ORCID Profile
0000-0002-7675-4859
Current Organisation
University of Queensland - Gatton Campus
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Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 2005
DOI: 10.1071/AP05050
Publisher: American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
Date: 09-2018
DOI: 10.1638/2017-0126.1
Abstract: The grey-headed flying fox ( Pteropus poliocephalus) is a species endemic to coastal eastern Australia. This study presents a comprehensive set of biochemistry, hematology, and urinalysis biomarkers from which reference values were derived. Blood s les collected from free-ranging P. poliocephalus were submitted for hematology ( n = 140) and plasma biochemistry ( n = 161) and urine for urinalysis ( n = 95). The values for P. poliocephalus were broadly consistent with those values published for other Australian Pteropus species. Statistically significant within-species age and sex effects were observed: adult P. poliocephalus had higher mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, urea, creatinine, bilirubin, alanine transferase (ALT), protein, globulin, urinary specific gravity, and urinary ketones, whereas subadults had higher mean red blood cell, white blood cell (WBC), lymphocyte, and monocyte counts, and juveniles had higher mean neutrophil count and alkaline phosphatase male P. poliocephalus had higher mean reticulocyte count, alanine transferase, glucose, and urinary ketones, whereas females had higher mean WBC, lymphocyte, and monocyte counts. The findings inform both clinical and research scenarios for P. poliocephalus in captivity or rehabilitation and for health assessments of free-living populations.
Publisher: The Royal Society
Date: 08-2022
DOI: 10.1098/RSOS.220556
Abstract: The large size of free-ranging mysticetes, such as humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae ), make capture and release health assessments unfeasible for conservation research. However, in idual energetic condition or reproductive health may be assessed from the gene expression of remotely biopsied tissue. To do this, researchers must reliably extract RNA and interpret gene expression measurements within the context of an in idual's sex. Here, we outline an RNA extraction protocol from blubber tissue and describe a novel mammalian RNA sex determination method. Our method consists of a duplex reverse transcription-quantitative (real-time) polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) with primer sets for a control gene ( ACTB ) and the X-chromosome inactivation gene ( XIST ). Products of each RT-qPCR had distinct melting temperature profiles based on the presence (female) or absence (male) of the XIST transcript. Using high-resolution melt analysis, reactions were sorted into one of two clusters (male/female) based on their melting profiles. We validated the XIST method by comparing results with a standard DNA-based method. With adequate quantities of RNA (minimum of approx. 9 ng µl −1 ), the XIST sex determination method shows 100% agreement with traditional DNA sex determination. Using the XIST method, future cetacean health studies can interpret gene expression within the context of an in idual's sex, all from a single extraction.
Publisher: Wildlife Disease Association
Date: 09-04-2019
DOI: 10.7589/2018-04-096
Abstract: The spectacled flying fox ( Pteropus conspicillatus) is listed as vulnerable to extinction in Australia. The species' restricted population is in decline, putatively attributed to decreasing habitat, climatic extremes, anthropogenic activities, and more recently, mass mortality events associated with tick paralysis and neonatal cleft palate syndrome. Knowledge of fundamental physiologic parameters of the species is limited. To address this knowledge gap, we s led 50 wild-caught adult spectacled flying foxes in June (winter) in Far North Queensland, Australia. Hematologic and plasma biochemistry reference ranges were established, and a suite of urine biochemistry analytes were measured. Analyte values were compared within spectacled flying fox sex cohorts and between the spectacled flying fox and the paraphyletic black flying fox ( Pteropus alecto). Significant differences in multiple analytes (including erythrocyte, leucocyte, plasma, and urine biochemistry) were found between spectacled flying fox sex cohorts. The majority of spectacled flying fox analyte values did not differ significantly from black flying fox values. Of those analytes that differed between species (erythrocyte, platelet, eosinophil, liver enzyme, and triglyceride levels), the majority were plausibly explained by intraerythrocyte parasite burden and food resource type. Our findings provide baseline data essential to measure and meaningfully interpret flying fox population health in ecologic, conservation, and epidemiologic contexts.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 03-07-2014
Publisher: Scientific Societies
Date: 08-2000
DOI: 10.1094/PHYTO.2000.90.8.921
Abstract: Banana streak virus (BSV) is an important pathogen of bananas and plantains (Musa spp.) throughout the world. We have cloned and sequenced part of the genomes of four isolates of BSV from Australia, designated BSV-RD, BSV-Cav, BSV-Mys, and BSV-GF. These isolates originated from banana cvs. Red Dacca, Williams, Mysore, and Goldfinger, respectively. All clones contained a sequence covering part of open reading frame III and the intergenic region of the badnavirus genome. The sequences were compared with those of other badnaviruses, including BSV-Onne, a previously characterized isolate from Nigeria. The BSV-RD sequence was virtually identical to that of BSV-Onne, differing by only two nucleotides over 1,292 bp. However, BSV-Cav, -Mys, and -GF were ergent in nucleotide sequence. Phylogenetic analyses using conserved sequences in the ribonuclease H domain revealed that all BSV isolates were more closely related to each other than to any other badnavirus. BSV-Cav was most closely related to BSV-Onne, and there was 95.1% identity between the two amino acid sequences. Other relationships between the BSV isolates were less similar, with sequence identities ranging from 66.4 to 78.2%, which is a magnitude comparable to the distance between some of the recognized badnavirus species. Immunocapture-polymerase chain reaction assays have been developed, allowing specific detection and differentiation of the four isolates of BSV.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 12-2015
