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scale-dependent analysis of an otter-crustacean system in argentinean patagonia.the southern river otter or 'huillin', lontra provocax, is an endangered species endemic of the andean patagonian region of argentina and chile. it feeds almost exclusively on the genera of macro-crustacea: aegla and sammastacus. the aim of this study was to analyse the role of food availability on the huillin's distribution using a scale-dependent analysis of crustacean and otter distributions. we compared the distributions of otters and macro-crustaceans along a north-south regional gradient, ...200919225749
cross-species characterisation of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the giant otter (pteronura brasiliensis).nineteen microsatellite loci developed for the eurasian otter (lutra lutra) and 15 loci developed for the north american river otter (lontra canadensis) were tested for ease of amplification and degree of polymorphism on a set of 20 giant otter (pteronura brasiliensis) faecal samples from the bolivian amazon basin. nineteen loci amplified consistently well, with polymorphisms ranging from two to nine alleles and observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.15 to 0.85.200921564666
re-evaluation of the species composition of bashkirovitrema skrjabin, 1944 (digenea: echinostomatidae), with the description of two new species of this genus and the proposal of kostadinovatrema novaeguiniense n. g., n. sp.a comparison of specimens previously identified as bashkirovitrema incrassatum (diesing, 1850) from the african or cape clawless otter aonyx capensis, and the speckle-throated or spotted-throated otter hydrictis maculicollis from the old world with specimens and descriptions of b. incrassatum from the new world showed that those from africa (bashkirovitrema africanum n. sp.) had a more extensive distribution of the vitelline fields than either b. canadense n. sp. from the northern river otter lo ...200919789998
a molecular survey of piroplasmida and hepatozoon isolated from domestic and wild animals in burgos (northern spain).this study reports a molecular survey of hepatozoon species and of the order piroplasmida in the province of burgos, northern spain. the diagnostic techniques employed included pcr and the sequencing of the 18s rrna gene. eighty-nine blood samples from domestic animals plus 138 blood/coagulated blood samples from wild mammals were examined. theilerid protozoa were found at relatively high frequencies in bovines (14.6%) and horses (36%). theileria buffeli, t. sergenti and t. annulata were diagnos ...200919297099
species identification of north american guinea worms (nematoda: dracunculus) with dna barcoding.dracunculus insignis is a nematode parasite that infects the subcutaneous tissues of mammals such as raccoon (procyon lotor), mink (neovison vison) and fisher (martes pennanti). d. lutrae, a morphologically similar species, has only been recovered from the otter (lontra canadensis). species identification of these two north american guinea worms has only been achieved by morphology of males and host identity. as a result, where only female specimens are present, accurate identifications are not ...200921564728
prevalence of selected vector-borne organisms and identification of bartonella species dna in north american river otters (lontra canadensis).trapper-killed north american river otters (lontra canadensis) in north carolina, usa, were screened for multiple vector-borne bacteria known to be pathogenic to mammals. blood was collected from 30 carcasses in 2006, from 35 in 2007, and from one live otter in 2008. samples were screened using conventional polymerase chain reaction (pcr) tests for dna from bartonella spp., ehrlichia spp., and spotted fever group rickettsia spp. all samples were negative for rickettsia spp. twelve of 30 samples ...201020688703
differential tree and shrub production in response to fertilization and disturbance by coastal river otters in alaska.we explored the interacting effects of marine-derived nutrient fertilization and physical disturbance introduced by coastal river otters (lontra canadensis) on the production and nutrient status of pristine shrub and tree communities in prince william sound, alaska, usa. we compared production of trees and shrubs between latrines and non-latrines, while accounting for otter site selection, by sampling areas on and off sites. nitrogen stable isotope analysis (delta15n) indicated that dominant tre ...201021141179
mercury and halogenated organic contaminants in river otters (lontra canadensis) in new jersey, usa.liver samples collected from new jersey river otters (lontra canadensis) in 2005 and 2007 were tested for hg, organochlorine (oc) pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (pcbs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (pcdds), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (pcdfs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (pbdes). the highest mercury concentrations were found in otters living in the pinelands region, where acidic soils and surface waters enhance hg bioavailability. the highest individual hg concentration was ...201020872687
fecal genotyping and contaminant analyses reveal variation in individual river otter exposure to localized persistent contaminants.the present study investigated polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbon (phah) concentrations in feces of known river otters (lontra canadensis) along the coast of southern vancouver island, british columbia, canada. specifically, we combined microsatellite genotyping of dna from feces for individual identification with fecal contaminant analyses to evaluate exposure of 23 wild otters to organochlorine pesticides (ocps), polychlorinated biphenyls (pcbs), and polybrominated diphenylethers (pbdes). ov ...201020821445
mercury poisoning in a free-living northern river otter (lontra canadensis).a moribund 5-year-old female northern river otter (lontra canadensis) was found on the bank of a river known to be extensively contaminated with mercury. it exhibited severe ataxia and scleral injection, made no attempt to flee, and died shortly thereafter of drowning. tissue mercury levels were among the highest ever reported for a free-living terrestrial mammal: kidney, 353 microg/g; liver, 221 microg/g; muscle, 121 microg/g; brain (three replicates from cerebellum), 142, 151, 151 microg/g (al ...201020688719
