Publications

quantification and patterns of endothelial cell loss due to eye bank preparation and injector method in descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty tissues.	to evaluate endothelial cell damage after eye bank preparation and passage through 1 of 2 different injectors for descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty grafts.	2016	26583280
characterizing and developing strategies for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia at a community hospital.	patients admitted to lions gate hospital, north vancouver, british columbia, with a primary diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia (cap) have a mean length of stay (los) of 9.1 days compared with 7.9 days for peer group hospitals. this difference of 1.2 days results in an annual potential savings of 406 bed days and warranted an investigation into the management of cap.	2016	12195270
computed tomographic imaging of the normal immature california sea lion head (zalophus californianus).	different computed tomography (ct) protocols were tested to optimize imaging of the head of the california sea lion. transverse mode images were superior to helical mode images. bone structures were best imaged using 1 mm slice width combined with a high-frequency image reconstruction algorithm and best viewed using a wide window setting. soft tissue structures were generally difficult to differentiate with the exception of the orbital region, which was best imaged using 2mm slice width combined ...	2016	19051645
the lion, the witch and the petri dish.		2016	18414276
fluorescein angiography and adverse drug reactions revisited: the lions eye experience.	the last major survey of adverse reactions to intravenous fluorescein angiography was performed more than 20 years ago. there have been two recent fatalities involving intravenous fluorescein in australia. it is important to review the current incidence of adverse reactions and latest literature on the pathogenesis, prophylaxis and alternatives to intravenous fluorescein angiography.	2016	16451256
diabetic retinopathy screening model for rural population: awareness and screening methodology.	worldwide, the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy is increasing at an alarming rate. who has predicted that in india the number of adults with diabetes will be the highest in the world: from 19 million in 1995 to 80 million in 2030. although originally thought to be a disease of an urban population, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus is increasing in rural areas as well. the socioeconomic burden resulting from visual impairment or blindness caused by diabetic retinopathy, particularly in the wo ...	2016	16212469
complete mitochondrial genome of a asian lion (panthera leo goojratensis).	the entire mitochondrial genome of this asian lion (panthera leo goojratensis) was 17,183 bp in length, gene composition and arrangement conformed to other lions, which contained the typical structure of 22 trnas, 2 rrnas, 13 protein-coding genes and a non-coding region. the characteristic of the mitochondrial genome was analyzed in detail.	2016	24937568
computed tomographic analysis of calvarial hyperostosis in captive lions.	osseous malformations in the skull and cervical vertebrae of lions in captivity are believed to be caused by hypovitaminosis a. these often lead to severe neurologic abnormalities and may result in death. we describe the characterization of these abnormalities based on computed tomography (ct). ct images of two affected and three healthy lions were compared with define the normal anatomy of the skull and cervical vertebrae and provide information regarding the aforementioned osseous malformation ...	2016	20166390
palliating hiccups in cancer patients: moving beyond recommendations from leonard the lion.		2016	19731577
occurrence of prosthenorchis elegans in free-living primates from the atlantic forest of southern bahia, brazil.	parasite prevalence and abundance are important factors affecting species' conservation. during necropsies on a free-living golden-headed lion tamarin ( leontopithecus chrysomelas ) and two wied's marmosets ( callithrix kuhlii ) in the atlantic forest of southern bahia, brazil, we collected a large number of adult intestinal parasites that we identified as prosthenorchis elegans. this parasite is pathogenic for neotropical primates. prosthenorchis spp. infestation is influenced by diet with incr ...	2016	26981688
using odor cues to elicit a behavioral and hormonal response in zoo-housed african wild dogs.	olfactory enrichment, like odor cues, can positively affect behavior, reproductive success, and stress physiology in zoo-housed species. our goal was to determine if odor cues were enriching to the african wild dog (awd; lycaon pictus), a species with a complex social structure and a highly developed sense of smell. our objectives were to: (1) examine changes in activity levels and stress hormone physiology in response to fecal odor cues from natural competitor and natural/unnatural prey species ...	2016	24375480
fecal glucocorticoid metabolite responses to management stressors and social change in four species of callitrichine monkeys.	the use of enzyme immunoassays (eia) for the non-invasive measurement of glucocorticoids provides a valuable tool for monitoring health and welfare in sensitive species. we validated methods for measuring fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (fgm) using the response to veterinary exams for four species of callitrichine monkeys: golden lion tamarin (leontopithecus rosalia, n = 7), callimico (callimico goeldii, n = 2), pied tamarin (saguinus bicolor, n = 2), and white-fronted marmoset (callithrix geof ...	2016	26831854
pelage variation and distribution of the black lion tamarin, leontopithecus chrysopygus.	the black lion tamarin, leontopithecus chrysopygus, is endemic to the atlantic forest of the interior of the state of são paulo in brazil. since the discovery of the species, authors have described variations in the pelage of l. chrysopygus, but the nature of this variation has remained unknown. we examined museum specimens and living animals to see if the pelage of l. chrysopygus varies individually, geographically or ontogenetically. we reviewed all known locality records of the species, and c ...	2016	27802443
data from camera surveys identifying co-occurrence and occupancy linkages between fishers (pekania pennanti), rodent prey, mesocarnivores, and larger predators in mixed-conifer forests.	these data provide additional information relevant to the frequency of fisher detections by camera traps, and single-season occupancy and local persistence of fishers in small patches of forest habitats detailed elsewhere, "landscape fuel reduction, forest fire, and biophysical linkages to local habitat use and local persistence of fishers (pekania pennanti) in sierra nevada mixed-conifer forests" [10]. the data provides insight on camera trap detections of 3 fisher predators (bobcat [lynx rufus ...	2016	26937448
