Publications

on some helminth parasites of the otter, lutra lutra.		1954	13233501
on a species of euparyphium (trematoda: echinostomatidae) recorded for the first time from the otter, lutra lutra in india.		1968	5753055
[comparative study in structure of myoglobins in semiaquatic animals: castor fiber, ondatra zibethica, lutra lutra].	a degree of similarity in the structure of myoglobins in the semiaquatic animals (beaver, muskrat, otter) is shown by the finger-print method with the determination of amino acids content in peptides. it is established that about 2/3 of the acid sequence in the investigated myoglobins are invariable. an assumption is advanced that these regions of the structure are of most importance in the functional respect.	1975	1216340
adiaspiromycosis in large free living carnivores.	adiaspiromycosis was identified in 6 animals in the examination of the lungs of 90 large carnivores. emmonsia crescens (chrysosporium parvum var. crescens) was demonstrated as the causative agent in 5 cases of disease-in the badger (meles meles), the otter (lutra lutra) and the fox (vulpes vulpes). e. parva was demonstrated in the remaining case of disease in a fox. the badger is a new, up to the present unknown host of e. crescens. the sporadic occurrence of adiaspiromycosis in the fox and the ...	1976	945461
[distemper in otters (lutra lutra)].		1979	573616
[experiences with the immobilization of the european otter (lutra lutra) with ketamine hydrochloride].		1983	6661171
[incidence of hyperthermia during immobilization of european otters (lutra lutra) with ketamine hydrochloride].		1984	6368181
levels of cadmium, mercury and lead in otter and mink faeces from the united kingdom.	over 500 faeces of otter (lutra lutra) from britain, with a small sample from northeast greece, were analyzed for cd, hg and pb. a small sample of mink (mustela vison) faeces was also analyzed. mean concentrations of metals (mg kg-1 dry weight) in otter faeces ranged from 1.53 to 3.97 cd, 0.25 to 0.74 hg and 12.4 to 20.9 pb. mink faeces generally contained less cd and hg, but more pb. metal concentrations in faeces may reflect both natural and anthropogenic sources. estimates of daily cd and pb ...	1986	3749871
[comparative analysis of the peroxidase activity of myoglobins in mammals].	studies have been made on the peroxidase activity of metmyoglobins in animals from various ecological groups--the horse equus caballus, cattle bos taurus, beaver castor fiber, otter lutra lutra, mink mustela vison and dog canis familiaris. it was found that the level of this activity in diving animals depends on the duration of their diving, whereas in terrestrial species--on the strength of muscular contraction.	1987	3564776
carnivora: the primary structure of the common otter (lutra lutra, mustelidae) hemoglobin.	the hemoglobin of the common otter (lutra lutra, carnivora) contains only one component. the complete primary structures of the alpha- and beta-chains are presented. they were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography and the sequences determined by automatic liquid and gas-phase edman degradation of the chains and their tryptic peptides. the alpha-chains show 18 and the beta-chains 13 substitutions compared to human alpha- and beta-chains, respectively. in the alpha-chains one heme- a ...	1988	3166739
[the parasite fauna of east germany. 9. the helminth fauna of lutra lutra].	alimentary tract, liver, kidneys and lungs of 25 otters, died of several causes during 1982-1987 in gdr were included in helminthological investigations. parasites were detected in 8 animals. one cestode: taenia martis and 3 trematodes: isthmiophora melis, opisthorchis felineus and pseudamphistomum truncatum are regarded to be certain parasites of this host. other findings like ligula intestinalis, azygia luccii and piscicola geometra and the fragment of a pseudophyllidean enter the alimentary t ...	1988	3177936
anaesthesia in the european otter (lutra lutra).		1988	3413944
pathological changes and organochlorine residues in tissues of wild otters (lutra lutra).	in 1984 two adult, wild otters (lutra lutra) from north norfolk were subjected to full post mortem examinations. one was found dead and the other sick. both were thin. no evidence of infectious disease was found, but there were organochlorine concentrations of 433 and 75 mg/kg of fat (69 per cent polychlorinated biphenyls in both) in skeletal muscle. leiomyoma of the reproductive tract and adrenocortical hyperplasia in one otter were similar to age associated changes in other mammals. integument ...	1988	3376402
suspected aleutian disease in a wild otter (lutra lutra).	clinical and pathological observations of a naturally occurring disease in a british wild otter (lutra lutra) are reported. systemic lymphoreticular proliferative changes with plasmacytosis, glomerulonephritis, arteritis and biliary hyperplasia closely resembled the pathological changes in aleutian disease of mink (mustela vison). feral mink provided a possible source of infection.	1989	2800292
organochlorine pesticide residues and pcbs in otters (lutra lutra) from ireland.		1992	1627913
impact of organochlorine pesticide residues and pcbs on otters (lutra lutra) in eastern england.	a study of otter (lutra lutra) populations and levels of organochlorine (oc) pesticide residues and pcbs in otter faeces (spraints) was made on rivers in east anglia, england. population and contaminant levels are compared against target values. it is thought that the native otter population was almost extirpated during the study period. the current population must derive largely, if not entirely, from captive-bred animals introduced since 1983. its range has expanded little and population level ...	1993	8259487
impact of organochlorine pesticide residues and pcbs on otters (lutra lutra): a study from western britain.	a study of otter (lutra lutra) populations and levels of organochlorine (oc) pesticide residues and pcbs in otter droppings (spraints) was made on eight stretches of river in three catchments in wales and west midland england. population and contaminant levels were compared against target values. the otter populations (as measured by an index) remained stable on one stretch over 11 years, while they increased rapidly to equilibrium on four other stretches. the three lower stretches of rivers sho ...	1993	8259486
