Environmental contamination with feces of free-roaming dogs and the risk of transmission of Echinococcus and Taenia species in urban regions of southeastern Iran.

BACKGROUND: Dogs are the most important definitive hosts of zoonotic taeniid helminths worldwide. Different Echinococcus and Taenia species of domestic and wild carnivores pose a potential risk to human population. High populations of free-roaming dogs (FRDs) in urban areas of Iran and widespread contamination of the environment with dog feces is a potential source of infecting people living in the urban regions with cystic echinococcosis (CE). Our knowledge on the risk of CE transmission in the urban settings in the endemic regions is limited. The present study surveyed the species and genotypes of E. granulosus sensu lato and other taeniids by examining feces of free-roaming dogs in the urban areas in the city of Kerman, southeastern Iran. METHODS: The city was divided into 100 consecutive blocks of which 25 blocks were randomly selected. Fecal samples of FRDs were counted, mapped and fresh samples were collected. Then Zinc chloride flotation, and sequential sieving was performed, and the samples were examined under an inverted microscope. Single individual taeniid eggs were isolated, partial nad1 gene was amplified and sequenced to identify species and genotypes. RESULTS: In total 5607 fecal samples of dogs were mapped and 83 fresh samples were collected. Taeniid eggs were detected in nine fecal samples (10.8%) from seven out of the 25 city blocks (28.0%). Echinococcus eggs were found in four samples (4.8%) from three city blocks, two samples containing E. granulosus sensu stricto (2.4%), two samples containing E. canadensis G6/7 (2.4%). In addition, three samples contained eggs of Taenia hydatigena (3.6%), and one sample of Taenia serialis (1.2%). CONCLUSIONS: This study documented the potential risk of CE transmission to humans resulting from the feces of dogs roaming freely in urban areas.

Public perceptions of free-roaming dogs and cats in India and the United States.

In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to describe differences between India and the United States in public perceptions of free-roaming dogs and cats, concerns related to free-roaming animals, and preferred strategies for veterinary medical interventions and population management. Between August 2021 and February 2022, 498 individuals completed an online survey including 210 Indian respondents and 288 American respondents. Free-roaming dogs and cats were largely perceived as community animals among Indian respondents, with significantly more respondents indicating they should be allowed to roam freely compared with American respondents. Respondents from both countries were concerned about animal welfare, although Americans were significantly more likely to list animal welfare, public health and wildlife risks as significant concerns related to free-roaming cats and dogs. American respondents were also more likely to support adoption for sociable animals and euthanasia for unsociable animals, whereas Indian respondents were more likely to support spay/neuter, vaccinate and release strategies for both dogs and cats. Our findings speak to the importance of implementing tailored strategies for free-roaming cat and dog management based on local cultures and community perceptions of free-roaming animals.

Viruses of free-roaming and hunting dogs in Uganda show elevated prevalence, richness and abundance across a gradient of contact with wildlife.

Domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) live with humans, frequently contact other animals and may serve as intermediary hosts for the transmission of viruses. Free-roaming dogs, which account for over 70% of the world's domestic dog population, may pose a particularly high risk in this regard. We conducted an epidemiological study of dog viromes in three locations in Uganda, representing low, medium and high rates of contact with wildlife, ranging from dogs owned specifically for traditional hunting in a biodiversity and disease 'hotspot' to pets in an affluent suburb. We quantified rates of contact between dogs and wildlife through owner interviews and conducted canine veterinary health assessments. We then applied broad-spectrum viral metagenomics to blood plasma samples, from which we identified 46 viruses, 44 of which were previously undescribed, in three viral families, Sedoreoviridae, Parvoviridae and Anelloviridae. All 46 viruses (100 %) occurred in the high-contact population of dogs compared to 63 % and 39 % in the medium- and low-contact populations, respectively. Viral prevalence ranged from 2.1 % to 92.0 % among viruses and was highest, on average, in the high-contact population (22.3 %), followed by the medium-contact (12.3 %) and low-contact (4.8 %) populations. Viral richness (number of viruses per dog) ranged from 0 to 27 and was markedly higher, on average, in the high-contact population (10.2) than in the medium-contact (5.7) or low-contact (2.3) populations. Viral richness was strongly positively correlated with the number of times per year that a dog was fed wildlife and negatively correlated with the body condition score, body temperature and packed cell volume. Viral abundance (cumulative normalized metagenomic read density) varied 124-fold among dogs and was, on average, 4.1-fold higher and 2.4-fold higher in the high-contact population of dogs than in the low-contact or medium-contact populations, respectively. Viral abundance was also strongly positively correlated with the number of times per year that a dog was fed wildlife, negatively correlated with packed cell volume and positively correlated with white blood cell count. These trends were driven by nine viruses in the family Anelloviridae, genus Thetatorquevirus, and by one novel virus in the family Sedoreoviridae, genus Orbivirus. The genus Orbivirus contains zoonotic viruses and viruses that dogs can acquire through ingestion of infected meat. Overall, our findings show that viral prevalence, richness and abundance increased across a gradient of contact between dogs and wildlife and that the health status of the dog modified viral infection. Other ecological, geographic and social factors may also have contributed to these trends. Our finding of a novel orbivirus in dogs with high wildlife contact supports the idea that free-roaming dogs may serve as intermediary hosts for viruses of medical importance to humans and other animals.