high diversity of genogroup i picobirnaviruses in mammals.	in a molecular epidemiology study using 791 fecal samples collected from different terrestrial and marine mammals in hong kong, genogroup i picobirnaviruses (pbvs) were positive by rt-pcr targeting the partial rdrp gene in specimens from five cattle, six monkeys, 17 horses, nine pigs, one rabbit, one dog, and 12 california sea lions, with 11, 9, 23, 17, 1, 1, and 15 sequence types in the positive specimens from the corresponding animals, respectively. phylogenetic analysis showed that the pbv se ...	2016	27933049
a novel bocavirus from domestic mink, china.	bocaviruses have been found in the feces of humans and a variety of animals, including pigs, cattle, dogs, gorillas, cats, and sea lions. here, we have characterized the almost complete genome (5224 nt) of a novel bocavirus from feces of domestic minks, which has been provisionally named mink bocavirus. the ns1 protein of mink bocavirus shared 36.9-52 % amino acid sequence identities with those of other known bocaviruses and phylogenetically clustered with bocaviruses from other carnivores. acco ...	2016	27519364
estimating wildlife disease dynamics in complex systems using an approximate bayesian computation framework.	emerging infectious diseases of wildlife are of increasing concern to managers and conservation policy makers, but are often difficult to study and predict due to the complexity of host-disease systems and a paucity of empirical data. we demonstrate the use of an approximate bayesian computation statistical framework to reconstruct the disease dynamics of bovine tuberculosis in kruger national park's lion population, despite limited empirical data on the disease's effects in lions. the modeling ...	2016	27039526
development of retrobulbar and auriculopalpebral nerve blocks in california sea lions (zalophus californianus).	eye lesions are commonly observed in pinnipeds. clinical assessment is challenging because animals are often blepharospastic and under inhalant anesthesia the globe rotates ventrally, making observation difficult. retrobulbar and auriculopalpebral nerve block techniques have been developed in other species to alleviate these difficulties and allow for a more thorough ophthalmic exam. ocular nerve block techniques were developed for california sea lions (csls) (zalophus californianus) using lidoc ...	2016	27010283
human platelet lysate as a replacement for fetal bovine serum in limbal stem cell therapy.	to evaluate the use of human platelet lysate (hpl) as an alternative supplement for limbal explant culture.	2016	26863375
enamel ultrastructure of fossil and modern pinnipeds: evaluating hypotheses of feeding adaptations in the extinct walrus pelagiarctos.	this study aimed to assess the enamel ultrastructure in modern otariid pinnipeds and in the extinct walrus pelagiarctos. teeth of the new zealand fur seal (arctocephalus forsteri), sea lion (phocarctos hookeri), and fossil walrus pelagiarctos thomasi were embedded, sectioned, etched, and analyzed via scanning electron microscopy. the enamel of nz otariids and pelagiarctos was prismatic and moderately thick, measuring 150-450 μm on average. it consisted of transversely oriented hunter-schreger ba ...	2016	27142598
hematology, serum chemistry, and early hematologic changes in free-ranging south american fur seals ( arctocephalus australis ) at guafo island, chilean patagonia.	the establishment of clinical pathology baseline data is critical to evaluate temporal and spatial changes in marine mammal groups. despite increased availability of studies on hematology and biochemistry of marine mammals, reference ranges are lacking for many populations, especially among fur seal species. during the austral summers of 2014 and 2015, we evaluated basic hematologic and biochemical parameters in clinically healthy, physically restrained south american fur seal ( arctocephalus au ...	2016	27243331
sex beyond species: the first genetically analyzed case of intergeneric fertile hybridization in pinnipeds.	a species, according to the biological concept, is a natural group of potentially interbreeding individuals isolated by diverse mechanisms. hybridization is considered the production of offspring resulting from the interbreeding of two genetically distinct taxa. it has been documented in over 10% of wild animals, and at least in 34 cases for artic marine mammals. in otariids, intergeneric hybridization has been reported though neither confirming it through genetic analyses nor presenting evidenc ...	2016	26994861
metagenomic survey of viral diversity obtained from feces of subantarctic and south american fur seals.	the brazilian south coast seasonally hosts numerous marine species, observed particularly during winter months. some animals, including fur seals, are found dead or debilitated along the shore and may harbor potential pathogens within their microbiota. in the present study, a metagenomic approach was performed to evaluate the viral diversity in feces of fur seals found deceased along the coast of the state of rio grande do sul. the fecal virome of two fur seal species was characterized: the sout ...	2016	26986573
a novel gammaherpesvirus in northern fur seals (callorhinus ursinus) is closely related to the california sea lion (zalophus californianus) carcinoma-associated otarine herpesvirus-1.	otarine herpesvirus 1 (othv1) is strongly associated with california sea lion (csl, zalophus californianus) urogenital carcinoma, the most common cancer documented in marine mammals. in addition to csl, othv1 has also been found in association with carcinoma in south american fur seals (arctocephalus australis), demonstrating it can infect related species. northern fur seals (nfs, callorhinus ursinus) are sympatric with csl, and copulation between these species has been observed; yet, there are ...	2016	26555110
impact of the 2015 el niño-southern oscillation on the abundance and foraging habits of guadalupe fur seals and california sea lions from the san benito archipelago, mexico.	the abundance of california sea lions (zalophus californianus) (csls) and guadalupe fur seals (arctocephalus philippii townsendi) (gfss) from the san benito archipelago (sba) was determined through nine monthly surveys in 2014-2015. assessment of their foraging habits was examined based on the isotopic analysis of pups (maternal indicators) (siar/siber-r). environmental variability between 2014 and 2015 was also analyzed, in terms of sea surface temperature (sst) and chlorophyll (chl-a) concentr ...	2016	27171473
rod-cone based color vision in seals under photopic conditions.	marine mammals have lost the ability to express s-cone opsin, and possess only one type of m/l-cone in addition to numerous rods. as they are cone monochromats they should be color blind. however, early behavioral experiments with fur seals and sea lions indicated discrimination ability between many shades of grey and blue or green. on the other hand, most recent training experiments with harbor seals under "mesopic" conditions demonstrated rod based color blindness (scholtyssek et al., 2015). i ...	2016	27245870