organochlorine pesticide residues and pcbs in danish otters (lutra lutra).	tissues (71 liver, 2 muscle) of 73 otters found dead in denmark between 1980 and 1990 were analyzed for organochlorine pesticide residues and pcbs. geometric means of contaminant concentrations were generally low, but some otters had pcb concentrations considered to be of concern; a greater proportion of these came from isolated populations away from the main population centre in limfjord. animals dying of unknown causes had greater concentrations of pcbs than those dying by drowning or in traff ...	1993	8493510
adrenocorticolytic ddt-metabolites: studies in mink, mustela vison and otter, lutra lutra.	: the irreversible binding and toxicity of the ddt metabolites p,p'-ddd and o,p-ddd in the adrenal cortex of female mink mustela vison were studied. histological examination of adrenals from mink given a single i.p. injection of p,p'-ddd or o,p'-ddd (125 mg per kg body weight) showed vacuolation, necrosis and focal bleedings in the zonae fasciculata and reticularis. autoradiograms of solvent-extracted tissue sections of minks given a single i.v. injection of p,p'-[(14)c]ddd (0.7 mg per kg body w ...	1993	24203118
pcb congeners in tissues of european otter (lutra lutra).		1994	8000183
pcbs and organochlorine pesticide residues in otters (lutra lutra) and in otter spraints from sw england and their likely impact on populations.	pcb and organochlorine pesticide residues were determined in otter (lutra lutra) spraints (faeces) from nine catchment regions in sw england over the period 1989-1991. results of analyses of tissues from 22 otters are also presented. dieldrin occurred in the majority of spraint samples and p,p-dde and total pcbs in all. lindane occurred mainly in samples collected in spring. lindane was not found in otter tissues collected after 1991, but dieldrin, p,p-dde and pcbs were found in all tissues. die ...	1994	8209234
two-dimensional electrophoresis for the study of blood/serum proteins of the otter, an endangered species.	studies on serum/blood samples from european otters (lutra lutra), a species under protection in most countries, were undertaken. building of a two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-de) protein identification map was started, identifying serum proteins by pattern comparison with cat or human serum protein maps and by immunoblotting using cross-reacting antibodies against the respective human serum proteins. the capture of endangered species is very restricted, thus making fresh samples almost unava ...	1995	7498166
forensics on wild animals: differentiation between otter and pheasant blood using electrophoretic methods.	electrophoretic techniques were used to prove illegal hunting of a protected species as small amounts of dried blood stains could be clearly identified as of otter origin. species differentiation between the otter (lutra lutra) and pheasant (phasianus colchicus) was based mainly on small differences in electrophoretic mobilities of the respective albumins and hemoglobins in one-dimensional separations. additional differences in minor proteins of the two species were revealed by two-dimensional e ...	1995	7588577
organochlorine residue levels and bioconcentration factors in otters (lutra lutra l.) from northeast spain.		1996	8694868
isolation of brucella species from cetaceans, seals and an otter.	brucella organisms which differed from the recognised species of the genus, were isolated from nine seals, eight cetaceans and one otter. a method is described for the isolation of brucella species from sea mammals and the first isolations of brucella species are recorded from an atlantic white-sided dolphin (lagenorhynchus acutus), two striped dolphins (stenella coeuleoalba), a hooded seal (cystophora cristata), a grey seal (halichoerus grypus) and a european otter (lutra lutra). there were dif ...	1996	8799984
phylogenetic position of the japanese river otter lutra nippon inferred from the nucleotide sequence of 224 bp of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene.	a 224 bp fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene has been amplified from a 30-year-old mummy-like specimen of the japanese river otter lutra nippon by polymerase chain reaction (pcr). the amplified products were subcloned in the smal site of puc 18 and sequenced. the sequence was different from those of the congeneric eurasian otters lutra lutra (latvia) and lutra lutra (china) in 7-9 nucleotides, all of which were located at the third position of a codon and identified as transitional d ...	1996	8940916
concentrations of some organochlorines in otters (lutra lutra l.) in scotland: implications for populations.	the concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (pcbs) and residues of organochlorine pesticides (heod and dde) were measured in livers of otters (lutra lutra) from different areas in scotland. whilst heod and dde occurred at very low concentrations only, pcbs were present in high levels in some areas, the highest in shetland (geom mean 2.05 ppm wet wt), related probably to high levels in sediments in the north-east atlantic. pcbs were a mixture of congeners in which higher-chlorinated ones pred ...	1996	15091396
[domestication as a possible mode of biodiversity conservation (as exemplified by the river otter lutra lutra l., 1758)].	on an experimental basis in the institute of cytology and genetics siberian division, russian academy of sciences, a cage population of river otter (lutra lutra) was formed. during the introduction period of captivity, as the selection for stress resistance in an anthropogenic environment is shown to be a crucial factor. through the course of domesticating river otters, directional selection occurs due to the increase in the number of individual otters and to the absence of fear-induced response ...	1997	9378310
health status of otters (lutra lutra) in south-west england based on postmortem findings.	seventy-seven wild otters found dead in south-west england between 1988 and 1996 were examined postmortem. road traffic accidents were responsible for 64 of the deaths and there were marked seasonal peaks. bite wounds were present in 12 animals and five were considered to have died from their injuries. the animals' general nutritional state was good, but the males were in overall poorer condition than the females. there was little evidence of infectious disease and the results suggested a young, ...	1997	9292974
