Veterinary Medicine Commons^™

The Infection Dynamics, Co-Infection, Multi-Gene Phylogeny, And Molecular Screening Of Plasmodium Caprae Infection In Goats And Mosquito Species, Hoang Lan Anh Nguyen

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Ungulate malaria parasites, including Plasmodium caprae that infects the domestic goats, have received little attention. There are only few studies about the prevalence and mitochondrial genome analyses. This study, therefore, aimed to investigate the natural infection dynamics of P. caprae and its mosquito vectors. Besides, genome analyses based on nuclear genes of P. caprae and other related haemosporidian parasites were also carried out to obtain an in depth understanding about their evolutionary history and origin. A total of 423 goat blood samples were collected during rainy seasons from 2018 to 2021 to assess the malaria infection status. In addition, 1,019 …

Anti-Proliferative And Apoptotic Effect Of Cannabinoids On Human Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Xenograft In Balb/C Nude Mice Model, Quang Trung Le

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly malignant and lethal tumor of the exocrine pancreas. Cannabinoids extracted from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa have been suggested as a cancer therapy due to their anti-tumor effects on several human tumors. However, the anti-tumor effect of cannabinoids on human PDAC is still understudied. Therefore, the objective of the current study is to study the inhibition of proliferation and the induction of apoptosis potencies of cannabinoids in PDAC xenograft nude mice model. The human PDAC cell line (Capan-2) was subcutaneously injected into twenty-five nude mice. After tumor reached 200 mm3 in volume, …

In Vitro Inhibitory Effects Of Turmeric Extracts Against Biofilm Formation And Virulence Of Flavobacterium Oreochromis, Sirawich Ngernson

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Flavobacterium oreochromis is an opportunistic bacteria and causative agent of columnaris disease that affects freshwater fish worldwide. To initiate infection, the bacteria are required to attach and form biofilm on the fish's skin. The bacteria cells in the biofilm then produce toxins that can degrade fish connective tissue, resulting in lesions and ulcers. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) extract by three organic solvents (hexane, ethanol, and methanol) in biofilm inhibition and modulation of biofilm-associated genes of F. oreochromis. Turmeric extracts by three different organic solvents were tested for their ability to inhibit the …

Molecular Characterization Of Clinostomum Spp. Infecting Cultured Snakeskin Gourami (Trichopodus Pectoralis) In Thailand, Sk Injamamul Islam

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The digeanean Clinostomum spp. is a significant parasitic pathogen of freshwater fish. It has low host specificity and a wide distribution geographically. Morphological and molecular data analyses have been performed on Clinostomum to assess its diversity. However, the molecular occurrence of Clinostomum spp. in aquaculture in Thailand has yet to be reported. Snakeskin gourami (Trichopodus pectoralis), a freshwater fish cultured in Thailand, has significant economic importance. Herein, the study focuses on describing a digenean Clinostomum in the abdominal cavity of T. pectoralis and reports the prevalence of this parasite from central Thailand. Two hundred and sixty-two 4 to 8- month-old …

Seroprevalence Of Lawsonia Intracellularis Antibody Among Swine Herds In Thailand, December 2021-March 2022, Thanh Nguyen Che

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The gastrointestinal infectious diseases caused by bacteria have been a major problem in the Thai swine industry. Porcine proliferative enteropathy (PPE), also known as porcine ileitis, is an enteric infectious disease caused by Lawsonia intracellularis. Porcine ileitis has been an economic threat to the global pork production system due to various types of diarrheas. Serological diagnosis can be applied for determining pathogen-antibodies seroprevalence and the timing of L. intracellularis infection when introduced to the herd. A lack of serological data since 2009, as well as recent antibiotic usage restrictions, may have a negative impact on porcine ileitis seroprevalence in Thailand. …

Transferable R Plasmids In Escherichia Coli Isolated From Meat Ducks, Zulqarnain Baqar

