Characterization of the Temperature Conditions of Inside Narrow Rocky Outcrops that Serve as a Habitat for Semi-Fossorial Mammals

We characterized the temperature conditions inside narrow rocky outcrops that served as habitats for semi-fossorial small mammals in a mountainous locality on the Japanese Islands. Usually, it is considered that the narrow rocky outcrops have poorer resources than the soil ground of forest floors, which have rich vegetation and nutrition. On the basis of this tendency, it is considered that ecologically dominant species occupy the rich soil habitats and subordinate species are chased away to the narrow rocky outcrops by ecological species competitions, resulting in habitat segregation. However, the present temperature data revealed that the temperatures inside rocky terrains were more stable than the shaded ambient temperatures in the forest. The rocky habitats were apparently colder in summer and warmer in winter, in both daily maximum and minimum temperatures, than the ambient temperatures in the forest during the research period. In addition, the daily difference between maximum and minimum temperatures in the rocky habitats was apparently smaller than that of the ambient ones. These temperature conditions in the narrow rocky outcrops are advantageous to the small mammalian metabolic system. Namely, we estimate that the semi-fossorial small mammals are not chased out by the dominant species through ecological competitions and that the semi-fossorial small mammals may occupy the narrow rocky outcrops as a more advantageous habitat than the forest floor.

Mammals of Gaoligong Mountain in China:Diversity,distribution,and conservation

Gaoligong Mountain(hereafter,GLGM)is located at the intersection of Myanmar and China’s Yunnan Province and Xizang Zizhiqu,and spans three globally significant biodiversity hotspots:the Himalayas,Indo-Burma,and the Mountains of Southwest China.Although surveys of mammals in this ecologically important region have a long history,there is no comprehensive systematic checklist and distribution account of the mammals of GLGM.Here,we compiled a mammal species checklist of GLGM based on thorough field investigations and literature reviews.We also examined specimen collections and applied camera trapping surveys to explore the region’s mammal diversity and distribution patterns.We recorded 212 mammal species in nine orders,33 families,and 119 genera,which accounts for 30.5%of China’s mammal species,and a high proportion of nationally protected(50)and globally threatened(29)species.Mammal species richness showed a symmetrical unimodal curve along the elevation gradient,peaking at intermediate elevations(2000 to 2500 m above sea level(asl)),and increasing generally from south to north,slightly higher in the east slope than in the west.Cluster analysis and non-metric multidimensional scaling revealed three distinct elevational assemblages(<900 m asl.,900-3500 m asl.,and>3500 m asl)and significant south-to-north variation,but no substantial differences between the east and west slopes.The GLGM present a unique conservation value due to the high proportions of rare and endangered mammal species,complex faunal composition,high endemism,and being the distribution boundary for many species.This study is an important phased account of mammal diversity in GLGM and makes a prospect for future research.

Clinicopathological alterations in wild mammals from the reservoir system of Trypanosoma cruzi:a scoping review

Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiologic agent of Chagas disease.This flagellated protozoan is transmitted to humans as well as different species of domestic and wild animals via vectors from the Reduviidae family(known as"kissing bugs").Despite the fact that hundreds of species of wild mammals are part of the reservoir system,the morphologi-cal changes and clinical manifestations resulting from the pathogenesis of the infection have been largely neglected.The aim of this review is to systematically compile the available information regarding clinicopathological altera-tions in wild mammals due to natural infection by T.cruzi.Information was obtained from six online bibliographic data search platforms,resulting in the identification of 29 publications that met the inclusion criteria.Mortality was the most common clinical manifestation,cardiac damage was the main finding at necropsy,and lymphoplas-macytic inflammation was the most frequent microscopic injury.Thus,regardless of its role as a reservoir,T.cruzi has the potential to affect the health status of wild mammals,a situation that highlights the need for further research to analyze,measure,and compare its effects at both the individual and population levels.

