Unveiling the Fecal Microbiota in Two Captive Mexican Wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) Populations Receiving Different Type of Diets.

The Mexican wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) was once distributed in southern United States and northern Mexico. It is an endangered subspecies detached from the gray wolf, and likely exemplifies one of the original migration waves of C. lupus into the new world. This is a canine whose individuals survive in specialized facilities, zoos, and museums as part of captive-breeding programs. In order to contribute to the improvement of the management of this species and favor its long-term conservation in Mexico, we aimed to evaluate the diversity and abundance of the fecal bacterial microbiota in two populations exposed to different types of diet: (1) Michilia (23° N, 104° W); kibble daily and raw meat sporadically, and (2) Ocotal (19° N, 99° W); raw meat daily and live animals periodically. Next generation sequencing (V3-V4 16S rRNA gene) by Illumina was implemented. The operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in Michilia resulted in 9 phyla, 19 classes, 34 orders, 61 families, 204 genera, and 316 species, while in Ocotal there were 12 phyla, 24 classes, 37 orders, 69 families, 232 genera, and 379 species. Higher estimated Chao1 richness, Shannon diversity, and core microbiota were observed in Ocotal. Differences (p < 0.05) between populations occurred according to the Bray-Curtis beta diversity index. In the Michilia, dominance of bacteria that degrade carbohydrates (Firmicutes, Lachnospiraceae, Blautia, Clostrodium, Eisenbergiella, Romboutsia, and Ruminococcus) was observed; they are abundant in kibble diets. In contrast, the Ocotal microbiota was dominated by protein-degrading bacteria (Fusobacteria, Fusobacteriaceae, and Fusobacteria), indicating a possible positive relation with a raw meat diet. The information generated in this study is fundamental to support the implementation of better management plans in the two populations considered here, as well as in different facilities of southern United States and Mexico, where this subspecies is kept in captivity for conservation purposes.

First Record of Psorophora ferox In Durango State, Mexico.

During August-November of 2018, mosquito collections were conducted with the intention of monitoring the presence of arboviruses in Durango State, Mexico. Species collected included Psorophora (Janthinosoma) ferox. In Mexico, 24 species of the genus Psorophora have been previously reported, whereas in the state of Durango, only 2 species have been reported: Psorophora (Grabhamia) columbiae and Ps. (Gra.) signipennis. This is the 1st record of Ps. ferox and the subgenus Janthinosoma in Durango. With the addition of Ps. ferox to the list of mosquito species found in Durango, the number of mosquito species occurring in the state stands at 31.

The mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) of Nuevo León, Mexico, with descriptions of two new species.

To document the diversity and distribution of mosquitoes inhabiting the Mexican state of Nuevo León, collection trips were conducted to all physiographic regions (Grand Northamerican Plains, Coastal Plain of North Gulf, and Sierra Madre Oriental) and subregions across the state. A total of 3,176 specimens were collected. Additionally, we re-examined mosquito specimens in two Mexican entomological collections: The Collection of Insects and Mites of Medical Importance and the Collection of Arthropods of Medical Importance. These represent the two culicid subfamilies Anophelinae and Culicinae, 8 tribes, 12 genera, 25 subgenera, and 64 named species. Of these, 1 tribe, 2 genera, 5 subgenera, and 14 species are new records for the mosquito fauna of Nuevo León. Three undescribed species were collected. Two are described in this study: Aedes (Ochlerotatus) amateuri Ortega & Zavortink n. sp., and Aedes (Protomacleaya) lewnielseni Ortega & Zavortink n. sp. The third belongs to the genus Wyeomyia. Twelve species previously recorded from Nuevo León were not collected during this study. Taxonomic notes, new distribution limits, and comments about the medical importance of some species are reported.

First Record of Aedes gabriel in Hidalgo State, Mexico.

Aedesgabriel is one of the rare species endemic in Mexico. This species was originally described from specimens collected in the state of Morelos in 1970; however, very few occurrence records have been published since. During an ovitrap survey of mosquitoes in 2018, eggs of Ae. gabriel were collected for the 1st time in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico. Aedes gabriel appears to have become common and the species is frequently found in ovitraps, and often confused with other common species of Aedes, such as Ae. epactius, Ae. podographicus, Ae. aegypti, and Ae. albopictus. Females of Ae. gabriel are highly anthropophagous and persistent biters in wild habits during the rainy season. Although the medical importance of Ae. gabriel is unknown, its biting habitats and increasing abundance indicate that the potential importance of this species should not be neglected by the public health officials of Mexico.

Detection of Rickettsia spp. in Rhipicephalus sanguineus (sensu lato) collected from free-roaming dogs in Coahuila state, northern Mexico.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to detect and molecularly identify Rickettsia spp. in Rhipicephalus sanguineus (sensu lato) collected from free-roaming dogs in 30 communities from five municipalities in the south of Coahuila State, northern Mexico, where Rocky Mountain spotted fever is endemic. METHODS: In total, 60 dogs from each municipality were examined for engorged ticks. DNA was isolated from tick pools and conventional PCR assays targeting the 23S-5S ribosomal RNA intergenic spacer and outer membrane protein (ompA) gene of Rickettsia spp. were performed. RESULTS: All ticks (n = 1238) were morphologically identified as R. sanguineus (s.l.). Six pools (each with six engorged females) from four municipalities were positive to Rickettsia spp. DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analyses confirmed the presence of R. rickettsii and R. rhipicephali in R. sanguineus (s.l.) in these ticks. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the presence of R. rickettsii and R. rhipicephali in R. sanguineus (s.l.) from stray dogs in the south of Coahuila. This suggests that stray dogs may play a role in the inter-municipal dissemination of infected ticks in this region. Further research is required to assess whether ticks from stray dogs could serve as good indicators for the molecular xenomonitoring of R. rickettsii in this region. Considering that R. sanguineus (s.l.) is a proven vector of R. rickettsii in Mexico, increased awareness regarding permanent tick control in dogs is warranted.

Mosquito Records from Mexico: The Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) of Tamaulipas State.

To document the diversity and distribution of mosquito species inhabiting the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, collection trips were conducted to all physiographic regions (Grand Northamerican Plains, Coastal Plain of North Gulf, and Sierra Madre Oriental) and subregions across the state. Additionally, we re-examined mosquito specimens in two Mexican entomological collections: the Collection of Insects and Mites of Medical Importance and the Collection of Arthropods of Medical Importance. In total, 3,931 specimens were collected. These represent the two Culicidae subfamilies Anophelinae and Culicinae, 10 tribes, 17 genera, 27 subgenera, 80 named species, and 2 undescribed species. Of these, 3 tribes, 6 genera, 7 subgenera, and 20 species are new records for the mosquito fauna of Tamaulipas. Fourteen species recorded in the historical records were not found in collections made for this study. Taxonomic notes, new distribution limits, and comments about the medical importance of some of the species collected are reported.

First record of Culiseta melanura in Mexico, with additional Mexican records for Aedes sollicitans.

Larvae of Culiseta melanura were collected during June 2001 and January 2002 in Nuevo Leon State, Mexico. This is the first record of this species in Mexico. Female and male adults of Aedes sollicitans were collected during May 1992 and June 1994 in Tamaulipas State and Nuevo Leon State, respectively; adult females of Ae. sollicitans were collected also during 1996 from a resting place in Oaxaca State. These records for Ae. sollicitans supplement previous Mexican records of the species. All specimens were identified through examination of adult females, male genitalia, and associated larval exuviae when available.