IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
| Fromont, E. | |
| Comparative analysis of the transmission of five viruses in populations of domestic cats (Felis catus L.) | |
| 1997 Full Book | |
The relationship between parasites and hosts populations does not depend only on the species considered. Recent results show that host dynamics, spatial distribution and social interactions as well as characteristics of the parasite can influence the host-parasite dynamics and evolution. However, very few biological models are appropriate to study the effect of several factors taken simultaneously. This work investigates the respective influence of host population and parasite transmission on the dynamics of five viral infections of the domestic cat (Felis catus). Our interest in cat populations, besides their accessibility, is the variability in their spatial, social and genetic structures according to the structure of the environment. The five viruses examined, which differ in their transmission route and virulence, are Feline Immunodeficiency Virus FIV, Feline Leukemia Virus FeLV, Feline HerpesVirus FHV, Feline CaliciVirus FCV and Feline ParvoVirus FPV. Their dynamics were studied in two to six years of survey of five populations of cats living in contrasting environments. Analysis of data was performed using ecological (multivariate analysis) as well as epidemiological methods (risk analysis). Several mathematical models were also used to investigate the dynamics of FeLV. The five viruses are variously affected by the social structure of the cat populations. FPV is transmitted indirectly and it is influenced by the density of cats. Transmission of the other viruses mainly depends on social interactions, particularly on the size of social groups for FeLV and FHV, on the existence of friendly relationships for FeLV, and on aggressive relationships for FIV. FeLV is also characterized by an inconstant persistence. Both field study and mathematical modelling suggest that the extinction of FeLV is linked to the spatial fragmentation of cat populations and to their dynamics. These results show that the dynamics and the social and spatial structure of the host populations constitute barriers to viral transmission. The efficiency of these barriers varies among parasites. Correspondingly, these viruses could influence some aspects of cat sociality: spatial distribution for FPV, size of social groups for FeLV and FHV and existence of friendly or aggressive relationships for FIV and FeLV. These results have implications for management of parasitized natural populations. Many species are threatened by changes in their environment which influence their population structures, and in many instances, result in local population crashes under parasite load. It is argued that the management of parasitic threats in these populations can not follow a general model but must account for the characteristics of the threatening parasite. |
|
 |
PDF files are only accessible to Friends of the Cat Group. Joining Friends of the Cat Group gives you unlimited access and downloads in the Cat SG Library for one year, and allows you to receive our newsletter Cat News (2 regular issues per year plus special issues). More information how to join here |
(c) IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group ( IUCN - The World Conservation Union) |