Evaluating the Impacts of Human Activities on Diversity, Abundance, and Distribution of Large Mammals in Nimule National Park, South Sudan

Globally, human activities have a significant impact on the diversity, abundance, and distribution of large mammals in Protected Areas (PAs). These disturbances increase human pressure on biodiversity and species habitats, highlighting the need for conservation. This study aimed to assess the abundance and distribution of large mammals in different habitat types within Nimule National Park (NNP) and understand the impacts of human activities on them. Data on the abundance and distribution of large mammals and their respective habitat types were collected through line transect surveys. Human activity signs were observed and recorded along the transect lines. To estimate the impacts of human activities on the diversity, abundance, and distribution of large mammal species, as well as to identify any significant differences between them and their habitat types, the study utilized the Kruskal Wallis test, Polynomial multiple regressions, and diversity indices. The findings from the Shannon-Weiner and Simpson indices indicated that large mammal species were more diverse inside the park (H’ = 1.136;D = 0.570) compared to the buffer zone (H’ = 0.413;D = 0.171), with 85% (443 out of 510 samples) recorded within Nimule National Park. The species abundance showed a semi-balanced status (0.58). The diversity results among different habitat types revealed that large mammals were more diverse and highly distributed in both open woodlands (244) and dense woodlands (192), while riverine vegetation had the lowest diversity (8). Statistical tests demonstrated a highly significant difference at a 99% confidence interval (p-value = 0.01) between habitat types and identified species of large mammals. Additionally, the results highlighted the high abundance of Uganda kob (274), baboons (141), and warthog (57) across most habitat types, accounting for at least 75% of their distribution. The most prevalent human activities observed were cattle footprints (27%) and cattle dung (14%). Human footprints and tree cutting combined accounted for 9%, indicating the practice of livestock grazing, poaching, encroachment, and fuelwood collection by local communities. However, these activities did not appear to significantly impact the diversity, abundance, and distribution of large mammals in Nimule National Park. Therefore, it is crucial to foster shared responsibilities and engage relevant stakeholders in the management and conservation of large wildlife species. Regular community awareness programs should be implemented to cultivate a sense of ownership. Moreover, it is recommended that a comprehensive survey be conducted on the population status of all mammal species in Nimule National Park, including its surrounding Buffer Zone. Monitoring the impact of human activities on their behavior and habitats using satellite images should also be carried out at least every five to ten years.

Regulation of circadian physiology and behavior by light in mammals:entrainment and masking

manifestation of circadian rhythms.The modern use of electric lights alters environmental lighting,leading to light exposure at inappropriate times to disturb circadian homeostasis for both human and wildlife.The light“pollution”and voluntary activities such as night shift work and transmeridian travelling have adverse consequences such as mood and metabolic disorders in humans.On the other hand,insufficient light exposure decreases neurotransmission from the locus ceruleus and dorsal raphe,leading to seasonal and nonseasonal affective disorders,while properly timed bright light is beneficial to mood and cognition.Given the critical and complex roles of light in mammalian physiology and behavior,it is essential to understand the underlying mechanisms.In this review,we discuss the neural mechanisms through which light regulates and dysregulates circadian rhythms in mammals.

Applying zeta diversity to understand species turnover patterns of small mammals in the Mountains of Southwest China

DEAR EDITOR,Mountainous regions are generally characterized by high species turnover,yet studies applying novel conceptual frameworks to analyze the spatial structure and organization of montane biota along elevational gradients remain scarce.Based on the zeta diversity framework—a novel turnover metric that focuses on average number of species shared across sites—and a comprehensive presence-absence dataset of small mammals collected from 22 elevational gradients in the Mountains of Southwest China(MSC).

An Inventory of Some Relatively Large Marine Mammals, Reptiles, and Fishes Sighted, Caught, By-Caught, or Stranded in the Mediterranean Coast of the Gaza Strip-Palestine