characterization of trpc2, an essential genetic component of vns chemoreception, provides insights into the evolution of pheromonal olfaction in secondary-adapted marine mammals.pheromones are chemical cues released and sensed by individuals of the same species, which are of major importance in regulating reproductive and social behaviors of mammals. generally, they are detected by the vomeronasal system (vns). here, we first investigated and compared an essential genetic component of vomeronasal chemoreception, that is, trpc2 gene, of four marine mammals varying the degree of aquatic specialization and related terrestrial species in order to provide insights into the e ...201020142439
accumulation of mercury and selenium in the brain of river otters (lontra canadensis) and wild mink (mustela vison) from nova scotia, canada.total hg, methyl-hg (mehg) and se levels were measured in the brain of river otters (lontra canadensis) and wild mink (mustela vison) carcasses collected from nova scotia, canada. total hg concentrations in the otters' brain were highly variable, ranging from 0.3 to 18.0 microg/g dw and were significantly higher in animals caught from inland areas of the province versus coastal animals. similarly, inland otters contained significantly more mehg in the brain than did coastal otters. mehg was high ...201019880158
phylogeography of the patagonian otter lontra provocax: adaptive divergence to marine habitat or signature of southern glacial refugia?a number of studies have described the extension of ice cover in western patagonia during the last glacial maximum, providing evidence of a complete cover of terrestrial habitat from 41°s to 56°s and two main refugia, one in south-eastern tierra del fuego and the other north of the chiloé island. however, recent evidence of high genetic diversity in patagonian river species suggests the existence of aquatic refugia in this region. here, we further test this hypothesis based on phylogeographic in ...201121356052
behavior toward the dying, diseased, or disabled among animals and its relevance to paleopathology.compassionate behavior towards dying, diseased, or disabled individuals is often regarded as a uniquely human trait, though recent reports of reactions to death and dying in nonhuman animals highlight the value of adopting a comparative evolutionary approach toward these behaviors. here, we review recent studies of animal behavior toward the dying, diseased, or disabled which may be of interest to paleopathologists and bioarchaeologists studying compassionate behavior in humans and their extinct ...201129539326
correlates of mercury in female river otters (lontra canadensis) from nova scotia, canada.mercury (hg) can reach toxic concentrations in aquatic habitats, sometimes as a consequence of human activity. mercury can have deleterious effects, particularly in piscivorous mammals in which it bio-accumulates. furs from trapper-provided female otter (lontra canadensis) carcasses in nova scotia were analyzed for total hg. concentrations of total hg in fur samples averaged 25 μg/g dry weight, ranging from 1.4 to 137 μg/g; 20 μg/g is the fur concentration at which toxic effects are expected. me ...201121590711
mercury in swamp sparrows (melospiza georgiana) from wetland habitats in wisconsin.wetlands play a major role in the export of methylmercury (mehg) to a watershed. the large contribution of wetlands to watersheds in northern wisconsin, coupled with the acidic environment of this area, makes these habitats especially vulnerable to mercury (hg) accumulation by biota. the purpose of this study was to compare hg accumulation between northern wisconsin wetlands and southern wisconsin wetlands using the swamp sparrow (melospiza georgiana) as a representative species. the swamp sparr ...201121755351
pleural actinomycosis in a free-ranging river otter (lontra canadensis).actinomycosis, presenting as chronic proliferative pyogranulomatous pleuritis associated with sulfur granules, was diagnosed in a mature male river otter (lontra canadensis) captured near victoria, british columbia, canada, in april 2010. the river otter died during sedation for clinical examination and was necropsied immediately. bacteria of the genus actinomyces are commensals of the mucous membranes in a wide range of animals and people that act as opportunistic pathogens. this is the first r ...201122204077
physiologic and electrocardiographic responses of american river otters (lutra canadensis) during chemical immobilization and inhalation anesthesia.rectal temperatures and heart rates of american river otters (lutra canadensis) decreased significantly (p less than 0.05) during chemical immobilization with i.m. ketamine hydrochloride in combination with xylazine hydrochloride and acepromazine and during inhalation anesthesia with isoflurane. anesthetized otters showed a tendency for apnea during induction and while dorsally recumbent, which was reflected by a respiratory acidosis on arterial blood gases. declines in rectal temperatures and h ...20123503143
serologic survey of brucellosis in captive neotropical wild carnivores in northeast brazil.abstract. this study reports the detection of antibodies against brucella abortus and b. canis in wild neotropical carnivores kept in captivity in three zoos in northeastern brazil. a total of 42 serum samples were examined, 17 from coatis (nasua nasua), eight from crab-eating raccoons (procyon cancrivorus), three from crab-eating foxes (cerdocyon thous), three from hoary foxes (lycalopex vetulus), two from little spotted cats (leopardus tigrinus), five from tayras (eira barbara), two from great ...201222779245
a new microphallid (digenea) species from lontra provocax (mammalia: mustelidae) from freshwater environments of northwestern patagonia (argentina).a new microphallid species of maritrema is described from the native southern river otter, lontra provocax (thomas). a naturally infected otter was found dead in the nahuel huapi national park, argentina. ovigerous adult worms were recovered from the anterior portion of the intestine. specimens of maritrema huillini n. sp. have an unarmed genital pore and glabrous cirrus. they can be distinguished from all other species in the genus by having a long intestinal ceca extending up to three-quarters ...201222540416
