Biology subjects

Bury, S.

Publications and source records attributed to Bury, S..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Shedding dynamics of the Ross seal (Ommatophoca rossii) whiskers investigated through carbon and nitrogen bulk stable isotope composition

Understanding the trophic ecology of pinnipeds is essential to define their role in ecosystems and anticipate their responses as top predators to environmental changes. Incremental analyses of carbon ({delta}13C) and nitrogen ({delta}15N) stable isotopes along their whiskers provide valuable records of their foraging habitat and trophic level over time. The effectiveness of this approach relies on knowledge of species-specific whisker shedding dynamics and growth rates. We investigated the shedding dynamics of Ross seal (Ommatophoca rossii) whiskers and attempted to evaluate the time captured in these tissues by combining whiskers bulk{delta} 13C and{delta} 15N incremental measurements with satellite tracking data, collected after whisker growth. Our tracking data are consistent with previous studies, in that Ross seals migrate post-moult between the marginal ice zone and the Antarctic Polar Front. Stable isotope profiles of whiskers did not show the typical decrease in{delta} {superscript 1}3C and increase in{delta} {superscript 1}N values at the whiskers tip that would be expected if shedding coincided with the annual fur moult, when fasting typically occurs. The occurrence of similar isotope variations, which were offset between the left and right whiskers of the same individual in relation to distance from the muzzle, further suggest asynchronous, non-seasonal whisker shedding. Our inability to identify known cyclic phenological events (i.e., fasting periods or seasonal migrations) prevented the determination of the average growth rate of whiskers. The additional data on whisker shedding dynamics of Ross seals is a valuable first step in support of future ecological studies based on the whiskers of this species.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2022

Hotspots for snake fungal disease across Europe are maintained by host and pathogen identity

1. Infectious diseases are influenced by interactions between host and pathogen, and are rarely homogenous across the landscape. Areas with elevated pathogen prevalence maintain a high force of infection, can facilitate pathogen spread to new regions, and may indicate areas with impacts on host populations. However, isolating the ecological processes that result in increases in infection prevalence and intensity remains a challenge. 2. Here we elucidate the contribution of pathogen clade and host species in disease hotspots of Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, the pathogen that causes snake fungal disease, in 21 species of snakes infected with multiple pathogen strains across 10 countries in Europe. 3. We found isolated areas of disease hotspots in a landscape where infections were otherwise low. O. ophidiicola clade had important effects on transmission, and areas with multiple pathogen clades had higher host infection prevalence. Snake species identity further influenced infection, with most positive detections coming from the Natrix genus. Most species present in the community only experienced increased levels of infection when multiple strains were present. However, one species, N. tessellata, appeared highly susceptible, having increased infection prevalence regardless of pathogen strain, indicating that this species may be important in pathogen maintenance. 4. Our results suggest that both host and pathogen identity are essential components contributing to increased pathogen prevalence. More broadly, our findings indicate that coevolutionary relationships between hosts and pathogens may be key mechanisms explaining variation in landscape patterns of disease.

ecology↗