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 15-10-2015
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 07-06-2023
DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0278792
Abstract: Non-invasively collected faecal s les are an alternative source of DNA to tissue s les, that may be used in genetic studies of wildlife when direct s ling of animals is difficult. Although several faecal DNA extraction methods exist, their efficacy varies between species. Previous attempts to lify mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) markers from faeces of wild dugongs ( Dugong dugon ) have met with limited success and nuclear markers (microsatellites) have been unsuccessful. This study aimed to establish a tool for s ling both mtDNA and nuclear DNA (nDNA) from dugong faeces by modifying approaches used in studies of other large herbivores. First, a streamlined, cost-effective DNA extraction method that enabled the lification of both mitochondrial and nuclear markers from large quantities of dugong faeces was developed. Faecal DNA extracted using a new ‘High Volume- Cetyltrimethyl Ammonium Bromide- Phenol-Chloroform-Isoamyl Alcohol’ (HV-CTAB-PCI) method was found to achieve comparable lification results to extraction of DNA from dugong skin. As most prevailing practices advocate s ling from the outer surface of a stool to maximise capture of sloughed intestinal cells, this study compared lification success of mtDNA between the outer and inner layers of faeces, but no difference in lification was found. Assessment of the impacts of faecal age or degradation on extraction, however, demonstrated that fresher faeces with shorter duration of environmental (seawater) exposure lified both markers better than eroded scats. Using the HV-CTAB-PCI method, nuclear markers were successfully lified for the first time from dugong faeces. The successful lification of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers represents a proof-of-concept showing that DNA from dugong faeces can potentially be utilised in population genetic studies. This novel DNA extraction protocol offers a new tool that will facilitate genetic studies of dugongs and other large and cryptic marine herbivores in remote locations.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 2002
DOI: 10.1071/AP02047
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 09-11-2017
DOI: 10.1101/211466
Abstract: Koala retrovirus (KoRV) is unique amongst endogenous (inherited) retroviruses in that its incorporation to the host genome is still active, providing an opportunity to study what drives this fundamental process in vertebrate genome evolution. Animals in the southern part of the natural range of koalas were previously thought to be either virus free or to have only exogenous variants of KoRV with low rates of KoRV induced disease. In contrast, animals in the northern part of their range universally have both endogenous and exogenous KoRV with very high rates of KoRV induced disease such as lymphoma. This paper uses a combination of sequencing technologies, Illumina RNA sequencing of “southern” (south Australian) and “northern” (SE QLD) koalas and CRISPR enrichment and nanopore sequencing of DNA of “southern” (South Australian and Victorian animals) to retrieve full length loci and intregration sites of KoRV variants. We demonstrate that koalas that tested negative to the KoRV pol gene qPCR, used to detect replication competent KoRV, are not in fact KoRV free but harbour defective, presumably endogenous, “RecKoRV” variants that are not fixed between animals. This indicates that these populations have historically been exposed to KoRV and raises questions as to whether these variants have arisen by chance or whether they provide a protective effect from the infectious forms of KoRV. This latter explanation would offer the intriguing prospect of being able to monitor and selectively breed for disease resistance to protect the wild koala population from KoRV induced disease.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 2000
DOI: 10.1071/AP00023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 2019
DOI: 10.1017/S0950268819001237
Abstract: Hendra virus (HeV) continues to cause fatal infection in horses and threaten infection in close-contact humans in eastern Australia. Species of Pteropus bats (flying-foxes) are the natural reservoir of the virus. We caught and s led flying-foxes from a multispecies roost in southeast Queensland, Australia on eight occasions between June 2013 and June 2014. The effects of s le date, species, sex, age class, body condition score (BCS), pregnancy and lactation on HeV antibody prevalence, log-transformed median fluorescent intensity (lnMFI) values and HeV RNA status were assessed using unbalanced generalised linear models. A total of 1968 flying-foxes were s led, comprising 1012 Pteropus alecto , 742 P. poliocephalus and 214 P. scapulatus . S le date, species and age class were each statistically associated with HeV RNA status, antibody status and lnMFI values BCS was statistically associated with HeV RNA status and antibody status. The findings support immunologically naïve sub-adult P. alecto playing an important role in maintaining HeV infection at a population level. The biological significance of the association between BCS and HeV RNA status, and BCS and HeV antibody status, is less clear and warrants further investigation. Contrary to previous studies, we found no direct association between HeV infection and pregnancy or lactation. The findings in P. poliocephalus suggest that HeV exposure in this species may not result in systemic infection and virus excretion, or alternatively, may reflect assay cross-reactivity with another (unidentified) henipavirus.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 2001