concentrations of mercury in otters (lutra lutra l.) in scotland in relation to rainfall.	concentrations of mercury (hg) were measured in 112 livers of otters from various areas in scotland during 1986-1992. mercury concentration varied from 0.3-44.7 ppm (dry). there was a significant positive correlation between hg in otters and annual rainfall, consistent with an atmospheric origin of mercury pollution. mercury concentration was higher in animals with lower body condition. concentrations were shown to increase with the age of the animal, but not everywhere, and the correlation was ...	1997	15093427
application of biomarkers for exposure and effect of polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons in naturally exposed european otters (lutra lutra).	in the serious decline of european otters (lutra lutra) over the last decades, polychlorinated biphenyls (pcbs) are considered to be one of the major factors. as no experiments can be conducted with otters, an eco-epidemiological study was performed to derive no observed effect concentrations (noecs) for pcbs in the otter. a strong negative correlation was found between hepatic vitamin a and polychlorinated biphenyl (pcb) concentrations expressed as tcdd-equivalents (teqs), coinciding with a hig ...	1998	21781885
polychlorinated biphenyls in the eurasian otter (lutra lutra).	several authors have suggested that contamination by polychlorinated biphenyls (pcbs) constitutes one of the major causes of the decline of the eurasian otter (lutra lutra) in large parts of europe. this chapter provides an overview of available information regarding pcbs in european otters. data on pcb concentrations in european otter tissues differ qualitatively among authors. variations may be found in the organs used for analysis, the analytical method, and format of reported data (lipid wei ...	1998	9666742
decline in pcb levels in otters (lutra lutra).	a decline in total pcb levels in tissues of otters (lutra lutra) from england and wales, averaging 8% per year over the period 1983-1992, is reported. mean pcb levels are now unlikely to pose a threat to otter populations.	1998	9532727
heavy metal concentrations in livers and kidneys of the otter (lutra lutra) from central europe.		1998	9470989
energy metabolism of underwater swimming in river-otters (lutra lutra l.).	we used a still-water swim channel in conjunction with open-flow oxygen and carbon dioxide respirometry to examine the energy requirements of river-otters (lutra lutra l.) swimming voluntarily underwater in neumünster zoo (germany). while at rest on land (5 degrees c), river-otters had a respiratory quotient of 0.77 and a resting metabolic rate of 4.1 w kg-1. this increased to an estimated 6.4 w kg-1 during rest in water (11-15 degrees c) and to 12.3 w kg-1 when the animals were feeding in the c ...	1998	9542149
extremely low mitochondrial dna control-region sequence variation in the otter lutra lutra population of denmark.		1999	10509143
sarcocystis species in skeletal muscle of otter (lutra lutra).	cysts of a sarcocystis species were found in large numbers in skeletal muscle of an otter (lutra lutra) which was raised in norway and died in captivity in sweden. this is the first report of sarcocystis infection in the otter. the sarcocysts were 0.3-2.3 mm long and 0.06-0.25 mm wide. as judged by light microscopy the sarcocyst walls were thin (< 3 microns) with a serrated surface but without visible projections. by transmission electron microscopy, the sarcocyst wall measured 0.6-1.8 microns a ...	1999	10070662
vagococcus lutrae sp. nov., isolated from the common otter (lutra lutra).	phenotypic and phylogenetic studies were performed on an unknown gram-positive catalase-negative coccus isolated from a common otter (lutra lutra). comparative 16s rrna gene sequencing demonstrated that the unknown bacterium represents a new subline within the genus vagococcus, close to, but distinct from, vagococcus fluvialis and vagococcus salmoninarum. the unknown bacterium was readily distinguished from the two currently recognized vagococcus species by biochemical tests and electrophoretic ...	1999	10425788
reintroduction of the otter (lutra lutra) into catalan rivers, spain: assessing organochlorine residue exposure through diet.		1999	10441643
redescription of eucoleus schvalovoj (nematoda: capillariidae), an oesophageal parasite of the eurasian otter, lutra lutra, in spain.	eucoleus schvalovoj kontrimavichus, 1963 (nematoda: capillariidae) is redescribed. the original description of this species was brief and inadequate in that it was based on just a few specimens removed from the eurasian otter, lutra lutra (linnaeus, 1758) in the khabarovsk region, ussr. detailed morphological study of several specimens of e. schvalovoj from the oesophagus of l. lutra from spain revealed new characters, above all in males, and allows for a better characterisation of this species. ...	1999	10730200
isospora lutrae n. sp. (apicomplexa: eimeriidae), a new coccidium from the european otter lutra lutra (l.) (carnivora: mustelidae) from spain.	parasitological examination of european otter originating from extremadura, spain revealed the presence of a new isosporan species. oöcysts of isospora lutrae n. sp. are spherical to subspherical, 31.2 (27.5-32) x 29.6 (28-31) microm and have a smooth wall c. 1 microm thick. sporocysts are ellipsoidal, 18.2 (17-19) x 14.4 (14-16) microm and lack stieda and substieda bodies. a spherical sporocyst residuum is present, consisting of granules scattered among the sporozoites. sporozoites are spindle- ...	2000	10937667
fatal adiaspiromycosis in a wild eurasian otter (lutra lutra).	postmortem examination of an immature otter which died in the wild showed that large areas of the lungs were swollen and firm, with emphysema and haemorrhage in the remaining areas. histopathological examination revealed large numbers of fungal adiaspores and an unusually severe inflammatory response. it was considered that respiratory impairment was the primary cause of the otter's death.	2000	11014486
clinical anatomy of the north american river otter (lontra canadensis).	published anatomic studies of north american river otters (lontra canadensis) include only comparative reviews of single anatomic systems, but this paper includes multiple clinically relevant anatomic features. both captive and free-ranging north american river otters were studied by gross dissection of nine specimens, radiography of 18 live otters, and physical examination of 170 otters. body fat in north american river otters is stored primarily subcutaneously at the base of the tail and in th ...	2000	11428393
