Mitochondrial Control Region Database of Hungarian Fallow Deer (Dama dama) Populations for Forensic Use.

The evidential value of an mtDNA match between biological remains and their potential donor is determined by the random match probability of the haplotype. This probability is based on the haplotype's population frequency estimate. Consequently, implementing a population study representative of the population relevant to a forensic case is vital to correctly evaluating the evidence. The emerging number of poaching cases and the limited availability of such data emphasizes the need for an improved fallow deer mtDNA population databank for forensic purposes, including targeting the entire mitochondrial control region. By sequencing a 945-base-pair-long segment of the mitochondrial control region in 138 animals from five populations in Hungary, we found four different haplotypes, including one which had not yet been described. Our results, supplemented with data already available from previous research, do not support the possibility of determining the population of origin, although some patterns of geographical separation can be distinguished. Estimates of molecular diversity indicate similarly low mtDNA diversity (Hd = 0.565 and π = 0.002) compared to data from other countries. The calculated random match probability of 0.547 shows a high probability of coincidence and, therefore, a limited capacity for exclusion. Our results indicate that despite the overall low genetic diversity of mtDNA within the Hungarian fallow deer samples, a pattern of differentiation among the regions is present, which can have relevance from a forensic point of view.

Distribution of large lungworms (Nematoda: Dictyocaulidae) in free-roaming populations of red deer Cervus elaphus (L.) with the description of Dictyocaulus skrjabini n. sp.

Lungworms of the genus Dictyocaulus are causative agents of parasitic bronchitis in domestic and wild ungulates. This study investigates the distribution, morphology and genetic diversity of D. cervi and a new lungworm species, Dictyocaulus skrjabini n. sp. infecting red deer Cervus elaphus, fallow deer Dama dama and moose Alces alces in Poland and Sweden. The study was conducted on 167 red deer from Poland and on the DNA of lungworms derived from 7 fallow deer, 4 red deer and 2 moose collected in Sweden. The prevalence of D. cervi and D. skrjabini n. sp. in dissected red deer in Poland was 31.1% and 7.2%, respectively. Moreover, D. skrjabini n. sp. was confirmed molecularly in 7 isolates of fallow deer lungworms and 1 isolate of red deer lungworms from Sweden. Dictyocaulus skrjabini n. sp. was established based on combination of their distinct molecular and morphological features; these included the length of cephalic vesicle, buccal capsule (BC), buccal capsule wall (BCW), distance from anterior extremity to the nerve ring, the width of head, oesophagus, cephalic vesicle, BC and BCW, as well as the dimensions of reproductive organs of male and female. Additionally, molecular analyses revealed 0.9% nucleotide sequence divergence for 1,605 bp SSU rDNA, and 16.5­17.3% nucleotide sequence divergence for 642 bp mitochondrial cytB between D. skrjabini n. sp. and D. cervi, respectively, and 18.7­19% between D. skrjabini n. sp. and D. eckerti, which translates into 18.2­18.7% amino acid sequence divergence between D. skrjabini n. sp. and both lungworms.

Documentation of Genetic Diversity by Insulin-Like Growth Factor1 Receptor (Exon2) Gene for Fallow Deer (Dama dama) in Iraq.