disseminated pheochromocytoma in a north american river otter (lontra canadensis).a 21-yr-old male north american river otter (lontra canadensis) with a chronic history of degenerative osteoarthritis was evaluated for acute posterior paralysis. because no definitive cause was identified and a poor prognosis was expected, the otter was euthanatized. a malignant neoplasm of adrenal gland origin with disseminated metastases to the central nervous system, lymph nodes, diaphragm, pancreas, spleen, and liver was diagnosed on postmortem examination. no clinical signs of disseminated ...201222779251
a survey of abnormal repetitive behaviors in north american river otters housed in zoos.stereotypic behaviors, indicating poor welfare and studied in a variety of species (especially carnivores), appear related to characteristics of current and past environments. although north american river otters (lontra canadensis) often develop abnormal, repetitive, possibly stereotypic behaviors, no published reports describe otter housing and management or characterize how these variables relate to abnormal repetitive behavior (arb) occurrence. the first author developed surveys to gather da ...201222742198
high-altitude diving in river otters: coping with combined hypoxic stresses.river otters (lontra canadensis) are highly active, semi-aquatic mammals indigenous to a range of elevations and represent an appropriate model for assessing the physiological responses to diving at altitude. in this study, we performed blood gas analyses and compared blood chemistry of river otters from a high-elevation (2357 m) population at yellowstone lake with a sea-level population along the pacific coast. comparisons of oxygen dissociation curves (odc) revealed no significant difference i ...201222189769
hepatic mercury, cadmium, and lead in mink and otter from new york state: monitoring environmental contamination.many non-linear processes link atmospheric emissions to the bioavailability of metals; consequently, the monitoring of metals in ecosystem components is required to model their ecodynamics. american mink (neovison vison) and river otter (lontra canadensis) have the potential to serve as an upper-level-consumer component in monitoring metals bioavailability. however, the relationship of bioaccumulated metals to various environmental factors has not been explored nor have the effects of demographi ...201221743989
diagnostic imaging in veterinary dental practice. dental pulp disease in a river otter. 201323971840
review of the systematics, biology and ecology of lice from pinnipeds and river otters (insecta: phthiraptera: anoplura: echinophthiriidae).we present a literature review of the sucking louse family echinophthiriidae, its five genera and twelve species parasitic on pinnipeds (fur seals, sea lions, walruses, true seals) and the north american river otter. we give detailed synonymies and published records for all taxonomic hierarchies, as well as hosts, type localities and repositories of type material; we highlight significant references and include comments on the current taxonomic status of the species. we provide a summary of pres ...201326131525
mercury exposure and neurochemical biomarkers in multiple brain regions of wisconsin river otters (lontra canadensis).river otters are fish-eating wildlife that bioaccumulate high levels of mercury (hg). mercury is a proven neurotoxicant to mammalian wildlife, but little is known about the underlying, sub-clinical effects. here, the overall goal was to increase understanding of hg's neurological risk to otters. first, hg values across several brain regions and tissues were characterized. second, in three brain regions with known sensitivity to hg (brainstem, cerebellum, and occipital cortex), potential associat ...201323340980
trophic interactions of the endangered southern river otter (lontra provocax) in a chilean ramsar wetland inferred from prey sampling, fecal analysis, and stable isotopes.non-invasive methodological approaches are highly recommended and commonly used to study the feeding ecology of elusive and threatened mammals. in this study, we use multiple lines of evidence to assess the feeding strategies of the endangered southern river otter, by determining seasonal prey availability (electrofishing), analysis of undigested prey remains (spraints), and the use of stable isotopes (δ(15)n and δ(13)c) in otter spraints (n = 262) and prey in a wetland ecosystem of southern chi ...201323467968
aleutian mink disease virus in furbearing mammals in nova scotia, canada.aleutian mink disease virus (amdv) is widespread among ranched and free-ranging american mink in canada, but there is no information on its prevalence in other wild animal species. this paper describes the prevalence of amdv of 12 furbearing species in nova scotia (ns), canada.201323394546
emerging infectious diseases of wildlife and species conservation.there has been an increase in the emergence and reemergence of human infectious diseases on a global scale, and zoonotic diseases in which wildlife serves as the reservoir are a large contributing factor. faced with this situation, there is a necessity to create integrated prevention strategies and predictive models to determine the sites most vulnerable to the emergence of new zoonoses. cases have been documented in which pathogens responsible for infectious diseases in wild species have been r ...201326184963
impact of population expansion on genetic diversity and structure of river otters (lontra canadensis) in central north america.populations of north american river otters (lontra canadensis) declined throughout large portions of the continent during the early 1900s due to habitat degradation and unregulated trapping. river otters had been extirpated in north dakota (nd), but the red river valley has since been recolonized, with potential source populations including the neighboring states of minnesota or south dakota, or the canadian province of manitoba (mb). we genotyped 9 microsatellite loci in 121 samples to determin ...201324154534