helminth fauna of otter (lutra lutra linnaeus, 1758) in belorussian polesie.		2000	10894485
malignant melanoma in a eurasian otter (lutra lutra).	an 11-yr-old female eurasian otter (lutra lutra) presented with multiple cutaneous nodules identified histologically as malignant melanomas of spindle cell and epithelioid cell type. metastases were detected in lymph nodes and liver, and the tumor, which was derived from melanocytes, showed aggressive biological behavior. only occasional reports exist of neoplastic disease in otters.	2000	10884131
bones in the heart skeleton of the otter (lutra lutra).	in most mammalian species the cardiac skeleton is composed of coarse collagen fibres, fibrocartilage, and pieces of hyaline cartilage. bone, the os cordis, is a regular constituent of the ruminant heart. the cardiac skeleton of the otter (lutra lutra) has not previously been described. the skeleton in 30 otter hearts was studied by x-ray analysis and light microscopy. serial sections were cut parallel to the atrioventricular plane and histochemical staining methods were performed to identify con ...	2000	10853970
a long-term study of vitamin a and polychlorinated hydrocarbon levels in otters (lutra lutra) in south west england.	seventy-seven wild otters (lutra lutra) found dead in south west england between 1988 and 1996 were examined post mortem. liver samples were analysed from 56 otters for polychlorinated hydrocarbons and from 40 for vitamin a (retinol). there was a significant decline in the levels of pollutants over the study period and this coincided with a marked increase in vitamin a levels. however, a causal relationship was not established. low vitamin a levels were prevalent in the early years of the study ...	2000	15092841
detection of aleutian disease antibodies in feral american mink in southern england.	fourteen of 27 american mink (mustela vison) trapped in the upper thames region were positive for anti-aleutian disease antibodies. this demonstration of the occurrence of this viral disease in a feral american mink population suggests that it could threaten populations of at least two protected mustelids, the otter (lutra lutra) and the polecat (mustela putorius), and may also play a role in the apparent decline of local mink populations in britain.	2001	11700927
genetic consequences of population decline in the european otter (lutra lutra): an assessment of microsatellite dna variation in danish otters from 1883 to 1993.	the european otter (lutra lutra) was common in denmark until the 1960s, but its present distribution encompasses only a minor part of the country. the aim of this study was to assess whether the recent population decline has resulted in loss of genetic variability and to gain further insight into the dynamics of the population decline. this was done by analysing microsatellite dna variation in contemporary and historical samples, the latter encompassing dna samples extracted from museum specimen ...	2001	11522195
reversible immobilization of eurasian otters with a combination of ketamine and medetomidine.	the efficacy and safety of the combination of medetomidine and ketamine was examined in order to establish an adequate chemical immobilization protocol in the eurasian otter (lutra lutra) for use during translocation projects in spain. thirty-eight eurasian otters ranging in body mass from 3 to 8.7 kg (mean 5.3 kg) were successfully anesthetized on 82 occasions. the dosage of ketamine was 5.1+/-0.8 (3.4-6.6) mg/kg (mean +/- sd; range) combined with medetomidine at a dosage of 51+/-8 rg/kg (34-66 ...	2001	11504230
metals in tissues of european otters (lutra lutra) from denmark, great britain and ireland.	samples of livers of european otters from denmark, great britain and ireland were analyzed for manganese, chromium, zinc, copper, nickel and cobalt. concentrations were generally significantly higher in samples from great britain. it was considered that this reflected the catchment geology from where the specimens originated.	2001	11459138
congener-specific model for polychlorinated biphenyl effects on otter (lutra lutra) and associated sediment quality criteria.	a model for risk assessment was built for simultaneous, congener-specific pcb bioaccumulation from sediment to fish to otters (lutra lutra). toxic equivalence factors (tefs) were used to sum individual congeners in otters to a toxic equivalent concentration (teq) relative to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. microbial dechlorination and burial in sediments and bioaccumulation are modeled to predict time trends of pcb concentrations in otters. effects of accumulated pcbs on otters were assesse ...	2001	11351410
the otter (lutra lutra) in sweden--population trends in relation to sigma ddt and total pcb concentrations during 1968-99.	polychlorinated biphenyl (pcb) has been suggested as the major cause of the european otter (lutra lutra) population decline. this study investigates temporal and geographical changes in otter numbers as well as total pcb and sigma ddt concentrations in otters and their food in different parts of sweden with various pollution impacts during three decades. in sweden, rare species belong to the state and carcasses of such specimens are sent to the authorities. two-hundred and eight specimens have b ...	2001	11202751
aleutian mink disease parvovirus in wild riparian carnivores in spain.	serious declines in populations of native european mink (mustela lutreola) have occurred in europe. one responsible factor may be infectious diseases introduced by exotic american mink (mustela vison). in order to investigate a possible role for aleutian mink disease parvovirus (adv), we surveyed native riparian carnivores and feral american mink. when serum samples from 12 free-ranging european and 16 feral american mink were tested, antibodies to adv were detected from three of nine european m ...	2001	11272488