Habitat Selection by Free-Grazing Sheep in a Mountain Pasture.

For centuries, mountain grasslands have been part of the grazing cycle of sheep and cattle in extensive management systems in the Pyrenees; however, traditional guided herding has been, in many cases, replaced by free-ranging flocks at these pastures. The goal of this study was to analyze the grazing behavior of free-ranging sheep in mountain pastures using GPS-based tracking systems and Geographic Information Systems. During the summer seasons of 2019, 2020, and 2021, a transterminant flock of free-ranging sheep was tracked with GPS devices attached to collars at the mountain pastures of Collarada mountain (Central Pyrenees, Spain). Preferences for grazing on certain geomorphological features (slope, aspect, and altitude) and different plant communities present in the area were evaluated using the Manly's standardized preference index. The results show that sheep prefer altitudes between 2400 and 2600 m; SE-, SW-, and E-facing sites; and slopes under 20%. The preferred pastures were Festucion eskiae, Primulion intricatae, and Nardion strictae; however, they reject Festucion scopariae communities. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of GPS and GIS technologies in monitoring free-ranging sheep activity, providing valuable data for enhancing pastoral practices and ensuring sustainable pasture use.

Prediction of the size and spatial distribution of free-roaming dog populations in urban areas of Nepal.

A factor constraining the elimination of dog-mediated human rabies is limited information on the size and spatial distribution of free-roaming dog populations (FRDPs). The aim of this study was to develop a statistical model to predict the size of free-roaming dog populations and the spatial distribution of free-roaming dogs in urban areas of Nepal, based on real-world dog census data from the Himalayan Animal Rescue Trust (HART) and Animal Nepal. Candidate explanatory variables included proximity to roads, building density, specific building types, human population density and normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI). A multivariable Poisson point process model was developed to estimate dog population size in four study locations in urban Nepal, with building density and distance from nearest retail food establishment or lodgings as explanatory variables. The proposed model accurately predicted, within a 95 % confidence interval, the surveyed FRDP size and spatial distribution for all four study locations. This model is proposed for further testing and refinement in other locations as a decision-support tool alongside observational dog population size estimates, to inform dog health and public health initiatives including rabies elimination efforts to support the 'zero by 30' global mission.

Home range size and habitat selection of owned outdoor domestic cats (Felis catus) in urban southwestern Ontario.

Domestic cats (Felis catus) play a dual role in society as both companion animals and predators. When provided with unsupervised outdoor access, cats can negatively impact native wildlife and create public health and animal welfare challenges. The effective implementation of management strategies, such as buffer zones or curfews, requires an understanding of home range size, the factors that influence their movement, and the types of habitats they use. Here, we used a community/citizen scientist approach to collect movement and habitat use data using GPS collars on owned outdoor cats in the Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge-Guelph region, southwestern Ontario, Canada. Mean (± SD) 100% minimum convex polygon home range size was 8 ± 8 ha (range: 0.34-38 ha) and was positively associated with road density but not with intrinsic factors such as boldness, sex, or age. With regards to habitat selection, cats used greenspaces, roads, and agricultural land less often than predicted but strongly selected for impervious surfaces (urban areas other than greenspaces or roads). Our results suggest that wildlife near buildings and residential areas are likely at the greatest risk of cat predation and that a buffer size of 840 m would be needed to restrict cats from entering areas of conservation concern.

Prospective Investigation of Feline Leukemia Virus Infection in Stray Cats Subjected to a Trap-Neuter-Return Program in Switzerland.

