ORCID Profile
0000-0001-5115-4120
Current Organisations
Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research
,
universita' di perugia
,
Murdoch University
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Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 21-12-2022
DOI: 10.3390/V15010021
Abstract: Since their introduction in 1859, European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) have had a devastating impact on agricultural production and bio ersity in Australia, with competition and land degradation by rabbits being one of the key threats to agricultural and bio ersity values in Australia. Biocontrol agents, with the most important being the rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 1 (RHDV1), constitute the most important landscape-scale control strategies for rabbits in Australia. Monitoring field strain dynamics is complex and labour-intensive. Here, using phylodynamic models to analyse the available RHDV molecular data, we aimed to: investigate the epidemiology of various strains, use molecular data to date the emergence of new variants and evaluate whether different strains are outcompeting one another. We determined that the two main pathogenic lagoviruses variants in Australia (RHDV1 and RHDV2) have had similar dynamics since their release, although over different timeframes (substantially shorter for RHDV2). We also found a strong geographic difference in their activities and evidence of overall competition between the two viruses.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 27-05-2020
DOI: 10.1111/JZO.12791
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 07-06-2021
DOI: 10.1111/TBED.14170
Abstract: Infection with Neospora caninum parasites is a leading cause of reproduction losses in cattle worldwide. In Australia, this loss is estimated to total AU$110 million every year. However, despite this considerable economic impact, the transmission cycle and the host(s) responsible for the sylvatic transmission of the parasite remain to be defined. Dingoes (Canis familiaris) have been suggested to be a wildlife host of N. caninum in Australia, but this is yet to be proven in a nonexperimental setting. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of natural N. caninum shedding in Australian wild dogs (defined as dingoes, dingo-domestic dog hybrids and feral dogs) by performing molecular analysis of faecal s les collected in wild dog populations in south-east Australia. Molecular analysis allowed host species identification and dingo purity testing, while genetic analysis of Coccidia and Neospora conserved genes allowed for parasite identification. Among the 115 s les collected and determined to belong to dingoes, dingo-domestic dog hybrids and foxes, Coccidian parasites were detected in 41 s les and N. caninum was identified in one s le of canine origin from South East Australia (Mansfield). Across all s les collected in Mansfield only 15 in iduals were successfully identified by genotype. Thereby our study determined that 6.7% (1/15, 95% confidence intervals 1.2-29.9) of wild dogs were actively shedding N. caninum oocysts at this site. Further, only four in iduals were identified at a second site (Swift Creek), and none were positive. This study conclusively confirms the role of wild dogs in the horizontal transmission of N. caninum parasites in Australia.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 26-04-2020
DOI: 10.1111/EMR.12411
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 21-12-2022
DOI: 10.1111/AVJ.13223
Abstract: Coxiella burnetii causes significant reproduction losses in livestock and the disease Q fever in humans. Transmission of C. burnetii is facilitated by the stability of the bacterium in the environment and the susceptibility of a variety of host species to infection. Consequently, inter‐species transmission occurs frequently through either direct or indirect contact. Wildlife may represent reservoirs of C. burnetii and could therefore be a source of infection for domestic animals. Understanding the prevalence of C. burnetii infections at the wildlife‐livestock interface is important for disease control. This study aimed to investigate the extent of C. burnetii exposure in wild deer in eastern Australia. Serum s les were obtained from 413 wild deer from seven regions in four eastern Australian states from 2017 to 2020. Antibodies were detected using a commercial Q fever antibody kit validated for ruminants. Seroprevalence of C. burnetii antibodies in deer was determined and true prevalence estimated, for each region. The overall seroprevalence of C. burnetii antibodies in wild deer was 3.4% (14 seropositive of 413 deer s led) with true prevalence estimated to be 4.3% (95% credible interval: 0.6%, 10.9%). Seropositive deer were identified only in Queensland (7/108 seropositive) and northern New South Wales (7/120 seropositive). This geospatial distribution is consistent with seropositivity in other animal species and indicative of the level of C. burnetii in the environment. The low seroprevalence suggests that wild deer are unlikely to be a major reservoir species for C. burnetii in eastern Australia but may still be implicated in inter‐species transmission cycles.