The Mediterranean Sea is home to an interesting biodiversity. The current cumulative and descriptive study aims to enumerate some relatively large marine mammals, reptiles, and fishes that have been spotted, caught, by-caught, or stranded on the coast of the Gaza Strip, Palestine, which extends about 42 km along the Mediterranean Sea. This 20-year study from 2003 to 2022 relied much on frequent field visits, meetings, and discussions with stakeholders, following local media sites and social media pages, and photography. The study recorded at least 26 giants or relatively large marine organisms on the Mediterranean coast of the Gaza Strip, Palestine. Certainly, the coming years may bring other marine organisms of relatively large sizes. Marine mammals included three species of cetaceans with the Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus) being the largest mammal and even the largest animal ever recorded in this study. Marine reptiles included three species of sea turtles, the largest of which is the Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), which is in fact the world’s largest sea turtle. The bony fishes were represented by ten species, the largest of which was the Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola), which is the largest bony fish in the world. The cartilaginous fishes included ten species with the largest specimens encountered were the Shortfin Shark (Isurus oxyrinchus), Bluntnose Sixgill Shark (Hexanchus griseus), Scalloped Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna lewini), and Giant Devil Ray (Mobula mobular). Seabirds were not included in the study. The Alexandria Pompano (Alectis alexandrinus) and the Silver-Cheeked Toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus), which are bony fishes, appear to be the relatively smallest marine organisms recorded here. In conclusion, the role of the various parties must be coordinated to ensure the sustainability of human activities and their compatibility with the task of conserving local marine biota, including the gigantic or relatively large ones.

Socio-environmental factors associated with small mammal assemblage and Leptospira prevalence in Suburban Areas of Terengganu,Malaysia

Objective:To examine the socio-environmental factors associated with the assemblage of small mammals and the prevalence of Leptospira pathogen in poor suburban communities of Terengganu,Malaysia.Methods:We trapped small mammals from 119 trapping points scattered around three suburban communities of Terengganu using sausage-baited live traps.On the average,we set up five traps for three nights at each sampling point during the trapping period.Kidneys of captured animals were harvested and processed for Leptospira investigation.Additionally,environmental survey was conducted at each trapping point to obtain information about possible variables supporting small mammal assemblage.We used a generalized linear model to evaluate the effect of different socio-environmental variables on small mammals’assemblage.Results:A total of 89 small mammals,specifically,Rattus norvegicus(n=39),Rattus rattus(n=27),Rattus exulans(n=10),Suncus murinus(n=11),and Tupaia glis(n=2)were captured from 1385 trap nights.Fourteen individuals(15.7%)of the captured animals tested positive for Leptospira bacteria using PCR detection.Results of our generalized linear model showed only residences bordering vacant lots as the variable positively associated with small mammal occurrence in the three study sites.Conclusions:Small mammal community,especially the often neglected species,could harbour and potentially contribute towards pathogenic Leptospira maintenance in the study sites.To adequately control small mammals’population and subsequent human zoonoses transmission,it is critical to advocate and promote appropriate infrastructure and suburban services,together with good hygiene practices that can reduce the animals’access to food and harborage.

Community Structure and Diversity Distributions of Small Mammals in Different Sample Plots in the Eastern Part of Wuling Mountains

Five years＇ （2000-2004） continuous study has been carried out on small mammals such as rodents in seven different sample plots, at three different altitudes and in six different ecological environment types in the eastern part of the Wuling Mountains, south bank of the Three Gorges of Yangtze River in Hubei. A total of 29 297 rat clamps/times were placed and 2271 small mammals such as rodents were captured, and 26 small mammals were captured by other means. All the small mammals captured belonged to 8 families 19 genera and 24 species, of which rodentia accounted for 70.83% and insectivora 29.17%. Through analysis of the data, the results showed that： 1 ） although the species richness had a trend of increasing along different sample plots as altitude increased from south to north, quite a few species showed a wide habitat range in a vertical distribution （ 15 species were dispersed over three zones and two species over two zones） , indicating a strong adaptability of small mammals such as rOdents at lower altitudes in most areas and comparatively less vertical span of entire mountains; 2） whether in seven different sample plots or six different ecological types, Apodemus agrarius and Rattus norvegicus were dominant species below 1200m, and Anourosorex squamipes, Niviventer confucianus and Apodemus draco were dominant above altitudes of 1300m, however, in quantity they were short of identical regularity, meaning they did not increase as the altitude did, or decrease as the ecological areas changed; 3）the density in winter was obviously greater than that in spring, and the distribution showed an increasing trend along with altitude, but the density in different sample plots was short of identical regularity, showing changes in different seasons and altitude grades had an important impact on small mammals such as rodents; 4） in species diversity and evenness index, there were obvious changes between the seven different sample plots, probably caused by frequent human interference in this area. Comparatively speaking, there was less human interference at high altitudes where vegetation was rich and had a high diversity and evenness index, and the boundary effect and community stability were obvious. Most ecological types have been seriously interfered with due to excessive assart at low altitudes with singular vegetation and low diversity and evenness index and poor community stability, showing an ecosystem with poor anti-reversion. If human interference can be reduced in those communities at high altitudes with low diversity and evenness index, the biological diversity in the communities will gradually recover to similar levels of other ecological areas.

