Results for “GPS tracking”

PubMed2024

Investigating Environmental Determinants of Hookworm Transmission using GPS Tracking and Metagenomics Technologies.

To identify potential sources of hookworm infections in a Ghanaian community of endemicity that could be targeted to interrupt transmission, we tracked the movements of infected and noninfected persons to their most frequented locations. Fifty-nine participants (29 hookworm positives and 30 negatives) wore GPS trackers for 10 consecutive days. Their movement data were captured in real time and overlaid on a community grid map. Soil samples were collected and divided into two parts: one for determining the physical and chemical properties and the other for culture of helminth larvae. Soil parameters were determined using standard methods, and the number of larvae recovered from Baermann cultures (expressed as larvae per gram of soil) was recorded. We found no significant difference in the larval counts between sites of infected and noninfected participants (P = 0.59). Sandy-loam soil, pH, and effective cation exchange capacity were associated with high larval recovery counts (P <0.001), whereas nitrogen and clay content were associated with low counts (P <0.001). Genomic DNA was extracted from helminth larvae, and species were identified using metagenomic analysis of DNA sequences. The dominant helminth species identified were Panagrolaimus superbus, Parastrongyloides trichosuri, Trichuris trichiura (human whipworm), and Ancylostoma caninum (dog hookworm). Despite Necator americanus being the predominant species in the community, no larvae of this species were identified. This study, however, demonstrates the feasibility of applying molecular tools for identifying environmental factors and places associated with exposure to human and zoonotic helminths, including areas that may be targeted to break transmission in communities where infection is endemic.

Humans↗

PubMed2025

Migration strategies, connectivity and corridor features of the partial migrant little bustard (Tetrax tetrax) across the Iberian Peninsula.

The study of migration ecology is crucial for understanding the factors and pressures affecting migratory species. Here, we studied the migratory ecology of the little bustard (Tetrax tetrax), a steppe bird that has suffered a sharp decline over recent decades, mainly due to agricultural intensification. Using 105 adult birds tagged across the main Iberian regions where the species is present (Alentejo, Extremadura, Ebro Valley, Northern Plateau, Southern Plateau and Guadalquivir Valley), we analysed the ratio of migratory and resident birds in each population and assessed their connectivity during the three main migratory periods (summer, winter and pre-breeding). Additionally, we describe the features of the migrations recorded in terms of length, duration and day period. Our results corroborate that little bustards can be considered partial migrants across Iberia, although the proportion of residents versus migrants varied between populations: the Alentejo (94.74%) and Northern Plateau (93.75%) had the highest proportion of migrants, followed by Guadalquivir Valley (81.82%), Extremadura (65.38%), Southern Plateau (55.56%) and Ebro Valley (25.93%). Migratory connectivity varied between periods: the pre-breeding and summering migrations showed a trend to move northwards, while birds moved southwards for winter. Regarding the migratory corridors obtained from the 253 migrations identified, we found three main routes: one corridor that connects the Northern Plateau with the western part of the Southern Plateau and Extremadura, another one that connects the Southern Plateau, Extremadura, Alentejo and Guadalquivir Valley, and one corridor that concentrates migrations within the Ebro Valley, and between the Ebro Valley and the Southern Plateau. Finally, analyses showed that little bustards migrate at night through areas dominated by herbaceous cover (avoiding tree-covered land and water bodies) and of low elevation and terrain roughness. Our results highlight the importance of developing an international and inter-regional conservation strategy to protect not only the breeding and wintering quarters, but also this endangered species' migratory corridors, thus supporting the viability of the metapopulation.

Brownian bridge kernel↗