river otters as biomonitors for organochlorine pesticides, pcbs, and pbdes in illinois.the north american river otter (lontra canadensis) is a biomonitor for organohalogenated compounds (ohcs) associated with a wide range of deleterious health effects in wildlife and humans. we determined concentrations of twenty ohcs in livers of 23 river otters salvaged by the illinois department of natural resources from 2009 to 2011, determined sex-dependent distribution of ohcs, and compared our results to the reported concentrations of four ohcs in illinois river otters from 1984 to 1989. si ...201424119654
uncovering deep mysteries: the underwater life of an amphibious louse.despite the incredible success of insects in colonizing almost every habitat, they remain virtually absent in one major environment--the open sea. a variety of hypotheses have been raised to explain why just a few insect species are present in the ocean, but none of them appears to be fully explanatory. lice belonging to the family echinophthiriidae are ectoparasites on different species of pinnipeds and river otters, i.e. they have amphibious hosts, who regularly perform long excursions into th ...201425449903
large-scale predation by river otters (lontra canadensis) on florida cooter (pseudemys floridana) and florida softshell turtles (apalone ferox).abstract we observed predation by river otters (lontra canadensis) on large numbers of florida cooter (pseudemys floridana) and florida softshell turtles (apalone ferox) in two small lakes in north central florida, usa during a period of unusually low water levels. carcasses were strewn on the shoreline and accumulated around floating boat docks, where some residents observed turtles being killed. we found 76 carcasses, including predominantly skeletons, and two live, severely injured turtles fr ...201425098299
nephrolithiasis in free-ranging north american river otter (lontra canadensis) in north carolina, usa.the north american river otter (lontra canadensis) serves as an indicator species for environmental monitoring, is prized as a valuable furbearer, and is a popular display animal in zoologic collections. nephrolithiasis has been reported as a frequent problem in other free-ranging and captive otter species but is rarely reported in north american river otters. in this study, we compared the prevalence of nephrolithiasis diagnosed using routine gross pathologic examination techniques with the use ...201424712169
purine nucleoside phosphorylase and xanthine oxidase activities in erythrocytes and plasma from marine, semiaquatic and terrestrial mammals.purine nucleoside phosphorylase (pnp) and xanthine oxidase (xo) are key enzymes involved in the purine salvage pathway. pnp metabolizes purine bases to synthetize purine nucleotides whereas xo catalyzes the oxidation of purines to uric acid. in humans, pnp activity is reported to be high in erythrocytes and xo activity to be low in plasma; however, xo activity increases after ischemic events. xo activity in plasma of northern elephant seals has been reported during prolonged fasting and rest and ...201424530799
fatty acid analysis as a tool to infer the diet in illinois river otters (lontra canadensis).fatty acids (fa) have recently been used in several studies to infer the diet in a number of species. while these studies have been largely successful, most have dealt with predators that have a fairly specialized diet. in this paper, we used fa analysis as a tool to infer the diet of the nearctic river otter (lontra canadensis). the river otter is an opportunistic predator known to subsist on a wide variety of prey including, fishes, crayfish, molluscs, reptiles and amphibians, among others. we ...201426290705
efficacy of two canine distemper vaccines in wild nearctic river otters (lontra canadensis).canine distemper virus (cdv), a contagious morbillivirus, infects families in the order carnivora, including nearctic river otters (lontra canadensis). as a preventative measure, vaccinations against cdv are frequently given to mustelids in captive environments. the pennsylvania river otter reintroduction project (prorp) used wild-caught river otters to evaluate the efficacy and need for vaccinations against cdv as part of any reintroduction project. the objectives of this study were to: 1) eval ...201425314818
invasive american mink: linking pathogen risk between domestic and endangered carnivores.infectious diseases, in particular canine distemper virus (cdv), are an important threat to the viability of wild carnivore populations. cdv is thought to be transmitted by direct contact between individuals; therefore, the study of species interactions plays a pivotal role in understanding cdv transmission dynamics. however, cdv often appears to move between populations that are ecologically isolated, possibly through bridge hosts that interact with both species. this study investigated how an ...201424604545
testing for aleutian mink disease virus in the river otter (lontra canadensis) in sympatry with infected american mink (neovison vison).aleutian mink disease virus (amdv) occurs in the american mink (neovison vison) in wild populations and on mink farms and can cause illness and death. the north american river otter (lontra canadensis) may be exposed to amdv because of shared space and habitat with mink. using serology and real-time pcr, we tested river otters across ontario for amdv infection. we found no evidence of infection in otters, a surprising finding given the sympatric distribution, niche overlap, and close phylogeneti ...201424807350
divergent skull morphology supports two trophic specializations in otters (lutrinae).variation in terrestrial mammalian skull morphology is known to constrain feeding performance, which in turn influences dietary habits and ultimately fitness. among mustelids, otters have evolved two feeding specializations: underwater raptorial capture of prey (mouth-oriented) and capture of prey by hand (hand-oriented), both of which have likely associations with morphology and bite performance. however, feeding biomechanics and performance data for otters are sparse. the first goal of this st ...201526649575
comparative functional anatomy of hindlimb muscles and bones with reference to aquatic adaptation of the sea otter.although the sea otter (enhydra lutris) is a complete aquatic species, spending its entire life in the ocean, it has been considered morphologically to be a semi-aquatic animal. this study aimed to clarify the unique hindlimb morphology and functional adaptations of e. lutris in comparison to other mustelidae species. we compared muscle mass and bone measurements of five mustelidae species: the sea otter, eurasian river otter (lutra lutra), american mink (neovison vison), japanese weasel (mustel ...201525715875