Diversity of Sucking Lice on Small Mammals in the Surrounding Areas of Erhai Lake in Yunnan,China

An investigation of sucking lice on the body surface of small mammals was carried out in the surrounding areas of Erhai Lake in Dali, Yunnan from 2003 to 2004. From investigation sites, 3 303 small mammal hosts were captured and identified into 7 families, 15 genera and 21 species in 4 orders （Rodentia, Insectivora, Scandentia and Carnivora）, while t4 635 individuals of sucking lice collected from the body surface of the small mammal hosts are identified into 5 families, 6 genera and 21 species in the Order Anoplura, The sites stand alongside three cordilleras surrounding the Erhai Lake, namely Eastern Wuliang Mountain, Southern Ailao Mountain and Western Cangshan Mountain. The three confined oriented areas are different landscapes within the same zone where the longitude, latitude, altitude and fauna are homologous but isolated by Erhai Lake as inartificial barrier. The aim of this study was to recognize features of the species diversity, abundance, community structure, similarity and distribution of sucking lice in different landscapes within the same zone. The results showed the species diversity of sucking lice was very low with a very simple community structure. The distribution of sucking lice and their corresponding hosts are quite uneven among different oriented areas and this may imply that ecological environment influences the species composition and distribution of sucking lice and their corresponding hosts. A certain species of hosts usually have their fixed louse species. The similarity of sucking louse communities is highly consistent with the affinity of small mammal hosts in taxonomy. Species of sucking lice on the same small mammal host in different oriented areas of Erhai Lake are homologous. The results strongly suggest a close relationship of co-evolution between sucking lice and their hosts.

全国哺乳动物多样性观测网络(China BON-Mammals)建设进展

生物多样性是人类赖以生存的条件之一,其中哺乳动物物种多样,分布范围广,对栖息地变化敏感,是生物多样性保护和环境评价的关键指示生物类群。生境的退化或丧失、自然资源的过度利用和环境污染等因素造成我国哺乳动物受到严重威胁。针对哺乳动物种群持续衰退的现状,为了掌握其生存状态、种群动态变化以及受威胁状况,环境保护部组织开展了全国大中型哺乳动物观测网络建设。重点介绍了全国哺乳动物多样性观测网络的建设目标、主要内容、红外相机观测技术和样地选择方法等,讨论了哺乳动物观测网络存在的问题及可能的解决办法,提出进一步完善全国大中型哺乳动物观测网络及信息化数据平台的建议,从而为我国生物多样性的保护管理和资源利用提供基础性数据。

Diversity and distribution patterns of non-volant smallmammals along different elevation gradients on Mt. Kenya,Kenya

The distribution of small mammals in mountainous environments across different elevations can provide important information on the effects of climate change on the dispersal of species. However, few studies conducted on Afromontane ecosystems have compared the altitudinal patterns of small mammal diversity. We investigated the species diversity and abundance of non-volant small mammals(hereafter ‘small mammals')on Mt. Kenya, the second tallest mountain in Africa,using a standard sampling scheme. Nine sampling transects were established at intervals of 200 m on the eastern(Chogoria) and western(Sirimon) slopes.A total of 1 905 individuals representing 25 species of small mammals were trapped after 12 240 trap-nights.Abundance was highest at mid-elevations on both slopes.However, species richness and their distribution patterns differed between the two slopes. More species were recorded on Chogoria(24) than on Sirimon(17). On Chogoria, species richness was higher at mid-high elevations, with a peak at mid-elevation(2 800 m a.s.l.),whereas species richness showed little variation on the Sirimon slope. These results indicate that patterns of species diversity can differ between slopes on the same mountain. In addition, we extensively reviewed literature on Mt. Kenya's mammals and compiled a comprehensive checklist of 76 mammalian species. However, additional research is required to improve our understanding of smal mammal diversity in mountain habitats in Africa.

