title: Protecting Free-Living Dormice: Molecular Identification of Cestode Parasites in Captive Dormice (Muscardinus avellanarius) Destined for Reintroduction.
abstract: The success of any population translocation programme relies heavily on the measures implemented to control and monitor the spread of disease. Without these measures, programmes run the risk of releasing immunologically naïve species or, more dangerously, introducing novel infectious agents to native populations. As a precaution, a reintroduction programme for the common or hazel dormouse, Muscardinus avellanarius, in England screens dormice before release following captive breeding. Using PCR sequencing of a range of genes, we tested whether the same species of tapeworm(s) were present in captive and free-living dormice. Whilst only Rodentolepis straminea were identified in free-living dormice, cestode ova found in a captive individual produced a molecular match closely related to Hymenolepis microstoma and a previously unrecorded Rodentolepis species. To prevent putting at risk the free-living population, we recommended the continued treatment of dormice showing tapeworm infection before release. Our work demonstrates how molecular techniques can be used to inform reintroduction programmes, reduce risk from disease and increase chances of reintroduction success.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK. gpeniche@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6799-5044
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Peniche
authors.affiliation: Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, UK.
authors.forename: Peter D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Olson
authors.affiliation: Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK.
authors.forename: Dominic J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.affiliation: Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK.
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK.
authors.forename: Anthony W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Sainsbury
authors.affiliation: Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Durrant
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002589:Cestoda / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D004739:England; D046330:Myoxidae / Q000469:parasitology*; D010271:Parasites; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
keywords: Cestodes; Disease; Hymenolepis fraterna; Hymenolepis microstoma; Rodentolepis straminea; Translocation