hematological and biochemical reference intervals for wild caught eurasian otter from spain.	hematologic and serum chemistry reference intervals were determined from 33 wild caught eurasian otters (lutra lutra lutra) between november 1995 and may 1998 during a reintroduction project. blood was obtained by jugular venipuncture after administration of ketamine and medetomidine. the mean, standard deviation, and range for 19 hematology parameters and 28 serum chemistry values are presented. there were no significant differences between sexes in most analytes. the results are in agreement w ...	2001	11272491
for whales and seals the ocean is not blue: a visual pigment loss in marine mammals.	most terrestrial mammals have colour vision based on two spectrally different visual pigments located in two types of retinal cone photoreceptors, i.e. they are cone dichromats with long-to-middle-wave-sensitive (commonly green) l-cones and short-wave-sensitive (commonly blue) s-cones. with visual pigment-specific antibodies, we here demonstrate an absence of s-cones in the retinae of all whales and seals studied. the sample includes seven species of toothed whales (odontoceti) and five species ...	2001	11328346
isolation of pathogenic yersiniae from wild animals in bulgaria.	pathogenic yersinia strains were isolated between december 1998 and april 1999 from 37 wild animals: rabbit (lepus europeus), boar (sus scrofa scrofa), asiatic jackal (canis aureus), red fox (vulpes vulpes), mouflon (ovis musimon), european river otter (lutra lutra), beech marten (martes foina), polecat (musleta putorius) and wild cat (felis silvestris). it was established that among the wild animals y. enterocolitica strains of serotype 0:3 predominated, accompanied by y. pseudotuberculosis str ...	2001	11393816
reintroduction of the eurasian otter (lutra lutra) in northeastern spain: trapping, handling, and medical management.	in 1993 a reintroduction project for the eurasian otter (lutra lutra) was initiated in northeastern spain (girona, catalonia) to restore extirpated populations. between 1996 and 2000, 43 otters were captured from southwestern and northern spain and from portugal with modified foot-hold traps and transported to barcelona zoo. lesions produced by capture were classified into four categories of increasing severity. thirty four (79%) animals had category i, three (7%) had category ii, five (12%) had ...	2002	12462488
quantification of perphenazine in eurasian otter (lutra lutra lutra) urine samples by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.	perphenazine enanthate has been used in wild animals as a tranquilizer during the period of adaptation to new environments to reduce stress, mortalities and injuries. a gas chromatographic procedure for the quantitative measurement of perphenazine in otter urine has been developed and validated. the method involved an enzymatic hydrolysis with beta-glucuronidase-arylsulfatase from helix pomatia, followed by a solid-phase extraction with bond elut certify cartridges. the resulting organic phase w ...	2002	11936697
effects of moult, age, and sex on the accumulation of heavy metals in the otter (lutra lutra) in finland.		2003	12545359
similar estimates of population genetic composition and sex ratio derived from carcasses and faeces of eurasian otter lutra lutra.	collecting faeces is viewed as a potentially efficient way to sample elusive animals. nonetheless, any biases in estimates of population composition associated with such sampling remain uncharacterized. the goal of this study was to compare estimates of genetic composition and sex ratio derived from eurasian otter lutra lutra spraints (faeces) with estimates derived from carcasses. twenty per cent of 426 wild-collected spraints from sw england yielded composite genotypes for 7-9 microsatellites ...	2003	12492895
normal haematological and serum biochemical values of eurasian otters (lutra lutra) from a scottish rehabilitation centre.	blood samples were taken from 47 clinically normal, wild-born eurasian otters (lutra lutra) before they were released from a rehabilitation centre in scotland between august 1990 and march 1996. serum biochemistry profiles were determined for 47 animals and haematological profiles for 41, and the results from males, females, and animals under or over one year of age were analysed as separate groups and as pooled populations. the normal ranges for a wide variety of haematological and serum bioche ...	2003	9921621
concentrations and hazard assessment of pcbs, organochlorine pesticides and mercury in fish species from the upper thames: river pollution and its potential effects on top predators.	aquatic environmental contamination levels of organochlorine pesticides (ocps), polychlorinated biphenyls (pcbs) and heavy metals in the upper thames catchment area, uk were assessed on the basis of fish muscle analysis in wet weight, and their effects on top predators were assessed. the contamination levels of lead, cadmium, dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (ddt) and its metabolites were found to be low (undetectable) in the area. average mercury contamination level varied between 55 and 342 m ...	2003	12656245
eurasian otter (lutra lutra), a definitive host for dirofilaria immitis.	a mature male and a mature female dirofilaria immitis were found in the right ventricle of the heart of a naturally infected 2-yr-old male eurasian otter (lutra lutra) that had died of severe lung congestion at a zoo in south korea. both developing embryos and microfilariae were present in the uterus of the female d. immitis. although circulating microfilariae were not detected in blood or tissue, the eurasian otter may serve as a definitive host for d. immitis.	2003	12885140
cranial variation in british mustelids.	nineteen measurements were made on 136 skulls belonging to seven mustelid species: meles meles (eurasian badger), mustela nivalis, (weasel), mustela erminea (stoat), mustela putorius (polecat), lutra lutra (otter), mustela furo (ferret), and mustela vison (american mink), and polecat-ferret hybrids. to investigate shape, size-related effects were eliminated by dividing all measurements by their geometric means. canonical variate analysis was used to reveal major interspecies distinctions. exclud ...	2004	15052596
growth in otter (lutra lutra) populations in the uk as shown by long-term monitoring.	european otters declined dramatically from the 1950s, disappearing from many rivers. we report here on longterm monitoring (from 1977) in 3 catchments in western britain that were recolonized naturally and in 2 catchments in eastern england that were reinforced by captive-bred otters. a minimum of 16-years data was collected on each river until 2002. at a series of sites in each study river, the percentages which were positive for otters and the number of spraints per sprainting site were record ...	2004	15151385