Insulin-Like Growth Factor1 Receptor (Exon2) (IGF1R) gene plays a vital role in physiological impacts, such as growth, development, reproduction, and metabolism. A significant difference was noted between the IGR1R (exon 2) gene and the body weight of Dama dama. In addition, the heterozygosity pattern (AB) was significantly higher than the other pattern (AA). There are three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; 144G>C, 147A>G, and 210A>C) within the IGF-1R (exon 2) locus. The statistical analyses indicated the presence of three different haplotypes (GAA, CAA, and GGC). The analysis of relative frequencies indicated that the most frequent haplotype in the studied Dama dama population was Hap3 (GGC) (43.4782%) out of the three observed haplotypes. The results of SSCP-PCR revealed the variability of the target gene between the genotype frequencies in Fallow deer (Dama dama) with a high level of significance (P≤0.01) with two patterns (AA and AB) and an absence of BB pattern. The allele frequency of AA record a high level (71.74%) than the other genotype (AB) (28.26%), with a high-frequency level of the A allele (0.86) than the B allele (0.14). In current findings, SSCP genotyped in the Dama dama DNA observed an estimated 72% monomorphic loci and 28% polymorphic loci approximately. Hardy Weinberg equilibrium test (HW) was applied to the SSCP-PCR data matrix, and the statistical test was based on a chi-square (χ2) test. Chi-square was (55.928%) with a highly significant level (P≤0.01) recorded in the present study. As related to AA and AB genotypes mean, a significant difference (P≤0.05) was noted between IGF1R (exon 2) gene with a body weight of Dama dama, as well as the heterozygosity pattern (AB), was significantly (P≤0.05) higher than the other pattern (AA) (30.34±3.01kg versus 24.85±1.94kg), respectively. A significant impact (P≤0.05) between IGF1R (exon2) polymorphism and heart girth was founded to be related to the AB pattern (heterozygous) (76.92 ± 3.20 cm), whereas the lower value was related to the AA pattern (71.33 ± 2.49 cm). No significant differences in effects were shown in relation to body length and height at the shoulder. The present study is also interested in genetic characterization by calculating (Ne) as a tool for genetic diversity. Therefore, the number of alleles detected (Na) indicates that two alleles only were unique in the population of the study, with (1.3204) being the number of efficient alleles (Ne). Moreover, Shannon's Information index was recorded at 0.4073. The observed homozygosity (O.Hom.) and heterozygosity (HO) were (0.7174 and 0.2826), respectively. The values of expected homozygosity (E.Hom.) and heterozygosity (HE) were 0.7547 and 0.2453, respectively. The genetic diversity of Nei was 0.2427. The results showed an unexpected influx of IGF1R diversity measured by Fis and recorded the value (- 0.1646). In this sense, the results of the current study may be considered an approximation to the total genetic diversity of the population of Dama dama in Iraq, but the information obtained is relevant to proposing the strategies of conservation for the genetic diversity observed.

A Selection of 14 Tetrameric Microsatellite Markers for Genetic Investigations in Fallow Deer (Dama dama).

The fallow deer (Dama dama) represents significant game management value globally, and human activities are significantly impacting the species. Besides the positive effects, these activities can threaten its existence, health, and value. The aim of the authors was to develop a tetranucleotide microsatellite panel that could be clearly interpreted and used for genetic testing of fallow deer. Such a panel did not exist until now and could be particularly useful in the field of conservation genetics and forensics. A total of 99 tetrameric microsatellites, originally designed for related deer species, were tested on 20 fallow deer individuals from five Hungarian sampling areas. Original and newly designed primers were used to amplify the microsatellite regions using previously published or optimized PCR protocols. The lengths and sequences of specific amplicons were detected using capillary electrophoresis, and the rate of polymorphism was determined. Altogether, 80 markers provided PCR products of adequate quality and quantity. Among them, 15 markers proved to be polymorphic (2-5 alleles/locus), and 14 tetrameric markers were selected for further analysis. Statistical calculations showed that the selected polymorphic microsatellites can potentially enable key individualization in many areas of wildlife and population genetics, thus protecting the species.

Parainfluenza and corona viruses in a fallow deer (Dama dama) with fatal respiratory disease.