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study aimed to describe the AMR characteristics and transferable R plasmids in Escherichia coli isolated from meat ducks reared in an open house system. One hundred seventy-seven (n=177) commensal E. coli were previously isolated from duck cloacal swabs. In this study, all were biochemically confirmed and examined for their susceptibilities to 15 antimicrobial agents by broth microdilution method. Transfer of R plasmids was tested by biparental mating method followed by plasmid replicon typing (PBRT) and plasmid multi-locus sequence typing (pMLST). The highest resistance rates were observed for ampicillin (83.0%) and tetracycline (81.9%) while multidrug resistance was common (86.4%). Extended-spectrum …

Phenotypic And Molecular Characterization Of Streptococcus Agalactiae Causing Bovine Mastitis In Central Region Of Thailand, Sirirat Wataradee

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Streptococcus agalactiae is a highly contagious pathogen with a significant economic impact on bovine mastitis. The research aims to achieve three objectives: 1) identifying and characterizing S. agalactiae strains responsible for bovine mastitis based on their phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, 2) determining susceptibility profiles to antimicrobial agents, and 3) applying molecular epidemiological analysis to explore intramammary infections in Thai dairy herds. We analyzed a collection of one hundred S. agalactiae isolates from clinical and subclinical mastitis cases in thirteen dairy herds in central region of Thailand. We used conventional microbiological procedures, the VITEK® 2 system, and molecular detection of the …

Influence Of Cataract On Electroretinal Responses In Small Dog Breeds, Chayada Noosen

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Canine cataract is a condition of lens opacity that if severe, can lead to vision loss. High prevalence of cataract is evident in small dog breeds. To assess retinal function in cataract patients, flash electroretinography is commonly used in practice. This study aimed to compare time- and frequency-domain electroretinal responses between normal and cataract eyes in small dog breeds. Eighty-four eyes from small dog breeds categorized into immature cataract (n=49), mature cataract (n=25) and control (n=10) eyes in this study. Full-field flash intensity series ERG was performed in dogs under scotopic and photopic condition. Data was analyzed and compared among …

Porcine Semen Microbiota Analysis In Relation To Sperm Quality In Semen Extender Coupled With Gentamicin, Cong Bang Ngo

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The present study was carried out to (i) investigate the association between boar semen microbiota and semen qualities and (ii) determine the relationship between boar bacteria contamination and longevity of boar semen preserved for 3 days in BTS with and without gentamicin. A total of 20 Duroc ejaculates were collected from standard quality boars (n=10) and high-quality ones (n= 10). Besides 3 ml of fresh semen of each ejaculate was subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequencing and bioinformatics including alpha diversity, beta diversity, and taxonomic mapping, each ejaculate was diluted in two conditions of Beltsvile Thawing Solution (BTS) extender: CONTROL: …

The Effect Of Platelet-Rich Plasma And Hyaluronic Acid Nanogel On Wound Healing In Rat Skin Models, Pirada Virankabutra

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The study aimed to validate two-step procedure PRP protocol and assess the effect on skin healing process in rats treated with PRP and/or HA nanogel. A total of 46 Wistar rats were enrolled in the study. PRPwas produced and its hematological parameters were examined. Six skin defects were created and topicals (control, PRP, HA, PRP/HA, PRP/HA cream, and cream) were applied to the wounds. The progression of wound reduction was photographed daily, and calcutated to wound area. Skin samples were collected according to sampling timepoints: day 0, 3, 7,10, and 14, and stained for histological grading. The platelet (2457.15 $ …

Correlation Of The Classical Swine Fever (Csf) Antibody Levels Detected By Serum Neutralizaton And Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (Elisa), Chairani Ridha Maghfira

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Classical swine fever is an important viral disease that has a devastating impact on the swine industry. The Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) provides a simpler and more practical approach to detect classical swine fever virus (CSFV) antibodies compared to the serum neutralization (SN) test. However, antibody responses detected by ELISA cannot directly exhibit a protective level. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation of classical swine fever antibody responses detected by SN assay and commercial ELISA. A total of 522 negative and positive serum samples were tested by the SN and ELISA. Correlation, an agreement between two assays, and comparisons …