helminth parasites of the eurasian otter lutra lutra in southwest europe.	the helminth fauna in 109 eurasian otters (lutra lutra l.) from france, portugal and spain was analysed, together with 56 faecal samples collected in portugal and 23 fresh stools from otters included in a reintroduction programme. seven helminth species were found in l. lutra in southwest europe: phagicola sp. (trematoda), aonchotheca putorii, eucoleus schvalovoj, strongyloides lutrae, anisakis (third stage larvae) and dirofilaria immitis (nematoda), and gigantorhynchus sp. (acanthocephala). euc ...	2004	15575995
evidence of secondary poisoning of free-ranging riparian mustelids by anticoagulant rodenticides in france: implications for conservation of european mink (mustela lutreola).	because of the rapid decline of the endangered european mink (mustela lutreola) populations in france, a national conservation program has been put into action, including research to understand the causes of decline. as part of this research, concentrations of eight anticoagulant rodenticides were examined in livers from 122 carcasses of four species of free-ranging mustelids collected between 1990 and 2002 in southwestern france. bromadiolone residue was found in all species and 9% of the sampl ...	2004	15650086
retinal dysplasia in wild otters (lutra lutra).	eyes from 88 otters found dead in south-west england between 1990 and 2000, were collected as part of a larger pathological study. histopathological examination of 131 eyes revealed dysplastic changes such as rosetting and folding in the retinas of 26 of the otters. in the eyes of 42 of the otters there were postmortem and fixation-induced retinal detachment which complicated the differentiation of dysplastic from normal retina, but 11 eyes had folds which probably indicated a dysplastic patholo ...	2004	15285284
pcbs in fish of the ardeche river: potential implications for the survival of the otter (lutra lutra).		2004	15199994
organochlorine residues in fishes from two rivers in cantabria, spain: implications for a program of otter (lutra lutra) reintroduction.		2005	16228885
concentrations of pcbs, organochlorine pesticides and heavy metals (lead, cadmium, and copper) in fish from the drôme river: potential effects on otters (lutra lutra).	in this study samples of ten species of fish were analyzed for concentrations of organochlorine pesticides, pcbs and heavy metals (pb, cd, and cu). fish were captured using electric fishing on ten sites along the drôme river (rhône-alpes region). quantitative determination of the organochlorine and pcbs compounds was performed by gas chromatography-electron-capture detection (gc-ecd). the concentrations of heavy metals were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. samples contained det ...	2005	15964052
cholecystitis in otters (lutra lutra) and mink (mustela vison) caused by the fluke pseudamphistomum truncatum.	between 1988 and 2004, postmortem examinations were carried out on 445 otters found dead, mostly as a result of road traffic accidents, in southern and south-west england. thickened, shrunken gall bladders were observed in 10 cases, the first in 2000 and the others between february 2002 and august 2004. a digenean fluke, pseudamphistomum truncatum, was found in the gall bladders of three cases and also in three of seven american mink examined. nine of the 10 otters and all the mink came from a l ...	2005	16006641
identification and characterization of tandem repeats in exon iii of dopamine receptor d4 (drd4) genes from different mammalian species.	in this study we have identified and characterized dopamine receptor d4 (drd4) exon iii tandem repeats in 33 public available nucleotide sequences from different mammalian species. we found that the tandem repeat in canids could be described in a novel and simple way, namely, as a structure composed of 15- and 12- bp modules. tandem repeats composed of 18-bp modules were found in sequences from the horse, zebra, onager, and donkey, asiatic bear, polar bear, common raccoon, dolphin, harbor porpoi ...	2005	16332176
patterns and significance of bite wounds in eurasian otters (lutra lutra) in southern and south-west england.	postmortem examinations were carried out on 379 otters found dead in southern and south-west england between 1988 and 2003. most (81 per cent) were road casualties, but many had open bite wounds and in some cases these had proved fatal. mortality was strongly seasonal and was positively correlated with night length. although numbers decreased in the summer months, the prevalence of bite wounds in adults was highest in late summer. the number of otters examined annually and the prevalence of bite ...	2006	16443836
pcr detection of neospora caninum, toxoplasma gondii and encephalitozoon cuniculi in brains of wild carnivores.	neospora caninum, toxoplasma gondii and encephalitozoon cuniculi are important pathogens with affinity to the central nervous system of many animals. 240 brains of wild carnivores were examined by pcr-based diagnosis. the presence of n. caninum dna was confirmed in 4.61% (7/152) red foxes (vulpes vulpes). dna of t. gondii was found in 4.92% (3/61) martens (martes sp.) and in 1.32% (2/152) red foxes. dna of e. cuniculi was determined in 3.28% (2/61) martens and in one examined european otter (lut ...	2006	16472923
parasites of carnivorous mammals in białowieza primeval forest.	although the parasitofauna of wild carnivorous mammals in poland is quite well recognized, there has been only one research carried on this issue so far in białowieza forest--the last lowland primeval forest of temperate zone in europe.	2006	17007336
antibodies to mycobacterium bovis in wild carnivores from doñana national park (spain).	we conducted a retrospective serologic survey for antibodies against the mpb70 protein of mycobacterium bovis in wild carnivores from doñana national park (southwestern spain). serum samples from 118 red foxes (vulpes vulpes), 39 iberian lynx (lynx pardinus), 31 eurasian badgers (meles meles), five egyptian mongoose (herpestes ichneumon), four european genet (genetta genetta), and one eurasian otter (lutra lutra) were analyzed using an indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunoassay. antibodies a ...	2006	17092907