Parainfluenza virus type 3 (PIV-3) and coronaviruses (CoV) are commonly found in respiratory tracts of ruminants and capable of causing clinical disease. Here, we investigated the cause of ill-thrift and sudden death in a five-month-old male fallow deer which occurred in December 2019. The calf was one of the five calves in a herd of 170 deer that, along with three adult hinds, died during a 2-week period. The deer calves were in a shed, sharing airspace with young cattle that had been reported to be coughing. Significant gross pathology was observed in the respiratory and alimentary tracts of the deer calf and histopathology of the lung and trachea was suggestive of likely involvement of PIV-3. Strong and specific cytoplasmic labeling of bronchiolar epithelium and terminal airway, alike those seen with PIV-3 pneumonia in cattle, was observed using a polyclonal bovine PIV-3 antibody. Metagenomic analysis detected a PIV-3 and a CoV in the lung tissue. The PIV-3 L protein gene had the highest sequence identity with those of bovine PIV-3 (83.1 to 98.4%) and phylogenetically clustered with bovine PIV-3 in the genotype C. The CoV spike protein gene shared 96.7% to 97.9% sequence identity with those of bovine CoVs, but only 53.1% identity with SARS-CoV-2 reference virus. We believe this is the first report of PIV-3 and CoV co-infection in fallow deer and their association with fatal pneumonia; major pathology caused by PIV-3.

Finding a suitable coat: The ecology of the invasive deer ked (Lipoptena cervi (Linnaeus, 1758); Diptera: Hippoboscidae), an ectoparasite of large mammals in the Czech Republic.

Some parasitic diseases of wild animals are transmissible to humans and cause health problems. A widespread ectoparasite of vertebrates is the deer ked, Lipoptena cervi ((L.); Diptera: Hippoboscidae). We studied the interaction of this parasite with habitat-related, host-related, and temporal factors in the Czech Republic. We analysed observations of its abundance in hunted wild animals in the context of their environment. Our results confirmed that cervids are a preferred host species. Most of the other relationships between ked abundance and the studied factors were probably due to the olfactory preferences of keds. Males and older individuals of the game host species were more attractive to the parasites for this reason. The higher abundance of keds at the beginning of the hunting season can be explained by their phenology. The deer ked can significantly affect the management of game species. We conclude that its preference for older male cervids is important for the future conditions of game animals. The population densities of deer keds in areas with high parasitization rates could thus be influenced by active game management.

Fallow Deer (Dama dama) as a Reservoir of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (STEC).

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia (E.) coli (STEC) are responsible for the outbreaks of serious diseases in humans. Only a few reports on fallow deer as a reservoir of foodborne pathogens have been published to date. The purpose of this study was to determine the occurrence of STEC strains in the fallow deer population in Poland. In all, 94 fallow deer swabs were tested. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to detect the virulence profile of stx1, stx2 and eae or aggR genes, to identify the subtypes of stx1 and stx2 genes and to perform O and H serotyping. STEC and attaching and effacing (AE)-STEC were identified in 13 isolates (13.83%). The most hazardous virulence profile was detected in three strains, namely stx2d serotype O103:HNM, eae/stx1a serotype O26:HNM and eae/stx1a serotype O157:H7. The predominant stx gene was stx2, which was identified in 76.92% of isolates. E. coli O157 was detected in 4/94 (4.26%). Other E. coli serogroups, O26, O103, O111 and O145, were identified in 14/94 fallow deer (14.89%). The present findings suggest that fallow deer are carriers of STEC/AE-STEC that are potentially pathogenic to humans.

T-CELL LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA IN A FALLOW DEER (DAMA DAMA).

A 17-yr-old female fallow deer presented with ataxia, inappetence, decreased fecal output, and decreased mentation. A complete blood count demonstrated leukocytosis (24.1×10(3)/µl, n=1.16-7.38×10(3)/µl), characterized by lymphocytosis (22.89×10(3)/µl, n=0.18-3.65×10(3)/µl), anemia (packed cell volume 20%, n=29.0-55.8%), decreased red blood cell count (4.1×10(3)/µl, n=6.86-14.72×10(3)/µl), and decreased hemoglobin (7.5 g/dl, n=9.4-19.2 g/dl). Numerous mature, well-differentiated lymphocytes were noted on the blood film. Despite treatment and clinical improvement, the decision was made to euthanize the deer. Histopathology identified a monomorphic population of CD3 positive, CD79a negative small lymphocytes replacing most of the hematopoietic tissue in the bone marrow without evidence of tissue invasion. Results of viral screening were negative.