Establishment Of Transplantation Platform For Delivering Mouse Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Insulin-Producing Cells (Mips-Ipcs) For Diabetes Treatment, Hong Thuan Tran

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Pancreatic beta-cell replacement is recognized for feasible type 1 diabetes (T1D) treatment. However, in post-transplantation, the autoimmune destruction incidentally attacks the activity and survival of beta-cells are reported in animal and human. To address these concerns, the generation of immortalized, biocompatible beta-cells, and the engraftment platform are insightfully investigated. The stepwise chemical process was used for in vitro Insulin-producing cells (IPCs) production from mouse gingival fibroblast-induced pluripotent stem cells (mGF-iPSCs). The real-time qRT-PCR, glucose stimulation C-peptide/Insulin secretion, immunostaining, and visible cell methods were examined during IPC differentiation. The encapsulated-IPC beads were loaded into subcutaneous pocket space via transplantation platform. Completed …

Comparison On The Effects Of Tiletamine/Zolazepam And Dexmedetomidine With And Without Tramadol Combination Undergoing Calvarial Surgery In Rats., Kaewkarn Manomaya

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study aims to evaluate the perioperative anesthetic quality of a dexmedetomidine and tiletamine/zolazepam combination with or without tramadol during rat calvarial surgery. The study employed adult male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus), intraperitoneal (IP) administered with a combination of dexmedetomidine (0.1 mg/kg) and tiletamine/zolazepam (25 mg/kg) - referred to as the DZ group, or the addition of tramadol (12.5 mg/kg) - referred to as the DZT group. The procedures have been approved by the Institutional Animal Care Committee, Chulalongkorn University Laboratory Animal Center. The key parameters for anesthetic quality assessment were anesthetic achievement, the onset of induction, and the onset …

Seasonal Dynamics Of Parasitic Vector-Borne Pathogens In Cattle Farms And The Development Of Dna Amplification And Artificial Intelligent-Assisted Detection Methods, Apinya Arnuphapprasert

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Vector-borne pathogens in cattle have detrimental effects on animal health and the quality of animal products. These pathogens are prevalent worldwide, particularly in tropical and sub-tropical regions like Thailand. Notable vector-borne pathogens affecting cattle in Thailand include Anaplasma marginale, Babesia bovis, B. bigemina, Theileria orientalis, Trypanosoma evansi, and T. theileri. Additionally, climate change influences the behaviour of these vector-borne pathogens through its impact on their vectors. Prompt and accurate diagnosis is crucial to mitigate the adverse effects caused by these pathogens. However, conventional microscopic examination, considered the gold standard, may have limitations in terms of sensitivity and time requirements. Therefore, …

Cultivation Of Industrial Hemp On And Near Airports: Implications For Wildlife Use And Risk To Aviation Safety, Bradley F. Blackwell, Page E. Klug, Lee A. Humberg, Zachary T. Brym, Bryan M. Kluever, Jenna Edwards

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.; hemp) is an emerging crop in the United States with little known about bird use or the potential for birds to become an agricultural pest. We identified birds associated with hemp fields, using repeated visits to oilseed plots in North Dakota, USA (n = 6) and cannabinoid (CBD) plots in Florida, USA (n = 4) from August to November 2020. We did not control for plot area or density; our observations were descriptive only. We observed 10 species in hemp, 12 species flying over hemp, and 11 species both foraging in and …

Industrial Hemp As A Resource For Birds In Agroecosystems: Human-Wildlife Conflict Or Conservation Opportunity?, Emily A. Kotten, Iona Hennessy, Bryan M. Kluever, Bradley F. Blackwell, Lee A. Humberg, Page E. Klug