hepatic polybrominated diphenyl ether (pbde) levels in wisconsin river otters (lontra canadensis) and michigan bald eagles (haliaeetus leucocephalus).polybrominated diphenyl ethers (pbdes) are persistent and toxic flame-retardant chemicals widespread in the great lakes ecosystem. these chemicals are now being regulated and phased-out of the region; therefore it remains important to understand the extent of contamination in order to track the efficacy of recent actions. here, σ4pbde congeners (pbde-47, 99, 100, 153;wetweight basis unless indicated)were determined in liver tissues from wisconsin river otters (lontra canadensis; n = 35; 2009-201 ...201525745277
the influence of changing prey availability on the prevalence of diphyllobothrium in river otters from yellowstone national park.parasite prevalence in predatory mammals is influenced by numerous factors including diet, sex, season, and habitat. we examined the effect of such factors on the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in north american river otters ( lontra canadensis ) in yellowstone lake, yellowstone national park. otters in this ecosystem have recently experienced a decline in their main prey, yellowstone cutthroat trout ( oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri), and have, in turn, increased consumption of alternat ...201525192057
density of river otters (lontra canadensis) in relation to energy development in the green river basin, wyoming.exploration and extraction of oil and natural gas have increased in recent years and are expected to expand in the future. reduction in water quality from energy extraction may negatively affect water supply for agriculture and urban use within catchments as well as down river. we used non-invasive genetic techniques and capture-recapture modeling to estimate the abundance and density of north american river otters (lontra canadensis), a sentinel species of aquatic ecosystems, in southwestern wy ...201526125409
modeling behavior by coastal river otter (lontra canadensis) in response to prey availability in prince william sound, alaska: a spatially-explicit individual-based approach.effects of climate change on animal behavior and cascading ecosystem responses are rarely evaluated. in coastal alaska, social river otters (lontra canadensis), largely males, cooperatively forage on schooling fish and use latrine sites to communicate group associations and dominance. conversely, solitary otters, mainly females, feed on intertidal-demersal fish and display mutual avoidance via scent marking. this behavioral variability creates "hotspots" of nutrient deposition and affects plant ...201526061497
accumulation of pbdes in an urban river otter population and an unusual finding of bde-209.river otter scat samples (n = 77) and blood samples (n = 16) collected through non-invasive field collections and live-capture activities (november 2009 to october 2010) along the coastline of southern vancouver island, near victoria, british columbia (bc) were analyzed for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (pbdes). ∑pbdes were highest in urbanized regions of victoria harbour for blood (1.12 μg/g lipid weight) and scat (0.35 μg/g lipid weight). a location effect between zones was confirmed statisti ...201525463257
hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase and inosine 5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase activities in three mammalian species: aquatic (mirounga angustirostris), semi-aquatic (lontra longicaudis annectens) and terrestrial (sus scrofa).aquatic and semiaquatic mammals have the capacity of breath hold (apnea) diving. northern elephant seals (mirounga angustirostris) have the ability to perform deep and long duration dives; during a routine dive, adults can hold their breath for 25 min. neotropical river otters (lontra longicaudis annectens) can hold their breath for about 30 s. such periods of apnea may result in reduced oxygen concentration (hypoxia) and reduced blood supply (ischemia) to tissues. production of adenosine 5'-tri ...201526283971
stress levels in captured river otters (lontra canadensis) decreased after transportation to reintroduction sites.the level of stress that animals endure during capture, handling, transportation, and release processes is a major concern of animal reintroduction projects. animals under chronic stress are more susceptible to disease and other deleterious issues that could reduce their survival in a new environment. northern river otters ( lontra canadensis ) have been reintroduced in 22 states in the united states and may be susceptible to developing chronic stress during the reintroduction process. we assess ...201628080903
river otter bite in a 52-year-old woman: managing animal bites. 201627647615
in vivo and in vitro neurochemical-based assessments of wastewater effluents from the maumee river area of concern.wastewater treatment plant (wwtp) effluents contain potentially neuroactive chemicals though few methods are available to screen for the presence of such agents. here, two parallel approaches (in vivo and in vitro) were used to assess wwtp exposure-related changes to neurochemistry. first, fathead minnows (fhm, pimephales promelas) were caged for four days along a wwtp discharge zone into the maumee river (ohio, usa). grab water samples were collected and extracts obtained for the detection of a ...201626736051
geographic distribution of the tooth morphotypes of the river otter (carnivora, mustelidae, lutra lutra l., 1758) in northern eurasia. 201622562675
interaction of extender composition and freezing method for effective semen cryopreservation in the north american river otter (lontra canadensis).semen cryopreservation and storage in genome resource banks (grbs), in combination with artificial insemination (ai), could be invaluable for genetic management and conservation of endangered otter species. for any applied conservation benefit, effective methods for otter sperm processing and cryopreservation first must be established. in this study, our objective was to develop an effective semen cryopreservation method for the north american river otter, evaluating the effect of extender compo ...201728708513