evaluating hair as a predictor of blood mercury: the influence of ontogenetic phase and life history in pinnipeds.	mercury (hg) biomonitoring of pinnipeds increasingly utilizes nonlethally collected tissues such as hair and blood. the relationship between total hg concentrations ([thg]) in these tissues is not well understood for marine mammals, but it can be important for interpretation of tissue concentrations with respect to ecotoxicology and biomonitoring. we examined [thg] in blood and hair in multiple age classes of four pinniped species. for each species, we used paired blood and hair samples to quant ...	2016	26149950
organochlorine contaminant concentrations in multiple tissues of free-ranging steller sea lions (eumetopias jubatus) in alaska.	the relationships of selected organochlorine (oc) contaminants between blubber, blood, feces, and milk of young, free-ranging steller sea lions (eumetopias jubatus) were examined. both between and within each tissue there was considerable individual variation. in spite of the variation, similar patterns were observed across the tissues for most of the selected pcb congeners. in all four tissues, the major pcb congeners were pcb101, pcb118, pcb138, and pcb153. the most prominent congener, both as ...	2016	26524270
supporting risk assessment: accounting for indirect risk to ecosystem components.	the multi-scalar complexity of social-ecological systems makes it challenging to quantify impacts from human activities on ecosystems, inspiring risk-based approaches to assessments of potential effects of human activities on valued ecosystem components. risk assessments do not commonly include the risk from indirect effects as mediated via habitat and prey. in this case study from british columbia, canada, we illustrate how such "indirect risks" can be incorporated into risk assessments for sev ...	2016	27632287
averaged propulsive body acceleration (apba) can be calculated from biologging tags that incorporate gyroscopes and accelerometers to estimate swimming speed, hydrodynamic drag and energy expenditure for steller sea lions.	forces due to propulsion should approximate forces due to hydrodynamic drag for animals horizontally swimming at a constant speed with negligible buoyancy forces. propulsive forces should also correlate with energy expenditures associated with locomotion-an important cost of foraging. as such, biologging tags containing accelerometers are being used to generate proxies for animal energy expenditures despite being unable to distinguish rotational movements from linear movements. however, recent m ...	2016	27285467
dive, food, and exercise effects on blood microparticles in steller sea lions (eumetopias jubatus): exploring a biomarker for decompression sickness.	recent studies of stranded marine mammals indicate that exposure to underwater military sonar may induce pathophysiological responses consistent with decompression sickness (dcs). however, dcs has been difficult to diagnose in marine mammals. we investigated whether blood microparticles (mps, measured as number/μl plasma), which increase in response to decompression stress in terrestrial mammals, are a suitable biomarker for dcs in marine mammals. we obtained blood samples from trained steller s ...	2016	26843583
prevalence of algal toxins in alaskan marine mammals foraging in a changing arctic and subarctic environment.	current climate trends resulting in rapid declines in sea ice and increasing water temperatures are likely to expand the northern geographic range and duration of favorable conditions for harmful algal blooms (habs), making algal toxins a growing concern in alaskan marine food webs. two of the most common hab toxins along the west coast of north america are the neurotoxins domoic acid (da) and saxitoxin (stx). over the last 20 years, da toxicosis has caused significant illness and mortality in m ...	2016	28073526
body reserves mediate trade-offs between life-history traits: new insights from small pelagic fish reproduction.	limited resources in the environment prevent individuals from simultaneously maximizing all life-history traits, resulting in trade-offs. in particular, the cost of reproduction is well known to negatively affect energy investment in growth and maintenance. here, we investigated these trade-offs during contrasting periods of high versus low fish size and body condition (before/after 2008) in the gulf of lions. female reproductive allocation and performance in anchovy (engraulis encrasicolus) and ...	2016	27853538
testing the effects of perimeter fencing and elephant exclosures on lion predation patterns in a kenyan wildlife conservancy.	the use of fences to segregate wildlife can change predator and prey behaviour. predators can learn to incorporate fencing into their hunting strategies and prey can learn to avoid foraging near fences. a twelve-strand electric predator-proof fence surrounds our study site. there are also porous one-strand electric fences used to create exclosures where elephant (and giraffe) cannot enter in order to protect blocs of browse vegetation for two critically endangered species, the black rhinoceros ( ...	2016	26893967
landscape-level movement patterns by lions in western serengeti: comparing the influence of inter-specific competitors, habitat attributes and prey availability.	where apex predators move on the landscape influences ecosystem structure and function and is therefore key to effective landscape-level management and species-specific conservation. however the factors underlying predator distribution patterns within functional ecosystems are poorly understood. predator movement should be sensitive to the spatial patterns of inter-specific competitors, spatial variation in prey density, and landscape attributes that increase individual prey vulnerability. we in ...	2016	27375849
spatial patterns of african ungulate aggregation reveal complex but limited risk effects from reintroduced carnivores.	the "landscape of fear" model, recently advanced in research on the non-lethal effects of carnivores on ungulates, predicts that prey will exhibit detectable antipredator behavior not only during risky times (i.e., predators in close proximity) but also in risky places (i.e., habitat where predators kill prey or tend to occur). aggregation is an important antipredator response in numerous ungulate species, making it a useful metric to evaluate the strength and scope of the landscape of fear in a ...	2016	27349090
migratory herds of wildebeests and zebras indirectly affect calf survival of giraffes.	in long-distance migratory systems, local fluctuations in the predator-prey ratio can exhibit extreme variability within a single year depending upon the seasonal location of migratory species. such systems offer an opportunity to empirically investigate cyclic population density effects on short-term food web interactions by taking advantage of the large seasonal shifts in migratory prey biomass.we utilized a large-mammal predator-prey savanna food web to evaluate support for hypotheses relatin ...	2016	28031792