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) remains a serious concern in some countries despite advances in diagnostics and vaccines. FeLV-infected cats often have reduced lifespans due to FeLV-associated diseases. The infection is transmitted through social interactions. While Northern European countries have reported a decrease in FeLV among pet cats, Switzerland's rates remain stagnant at 2.7% (2016/17: 95% CI 1.4-5.2%). Research on FeLV in Swiss stray cats has been lacking, even though these animals could serve as a virus reservoir. Sampling stray cats that do not receive regular veterinary care can be challenging. Collaboration with the Swiss Network for Animal Protection (NetAP) allowed for the prospective collection of saliva samples from 1711 stray cats during a trap-neuter-return program from 2019 to 2023. These samples were tested for FeLV RNA using RT-qPCR as a measure for antigenemia. Viral RNA was detected in 4.0% (95% CI 3.1-5.0%) of the samples, with 7.7% (95% CI 4.9-11.3%) in sick cats and 3.3% (95% CI 2.4-4.4%) in healthy ones. We identified three geographically independent hotspots with alarmingly high FeLV infection rates in stray cats (up to 70%). Overall, including the previous data of privately owned cats, FeLV-positive cats were scattered throughout Switzerland in 24/26 cantons. Our findings underscore welfare concerns for FeLV infections among stray cats lacking veterinary attention, highlighting the potential risk of infection to other free-roaming cats, including those privately owned. This emphasizes the critical significance of vaccinating all cats with outdoor access against FeLV and developing programs to protect cats from FeLV infections.

Tiletamine-Zolazepam, Ketamine, and Xylazine Anesthetic Protocol for High-Quality, High-Volume Spay and Neuter of Free-Roaming Cats in Seoul, Korea.

This study was performed to evaluate the anesthetic protocol used in the high-quality, high-volume spay and neuter (HQHVSN) of free-roaming cats in Seoul, Korea from 2017 to 2022. The evaluation was performed on a total of 1261 free-roaming cats, with an average weight of 3.48 ± 1.04 kg. The anesthetic combination tiletamine-zolazepam, ketamine, and xylazine (ZKX) was injected intramuscularly. The actual drug doses administered were tiletamine-zolazepam 5.52 ± 1.70 mg/kg, ketamine 8.94 ± 3.60 mg/kg, and xylazine 1.11 ± 0.34 mg/kg. Additional doses were required in 275 cats out of a total of 1261 (21.8%). Following anesthesia and surgery, 1257 cats (99.7%) were returned to their original locations. Four cats (0.3%) died postoperatively. The mean duration of anesthesia (from ZKX combination to yohimbine administration) was 26 ± 22 min for males and 55 ± 36 min for females, while the time from yohimbine administration to the recovery was 31 ± 22 min for males and 20 ± 17 min for females. The use of ZKX for HQHVSN of free-roaming cats is inexpensive, provides predictable results, can be administered quickly and easily in a small volume, and is associated with a low mortality rate during the first 72 h post-surgery.

Community Engagement and the Effectiveness of Free-Roaming Cat Control Techniques: A Systematic Review.

Although free-roaming and feral cat control techniques are often applied in human communities, community engagement is not always considered. A systematic literature review following an update of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) methodology was conducted to evaluate whether community engagement influences the effectiveness of control techniques, excluding culling, in managing cat populations. The degree of community engagement was estimated based on the number of roles reported during the application of the control technique, which included adoption, trapping, care, and/or education. Education followed by adoption was the determining factor in the decreasing cat populations over time. The limited evaluations of control technique effectiveness, narrow geographical scope, and our simple measure of engagement emphasize the need for more detailed studies. These studies should evaluate the effectiveness of control techniques, while considering community engagement more comprehensively.

A Survey of Public Opinion on Community Cats' General Health and Relationship Quality with Residents in Urban China.