applicability of spraints for monitoring organic contaminants in free-ranging otters (lutra lutra).	in the current study, the use of spraints for monitoring levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (pcbs) in individual otters was experimentally validated. on the basis of a detailed pattern analysis, it is concluded that in the current study, pcb concentrations in spraints that contain relatively high concentrations of nonmetabolizable pcb congeners (pcb 138 and 153 > 42.5% of total pcb concentrations) reflect the internal pcb concentrations of the otter that produced the spraint. in general, howeve ...	2006	17089702
body size changes among otters, lutra lutra, in norway: the possible effects of food availability and global warming.	using museum data of adult specimens whose sex, age, and locality are known, we studied temporal and geographical body size trends among the otter, lutra lutra, in norway. we found that body size of the otters increased during the last quarter of the twentieth century, and suggest that this trend is related to increased food availability from fish farming and possibly also to energy saving due to elevated sea temperatures. birth year and death year explained 38.8 and 43.5%, respectively, of the ...	2006	16868759
structure of the mitochondrial control region of the eurasian otter (lutra lutra; carnivora, mustelidae): patterns of genetic heterogeneity and implications for conservation of the species in italy.	in this study we determined the complete sequence of the mitochondrial dna (mtdna) control region of the eurasian otter (lutra lutra). we then compared these new sequences with orthologues of nine carnivores belonging to six families (mustelidae, mephitidae, canidae, hyaenidae, ursidae, and felidae). the comparative analyses identified all the conserved regions previously found in mammals. the eurasian otter and seven other species have a single location with tandem repeats in the right domain, ...	2006	15731216
[study of the n-terminal amino acid sequence of the myoglobin of the squirrel (sciurus vulgaris) and of the otter (lutra lutra)].		2006	4790765
source and sink dynamics of density-dependent otter (lutra lutra) populations in rivers of central finland.	long-term studies were carried out in central finland between 1985 and 2003 to examine the temporal and spatial variation in the density of otter populations. snow tracking was used to estimate the total population and the number of litters in the study area. in total 52 otters, including 16 cubs in 11 litters, lived in the study area (1,650 km(2)) in 2002-2003. the otter population clearly increased during the study period. the increase in density of the otter population was sigmoid, indicating ...	2007	17566780
hepatocellular adenoma in a eurasian otter (lutra lutra).	a 7-year-old female eurasian otter (lutra lutra) at the seoul grand park, korea, died after displaying depression, anorexia, weight loss and rough skin for several days. at necropsy, a solitary friable round mass, which was approximately 12 x 9 x 5 cm and mottled dark red and yellow, was found bulging from the right hepatic lobe. microscopically, the nonencapsulated, poorly circumscribed mass was composed of solid sheets of neoplastic hepatocytes. in addition, numerous small tan foci, ranging fr ...	2007	17322782
canine adenovirus type 1 infection of a eurasian river otter (lutra lutra).	a 10-year-old female eurasian river otter (lutra lutra) died after prolonged anorexia and weight loss in the seoul grand park zoo, seoul, republic of korea. on necropsy, the liver was found to be swollen and friable with 1 lobe enlarged and necrotic. the other organs showed no significant alterations except for mild atrophy of the right kidney. microscopically, there was multifocal hepatic necrosis. the hepatocytes around the necrotic areas were swollen and contained large basophilic intranuclea ...	2007	17606519
seroprevalence of toxoplasma gondii antibodies in wild carnivores from spain.	serum samples from 282 wild carnivores from different regions of spain were tested for antibodies to toxoplasma gondii by the modified agglutination test using a cut-off value of 1:25. antibodies to t. gondii were found in 22 of 27 (81.5%) of iberian lynx (lynx pardinus), 3 of 6 european wildcats (felis silvestris), 66 of 102 (64.7%) red foxes (vulpes vulpes), 15 of 32 (46.9%) wolves (canis lupus), 26 of 37 (70.3%) eurasian badgers (meles meles), 17 of 20 (85.0%) stone martens (martes foina), 4 ...	2007	17689869
cryptosporidium and giardia in wild otters (lutra lutra).	a total of 437 faecal samples from wild otter (lutra lutra) were collected from 161 sites in galicia (northwest spain) and were analysed by a direct immunofluorescence antibody test (ifat). cryptosporidium sp. oocysts and giardia sp. cysts were detected in 17 (3.9%) and 30 (6.8%) samples, respectively. the results demonstrate that otters may contribute to the contamination of watercourses, although further studies are required to establish which species or genotypes of cryptosporidium and giardi ...	2007	17049745
gene sequences for cytochromes p450 1a1 and 1a2: the need for biomarker development in sea otters (enhydra lutris).	there has been recent public concern regarding the impacts of environmental pollution on populations of otters. population level impacts have been seen with otter (lutra lutra) populations in europe due to polychlorinated biphenyls, and with some segments of the prince william sound, ak, sea otter (enhydra lutris) population following the exxon valdez oil spill. despite public interest in these animals and their ecological significance, there are few tools that allow for the study of otter's res ...	2008	18761099
physiological responses of over-wintering common carp (cyprinus carpio) to disturbance by eurasian otter (lutra lutra).	using a tame animal, the impact of otter (lutra lutra) disturbance on over-wintering carp (cyprinus carpio) was monitored in two experiments, 133 and 140 days, respectively, over two consecutive winters (november-april). the level of stress in over-wintering carp exposed to various intensities of disturbance by otters was quantified using biological indicators of stress (cortisol, cortisone, indices of nitrogen, carbohydrate, lipid and mineral metabolism and activity of basic blood plasma enzyme ...	2008	18665460