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.; hemp) is an emerging crop in the United States with little known about bird use or the potential for birds to become an agricultural pest. We identified birds associated with hemp fields, using repeated visits to oilseed plots in North Dakota, USA (n = 6) and cannabinoid (CBD) plots in Florida, USA (n = 4) from August to November 2020. We did not control for plot area or density; our observations were descriptive only. We observed 10 species in hemp, 12 species flying over hemp, and 11 species both foraging in and …

Longevity Of An Immunocontraceptive Vaccine Effect On Fecundity In Rats, Rebecca Pinkham, Douglas C. Eckery, Richard E. Mauldin, M. Gomm, F. Hill, F. Vial, G. Massei

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Increases in human-wildlife conflicts alongside cultural shifts against lethal control methods are driving the need for alternative wildlife management tools such as fertility control. Contraceptive formulations suitable for oral delivery would permit broader remote application in wildlife species.

This study evaluated the contraceptive effect and immune response to two novel injectable immunocontraceptive formulations targeting the Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH): MAF-IMX294 and MAF-IMX294P conjugates, both identified as having potential as oral contraceptives. The study also explored whether in multiparous species immunocontraceptives may either totally prevent reproduction or also affect litter size.

Female rats, chosen as a model species, were given three …

Foot Injuries In Michigan, Usa, Gray Wolves (Canis Lupus), 1992–2014, Daniel J. O'Brien, Dean E. Beyer Jr., Erin Largent, Julie R. Melotti, Caitlin N. Ott-Conn, Donald H. Lonsway, Thomas M. Cooley, Robert Atkinson, Michelle Clayson, Kelly A. Straka

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The range of gray wolves (Canis lupus) in the contiguous US is expanding. Research and monitoring to support population recovery and management often involves capture via foothold traps. A population-level epidemiologic assessment of the effect of trap injuries on wolf survival remains needed to inform management. We describe the baseline rate, type, and severity of foot injuries of wolves born 1992–2013 in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, evaluate the reliability of field-scoring trap-related injuries, and the effect of injuries on wolf survival. We assessed foot injuries by physical and radiographic exam at postmortem and/or time of capture for 351 wolves using the …

Olfactory Lures In Predator Control Do Not Increase Predation Risk To Birds In Areas Of Conservation Concern, Page Klug, Amy A. Yackel Adams, Robert N. Reed

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Context. Lethal control of predators is often undertaken to protect species of conservation concern. Traps are frequently baited to increase capture efficacy, but baited traps can potentially increase predation risk by attracting predators to protected areas. This is especially important if targeted predators can escape capture due to low trap success. Snake traps using live mouse lures may be beneficial if traps effectively remove snakes in the presence of birds and do not attract additional snakes to the area.

Aims. The present study evaluated whether mouse-lure traps in areas occupied by birds (simulated by deploying birdlure traps) could influence predation …

Experimental Elucidation Of The Life Cycle Of Drepanocephalus Spathans (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) With Notes On The Morphological Plasticity Of D. Spathans In The United States, Neely R. Alberson, Thomas G. Rosser, Tommy King, Ethan T. Woodyard, Lester Khoo, Wes A. Baumgartner, Daviod J. Wise, Linda M. Pote, Fred L. Cunningham, Matt J. Griffin

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The echinostomatid Drepanocephalus spathans (syn. Drepanocephalus auritus) parasitizes the doublecrested cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus. In North America, the marsh rams-horn snail Planorbella trivolvis and ghost rams-horn snail Biomphalaria havanensis serve as snail intermediate hosts, both of which inhabit catfish aquaculture ponds in the southeastern United States. Studies have demonstrated D. spathans exposure can be lethal to juvenile channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. Two studies were undertaken to elucidate the life cycle of D. spathans to establish a developmental time line. In both studies, D. spathans cercariae collected from naturally infected P. trivolvis individuals were used to infect channel catfish …