The management and coexistence of community cats in urban areas is a growing concern amid global urbanization. Through a survey-based investigation, we examine the residents' perceptions of the general health of community cats and human-cat relationships in urban China. The data from 5382 participants revealed that approximately 70% of participants perceived community cats as being in good health, and 60% reported harmonious or non-conflict coexistence between residents and these cats. Around 45% of the participants rescued or helped community cats, 38% expressed their intention to adopt, and 18% complained about the issues of community cats to management staff. Linear, logistic, and multilevel-logistic regressions were employed to examine the associations between the types of cities and communities or the participants' socio-demographics and the perceived well-being of community cats or human-cat relationships. The results show that the cats in fourth-tier cities (e.g., county-level cities) had poorer living conditions than in first-tier cities (e.g., Beijing), while the cats in urban village communities (e.g., villages in the city) were less likely to exhibit good health than in ordinary commercial housing communities. The results also show that socio-demographic variables, such as educational attainment, marital status, and income level, predicted participants' relationships with community cats. This study is the first of its kind. It provides valuable insights for stakeholders to develop effective policies and interventions on cat management, emphasizing the need for tailored strategies in diverse urban settings and populations.

Effects of unstable ß-PheRS on food avoidance, growth, and development are suppressed by the appetite hormone CCHa2.

Amino acyl-tRNA synthetases perform diverse non-canonical functions aside from their essential role in charging tRNAs with their cognate amino acid. The phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase (PheRS/FARS) is an α2ß2 tetramer that is needed for charging the tRNAPhe for its translation activity. Fragments of the α-subunit have been shown to display an additional, translation-independent, function that activates growth and proliferation and counteracts Notch signalling. Here we show in Drosophila that overexpressing the ß-subunit in the context of the complete PheRS leads to larval roaming, food avoidance, slow growth, and a developmental delay that can last several days and even prevents pupation. These behavioural and developmental phenotypes are induced by PheRS expression in CCHa2+ and Pros+ cells. Simultaneous expression of ß-PheRS, α-PheRS, and the appetite-inducing CCHa2 peptide rescued these phenotypes, linking this ß-PheRS activity to the appetite-controlling pathway. The fragmentation dynamic of the excessive ß-PheRS points to ß-PheRS fragments as possible candidate inducers of these phenotypes. Because fragmentation of human FARS has also been observed in human cells and mutations in human ß-PheRS (FARSB) can lead to problems in gaining weight, Drosophila ß-PheRS can also serve as a model for the human phenotype and possibly also for obesity.

Toxascaris leonina in dogs - A nematode species of high prevalence in some regions of Eurasia.

A recent meta-analysis of studies from around the world had shown a global prevalence of Toxascaris leonina in stray dogs of about 7%. However, studies from Eurasian regions, where higher percentages of positive dogs were often found, were under-represented in this meta-analysis. This prompted the present study. Its main objective was to examine free-roaming dogs from the capital city of Kazakhstan to obtain information on the current occurrence of T. leonina egg shedding compared to Toxocara spp. Faecal samples from 500 free-roaming dogs from the city of Astana and its suburbs were collected 1-2 days after admission to the municipal animal shelter during three time periods (May to October 2019, September 2020, and April 2021). Samples were examined by a saline flotation method. Nematode egg-positive samples were subjected to a modified McMaster method to determine the number of eggs per gram of faeces (EPG). Toxascaris leonina eggs were found in 53.8% and Toxocara spp. eggs in 14.8% of the dogs examined. The prevalence of T. leonina egg shedding was significantly associated with age class but not with sex: dogs aged between 6 months and 2 years were more likely to be T. leonina egg positive than puppies. The intensity of T. leonina egg shedding was also age dependent: dogs aged between 6 months and 2 years had significantly higher EPGs compared to younger or older animals. In contrast, the prevalence of Toxocara spp. egg shedding was associated with both age class and sex: dogs older than 2 years were less likely to shed Toxocara spp. eggs than puppies, and females were less likely to be Toxocara spp. egg positive compared to males. The present results confirm those of other studies in Eurasian regions. It is therefore reasonable to assume that the global prevalence of T. leonina infection has been underestimated and should be revised accordingly.

Immunocontraceptive Efficacy of Native Porcine Zona Pellucida (pZP) Treatment of Nevada's Virginia Range Free-Roaming Horse Population.