plant chimeras: the good, the bad, and the 'bizzaria'.	chimeras - organisms that are composed of cells of more than one genotype - captured the human imagination long before they were formally described and used in the laboratory. these organisms owe their namesake to a fire-breathing monster from greek mythology that has the head of a lion, the body of a goat, and the tail of a serpent. the first description of a non-fictional chimera dates back to the middle of the seventeenth century when the florentine gardener pietro nati discovered an adventit ...	2016	27381079
accuracy of mandibular force profiles for bite force estimation and feeding behavior reconstruction in extant and extinct carnivorans.	mandibular force profiles apply the principles of beam theory to identify mandibular biomechanical properties that reflect the bite force and feeding strategies of extant and extinct predators. while this method uses the external dimensions of the mandibular corpus to determine its biomechanical properties, more accurate results could potentially be obtained by quantifying its internal cortical bone distribution. to test this possibility, mandibular force profiles were calculated using both exte ...	2016	27634400
aelurostrongylus abstrusus in wild felids of south africa.	the increasing interest on respiratory nematodes of domestic cats (felis silvestris catus) has recently stimulated several studies on their epidemiology and geographic distribution. at the same time, there are still important gaps in our knowledge of the infections caused by respiratory nematodes in wild felids. the present study investigated the occurrence of pulmonary parasites in wild hosts housed in sanctuaries and protected areas of south africa. faecal samples collected from seven species ...	2016	27230016
canine distemper virus in the serengeti ecosystem: molecular adaptation to different carnivore species.	was the 1993/1994 fatal canine distemper virus (cdv) epidemic in lions and spotted hyaenas in the serengeti ecosystem caused by the recent spillover of a virulent domestic dog strain or one well adapted to these noncanids? we examine this question using sequence data from 13 'serengeti' strains including five complete genomes obtained between 1993 and 2011. phylogenetic and haplotype network analyses reveal that strains from noncanids during the epidemic were more closely related to each other t ...	2016	27928865
association between positive canine heartworm (dirofilaria immitis) antigen results and presence of acanthocheilonema odendhali microfilaria in california sea lions (zalophus californianus).	this study establishes a relationship between positive canine heartworm (dirofilaria immitis) test results frequently observed in california sea lions (zalophus californianus) and infection with the filarid nematode acanthocheilonema odendhali. four commercially available canine heartworm antigen tests were evaluated for cross-reaction with a. odendhali in california sea lions. sera were tested from fifteen california sea lions with a. odendhali-associated microfilaremia, confirmed by blood smea ...	2016	27010261
a novel pcr-rflp assay for molecular characterization of echinococcus granulosus sensu lato and closely related species in developing countries.	cystic echinococcosis, due to echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s. l.), currently affects three million people, especially in low-income countries and results in high livestock production loss. dna-based methods demonstrated genetic variability of e. granulosus s. l., and five species were recognized to belong to the complex, including e. granulosus sensu stricto (s.s) (genotypes g1-g3), echinococcus equinus (genotype g4), echinococcus ortleppi (genotype g5), echinococcus canadensis (genotypes ...	2016	27225001
first documented case of avian influenza (h5n1) virus infection in a lion.		2016	27999425
feline panleukopaenia virus in captive non-domestic felids in south africa.	an outbreak of feline panleukopaenia virus (fplv) infection was diagnosed by pathology, electron microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (pcr) in vaccinated captive-bred subadult cheetahs in south africa. subsequent to this disease outbreak, 12 cases of fplv diagnosed on histology were confirmed by pcr in captive african black-footed cat, caracal, cheetah, lion, ocelot and serval. phylogenetic analyses of the viral capsid protein gene on pcr-positive samples, vaccine and national center for bio ...	2016	27380652
characterization of the microbial communities in the ant lion euroleon coreanus (okamoto) (neuroptera: myrmeleontidae).	euroleon coreanus (okamoto) is widely distributed in china, and the larval stage can be treated as traditional chinese medicine. however, the host-bacterium relationship remains unexplored, as there is a lack of knowledge on the microbial community of ant lions. hence, in the current study, we explored the microbial community of the larval ant lion e. coreanus using illumina miseq sequencing. results indicated that a total of 10 phyla, 126 genera, and 145 species were characterized from the seco ...	2016	27021349
determinants of fiv and hiv vif sensitivity of feline apobec3 restriction factors.	feline immunodeficiency virus (fiv) is a global pathogen of felidae species and a model system for human immunodeficiency virus (hiv)-induced aids. in felids such as the domestic cat (felis catus), apobec3 (a3) genes encode for single-domain a3z2s, a3z3 and double-domain a3z2z3 anti-viral cytidine deaminases. the feline a3z2z3 is expressed following read-through transcription and alternative splicing, introducing a previously untranslated exon in frame, encoding a domain insertion called linker. ...	2016	27368163
coinfection of california sea lion adenovirus 1 and a novel polyomavirus in a hawaiian monk seal (neomonachus schauinslandi).	the hawaiian monk seal (neomonachus schauinslandi) is an endangered species. here, we present a clinical case of a 26-yr-old male hawaiian monk seal (hms) kept in an aquarium with a history of intermittent anorexia and evidence of renal disease. histologic examination revealed eosinophilic intranuclear inclusions in the liver. conventional nested pcr protocols were used to test for viruses, and it tested positive for adenovirus and polyomavirus, and negative for herpesvirus. the adenovirus parti ...	2016	27468013
net effects of ecotourism on threatened species survival.	many threatened species rely on ecotourism for conservation funding, but simultaneously suffer direct ecological impacts from ecotourism. for a range of iucn-redlisted terrestrial and marine bird and mammal species worldwide, we use population viability analyses to calculate the net effects of ecotourism on expected time to extinction, in the presence of other anthropogenic threats such as poaching, primary industries and habitat loss. species for which these calculations are currently possible, ...	2016	26886876