predictive meta-regressions relating mercury tissue concentrations of freshwater piscivorous mammals.mercury (hg) is a pollutant of global concern. sentinel species such as river otter (lontra canadensis) and mink (neovison vison) are often used to monitor environmental concentrations in freshwater ecosystems. tissue total hg (thg) concentrations are frequently used as biomarkers of exposure. however, there is no comprehensive model relating hg tissue concentrations in different tissues, making interstudy comparisons challenging. our objective was to establish conversion factors relating fur, b ...201728224658
cryptosporidium spp. and giardia sp. in aquatic mammals in northern and northeastern brazil.cryptosporidium and giardia are protozoans that can infect humans and wild and domestic animals. due to the growing importance of diseases caused by protozoan parasites in aquatic species, we aimed to evaluate the frequency of infection by cryptosporidium spp. and giardia sp. in aquatic and marine mammals in the northern and northeastern regions of brazil. we collected 553 fecal samples from 15 species of wild-ranging and captive aquatic mammals in northern and northeastern brazil. all samples w ...201728930082
the development and use of a spatially explicit model for river otters to evaluate environmental hazards: a case study on the department of energy's savannah river site.the department of energy's (doe) savannah river site (srs) faces a legacy of radionuclide and metal contamination from industrial processes that occurred throughout the site. northern river otters (lontra canadensis) are appropriate receptors for studying the effects of long-term, low-level contamination because they are long-lived, higher trophic level organisms susceptible to accumulating high levels of pollutants. the purpose of this study was to use latrine surveys to examine patterns of wet ...201829860567
river otters (lontra canadensis) "trapped" in a coastal environment contaminated with persistent organic pollutants: demographic and physiological consequences.productive coastal and estuarine habitats can be degraded by contaminants including persistent organic pollutants (pops) such as pcbs, dioxins, and organochlorine insecticides to the extent of official designation as contaminated sites. top-predatory wildlife may continue to use such sites as the habitat often appears suitable, and thus bioaccumulate pops and other contaminants with potential consequences on their health and fitness. victoria and esquimalt harbours are located on southern vancou ...201829573713
prevalence, structure, and distribution of novel parasite cysts containing dracunculus species in river otters ( lontra canadensis) from arkansas.adult female guinea worms ( dracunculus spp.) usually are reported to occur singly in the extremities of their hosts, from which they deliver their larvae into the water through fistulae in the host's skin. we visually examined for the presence of worms in the fascia of the limbs of skinned carcasses of 184 river otters ( lontra canadensis) harvested in arkansas and report observations of cysts on wrists and ankles found on 12 otters. cysts averaged 15.6 × 24.6 mm in diameter, were round to oval ...201829457936
prevalence and genetic characterization of dirofilaria lutrae orihle, 1965 in north american river otters (lontra canadensis).dirofilaria lutrae orihle, 1965 is a subcutaneous filarial worm found in north american river otters (lontra canadensis). previous studies reported the geographical range of this worm to include louisiana, florida, and north carolina, usa. although d. lutrae does not cause disease in otters, it must be distinguished from dirofilaria immitis (leidy, 1856), which causes heartworm disease in otters. the goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of d. lutrae in several states and to investi ...201831014728
sepsis caused by streptococcus suis serotype 2 in a eurasian river otter ( lutra lutra) in the republic of korea.an adult male eurasian river otter ( lutra lutra) was diagnosed with systemic infection. microbiologic findings identified streptococcus suis serotype 2, clonal complex 28, and sequence type 629. genetic analysis strongly suggested the transmission of s. suis isolate from pigs to wild animals through environmental contamination.201829791292
characterization of the behavior and reproductive endocrinology of giant river otters (pteronura brasiliensis) in managed care.propagation of giant river otters (gro) in zoos is inconsistent: some pairs never reproduce while others are prolific in producing young but can be hindered by low cub survival. developing effective breeding programs requires understanding normal reproductive parameters and behavior. fecal samples were collected for 6-16 months from five breeding pairs, two individual females, and one female pair at seven zoos, and analyzed for fecal progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, and glucocorticoid (fgm) ...201830159919
toxoplasma gondii infection in wild mustelids and cats across an urban-rural gradient.the increase in human population and domestic pets, such as cats, are generating important consequences in terms of habitat loss and pathogen pollution of coastal ecosystems with potential to generate negative impacts in marine biodiversity. toxoplasma gondii is the etiological agent of zoonotic disease toxoplasmosis, and is associated with cat abundance and anthropogenic disturbance. the presence of t. gondii oocysts in the ocean has negatively affected the health status of the threatened south ...201829924844
variation in neotropical river otter (lontra longicaudis) diet: effects of an invasive prey species.predation is one of the main barriers that exotic species may face in newly colonized areas and may help stop or control the potential negative impacts of invasive species in the environment. we evaluated if the consumption of an invasive prey (armored catfish: pterygoplichtys sp.) affects the dietary niche breadth and trophic level of a native predator (neotropical river otter: lontra longicaudis) in northern guatemala. we examined otter scats from three rivers: two where the invasive armored c ...201931581191