In North America, range constraints due to burgeoning development increasingly encroach on wild horse habitat and necessitate effective but humane reproductive management. The largest free-roaming wild horse fertility control program by population (>3500) and territory size (≈300,000 acres) is located within Nevada's Virginia Range. Data from a field study investigated porcine zona pellucida (pZP) immunocontraception via remote dart delivery to mares in this population. Analyses aimed to measure efficacy by treatment effects on annual birth rates and population demographics and to evaluate treatment frequency and season against these variables. Analyses included mares' monthly data (January 2019-December 2022; 48 months), characterized by cumulative vaccination numbers subset into four classifications considering the vaccine as having no loss of efficacy or a loss within a 6-, 12-, and 18-month period post vaccination; from foaling data, the likelihood of being in foal and of conceiving in that month; and from age, as mature or immature (<1 years-old). A downward foaling rate and trend in the numbers of mature mares, descriptively presented at monthly intervals, showed markedly declining annual seasonal breeding peaks, with no observed change in foaling season or duration. Within four years, population coverage surpassed 70% and was associated with a 58% reduction in foaling, with only a 10% conception rate. Vaccinated mares increased proportionally: assuming a 12-month decay rate, the system reached stability at an average ≈1.0 vaccination/mare/year, providing a robust recommendation for treatment frequency contributing to best management practices.

Generalized vehicle routing problem: Contemporary trends and research directions.

Generalized Vehicle Routing Problem (GVRP) is a challenging operational research problem which has been widely studied for nearly two decades. In this problem, it is assumed that graph nodes are grouped into a number of clusters, and serving any node of a cluster eliminates the need to visit the other nodes of that cluster. The general objective of this problem is to find the set of nodes to visit and determine the service sequence to minimize the total traveling cost. In addition to these general conditions, GVRP can be formulated with different assumptions and constraints to practically create different sub-types and variants. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive survey of the GVRP literature and explore its various dimensions. It first encompasses the definition of GVRP, similar problems, mathematical models, classification of different variants and solution methods developed for GVRPs, and practical implications. Finally, some useful suggestions are discussed to extend the problem. For this review study, Google Scholar, Scopus, Science Direct, Emerald, Springer, and Elsevier databases were searched for keywords, and 160 potential articles were extracted, and eventually, 45 articles were judged to be relevant.

Solutions-Based Approach to Urban Cat Management-Case Studies of a One Welfare Approach to Urban Cat Management.

Urban free-roaming cats create concern about their impacts on wildlife and human health, leading to the use of trap-adopt-kill methods to manage these populations. This method is ineffective at decreasing the free-roaming cat population and has a negative impact on cat caregivers' well-being. Using semi-structured interviews, this study explored the relationship that semi-owners (people who feed cats but do not perceive ownership) and owners of multiple cats have with the cats they care for, and the social and psychological impacts of an alternative assistive-centered approach to urban cat management. This approach to semi-owned and owned cats provided free sterilization and preventative healthcare. Our findings demonstrate that the caregivers had a strong emotional bond with the cats they cared for. The caregivers also experienced a positive impact on their quality of life, and indicated an improvement in the cats' welfare after having the cats sterilized through this program. Additionally, the cat caregivers indicated that they had a negative view of agencies, such as the municipal council. It is recommended that an assistive-centered approach to urban cat management be prioritized by local councils and welfare agencies to improve caregivers' quality of life and psychological well-being, whilst also improving cat welfare. The implementation of this assistive-centered management approach could improve the relationship between communities and the agencies involved, leading to the continuous reporting of free-roaming cats for sterilization. This assistive-centered approach has the potential to reduce the free-roaming cat population, their effects on wildlife, nuisance complaints, and council impoundments, and is aligned with the One Welfare philosophy.

Canine parasitoses in north Patagonia (Argentina): comparison between different social and environmental factors.

In many countries, urban areas are commonly contaminated with canine feces that spread parasites, a situation related to the natural and social environment. Dogs having free access to public areas therefore constitutes a health risk. Because in Patagonia there are no records of city comparisons that consider the number of free-roaming dogs and the local environmental and socioeconomic characteristics, in this study we analyse and compare canine parasitoses in two cities of Rio Negro province, Argentina. Canine feces were collected from public areas of El Bolsón and Cipolletti cities and examined using enrichment methods, Kinyoun stain and immunoassay (Copro-Elisa). The total percentage of positive feces in El Bolsón was 68.95% and 16 parasite taxa being identified, whereas in Cipolletti the total positive feces was 41.1%, with 11 taxa. Both cities presented more helminth species than protozoans. The variables that explained the occurrence of all parasites were rainfall and socioeconomic stratum with the highest values being found in low-income areas.Soil moisture is conditioned by rainfall. This study highlights the presence of the zoonotic Echinococcus sp. in dogs in urban areas of the Rio Negro province. The occurrence of this parasite in Cipolletti is unexpected, given that this city is not considered an endemic zone for this disease, which is not included in local monitoring and control plans.

Characteristics of cat semi-owners.