antidog igg secondary antibody successfully detects igg in a variety of aquatic mammals.	serological tests play an important role in the detection of wildlife diseases. however, while there are many commercial assays and reagents available for domestic species, there is a need to develop efficient serological assays for wildlife. in recent years, marine mammals have represented a wildlife group with emerging infectious diseases, such as influenza, brucellosis, and leptospirosis. however, with the exception of disease-agent-specific assays or functional assays, few reports describe t ...	2016	28080908
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 ...	2016	28031805
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 ...	2016	27812324
feliform carnivores have a distinguished constitutive innate immune response.	determining the immunological phenotype of endangered and threatened populations is important to identify those vulnerable to novel pathogens. among mammals, members of the order carnivora are particularly threatened by diseases. we therefore examined the constitutive innate immune system, the first line of protection against invading microbes, of six free-ranging carnivore species; the black-backed jackal (canis mesomelas), the brown hyena (hyena brunnea), the caracal (caracal caracal), the che ...	2016	27044323
effect of portal access system and surgery type on surgery times during laparoscopic ovariectomy and salpingectomy in captive african lions and cheetahs.	a prospective randomized study was used to compare surgery times for laparoscopic ovariectomy and salpingectomy in female african lion (panthera leo) (n = 14) and cheetah (acinonyx jubatus) (n = 20) and to compare the use of a multiple portal access system (mpas) and single portal access system (spas) between groups. two different portal techniques were used, namely mpas (three separate ports) in lions and spas (sils™ port) in cheetahs, using standard straight laparoscopic instruments. portal ac ...	2016	26935755
detection and characterization of diverse coccidian protozoa shed by california sea lions.	tissue-cyst forming coccidia in the family sarcocystidae are etiologic agents of protozoal encephalitis in marine mammals including the federally listed southern sea otter (enhydra lutris). california sea lions (zalophus californianus), whose coastal habitat overlaps with sea otters, are definitive hosts for coccidian protozoa provisionally named coccidia a, b and c. while coccidia a and b have unknown clinical effects on aquatic wildlife hosts, coccidia c is associated with severe protozoal dis ...	2016	27141438
lineage-specific serology confirms brazilian atlantic forest lion tamarins, leontopithecus chrysomelas and leontopithecus rosalia, as reservoir hosts of trypanosoma cruzi ii (tcii).	trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of chagas disease in humans, has a vast reservoir of mammalian hosts in the americas, and is classified into six genetic lineages, tci-tcvi, with a possible seventh, tcbat. elucidating enzootic cycles of the different lineages is important for understanding the ecology of this parasite, the emergence of new outbreaks of chagas disease and for guiding control strategies. direct lineage identification by genotyping is hampered by limitations of parasite isolation and c ...	2016	27846858
first isolation of streptococcus halichoeri and streptococcus phocae from a steller sea lion (eumetopias jubatus) in south korea.	streptococcus species are emerging potential pathogens in marine mammals. we report the isolation and identification of streptococcus halichoeri and streptococcus phocae in a steller sea lion (eumetopias jubatus) in south korea.	2016	26555114
negative serosurvey of toxoplasma gondii antibodies in golden-headed lion tamarin (leontopithecus chrysomelas) from niterói/rj, brazil.	new world nonhuman primates are highly susceptible to clinical toxoplasmosis. serum samples from 126 recently captured leontopithecus chrysomelas, from an exotic and invasive population, were tested for toxoplasma gondii antibodies by the modified agglutination test (mat, cut-off 1:25); all were seronegative. the mat is highly specific and is not species-specific. this is the first report of t. gondii survey in this tamarin in the wild. this result is consistent with prior reports that showed th ...	2016	27925063
seroprevalence of toxoplasma gondii in mainland and sub-antarctic new zealand sea lion (phocarctos hookeri) populations.	to investigate the seroprevalence of antibodies to toxoplasma gondii in new zealand sea lions (phocarctos hookeri), as a potential contributor to reproductive failure.	2016	27211206
lsd lion loses to m.i.t. mauler.		2016	4869995
verminous pneumonia in the california sea lion (zalophus californianus).		2016	4937313
marine mammals harbor unique microbiotas shaped by and yet distinct from the sea.	marine mammals play crucial ecological roles in the oceans, but little is known about their microbiotas. here we study the bacterial communities in 337 samples from 5 body sites in 48 healthy dolphins and 18 healthy sea lions, as well as those of adjacent seawater and other hosts. the bacterial taxonomic compositions are distinct from those of other mammals, dietary fish and seawater, are highly diverse and vary according to body site and host species. dolphins harbour 30 bacterial phyla, with 2 ...	2016	26839246
the ancestral carnivore karyotype as substantiated by comparative chromosome painting of three pinnipeds, the walrus, the steller sea lion and the baikal seal (pinnipedia, carnivora).	karyotype evolution in carnivora is thoroughly studied by classical and molecular cytogenetics and supplemented by reconstructions of ancestral carnivora karyotype (ack). however chromosome painting information from two pinniped families (odobenidae and otariidae) is noticeably missing. we report on the construction of the comparative chromosome map for species from each of the three pinniped families: the walrus (odobenus rosmarus, odobenidae-monotypic family), near threatened steller sea lion ...	2016	26821159
divergent sapovirus strains and infection prevalence in wild carnivores in the serengeti ecosystem: a long-term study.	the genus sapovirus, in the family caliciviridae, includes enteric viruses of humans and domestic animals. information on sapovirus infection of wildlife is limited and is currently lacking for any free-ranging wildlife species in africa. by screening a large number of predominantly fecal samples (n = 631) obtained from five carnivore species in the serengeti ecosystem, east africa, sapovirus rna was detected in the spotted hyena (crocuta crocuta, family hyaenidae), african lion (panthera leo, f ...	2016	27661997
schrodinger's scat: a critical review of the currently available tiger (panthera tigris) and leopard (panthera pardus) specific primers in india, and a novel leopard specific primer.	non-invasive sampling has opened avenues for the genetic study of elusive species, which has contributed significantly to their conservation. where field based identity of non-invasive sample is ambiguous (e.g. carnivore scats), it is essential to establish identity of the species through molecular approaches. a cost effective procedure to ascertain species identity is to use species specific primers (ssp) for pcr amplification and subsequent resolution through agarose gel electrophoresis. howev ...	2016	26860950