Bartonella species in small mammals and their potential vectors in Asia

In this article,authors review the current knowledge of Bartonella infection in small mammals including rodents,insectivores,bats and exotic small mammal pets and their vectors in Asia.Species of Bartonella are Gram-negative intracellular bacteria that infect erythrocytes of various mammalian and non-mammalian animals and mainly transmitted by blood sucking arthropod vectors.The genus Bartonella includes several species of important human diseases with severe clinical signs.Several new Bartonella species were isolated from rodents and other small mammals,and from human patients in Asia.Bartonella species are identified using standard polymerase chain reaction amplification and a sequencing targeting two housekeeping genes(glt.A and rpoB) and the internal transcribed spacer fragment.Authors also discuss the implications in term of potential emerging zoonotic diseases.

Adaptation of mammals to hypoxia

Oxygen plays a pivotal role in the metabolism and activities of mammals.However,oxygen is restricted in some environments-subterranean burrow systems or habitats at high altitude or deep in the ocean-and this could exert hypoxic stresses such as oxidative damage on organisms living in these environments.In order to cope with these stresses,organisms have evolved specific strategies to adapt to hypoxia,including changes in physiology,gene expression regulation,and genetic mutations.Here,we review how mammals have adapted to the three high-altitude plateaus of the world,the limited oxygen dissolved in deep water habitats,and underground tunnels,with the aim of better understanding the adaptation of mammals to hypoxia.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA) promotes recovery from spinal cord injury in lampreys: role of GABA receptors and perspective on the translation to mammals

In mammals, spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating event that can lead to a permanent loss of motor, sensory and autonomic functions below the site of injury. In the last years, the role of different neurotransmitter systems on regeneration and recovery from SCI has been deciphered. For example, studies in lampreys have shown that neurotransmitters play a key role in modulating the survival and regeneration of brainstem descending neurons after SCI (Romaus-Sanjurjo et al., 2018;Sobrido-Camean et al., 2018).

Diversity and habitat association of small mammals in Aridtsy forest, Awi Zone, Ethiopia

Here, we conducted a survey to examine the diversity, distribution and habitat association of small mammals from August 2011 to February 2012 incorporating both wet and dry seasons in Aridtsy forest, Awi Zone, Ethiopia. Using Sherman live traps and snap traps in four randomly selected trapping grids, namely, natural forest, bushland, grassland and farmland, a total of 468 individuals comprising eight species of small mammals（live traps） and 89 rodents of six species（snap traps） were trapped in 2352 and 1200 trap nights, respectively. The trapped small mammals included seven rodents and one insectivore： Lophuromys flavopuntatus（30.6%）, Arvicanthis dembeensis（25.8%）, Stenocephalemys albipes（20%）, Mastomys natalensis（11.6%）, Pelomys harringtoni（6.4%）, Acomys cahirinus（4.3%）, Lemniscomys zebra（0.2%） and the greater red musk shrew（Crocidura flavescens, 1.1%）. Analysis showed statistically significant variations in the abundance and habitat preferences of small mammals between habitats during wet and dry seasons.

Very low biodiversity of top predators—seabirds and marine mammals—in the high Arctic Ocean

During the ARK-XXIII/3 expedition of icebreaking RV Polarstern in the high Arctic Ocean(partim north of 73°N)from 25 August to 10 October 2008,550 transect counts lasting 30 min were devoted to seabird and marine mammal counts from the bridge.In the whole area,the three most numerous species,kittiwake Rissa tridactyla,fulmar Fulmarus glacialis and Brünnich’s guillemot Uria lomvia represented 90%of the total of 12000 individuals registered,followed by ivory gull Pagophila eburnea,black guillemot Cepphus grylle and Ross’s gull Rodostethia rosea.Four geographical zones were recognized on the basis of number of species and density.Both were especially low in the deeper areas(mean depth of 3000 m),both ice-free and heavily ice-covered:0.3 birds per 30 min count belonging to three and four species respectively.The most numerous species was kittiwake with 0.25 per count(50 individuals)in the ice-covered area.Pinniped numbers were very low as well,the most numerous of the four species tallied being 20 harp seals Phoca groenlandica and 10 ringed seal Pusa hispida.Seven polar bears Ursus maritimus were encountered.These observations were basically confirmed during 12 helicopter flights lasting one hour each with very low numbers:50 kittiwakes and 13 harp seals,almost none in the ice-covered deep zone.A comparison between data obtained from ship and from helicopter seems however to reflect the importance of seabird followers including for long distances.The only cetaceans were two adult belugas Delphinapterus leucas tallied from helicopter.