factors influencing exposure of north american river otter (lontra canadensis) and american mink (neovison vison) to mercury relative to a large-scale reservoir in northern british columbia, canada.although reservoir creation increases fish mercury (hg) concentrations, little information exists on its effects on hg concentrations in aquatic mammals. river otters (lontra canadensis) and american mink (neovison vison) are two aquatic mammals that have been used as model species for assessing hg bioaccumulation in aquatic systems. we assessed hg and selenium (se) concentrations in these two species within and outside of the williston reservoir (peace-williston (pw) watershed) in northern brit ...201930826954
distribution of organic and inorganic mercury across the pelts of canadian river otter (lontra canadensis).fur is a common biomarker of environmental mercury (hg) exposure. further, there are well-established relationships between total mercury (thg) in fur and organs. however, these models assumed that thg is uniformly distributed across the fur in a pelt. in this study, we assess the distribution of thg and methylmercury (mehg) across the pelts of four river otters (lontra canadensis). thg concentrations were measured in the topcoat (n = 95) and undercoat fur (n = 95). mehg was measured in a subset ...201930824798
primary pleural squamous cell carcinoma in a free-ranging river otter (lontra canadensis).an adult female north american river otter (lontra canadensis) presented with multiple intrathoracic masses identified histologically as squamous cell carcinoma. immunohistochemical staining patterns for high- molecular-weight keratin, p40, p63, calretinin, and ttf-1, along with the gross and histologic findings, indicated a primary pleural squamous cell carcinoma as the most likely diagnosis.201930702954
identification of halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in biological samples from alberta oil-sands region.halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (hpahs) were identified in biological samples from the alberta oil-sands region (aosr) using gas chromatography coupled with high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (gc-hrtof-ms) at a resolving power of 25,000. knowledge of the electron ionization (ei) fragmentation behavior of individual hpah isomers, achieved by injecting authentic standards in full-scan ms mode, was paramount in identifying a suite of hpahs in samples from the aosr. confir ...201930317091
paenibacillus lutrae sp. nov., a chitinolytic species isolated from a river otter in castril natural park, granada, spain.a highly chitinolytic facultative anaerobic, chemoheterotrophic, endospore-forming, gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped bacterial strain n10t was isolated from the feces of a river otter in the castril natural park (granada, spain). it is a slightly halophilic, motile, catalase-, oxidase-, acc deaminase- and c4 and c8 lipase-positive strain. it is aerobic, respiratory and has a fermentative metabolism using oxygen as an electron acceptor, produces acids from glucose and can fix nitrogen. phylogeneti ...201931810255
evidence of leptospira species and their significance during reintroduction of eurasian beavers (castorfiber) to great britain.the scottish beaver trial (sbt) reintroduced the eurasian beaver (castor fiber) in 2009 using wild-caught norwegian beavers. this included a six-month prerelease quarantine in devon, england. the international union for conservation of nature (iucn) and government guidelines for health screening were followed, including testing for leptospira species. unlicensed beavers, from germany, were also identified in scotland (tayside) and devon (later forming the river otter beaver trial (robt)) and wer ...201931467063
north american river otters (lontra canadensis) discriminate between 2d objects varying in shape and color.we investigated the ability of north american river otters (lontra canadensis) to visually discriminate between 2d objects. the otters learned to discriminate between stimuli using multiple visual features and then were tested with stimuli in which one of the features was eliminated (color or shape). two adult otters were trained in a two-alternative forced choice task to discriminate between a red circle and a blue triangle. test sessions included probe trials containing novel shapes, colors, o ...201930251106
ecotoxicoparasitology of mercury and trace elements in semi-aquatic mammals and their endoparasite communities.many contaminants persist in the environment for decades or more, influencing ecosystem health. environmental contamination with mercury (hg) is a particular concern due to its ability to biomagnify in food webs and its lethal and sub-lethal effects in exposed organisms. despite the known impacts of anthropogenic contamination, there remains a need for data on wildlife exposure to hg and other contaminants, and the effects of exposure on wildlife health. the objectives of this study were to: 1) ...201931085411
the genome sequence of the eurasian river otter, lutra lutra linnaeus 1758.we present a genome assembly from an individual male lutra lutra (the eurasian river otter; vertebrata; mammalia; eutheria; carnivora; mustelidae). the genome sequence is 2.44 gigabases in span. the majority of the assembly is scaffolded into 20 chromosomal pseudomolecules, with both x and y sex chromosomes assembled.202032258427
xanthine nephrolithiasis in juvenile captive giant otters (pteronura brasiliensis).nephrolithiasis has been reported in several aquatic mammals including bottlenose dolphins (tursiops truncatus), small clawed otters (amblonyx cinereus), european river otters (lutra lutra), north american river otters (lontra canadensis), northern elephant seals (mirounga angustirostris), florida manatees (trichechus manatus latirostris), and california sea lions (zalophus californianus). compositions of calculi in previous cases were predominantly calcium oxalate or ammonium acid urate. xanthi ...202031926528