identification of respiratory and gastrointestinal parasites of three species of pinnipeds (arctocephalus australis, arctocephalus gazella, and otaria flavescens) in southern brazil.	in order to improve understanding of parasitism in south american pinnipeds, respiratory and gastrointestinal samples were collected from 12 arctocephalus australis (south american fur seal), one arctocephalus gazella (antarctic fur seal), and one otaria flavescens (south american sea lion). ova and larvae were microscopically identified from fecal samples and respiratory secretions collected from live a. australis undergoing rehabilitation at centro de recuperação de animais marinhos (cram-furg ...	2016	27010274
isolation of bartonella henselae, bartonella koehlerae subsp. koehlerae, bartonella koehlerae subsp. bothieri and a new subspecies of b. koehlerae from free-ranging lions (panthera leo) from south africa, cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus) from namibia and captive cheetahs from california.	bartonellae are blood- and vector-borne gram-negative bacteria, recognized as emerging pathogens. whole-blood samples were collected from 58 free-ranging lions (panthera leo) in south africa and 17 cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus) from namibia. blood samples were also collected from 11 cheetahs (more than once for some of them) at the san diego wildlife safari park. bacteria were isolated from the blood of three (5%) lions, one (6%) namibian cheetah and eight (73%) cheetahs from california. the lion ...	2016	27453220
isolation of bartonella henselae and two new bartonella subspecies, bartonellakoehlerae subspecies boulouisii subsp. nov. and bartonella koehlerae subspecies bothieri subsp. nov. from free-ranging californian mountain lions and bobcats.	domestic cats are the natural reservoir of bartonella henselae, b. clarridgeiae and b. koehlerae. to determine the role of wild felids in the epidemiology of bartonella infections, blood was collected from 14 free-ranging california mountain lions (puma concolor) and 19 bobcats (lynx rufus). bartonella spp. were isolated from four (29%) mountain lions and seven (37%) bobcats. these isolates were characterized using growth characteristics, biochemical reactions, molecular techniques, including pc ...	2016	26981874
bartonella rochalimae and b. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii in wild carnivores from colorado, usa.	spleen samples from 292 wild carnivores from colorado, us were screened for bartonella infection. bartonella dna was detected in coyotes ( canis latrans ) (28%), striped skunks ( mephitis mephitis ) (23%), red foxes ( vulpes vulpes ) (27%), and raccoons ( procyon lotor ) (8%) but not in black bears ( ursus americanus ), gray foxes ( urocyon cinereoargenteus ), and mountain lions ( puma concolor ). two bartonella species, b. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii and b. rochalimae, were identified. all 10 in ...	2016	27529290
assessing timing and causes of neonatal lamb losses in a bighorn sheep ovis canadensis canadensis herd via use of vaginal implant transmitters.	we evaluated the use of vaginal implant transmitters (vits) as a means of detecting, capturing, and radio collaring rocky mountain bighorn sheep ( ovis canadensis canadensis) lambs to estimate survival and to facilitate carcass recovery to assess causes of mortality. we focused on one of several bighorn herds in colorado, usa, suffering from depressed recruitment that was not preceded by a classic all-age die-off. we captured, radio-collared, diagnosed pregnancy by ultrasound examination, and in ...	2017	28192042
serologic evidence of brucella infection in pinnipeds along the coast of hokkaido, the northernmost main island of japan.	brucella infection in hokkaido was serologically surveyed in four species of pinnipeds inhabiting cape erimo during 2008-2013 and the shiretoko peninsula in 1999, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using brucella abortus and b. canis as antigens. anti-brucella positive sera showed higher absorbance to b. abortus than b. canis in almost all samples. anti-b. abortus antibodies were detected in serum samples from 24% (n=55) of western pacific harbor seals (phoca vitulina stejnegeri) in cape erimo ...	2017	28262966
surveillance for viral and parasitic pathogens in a vulnerable african lion (panthera leo) population in the northern tuli game reserve, botswana.	african lion ( panthera leo ) numbers are decreasing rapidly and populations are becoming smaller and more fragmented. infectious diseases are one of numerous issues threatening free-ranging lion populations, and low-density populations are particularly at risk. we collected data on the prevalence and diversity of viral and parasitic pathogens in a small lion population in eastern botswana. during 2012 and 2014, blood samples were collected from 59% (n=13) of the adult-subadult lions in the nort ...	2017	27669009
mitochondrial haplotypes of aelurostrongylus abstrusus and troglostrongylus brevior (nematoda, metastrongyloidea) from domestic and wild felids.	the lungworm aelurostrongylus abstrusus is the most important respiratory parasite of domestic cats. pulmonary aelurostrongylosis has been reported in wild felids, though unequivocally evidence of wildlife infection by a. abstrusus is scant. recently, troglostrongylus brevior, a lungworm usually infecting wild felids, has been described in domestic cats from mediterranean areas. the present work evaluates the sequence variation of an informative region within the gene encoding the mitochondrial ...	2017	28197762
bells, bomas and beefsteak: complex patterns of human-predator conflict at the wildlife-agropastoral interface in zimbabwe.	reports of livestock depredation by large predators were systematically collected at three study sites in northwestern zimbabwe from 2008-2013. we recorded 1,527 incidents (2,039 animals killed and 306 injured). lions (panthera leo) and spotted hyaenas (crocuta crocuta) were mostly responsible, and cattle and donkeys most frequently attacked. patterns of predation were variable among study sites. nevertheless, some overall patterns were apparent. predators selected livestock close to the size of ...	2017	28149682
development of mhc-linked microsatellite markers in the domestic cat and their use to evaluate mhc diversity in domestic cats, cheetahs, and gir lions.	diversity within the major histocompatibility complex (mhc) reflects the immunological fitness of a population. mhc-linked microsatellite markers provide a simple and an inexpensive method for studying mhc diversity in large-scale studies. we have developed 6 mhc-linked microsatellite markers in the domestic cat and used these, in conjunction with 5 neutral microsatellites, to assess mhc diversity in domestic mixed breed (n = 129) and purebred burmese (n = 61) cat populations in australia. the m ...	2017	24620003