The hypoxia adaptation of small mammals to plateau and underground burrow conditions

Oxygen is one of the important substances for the survival of most life systems on the earth,and plateau and underground burrow systems are two typical hypoxic environments.Small mammals living in hypoxic environments have evolved different adaptation strategies,which include increased oxygen delivery,metabolic regulation of physiological responses and other physiological responses that change tissue oxygen utilization.Multiomics predictions have also shown that these animals have evolved different adaptations to extreme environments.In particular,vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and erythropoietin(EPO),which have specific functions in the control of O_(2) delivery,have evolved adaptively in small mammals in hypoxic environments.Naked mole-rats and blind mole-rats are typical hypoxic model animals as they have some resistance to cancer.This review primarily summarizes the main living environment of hypoxia tolerant small mammals,as well as the changes of phenotype,physiochemical characteristics and gene expression mode of their long-term living in hypoxia environment.

Investigation of Oxidation-Reduction Properties of Growing Mediums for Cell Culture of Mammals under the Effect of Cosmo-Geophysical Factors

In model experiments were studied the effect of cosmo-geophysical factors of environment (hypomagnetic conditions during 2 days ≈ 1 mkT;electromagnetic irradiation (10 min - 2 MHz with amplitude 5 V/m and power 30 mkVt, background 2 - 4 mkVt), γ-quantum (10 min—from the source 137Cs) and its combined effect on the physic-chemical properties (ORP and pH) of growing medium for cell culture of mammals as nutrition medium 199 (PanEco, Russia). It was used a clear solution of medium (solution 1) and with the adding of 10% embryo bull serum—model of bio-medium (solution 2). Hypomagnetic conditions evoked the decreasing of ORP and pH value in both solutions, electromagnetic irradiation in the solution 1 which evoked the decreasing of ORP and the increasing of pH value, and in the solution 2, on the contrary, the increasing of ORP with the unchanging pH value. γ-radiation sharply decreased ORP value and didn’t change pH in solution 1, i.e. the reduction properties increased. There is insignificant increasing of ORP value and the decreasing of pH is noted in the solution 2, that it is characterized with the increasing of oxidative properties of solution. Under the combined effect of hypomagnetic conditions and electromagnetic irradiation, the values of investigating parameters in the solution 1 decreased and in the solution 2 increased. It was observed acute decreasing of ORP value in both solutions under the combined effect of hypomagnetic conditions and γ-radiation, i.e. the reductive properties of the solutions increased sharply. In this the concentration H+ significantly decreased, (p γ-radiation led to the decreasing of ORP and pH values in both solutions. Thus, the studying factors significantly change the oxidation-reduction properties of growing mediums. The investigation of the processes in biological mediums plays the important role in the assessment of environment effect during the flight in inter-planet space.

Expansion of Small Terrestrial Mammals and Their Parasites into the Barun Valley (Makalu Mt. Region, Nepal Himalaya) Linked with Changes in Glaciation and Human Activities

The article is based on collection of small terrestrial mammals(Soriculus nigrescens,Episoriculus caudatus, Neodon sikimensis,Alticola stoliczkanus, Niviventer eha and Ochotona roylei) collected in the Barun Valley, east Nepal in the pre-monsoon period of 1973.Zoogeographic and ecological characteristics and altitudinal stratification of these species are analysed, depending both on abiotic(geomorphological and climatic) and biotic(vegetation, and human presence and activities)factors. All the captured mammals were examined for ecto- and endoparasities. Infestations of Trombiculid mites and Ixodid ticks were tightly linked to the local habitat where these ectoparasites must survive during their nonparasitic phase. Analysis of their occurrence completes the reconstruction of migration routes during the expansion of small mammals into the Barun Valley and the exacerbating influence of human activities(summer pasturing,mountaineering expeditions and trekking parties).An indicator of anthropogenic influence was the occurrence of synantropic flies. The potential medical importance of these findings is discussed.It is assumed a possible occurrence of arboviruses transmitted by ticks and also rickettsioses(transmitted by ticks and chigger mites). As far bacteriological infections, plague cannot be excluded.