Biology subjects

Pruvot, M.

Publications and source records attributed to Pruvot, M..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Connecting models, networks and experiments: Revisiting the role of viruses in marine carbon cycling

The marine microbial food web is a key driver of global carbon cycling, mediating the production, consumption and remineralisation of organic matter in the ocean. Within this food web, viruses exert strong top-down control by infecting and lysing both phytoplankton and heterotrophic bacteria. Although virus-induced mortality is recognised as a factor shaping microbial dynamics, accurately quantifying its contribution to carbon cycling remains difficult. A range of approaches have been used to estimate this contribution, notably: (1) dynamical microbial ecosystem models, (2) static carbon flux networks, and (3) direct measurements of virus-induced mortality, such as dilution assays. In this study, we bring these approaches together by formulating them within a common mathematical framework. This enables us to clarify the difference between two notions of lysis percentage in the literature, to compare predictions of previous microbial ecosystem models and flux network reconstructions, and to critically evaluate the theoretical approach of eliminating viruses from the system to explore their effects. Our analysis clarifies how the different approaches capture complementary aspects of the role of marine viruses in carbon cycling across varying spatial and temporal scales.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2023

An integrative and multi-indicator approach for wildlife health applied to an endangered caribou herd

Assessing wildlife health in remote regions requires a multi-faceted approach that may include convenience samplings and the involvement of local communities. Combining data from hunted and captured caribou, we assessed the value of multiple indicators for understanding the health of the endangered Dolphin and Union caribou herd in Arctic Canada. We documented health determinants (infectious diseases and trace elements), processes (cortisol, pathology), and health outcomes (pregnancy and body condition). During a recent period of steep population decline our results suggested relatively good body condition and pregnancy rates and decreasing levels of stress, along with low adult cow survival. We identified multiple determinants of health as potential contributors to reduced survival, including Brucella suis biovar 4, Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae and lower hair trace minerals. This integrative approach that drew on multiple data sources has provided unprecedented knowledge on the health in this herd and highlights the value of documenting individual animal health to understand causes of wildlife declines.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2020

Coronavirus testing indicates transmission risk increases along wildlife supply chains for human consumption in Viet Nam, 2013-2014

Outbreaks of emerging coronaviruses in the past two decades and the current pandemic of a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that emerged in China highlight the importance of this viral family as a zoonotic public health threat. To gain a better understanding of coronavirus presence and diversity in wildlife at wildlife-human interfaces in three southern provinces in Viet Nam 2013-2014, we used consensus Polymerase Chain Reactions to detect coronavirus sequences. In comparison to previous studies, we observed high proportions of positive samples among field rats (34.0%, 239/702) destined for human consumption and insectivorous bats in guano farms (74.8%, 234/313) adjacent to human dwellings. Most notably among field rats, the odds of coronavirus RNA detection significantly increased along the supply chain from field rats sold by traders (reference group; 20.7% positivity, 39/188) by a factor of 2.2 for field rats sold in large markets (32.0%, 116/363) and 10.0 for field rats sold and served in restaurants (55.6%, 84/151). Coronaviruses were detected in the majority of wildlife farms (60.7%, 17/28) and in the Malayan porcupines (6.0%, 20/331) and bamboo rats (6.3%, 6/96) that are farmed. We identified six known coronaviruses in bats and rodents, clustered in three Coronaviridae genera, including the Alpha-, Beta-, and Gammacoronaviruses. Our analysis also suggested either mixing of animal excreta in the environment or interspecies transmission of coronaviruses, as both bat and avian coronaviruses were detected in rodent feces in the trade. The mixing of multiple coronaviruses, and their apparent amplification along the wildlife supply chain into restaurants, suggests maximal risk for end consumers and likely underpins the mechanisms of zoonotic spillover to people.

microbiology↗