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 ...	2017	28070283
isotopic niche partitioning between two apex predators over time.	1.stable isotope analyses have become an important tool in reconstructing diets, analyzing resource use patterns, elucidating trophic relations among predators and understanding the structure of food webs. 2.here, we use stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios in bone collagen to reconstruct and compare the isotopic niches of adult south american fur seals (arctocephalus australis; n = 86) and sea lions (otaria flavescens; n = 49) -two otariid species with marked morphological differences- in ...	2017	28326539
with the noose around the neck: marine debris entangling otariid species.	plastic debris in marine environments and its impact on wildlife species is becoming a problem of increasing concern. in pinnipeds, entanglements commonly consist of loops around the neck of non-biodegradable materials from fishing gear or commercial packaging, known as "neck collars". these entanglements can cause injuries, death by suffocation and starvation, and therefore they may add to the overall decrease in population. our objective was to describe the entanglement of two species of otari ...	2017	27899209
detecting signals of chronic shedding to explain pathogen persistence: leptospira interrogans in california sea lions.	identifying mechanisms driving pathogen persistence is a vital component of wildlife disease ecology and control. asymptomatic, chronically infected individuals are an oft-cited potential reservoir of infection, but demonstrations of the importance of chronic shedding to pathogen persistence at the population-level remain scarce. studying chronic shedding using commonly collected disease data is hampered by numerous challenges, including short-term surveillance that focuses on single epidemics a ...	2017	28207932
diagnosis and implications of mycobacterium bovis infection in banded mongooses (mungos mungo) in the kruger national park, south africa.	bovine tuberculosis (btb) was first diagnosed in the kruger national park (knp) in 1990. research has since focused on the maintenance host, the african buffalo ( syncerus caffer ) and clinically affected lion ( panthera leo ). however, little is known about the role of small predators in tuberculosis epidemiology. during 2011-12, we screened banded mongooses ( mungos mungo ) in the btb high-prevalence zone of the knp for mycobacterium tuberculosis complex members. fecal swabs, tracheal swabs, a ...	2017	27788055
no significant effect of cannabis use on the count and percentage of circulating cd4 t-cells in hiv-hcv co-infected patients (anrs co13-hepavih french cohort).	despite cannabis use being very common in patients co-infected with hiv and hepatitis c virus (hcv), its effect on these patients' immune systems remains undocumented. documenting the potential effect of cannabis use on hiv immunological markers would help caregivers make more targeted health recommendations to co-infected patients. we performed a longitudinal analysis of the relationship between cannabis use and peripheral blood cd4 t-cell measures in co-infected patients receiving antiretrovir ...	2017	27073179
development and validation of a quantitative pcr for rapid and specific detection of california sea lion adenovirus 1 and prevalence in wild and managed populations.	california sea lion adenovirus 1 (csladv-1) has been associated with hepatitis and enteritis in several wild and captive populations of diverse pinniped species. currently available tests have been limited to pan-adenoviral polymerase chain reaction (pcr) followed by sequencing. we present the development of a quantitative probe-hybridization pcr (qpcr) assay for rapid, sensitive, and specific detection of this virus in california sea lions ( zalophus californianus) and other pinnipeds. this ass ...	2017	28166696
prevalence and risk factors for mycobacterium bovis infection in african lions ( panthera leo ) in the kruger national park.	mycobacterium bovis, the causative agent of bovine tuberculosis (btb), is endemic in the kruger national park (knp), south africa. african lions ( panthera leo ) are susceptible to btb, but the impact of the disease on lion populations is unknown. in this study, we used a novel gene expression assay for chemokine (c-x-c motif) ligand 9 (cxcl9) to measure the prevalence of m. bovis infection in 70 free-ranging lions that were opportunistically sampled in the southern and central regions of the kn ...	2017	28122192
feline immunodeficiency virus cross-species transmission: implications for emergence of new lentiviral infections.	owing to a complex history of host-parasite coevolution, lentiviruses exhibit a high degree of species specificity. given the well-documented viral archeology of human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) emergence following human exposures to simian immunodeficiency virus (siv), an understanding of processes that promote successful cross-species lentiviral transmissions is highly relevant. we previously reported natural cross-species transmission of a subtype of feline immunodeficiency virus, puma lent ...	2017	28003486
identification of human junctional adhesion molecule 1 as a functional receptor for the hom-1 calicivirus on human cells.	the hom-1 vesivirus was reported in 1998 following the inadvertent transmission of the animal calicivirus san miguel sea lion virus to a human host in a laboratory. we characterized the hom-1 strain and investigated the mechanism by which human cells could be infected. an expression library of 3,559 human plasma membrane proteins was screened for reactivity with hom-1 virus-like particles, and a single interacting protein, human junctional adhesion molecule 1 (hjam1), was identified. transient e ...	2017	28196955
dirofilaria immitis in pinnipeds and a new host record.	dirofilaria immitis is a mosquito-borne pathogen that is spreading worldwide, and the associated infection (i.e. dirofilariosis) is becoming a threat to animals and humans living in endemic areas. little is known about the occurrence and risk of infection of d. immitis in pinnipeds. here we report dirofilariosis by d. immitis in several pinniped species kept in captivity in portugal.	2017	28288690
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 ...	2017	27763827
pup mortality and evidence for pathogen exposure in galapagos sea lions (zalophus wollebaeki) on san cristobal island, galapagos, ecuador.	the galapagos sea lion ( zalophus wollebaeki ), an endangered species, experiences high pup mortality (up to 100%) in years when el niño events reduce food supply in the galapagos islands. mortality of pups in non-el niño years is estimated to be 5% in undisturbed colonies. from 2009 to 2012 we observed high pup mortality (up to 66%) in colonies close to the galapagos capital, puerto baquerizo moreno, where contact with humans, domestic animals, and rats is frequent. gross postmortem findings fr ...	2017	28318380