Rapid Changes In Public Perception Toward A Conservation Initiative, Rebecca Niemiec, Richard E.W. Berl, Mireille Gonzalez, Tara L. Teel, Jonathan Salerno, Stewart Breck, Cassiopeia Camara, Matthew Collins, Courtney Scholtz, Dana Hoag, Kevin R. Crooks

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Rapid, widespread changes in public perceptions and behaviors have the potential to influence conservation outcomes. However, few studies have documented whether and how such shifts occur throughout the span of a conservation initiative. We examined the 2020 ballot initiative to reintroduce wolves into Colorado, which passed with less support than prior surveys had estimated. We conducted a postelection survey of Colorado residents using the same methods as our preelection survey to compare responses between surveys and to official election results. Reported voting in favor of wolf reintroduction in the postelection survey decreased in comparison to voting intentions shared in the …

A Systematic Map Of Human-Carnivore Coexistence, Cassandre C. Venumière-Lefebvre, Stewart W. Breck, Kevin R. Crooks

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Carnivore populations globally have largely declined, and coexistence, where humans and carnivores share landscapes, plays a crucial role in carnivore conservation. However, the term “coexistence” is often used in scientific and popular literature without being clearly defined. Herein, we provide a global perspective on what coexistence is and how it is studied. We conducted a systematic map of 366 articles published between 1987 and 2020 to characterize human-carnivore coexistence literature according to coexistence definitions, temporal trends, geographic and taxonomic focus, and four thematic aspects of coexistence: carnivore ecology, human endeavors, social conflict and human-carnivore conflict. We used chi-squared tests and …

Relationship Between Reproductive Hormones And Migration Distance In A Polygynous Songbird, The Red‑Winged Blackbird (Agelaius Phoeniceus), Michelle A. Eshleman, Page E. Klug, Esther Morales‑Vega, Björn Wissel, Timothy J. Grelves

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Many bird species migrate to southern overwintering locations to avoid harsh conditions at their breeding grounds, but at the cost of an energetically demanding migration that may delay their spring reproductive development. Previous work on the relationship between migration distance and reproductive readiness has primarily focused on early season baseline testosterone in both males and females. However, for females, testosterone alone may not be the appropriate measurement of reproductive development. Estradiol, a metabolite of testosterone that is essential for breeding behaviors and reproduction, should also be measured. Furthermore, baseline testosterone varies throughout the day and may change due to social …

Scavenging Vs Hunting Affects Behavioral Traits Of An Opportunistic Carnivore, Mitchell A. Parsons, Andrew Garcia, Julie K. Young

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Background. Human-induced changes to ecosystems transform the availability of resources to predators, including altering prey populations and increasing access to anthropogenic foods. Opportunistic predators are likely to respond to altered food resources by changing the proportion of food they hunt versus scavenge. These shifts in foraging behavior will affect species interactions through multiple pathways, including by changing other aspects of predator behavior such as boldness, innovation, and social structure. Methods. To understand how foraging behavior impacts predator behavior, we conducted a controlled experiment to simulate hunting by introducing a prey model to captive coyotes (Canis latrans) and compared their behavior …

Concentration-Response Of An Anthraquinone-Based Repellent For Raccoons (Procyon Lotor), Shylo Johnson, Shelagh T. Deliberto, Kathleen Urchek, Amy T. Gilbert, Scott J. Werner

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Wildlife repellents can be part of non-lethal management strategies to reduce the negative impacts of wildlife to property, agricultural production, and human health and safety. Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are associated with negative impacts in all three of these areas. Anthraquinone is a useful avian repellent and its utility as a mammalian repellent is still being explored. Our objective was to evaluate laboratory efficacy of an anthraquinone-based repellent for raccoons using different concentrations. We fed captive raccoons whole corn treated at 0.5%, 1%, 1.5% and 2% anthraquinone and examined their behavioral response related to feeding repellency including consumption and change in …

