experience and proximity with humans. nevertheless, few studies have been focusing on the use of acoustic cues in wild species and more comparative studies ...201830341369
coping with intrasexual behavioral differences: capture-recapture abundance estimation of male cheetah.population estimates are a fundamental requirement of ecology and conservation. while capture-recapture models are an established method for producing such estimates, their assumption of homogeneous capture probabilities is problematic given that heterogeneity in individual capture probability is inherent to most species. such variation must be accounted for by abundance models; otherwise, biased estimates are risked.here, we investigate the performance of four types of heterogeneity models for ...201830377492
luck in food finding affects individual performance and population trajectories.energy harvesting by animals is important because it provides the power needed for all metabolic processes. beyond this, efficient food finding enhances individual fitness [1] and population viability [2], although rates of energy accumulation are affected by the environment and food distribution. typically, differences between individuals in the rate of food acquisition are attributed to varying competencies [3], even though food-encounter rates are known to be probabilistic [4]. we used animal ...201830449669
evaluation of butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine in captive cheetah (acinonyx jubatus) immobilization.the butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine fixed-dose combination (bam, respectively, 30-12-12 mg ml-1) with subsequent antagonism by naltrexone-atipamezole was evaluated for reversible immobilization of captive cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus).201930554889
an interferon gamma release assay for the detection of immune sensitization to mycobacterium bovis in african wild dogs (lycaon pictus).in south africa, the largest proportion of the african wild dog (lycaon pictus) population resides in regions where buffaloes have a high prevalence of mycobacterium bovis, the causative agent of bovine tuberculosis (btb). recent reports of deaths of wild dogs associated with btb have raised concerns regarding the threat this disease might pose for this species. in order to understand the potential impact of the disease in wild dogs, diagnostic tools are required to identify infected individuals ...201930557121
cheetahs cannot fool biologgers. 201830591837
is the most representative skunk the average or the stinkiest? developmental changes in representations of biological categories.people often think of categories in terms of their most representative examples (e.g., robin for bird). thus, determining which exemplars are most representative is a fundamental cognitive process that shapes how people use concepts to navigate the world. the present studies (n = 669; ages 5 years - adulthood) revealed developmental change in this important component of cognition. studies 1-2 found that young children view exemplars with extreme values of characteristic features (e.g., the very ...201930677631
age-specific gastrointestinal parasite shedding in free-ranging cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus) on namibian farmland.the cheetah (acinonyx jubatus brookes 1828) is classified as "vulnerable" by the international union for conservation of nature (iucn). threats to cheetah populations are a decrease of suitable habitats, an increase of conflicts with livestock farmers and potentially pathogens. while there is some information on the viral and bacterial pathogens circulating in cheetah populations, information on gastrointestinal parasites is scarce. here, we investigate the gastrointestinal parasites in 39 free- ...201930706167
analysis of metabolic flux in felid spermatozoa using metabolomics and 13c-based fluxomics†.spermatozoa from three feline species-the domestic cat (felis catus), the cheetah (acinonyx jubatus), and the clouded leopard (neofelis nebulosa)-were analyzed using metabolomic profiling and 13c-based fluxomics to address questions raised regarding their energy metabolism. metabolic profiles and utilization of 13c-labeled energy substrates were detected and quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (gc-ms). spermatozoa were collected by electroejaculation and incubated in media supp ...201930715249
a comparative survey of microsatellites among wild and domestic cat provides valuable resources for marker development.information on the level and distribution of genetic variation is important for conservation plan of captive population of an endangered species such as tiger and cheetah. we assayed the frequency of microsatellites in the genomic and genic sequences of wild cats (panthera tigris, acinonyx jubatus) and compared it with the domestic cat (felis catus). frequency, relative abundance and density of microsatellites were highest in the domestic cat when compared with wild cats. the frequency of micros ...201930864111
using gps collars to investigate the frequency and behavioural outcomes of intraspecific interactions among carnivores: a case study of male cheetahs in the maasai mara, kenya.intraspecific interactions between individuals or groups of individuals of the same species are an important component of population dynamics. interactions can be static, such as spatial overlap, or dynamic based on the interactions of movements, and can be mediated through communication, such as the deployment of scent marks. interactions and their behavioural outcomes can be difficult to determine, especially for species that live at low densities. with the use of gps collars we quantify both ...201930943236
morphology of the uterotubal junction of the cheetah (acinonyx jubatus).less than 7,000 cheetahs survive in the wild. captive breeding has proved notoriously difficult. the uterotubal junction acts as major barrier and regulator to the passage of sperm. this study describes the morphology of the uterotubal junction of the cheetah. reproductive tracts were obtained from seven cheetahs that succumbed from natural causes or were euthanized for humane reasons. the uterotubal junction was isolated and examined macroscopically and microscopically. the extramural isthmus m ...201930980461
i thought i saw a pussy cat: portrayal of wild cats in friendly interactions with humans distorts perceptions and encourages interactions with wild cat species.most people lack the opportunity to see non-domesticated animals in the wild. consequently, people's perception of wild animals is based on what they see on (social) media. the way in which (social) media portrays non-domesticated animals determines our perception of and behaviour to these animals. people like to interact with animals, which is why venues which offer the opportunity to interact with non-domesticated animals are popular wildlife tourist attractions (wtas). however, these wtas mor ...201931042719
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