tyzzer's disease in a eurasian otter (lutra lutra) in scotland.	a eurasian otter (lutra lutra) cub found in weak condition on the isle of harris, scotland, developed bilateral corneal oedema 16 days after being admitted to a rehabilitation centre. it died unexpectedly on day 26. on postmortem examination, there was excess clear fluid in the body cavities and the liver was swollen with numerous pale focal lesions and petechial haemorrhages throughout. histopathological examination revealed bundles of bacilli morphologically typical of clostridium piliforme wi ...	2008	18978367
from aquatic to terrestrial food webs: decrease of the docosahexaenoic acid/linoleic acid ratio.	fatty acid composition of the adipose tissue of six carnivorous mammalian species (european otter lutra lutra, american mink mustela vison, european mink mustela lutreola, european polecat mustela putorius, stone marten martes foina and european wild cat felis silvestris) was studied. these species forage to differing degrees in aquatic and terrestrial food webs. fatty acid analysis revealed significant differences in polyunsaturated fatty acid composition between species. more specifically, our ...	2008	18335265
neospora caninum antibodies in wild carnivores from spain.	serum samples from 251 wild carnivores from different regions of spain were tested for antibodies to neospora caninum by the commercial competitive screening enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (c-elisa) and confirmed by neospora agglutination test (nat) and/or by indirect fluorescent antibody test (ifat). samples with antibodies detected by at least two serological tests were considered seropositive. antibodies to n. caninum were found in 3.2% of 95 red foxes (vulpes vulpes); in 21.4% of 28 wolve ...	2008	18556128
eurasian otters, lutra lutra, have a dominant mtdna haplotype from the iberian peninsula to scandinavia.	the eurasian otter, lutra lutra, has a palaearctic distribution and has suffered a severe decline throughout europe during the last century. previous studies in this and other mustelids have shown reduced levels of variability in mitochondrial dna, although otter phylogeographic studies were restricted to central-western europe. in this work we have sequenced 361 bp of the mtdna control region in 73 individuals from eight countries and added our results to eight sequences available from genbank ...	2008	15388770
mitochondrial dna variation in the european otter (lutra lutra) and the use of spatial autocorrelation analysis in conservation.	to add genetic information to the international conservation efforts on european otters lutra lutra, we investigated the genetic population structure in and around a known "source" population of the otter, the oberlausitz (ol) in eastern germany. this was complemented by a first survey of genetic variation levels in the central european otter population. sequence analysis of 300bp of the mitochondrial control region in 76 specimens from the eastern german study region and 53 individuals from sev ...	2008	10739121
first assessment of microbial diversity in faecal microflora of eurasian otter (lutra lutra linnaeus, 1758) in portugal.	the eurasian otter (lutra lutra linnaeus, 1758), a predator from the order carnivora, family mustelidae, evolved the ability to swim and forage in water, being an important element of biodiversity. otters are widely spread through portugal, and scats have been extensively used in ecology studies; however, valid information on their microbiota is scarce. this work represents a first approach to characterise the otter faecal microflora in samples collected in river stretches of the sado river basi ...	2008	32214936
metal levels in tissues of eurasian otters (lutra lutra) from hungary: variation with sex, age, condition and location.	liver samples of eurasian otters from various parts of hungary were analysed for mercury, copper, zinc, lead and cadmium. only zinc concentration was significantly higher in females. higher mercury and cadmium concentrations in adults and higher zinc values in immature otters were measured. accumulation of mercury, copper and zinc in tissues increased with the declining condition of animals. mercury and copper were detected with higher values in samples from large rivers.	2009	19036400
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.	2009	21564666
leptospirosis in wild and domestic carnivores in natural areas in andalusia, spain.	leptospirosis is a zoonosis that affects humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. carnivores are at the top of the feeding chain, thus being exposed to pathogens through their preys. from june 2004 to april 2007, we analyzed for evidences of contact with 14 serovars of leptospira interrogans sensu lato serum (analyzed by indirect microscopic agglutination test) and urine or kidney samples (analyzed by microscopic observation, immunostaining and culture) collected from 201 wild and domestic carniv ...	2009	18973450
prevalence, distribution and pathological significance of the bile fluke pseudamphistomum truncatum in eurasian otters (lutra lutra) in great britain.	postmortem examinations on 160 otters found dead in great britain from 2005 to 2007 showed a high prevalence of infection with the bile fluke pseudamphistomum truncatum in otters from somerset and dorset but no infection in otters from other areas, including cornwall, the western half of devon, north-east england and scotland. cases were also recorded for the first time in gloucestershire and east anglia. eighteen of the 28 infected otters were male and no cubs were infected, but there was no si ...	2009	19329809
distribution of eurasian otter biliary parasites, pseudamphistomum truncatum and metorchis albidus (family opisthorchiidae), in england and wales.	gall bladders from 273 otter carcasses, collected throughout england and wales, were screened to assess the status of gall bladder parasites in the eurasian otter, lutra lutra. the digenean pseudamphistomum truncatum had previously been found in uk otters collected between 2000 and 2007. the parasite was established in somerset and dorset but its distribution elsewhere in the uk was largely unknown. in the current study, p. truncatum was also found to be abundant in south wales, with occasional ...	2009	19523253