RESEARCH PAPER
Introduced Canadian Eastern grey squirrels: squirrelpox virus surveillance and why nothing matters
 
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1
Moredun Research Institue
 
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Bangor University, Bangor, LL57 2UW, UK
 
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Thomson Rivers University, Kamloops, British Columbie, V2C O28 Canada
 
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APHA, Addlestone Surrey, KT15 3NB UK
 
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Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
 
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Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK
 
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Universita degli Studi di Milano, v. Celoria 10, 20133, Milano, Italy
 
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Toronto Zoo, Toronto, Ontario, M1B 5K7, Canada
 
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BC SPCA, Vancouver, British Columbia V5T 1R1, Canada
 
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Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9R 5S5, Canada
 
 
Online publication date: 2020-08-03
 
 
Publication date: 2020-08-03
 
 
Corresponding author
Colin J McInnes   

Moredun Research Institue
 
 
Hystrix It. J. Mamm. 2020;31(2):95-98
 
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ABSTRACT
Squirrelpox virus (SQPV), an unapparent infection of the Eastern grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), is considered to be mediating the ecological replacement of the Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) in the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland. Evidence suggests that the Eastern grey squirrel is the natural reservoir host of SQPV and therefore there is considerable concern amongst conservationists that when translocated out of its natural range in North America, the Eastern grey squirrel could pose a similar threat to encountered indigenous squirrel populations. Serum samples collected from Eastern grey squirrels from British Columbia (BC), Canada, an introduced population derived from squirrels translocated at the beginning of the 20th Century, were surveyed for evidence of antibodies against SQPV. None of the 130 samples tested had antibodies to the virus, contrasting with 15 out of 19 (79%) positive serum samples collected from Ontario, a population within the natural range of the Eastern grey squirrel. We conclude that BC is currently free of SQPV and that to maintain the virus-free status further translocations of grey squirrels from their native range should be prevented. A comprehensive study of the founding population and comparison with the other populations in BC, including broad epidemiological surveillance for the virus is recommended as an early warning for potential incursions of the virus and the threats that this may pose.
eISSN:1825-5272
ISSN:0394-1914
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