impacts of canine distemper virus infection on the giant panda population from the perspective of gut microbiota.	the recent increase in infectious disease outbreaks has been directly linked to the global loss of biodiversity and the decline of some endangered species populations. between december 2014 and march 2015, five captive giant pandas died due to canine distemper virus (cdv) infection in china. cdv has taken a heavy toll on tigers and lions in recent years. here, we describe the first gut microbiome diversity study of cdv-infected pandas. by investigating the influence of cdv infection on gut bacte ...	2017	28051146
low leopard populations in protected areas of maputaland: a consequence of poaching, habitat condition, abundance of prey, and a top predator.	identifying the primary causes affecting population densities and distribution of flagship species are necessary in developing sustainable management strategies for large carnivore conservation. we modeled drivers of spatial density of the common leopard (panthera pardus) using a spatially explicit capture-recapture-bayesian approach to understand their population dynamics in the maputaland conservation unit, south africa. we camera-trapped leopards in four protected areas (pas) of varying sizes ...	2017	28331603
physiological constraints and energetic costs of diving behaviour in marine mammals: a review of studies using trained steller sea lions diving in the open ocean.	marine mammals are characterized as having physiological specializations that maximize the use of oxygen stores to prolong time spent under water. however, it has been difficult to undertake the requisite controlled studies to determine the physiological limitations and trade-offs that marine mammals face while diving in the wild under varying environmental and nutritional conditions. for the past decade, steller sea lions (eumetopias jubatus) trained to swim and dive in the open ocean away from ...	2017	27686668
the normal variants in the left bundle branch system.	this article reviewed the main anatomic and physiopathological aspects of the left bundle branch from its origin in the his bundle and its intraventricular distribution on the left endocardial surface. the results are based on the relevant literature and on personal observations executed on 206 hearts distributed as follows: 67 dogs, 60 humans, 45 sheep, 22 pigs, 10 cows, 2 monkeys, 1 guanaco, and 1 sea lion. the main anatomical features of the his-purkinje conducting system may be summarized as ...	2017	28341304
contamination status and accumulation characteristics of heavy metals and arsenic in five seabird species from the central bering sea.	seabirds are marine top predators and accumulate high levels of metals and metalloids in their tissues. contamination by metals in the highly productive offshore region has become a matter of public concern. it is home to 80% of the seabird population in the usa, 95% of northern fur seals (callorhinus ursinus), and major populations of steller sea lions (eumetopias jubatus), walruses (odobenus rosmarus) and whales. here, the concentrations of eight heavy metals (hg, cd, cr, co, ni, cu, zn and pb ...	2017	28302954
preliminary findings on social and ecological correlates of a polyspecific association between a golden-headed lion tamarin (leontopithecus chrysomelas) and wied's marmosets (callithrix kuhlii).	the advantages of living in a group include feeding benefits and/or predation avoidance, while the disadvantages are typically related to competition. one way to avoid competition while maintaining the benefits of living in a group is to form interspecific associations with species with relatively little dietary overlap. here we report a stable association between a male golden-headed lion tamarin (ghlt), leontopithecus chrysomelas, and a group of wied's black-tufted-ear marmosets (wbtms), calli ...	2017	27771832
characterization of species differences in xenobiotic metabolism in non-experimental animals.	the ability to metabolize xenobiotics in organisms has a wide degree of variation among organisms. this is caused by differences in the pattern of xenobiotic bioaccumulation among organisms, which affects their tolerance. it has been reported in the veterinary field that glucuronidation (ugt) activity in cats, acetylation activity in dogs and sulfation (sult) activity in pigs are sub-vital in these species, respectively, and require close attention when prescribing the medicine. on the other han ...	2017	28250318
visual functions and disability in diabetic retinopathy patients.	this study was undertaken to find correlations between visual functions and visual disabilities in patients with diabetic retinopathy.	2017	24646899
treatment of adult femoral shaft fractures using the perkins traction at addis ababa tikur anbessa university hospital: the ethiopian experience.	this is a prospective study to evaluate the efficacy of the perkins traction in the treatment of adult femoral shaft fractures from october 1, 2007, to the present at the black lion hospital in addis ababa university hospital in ethiopia. all femur fractures admitted to the hospital were reviewed and evaluated for treatment. black lion hospital (tikur anbessa) is the university hospital in addis ababa and the highest tertiary teaching hospital in a country of 85 million inhabitants. a 67-bed ort ...	2017	23343307
actinically degenerate elastic tissue: the prime antigen in the giant cell (temporal) arteritis syndrome? new data from the posterior ciliary arteries.	to search for evidence of actinic elastotic degeneration (actinic arteriopathy) and giant cell arteritis (gca) in the posterior ciliary arteries of eyes from aged white australians.	2017	9543560
lions, tigers, and bears, oh sh!t: semantics versus tabooness in speech production.	while both semantic and highly emotional (i.e., taboo) words can interfere with speech production, different theoretical mechanisms have been proposed to explain why interference occurs. two experiments investigated these theoretical approaches by comparing the magnitude of these two types of interference and the stages at which they occur during picture naming. participants named target pictures superimposed with semantic, taboo, or unrelated distractor words that were presented at three differ ...	2017	27271052
digitizing an analog radiography teaching file under time constraint: trade-offs in efficiency and image quality.	we digitized the radiography teaching file at black lion hospital (addis ababa, ethiopia) during a recent trip, using a standard digital camera and a fluorescent light box. our goal was to photograph every radiograph in the existing library while optimizing the final image size to the maximum resolution of a high quality tablet computer, preserving the contrast resolution of the radiographs, and minimizing total library file size. a secondary important goal was to minimize the cost and time requ ...	2017	27644957