DOI: 10.1071/AP01051
Publisher: Australian Museum
Date: 21-06-2023
DOI: 10.3853/J.1835-4211.38.2023.1834
Abstract: The close genetic relationship between gibbon ape leukaemia virus (GALV) and koala retrovirus (KoRV) has puzzled scientists since its discovery. As the two hosts are separated geographically and taxonomically, it was hypothesized that cross-species transmission of an ancestor virus from another host into gibbons and koalas had occurred. The relatively recent introduction of KoRV into the koala genome and the apparent absence of GALV in wild gibbons suggest that this ancestor virus or a close relative may still be in circulation. Investigation into the nature of this ancestor virus may provide insights on the impact of KoRV on declining koala populations and will also broaden our understanding of host-virus coevolution. A variety of mammalian species have been identified to harbor GALV-like viruses, but the true host of the ancestral virus of KoRV and GALV remains uncertain. Here we provide a short history of the most prominent candidates: rodents and bats.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 03-2016
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 20-04-2017
DOI: 10.1111/AAB.12353
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2018
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 05-01-2023
Abstract: Cleft palate syndrome, first observed in the spectacled flying fox population in 1998, has produced sporadic neonatal mortality events over the past two decades, with an estimated incidence of up to 1/1000 births per year. This study presents a rudimentary characterisation of the syndrome, presenting gross pathology of syndromic signs upon visual inspection, a histological examination of palate malformations, and syndrome incidence data representing the past two decades. The syndrome presents with a range of signs, primarily congenital palate malformations ranging from a pinhole cleft to a complete hard and soft palate deficit, resulting in the death or abandonment of neonates shortly after birth. The congenital palate malformations are often associated with claw deformities, wiry facial hair, and in some instances, muscle weakness and neurological signs. The natural occurrence of the lethal congenital orofacial birth defects in the spectacled flying fox presents a unique opportunity for the investigation of putative aetiologies, drawing parallels between bat and other mammalian cleft palate risk factors. Further syndrome investigation has the potential to deliver both bio ersity conservation and comparative veterinary and biomedical outcomes.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 02-08-2017
Publisher: Wildlife Disease Association
Date: 2017
DOI: 10.7589/2016-05-100
Abstract: Bats of the genus Pteropus (Pteropodidae), colloquially known as flying foxes, are recognized as the natural reservoir of Hendra virus, a zoonotic paramyxovirus responsible for mortality in horses and humans. Some previous studies have suggested that physiologic and ecologic factors promote Hendra virus infection in flying foxes, and by extension, spillover to horses and humans. However, the impact of Hendra virus infection on relevant physiologic biomarkers in flying foxes has not been measured. Over 12 mo in eastern Australia, we captured and s led 446 in idual black flying foxes ( Pteropus alecto ), a putative primary reservoir host species, and measured a suite of hematologic, plasma biochemistry, and urinary biomarkers. All mean hematologic and biochemical values in both Hendra virus-positive and virus-negative cohorts were within the published reference ranges for black flying foxes. We found no association between Hendra virus infection (as indicated by PCR detection of Hendra virus RNA) and biomarkers for nutritional stress, reproductive stress, or extreme metabolic demand. However, we identified associations between several other biomarkers and Hendra virus infection, which may partly elucidate the physiologic effects of Hendra virus infection in flying foxes. Our findings highlight the need for critical evaluation of putative risk factors for infection in flying foxes and provide insights for future epidemiologic studies of Hendra virus and related viruses in the Pteropus species.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 15-03-2019
DOI: 10.1007/S11262-019-01653-3
Abstract: A novel gamma-retroviral sequence (7912 bp), inclusive of both partial 5' and 3' long terminal repeat regions, was identified from the brain of a black flying-fox (Pteropus alecto), Queensland, Australia. The sequence was distinct from other retroviral sequences identified in bats and showed greater identity to Koala, Gibbon ape leukaemia, Melomys burtoni and Woolly monkey retroviruses, forming their own phylogenetic clade. This finding suggests that these retroviruses may have an unknown common ancestor and that further investigation into the ersity of gamma-retroviruses in Australian Pteropus species may elucidate their evolutionary origins.
