背景:濒临灭绝的台湾黑熊(Ursusthibetanusformosanus)是台湾最大的本地食肉哺乳动物。疾病,管理不善,非法狩猎,栖息地的破坏严重威胁着熊种群的生存。然而,关于疾病对熊种群影响的研究有限。因此,这项研究旨在建立自由放养的台湾黑熊的血液学和血浆谱数据库,并研究外寄生虫的发生,血液寄生虫,和媒介传播的病原体。
方法:台湾玉山国家公园(YNP)和大学山森林休闲区(DSY)捕获了台湾黑熊。使用血液学分析仪从每只熊收集血液样品用于血液学分析和血浆生物化学。使用Wright-Giemsa染色和聚合酶链反应(PCR)测定的薄血涂片检测寄生虫和病原体。此外,从熊身上采集宏观外寄生虫,以检测血液寄生虫和其他病原体。此外,熊变量(性别,年龄,以及寄生虫或病原体的出现),外寄生虫,和感染因子也进行了分析。
结果:总而言之,在卫星跟踪研究期间,捕获并释放了21只野生熊(YNP中14只,DSY中7只)。血液学分析和血浆生化显示白细胞(WBC)存在显著差异,段,肌酸激酶(CK),以及足圈套和涵洞捕获的熊之间的乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)水平。此外,总血浆蛋白(TPP)存在显着差异,肌酐,Ca2+,Mg2+,和雄性和雌性熊之间的K+水平。此外,病原体感染的熊的红细胞沉降率(ESR;30分钟和1小时)和球蛋白水平明显高于未感染的熊。总的来说,从13只熊身上收集了240只蜱虫,其中确定了八种成年蜱物种,包括黄藻,破骨血栓症,双鱼座,Ixodesovatus,台湾皮肤病,长骨血栓症,Ixodesacutartus,Ablyommajavanense,和若虫,属于血友病属。PCR显示13只(61.90%)和8只(38.10%)熊藏有肝虫和巴贝虫DNA,分别。在检查的蜱中,157例(65.41%)和128例(53.33%)样本为H.ursi和Babesia阳性,分别。
结论:据我们所知,这是第一个建立野生台湾黑熊的血液学和血浆概况数据库的研究,并调查了体外寄生虫的侵染以及肝虫和巴贝虫。
背景:总而言之,这些发现可作为监测当地濒危熊的健康和种群的参考。
BACKGROUND: The endangered Formosan black bear (Ursus thibetanus formosanus) is the largest native carnivorous mammal in Taiwan. Diseases, poor management, illegal hunting, and habitat destruction are serious threats to the survival of bear populations. However, studies on the impact of diseases on bear populations are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to establish a database of the hematological and plasma profiles of free-ranging Formosan black bears and investigate the occurrence of ectoparasites, blood parasites, and vector-borne pathogens.
METHODS: Formosan black bears were captured in Yushan National Park (YNP) and Daxueshan Forest Recreation Area (DSY) in Taiwan. Blood samples were collected from each bear for hematological analysis and plasma biochemistry using a hematology analyzer. Parasites and pathogens were detected using a thin blood smear with Wright-Giemsa staining and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Additionally, macroscopic ectoparasites were collected from bears to detect blood parasites and other pathogens. Moreover, the relationships between the bear variables (sex, age, and occurrence of parasites or pathogens), ectoparasites, and infectious agents were also analyzed.
RESULTS: In all, 21 wild bears (14 in YNP and 7 in DSY) were captured and released during the satellite tracking studies. Hematological analysis and plasma biochemistry indicated significant differences in white blood cells (WBC), segments, creatine kinase (CK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels between foot snare and culvert-captured bears. Additionally, there were significant differences in total plasma protein (TPP), creatinine, Ca2+, Mg2+, and K+ levels between male and female bears. Moreover, pathogen-infected bears had significantly higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR; 30 min and 1 h) and globulin levels than uninfected bears. In total, 240 ticks were collected from 13 bears, among which eight adult tick species were identified, including Haemaphysalis flava, Haemaphysalis hystricis, Amblyomma testudinarium, Ixodes ovatus, Dermacentor taiwanensis, Haemaphysalis longicornis, Ixodes acutitarsus, Amblyomma javanense, and nymphs belonging to Haemaphysalis spp. PCR revealed that 13 (61.90%) and 8 (38.10%) bears harbored Hepatozoon ursi and Babesia DNA, respectively. Among the ticks examined, 157 (65.41%) and 128 (53.33%) samples were positive for H. ursi and Babesia, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to establish a database of the hematological and plasma profiles of wild Formosan black bears and investigate ectoparasite infestation and Hepatozoon and Babesia spp.
BACKGROUND: In conclusion, these findings may serve as a reference for monitoring the health and population of locally endangered bears.