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 11-07-2023
DOI: 10.1071/WR22118
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 06-07-2023
DOI: 10.1071/WR22129
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 02-05-2017
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-12-2019
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 31-03-2021
DOI: 10.1111/TBED.14058
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2021
DOI: 10.1071/WR19193
Abstract: Abstract ContextManagement of human–wildlife conflicts is of critical importance for both wildlife conservation and agricultural production. Population models are commonly used to simulate population dynamics and their responses to management actions. However, it is essential that this class of models captures the drivers and mechanisms necessary to reliably forecast future system dynamics. AimsWe aimed to develop a flexible modelling framework with the capacity to explicitly simulate in idual interactions with baits (with or without the presence of other management tools), for which parameter estimates from field data are available. We also intended for the model to potentially accommodate multi-species interaction and avoidance behaviours. MethodsWe expanded an existing spatially explicit, in idual-based model to directly simulate bait deployment, animal movements and bait consumption. We demonstrated the utility of this model using a case study from Western Australia where we considered two possible exclusion-fence scenarios, namely, the completion of a landscape-scale and smaller-scale fences. Within each of these proposed cells, using data obtained from a camera-trap study, we evaluated the performance of two levels of baiting to control wild dogs (Canis familiaris), in contrast with the option of no control. ResultsThe present study represents a substantial step forward in accurately modelling predator dynamics. When applying our model to the case study, for ex le, it was straightforward to investigate whether outcomes were sensitive to the bait-encounter probability. We could further explore interactions between baiting regimes and different fence designs and demonstrate how wild dog eradication could be achieved in the smaller cell under the more intense control scenarios. In contrast, the landscape-scale fence had only minor effects unless it was implemented as a preventive measure in an area where wild dogs were not already established. ConclusionsThe new component of the model presented here provides fine-scale control of single components of in idual–bait interactions. ImplicationsThe effect of management actions (e.g. lures) that affect this process can be easily investigated. Multi-species modelling and avoidance behaviours can readily be implemented, making the present study widely relevant for a range of contexts such as multi-species competition or non-target bait uptake.
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 04-2022
DOI: 10.1101/2022.03.30.486475
Abstract: Innumerable approaches to analyse genetic data are now available to guide conservation, ecological and agricultural projects. However, streamlined and accessible tools are needed to bring these approaches within reach of a broader user base. dartR was released in 2018 to lessen the intrinsic complexity of analysing single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and dominant markers (presence/absence of lified sequence tags) by providing user-friendly data quality control and marker selection functions. dartR users have grown steadily since its release and provided valuable feedback on their interaction with the package allowing us to enhance dartR capabilities. Here, we present Version 2 of dartR. In this iteration, we substantially increased the number of available functions from 45 to 144. In addition to improved functionality, we focused on enhancing the user experience by extending plot customisation, function standardisation, increasing user support and function speed. dartR provides functions for various stages in analysing genetic data, from data manipulation to reporting. dartR provides many functions for importing, exporting and linking to other packages, to provide an easy-to-navigate conduit between data generation and analysis options already available via other packages. We also implemented simulation functions whose results can be analysed seamlessly with several other dartR functions. As more methods and approaches mature to inform conservation, we envision that accessible platforms to analyse genetic data will play a crucial role in translating science into practice.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2021
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 11-07-2022
Abstract: Innumerable approaches to analyse genetic data are now available to guide conservation, ecological and agricultural projects. However, streamlined and accessible tools are needed to bring these approaches within the reach of a broader user base. dartR was released in 2018 to lessen the intrinsic complexity of analysing single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and dominant markers (presence/absence of lified sequence tags) by providing user‐friendly data quality control and marker selection functions. dartR users have grown steadily since its release and provided valuable feedback on their interaction with the package allowing us to enhance dartR capabilities. Here, we present Version 2 of dartR . In this version, we substantially increased the number of available functions from 45 to 144. In addition to improved functionality, we focused on enhancing the user experience by extending plot customisation, function standardisation, increasing user support and function speed. dartR provides functions for various stages in analysing genetic data, from data manipulation to reporting. dartR provides many functions for importing, exporting and linking to other packages, to provide an easy‐to‐navigate conduit between data generation and analysis options already available via other packages. We also implemented simulation functions whose results can be analysed seamlessly with several other dartR functions. As more methods and approaches mature to inform conservation, we envision that accessible platforms to analyse genetic data will play a crucial role in translating science into practice.
Location: Australia
No related grants have been discovered for Carlo Pacioni.