OBJECTIVES: Unowned 'stray' domestic cats threaten wildlife, as well as create a community nuisance and contribute to high rates of euthanasia in animal shelters. These cats can experience poor welfare, contribute to the pet cat population and compromise attempts to control feral cats. However, many unowned domestic cats are cared for by semi-owners who do not consider they own these cats; therefore, semi-owners are a potentially important target population for human behaviour change interventions. The present study aimed to describe the characteristics of cat semi-owners and compare these with the general population of cat owners and non-cat owners to inform future cat management interventions. METHODS: An online questionnaire open to all residents of New South Wales, Australia was developed and advertised. Respondents were asked 'do you care for other free-roaming or stray cats (not including the cats you own)?', whether they owned cats, about characteristics of their home and their agreement with 15 capability, social opportunity and motivation (COM) items relating to cat containment. RESULTS: Questionnaire responses were received from 8708 people, including 588 semi-owners (7%). Semi-owners were significantly more likely to be female, live in urban areas, live in lower socioeconomic areas and rent their home. Most semi-owners also owned their own cats and owned more cats than non-semi-owners. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Semi-owners of unowned 'stray' cats are a valuable potential target audience for human behaviour change interventions. Understanding that these semi-owners often have their own cats, might already be overwhelmed with cat-caring responsibilities and are disproportionately from lower socioeconomic backgrounds should guide intervention design. A nuanced approach is needed that prioritises the wellbeing of cats and semi-owners for semi-owners to 'buy in'. Any intervention should also recognise that semi-owners often face multiple, complex barriers to neutering or claiming ownership of the cats they care for, especially cost, and trust in the authorities.

Suspected clinical toxoplasmosis in a 12-week-old puppy in Singapore.

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasma gondii is traditionally known as a parasite of felids, with possible infection in intermediate hosts such as dogs and humans, and thus a disease of public health significance. Published data on the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in dogs and cats in Singapore is scanty, and this paper documents a suspect clinical case of toxoplasmosis in a free-roaming puppy trapped from an offshore island of Singapore. CASE PRESENTATION: A 12-week-old puppy presented with hindlimb weakness and sarcopenia, with rapidly progressing ascending paralysis and respiratory distress, one week after trapping. Toxoplasmosis was suspected after indirect fluorescence antibody testing (IFAT) revealed anti-T. gondii antibodies. The puppy responded quickly to clindamycin treatment and was discharged from hospital after 10 days. CONCLUSION: While rare and undocumented, veterinary clinicians in Singapore are advised to also include toxoplasmosis infection as a differential diagnosis in dogs presenting with similar clinical signs. This is especially so for dogs which have access to the outdoors.

Detection and Molecular Characterization of Adenoviruses in Captive and Free-Roaming African Green Monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus): Evidence for Possible Recombination and Cross-Species Transmission.

In the present study, 31 samples (12 fecal, 9 nasal and 10 rectal swabs) from 28/92 (30.43%, 10 captive and 18 free-roaming African green monkeys (AGMs, Chlorocebus sabaeus)) apparently healthy AGMs in the Caribbean Island of St. Kitts tested positive for adenoviruses (AdVs) by DNA-dependent DNA polymerase (pol)-, or hexon-based screening PCR assays. Based on analysis of partial deduced amino acid sequences of Pol- and hexon- of nine AGM AdVs, at least two AdV genetic variants (group-I: seven AdVs with a Simian mastadenovirus-F (SAdV-F)/SAdV-18-like Pol and hexon, and group-II: two AdVs with a SAdV-F/SAdV-18-like Pol and a Human mastadenovirus-F (HAdV-F)/HAdV-40-like hexon) were identified, which was corroborated by analysis of the nearly complete putative Pol, complete hexon, and partial penton base sequences of a representative group-I (strain KNA-08975), and -II (KNA-S6) AdV. SAdV-F-like AdVs were reported for the first time in free-roaming non-human primates (NHPs) and after ~six decades from captive NHPs. Molecular characterization of KNA-S6 (and the other group-II AdV) indicated possible recombination and cross-species transmission events involving SAdV-F-like and HAdV-F-like viruses, corroborating the hypothesis that the evolutionary pathways of HAdVs and SAdVs are intermingled, complicated by recombination and inter-species transmission events, especially between related AdV species, such as HAdV-F and SAdV-F. To our knowledge, this is the first report on detection and molecular characterization of AdVs in AGMs.