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 24-11-2022
DOI: 10.1101/2022.11.24.517804
Abstract: Non-invasively collected faecal s les are an alternative source of DNA to tissues, that may be used in genetic studies of wildlife when direct s ling of animals is difficult. Although several faecal DNA extraction methods exist, their efficacy varies between species. Previous attempts to lify mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) markers from faeces of wild dugongs have met with limited success and nuclear markers (microsatellites) have been unsuccessful. This study aimed to develop a new tool for s ling both mtDNA and nuclear DNA (nDNA) from dugong faeces by modifying approaches used in studies of other large herbivores. First, lification success of genetic markers from dugong faeces was compared between an established QIA and a newly developed DNA extraction method. Faecal DNA extracted using a new ‘High Volume-CTAB-PCI’ (HV-CTAB-PCI) method was found to achieve comparable lification results to extraction of dugong skin DNA. As most prevailing practices advocate s ling from the outer surface of a stool to maximise capture of sloughed intestinal cells, this study compared lification success of mtDNA between the outer and inner layers of faeces, but no difference in lification was found. Assessment of the impacts of faecal age or degradation on extraction, however, demonstrated that fresher faeces with shorter duration of environmental (seawater) exposure lified mtDNA and nDNA better than eroded scats. Using the HV-CTAB-PCI method, nDNA was successfully lified for the first time from dugong faeces. This novel DNA extraction protocol offers a new tool that will facilitate genetic studies of dugongs and other large and cryptic marine herbivores in remote locations.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.TVJL.2018.08.005
Abstract: Canine parvovirus (CPV) and feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) are deoxyriboncucleic acid (DNA) viruses in the taxon Carnivore protoparvovirus 1. Exposure of cats to either CPV or FPV results in productive infection and faecal shedding of virus. Asymptomatic shedding of CPVs by one-third of shelter-housed cats in a UK study suggests that cats may be an important reservoir for parvoviral disease in dogs. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence of faecal shedding of CPVs in asymptomatic shelter-housed cats in Australia. Faecal s les (n=218) were collected from cats housed in three shelters receiving both cats and dogs, in Queensland and NSW. Molecular testing for Carnivore protoparvovirus 1 DNA was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) lification followed by DNA sequencing of the VP2 region to differentiate CPV from FPV. Carnivore protoparvovirus 1 DNA was detected in only four (1.8%, 95% confidence interval 0.49-4.53%) faecal s les from a single shelter. Sequencing identified all four positive s les as FPV. Faecal shedding of CPV by shelter-cats was not detected in this study. While the potential for cross-species transmission of CPV between cats and dogs is high, this study found no evidence of a role for cats in maintaining CPV in cat and dog populations through faecal shedding in the regions tested.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 2002
DOI: 10.1071/AP02016
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 04-05-2015
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 27-05-2015
Publisher: Microbiology Society
Date: 28-06-2022
DOI: 10.1099/JGV.0.001749
Abstract: Koala retrovirus (KoRV) is unique amongst endogenous (inherited) retroviruses in that its incorporation to the host genome is still active, providing an opportunity to study what drives this fundamental process in vertebrate genome evolution. Animals in the southern part of the natural range of koalas were previously thought to be either virus-free or to have only exogenous variants of KoRV with low rates of KoRV-induced disease. In contrast, animals in the northern part of their range universally have both endogenous and exogenous KoRV with very high rates of KoRV-induced disease such as lymphoma. In this study we use a combination of sequencing technologies, Illumina RNA sequencing of ‘southern’ (south Australian) and ‘northern’ (SE QLD) koalas and CRISPR enrichment and nanopore sequencing of DNA of ‘southern’ (South Australian and Victorian animals) to retrieve full-length loci and intregration sites of KoRV variants. We demonstrate that koalas that tested negative to the KoRV pol gene qPCR, used to detect replication-competent KoRV, are not in fact KoRV-free but harbour defective, presumably endogenous, ‘RecKoRV’ variants that are not fixed between animals. This indicates that these populations have historically been exposed to KoRV and raises questions as to whether these variants have arisen by chance or whether they provide a protective effect from the infectious forms of KoRV. This latter explanation would offer the intriguing prospect of being able to monitor and selectively breed for disease resistance to protect the wild koala population from KoRV-induced disease.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 2003
DOI: 10.1071/AP03060
No related grants have been discovered for Lee McMichael.