assessment of ecotoxicological risks to river otters from ingestion of invasive red swamp crayfish in metal contaminated areas: use of feces to estimate dietary exposure.the invasive red swamp crayfish (procambarus clarkii) has become a major food resource for eurasian otters (lutra lutra) in the iberian peninsula. crayfish accumulate large amounts of metals, and hence otters could be at risk of exposure and intoxication through crayfish consumption. we conducted a food safety risk assessment for otters inhabiting two historical mining areas in central spain affected by lead (pb) and mercury (hg) pollution. estimated daily intakes (edi) of pb and hg were non-inv ...202031740034
digestible energy intake and digestive efficiency of human-managed north american river otters (lontra canadensis).diets currently provided to captive north american river otters (lontra canadensis) are highly variable with different institutions providing various whole foods, commercial complete prepared diets, or combinations of both. this study investigated the digestible energy intake, gastrointestinal transit time, and digestive efficiency of three different diets being fed at three north carolina institutions. otters housed at institution a (n = 3) were fed strictly fish. otters housed at institutions ...202032395223
relationships between mercury concentrations in fur and stomach contents of river otter (lontra canadensis) and mink (neovison vison) in northern alberta canada and their applications as proxies for environmental factors determining mercury bioavailability.the fur of piscivorous animals such as river otter (lontra canadensis) and mink (neovison vison) has been proposed to be used as a biomarker medium to assess mercury (hg) exposure, but the relationship with dietary and environmental hg exposure has not been fully characterized. the objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between fur total mercury (thg) and stomach content thg in river otter and mink, and their relationships with environmental factors. thg concentrations were ...202031806289
the gut microbial community structure of the north american river otter (lontra canadensis) in the alberta oil sands region in canada: relationship with local environmental variables and metal body burden.the alberta oil sands region in canada is home to one of the largest oil bitumen deposits in the world. the north american river otter (lontra canadensis) is a top predator with a small home range and is sensitive to disturbances; it has been designated as a sentinel species for the potential impacts of the natural resource exploitation on freshwater ecosystems in the alberta oil sands region. with an increasing interest in noninvasive biomarkers, recent studies suggest that gut microbiota can b ...202032946150
spatial patterns of the exposure-response relationship between mercury and cortisol in the fur of river otter (lontra canadensis).fur has been validated as a useful biomarker medium for chemical exposures and biological responses in wildlife. mercury (hg) is known to act as an endocrine disruptor by altering brain neurochemistry. in this study, we investigated the spatial patterns of relationships between total hg (thg) and cortisol in the fur of river otter (lontra canadensis). geotagged fur samples were obtained from a wildlife biomonitoring program (n = 72) and the north american fur auction (n = 37) between 2014 and 20 ...202032835981
a noninvasive environmental monitoring tool for brominated flame-retardants (bfrs) assisted by conservation detection dogs.fecal matter is a useful noninvasive/nondestructive media for evaluating contaminants in wildlife, as residues therein have been observed to correlate with body burdens. conservation detection dog-handler teams can be used to optimize the acquisition of fecal samples. to build on previous work, sentinel-species' (i.e. mink (mustela vison) and otter (lontra canadensis)) fecal matter was opportunistically located by a detection dog team along the tri-river system of missoula, montana, usa. sedimen ...202032682128
a new species of cryptocotyle (digenea: heterophyidae) infecting kelp gull and a galaxiid fish in patagonian freshwater environments: morphological and molecular analyses.adults of a species of cryptocotyle were found infecting the intestine of the kelp gull, larus dominicanus lichtenstein, 1823, and metacercariae were found in the fins and muscle of the galaxiid fish, galaxias platei steindachner, 1898 (local name "puyen grande"), in nahuel huapi national park (patagonia). morphometrics and genetic markers of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase (coi) and ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1 (its1) confirmed that adults and metacercariae were conspecific and repr ...202032164027
metal contamination of river otters in north carolina.aquatic apex predators are vulnerable to environmental contaminants due to biomagnification. north american river otter (lontra canadensis) populations should be closely monitored across their range due to point and nonpoint pollution sources. nonetheless, no information exists on environmental contaminants in the north carolina otter population. metals and metalloids occur naturally across the landscape, are essential for cellular function, and become toxic when concentrated unnaturally. we con ...202031993757
leptospira, parvovirus, and toxoplasma in the north american river otter (lontra canadensis) in north carolina, usa.the north american river otter (lontra canadensis) is the largest mustelid in north carolina, usa, and was once extirpated from the central and western portions of the state. over time and after a successful reintroduction project, otters are now abundant and occur throughout north carolina. however, there is a concern that diseases may have an impact on the otter population, as well as on other aquatic mammals, either through exposure to emerging diseases, contact with domestic animals such as ...202032320341
urban wildlife in times of covid-19: what can we infer from novel carnivore records in urban areas?the onset of the covid-19 pandemic brought an unusual decrease in human activity associated with partial and total lockdowns. simultaneously, a series of wildlife sightings-mainly in urban areas-have been brought to public attention and often attributed to lockdown measures. here we report on a series of wild carnivore records, including threatened species, obtained through camera traps set in urban forests, campuses, suburbs, and peri-urban areas of two cities in chile, during partial lockdown ...202033077221
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