Accounting For Animal Movement Improves Vaccination Strategies Against Wildlife Disease In Heterogeneous Landscapes, Katherine M. Mcclure, Guillaume Bastille-Rousseau, Amy J. Davis, Carolyn A. Stengel, Kathleen M. Nelson, Richard B. Chipman, George Wittemyer, Zaid Abdo, Amy Gilbert, Kim M. Pepin

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Oral baiting is used to deliver vaccines to wildlife to prevent, control, and eliminate infectious diseases. A central challenge is how to spatially distribute baits to maximize encounters by target animal populations, particularly in urban and suburban areas where wildlife such as raccoons (Procyon lotor) are abundant and baits are delivered along roads. Methods from movement ecology that quantify movement and habitat selection could help to optimize baiting strategies by more effectively targeting wildlife populations across space. We developed a spatially explicit, individual-based model of raccoon movement and oral rabies vaccine seroconversion to examine whether and when baiting …

Using Noninvasive Genetics For Estimating Density And Assessing Diet Of Urban And Rural Coyotes In Florida, Usa, Bryan M. Kluever, Martin B. Main, Stewart W. Breck, Robert C. Lonsinger, John H. Humphrey, Justin W. Fischer, Michael P. Milleson Usda Aphis Wildlife Services, Gainesville, Antionette J. Piaggio

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Coyotes (Canis latrans) are expanding their range and due to conflicts with the public and concerns of Coyotes affecting natural resources such as game or sensitive species, there is interest and often a demand to monitor Coyote populations. A challenge to monitoring is that traditional invasive methods involving live-capture of individual animals are costly and can be controversial. Natural resource management agencies can benefit from contemporary noninvasive genetic sampling approaches aimed at determining key aspects of Coyote ecology (e.g., population density and food habits). However, the efficacy of such approaches under different environmental conditions is poorly understood. Our …

Invasive Predators Affect Community-Wide Pollinator Visitation, Christina T. Liang, Aaron B. Shiels, William P. Haines, Manette E. Sandor, Clare E. Aslan

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Disruption of plant–pollinator interactions by invasive predators is poorly understood but may pose a critical threat for native ecosystems. In a multiyear field experiment in Hawai’i, we suppressed abundances of globally invasive predators and then observed insect visitation to flowers of six native plant species. Three plant species are federally endangered (Haplostachys haplostachya, Silene lanceolata, Tetramolopium arenarium) and three are common throughout their range (Bidens menziesii, Dubautia linearis, Sida fallax). Insect visitors were primarily generalist pollinators, including taxa that occur worldwide such as solitary bees (e.g., Lasioglossum impavidum), social bees (e.g., …

Spatial Risk Modeling Of Cattle Depredation By Black Vultures In The Midwestern United States, Brandon M. Quinby, Bryan M. Kluever, Grant N. Burcham, Lee Humberg, Landon R. Jones, Marian L. Wahl, Patrick A. Zollner

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

ock operations through depredation of stock are a cause of human‐wildlife conflict. Management of such conflict requires identifying environmental and non‐environmental factors specific to a wildlife species' biology and ecology that influence the potential for livestock depredation to occur. Identification of such factors can improve understanding of the conditions placing livestock at risk. Black vultures (Coragyps atratus) have expanded their historical range northward into the midwestern United States. Concomitantly, an increase in concern among agricultural producers regarding potential black vulture attacks on livestock has occurred. We estimated area with greater or lesser potential for depredation of domestic cattle by black …

Rodents In Agriculture: A Broad Perspective, Gary Witmer

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The largest taxonomic group of mammals is rodents, with over 2200 species known around the world [1]. More recently, it was stated that over 2500 species exist [2]. Many species exist on all continents, with the exception of Antarctica. Rodents have adapted to all ecosystems of the world, including tundra, alpine, temperate forests, grasslands, arid regions, and aquatic systems. They provide many ecosystem functions, including soil aeration and mixing, seed and spore dispersal, vegetation succession, and being an important food source for predatory animals. Some species of rodents are even consumed by people in some parts of the world. Most …