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Caracals (Caracal caracal) are a felid species native to regions of southern Africa and western and central Asia. Despite their relatively high prevalence, the majority of research conducted on caracals has been undertaken on captive individuals, which encounter significantly different environments and exhibit different behaviors in comparison to caracals in the wild. Thereby, they likely have a vastly different virome. The goal of this study was to identify known and unknown DNA viruses associated with free-ranging caracals. Caracal fecal and organ samples were obtained from a caracal surveillance study undertaken in the Western Cape region of South Africa. Parasitic ticks found feeding on caracals were also obtained. Using a viral metagenomic informed approach, a novel circovirus (family Circoviridae) was detected and characterized in caracal fecal, kidney, spleen, and liver samples, as well as in ticks feeding on the caracals. To our knowledge, this is the first circovirus identified in caracals. The novel circovirus was determined to be closely related to a canine circovirus. These findings expand the knowledge of viral diversity and caracals and are greatly important to caracal conservation efforts as well as conservation efforts of other animals within their ecosystem.
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This project aimed to identify barriers to participation and develop strategies to increase the accessibility of a diabetes prevention program in the Latino community. Surveys were administered to past participants of a randomized control trial at a community event where study results were shared. The top concerns expressed by respondents were related to the use of personal information. Primary barriers to participation included work/school commitments and transportation issues. Strategies to increase accessibility included providing flexible class times, having bilingual research staff, and using multiple forms of community outreach such as flyers, health events, phone calls, texts, and social media. Expanding community partners was also identified as a primary strategy for increasing program reach. Researchers should focus on addressing confidentiality concerns, providing financial compensation for attendance, flexible scheduling, and utilizing diverse outreach methods to enhance access to diabetes prevention programs in the Latino community
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Bats are a highly diverse mammal species with a dense virome and fascinating immune system. The following project utilizes metagenomics in order to identify DNA viruses present in populations of silver-haired bats and Mexican free-tailed bats from southern Arizona. A significant number of DNA viruses and novel viruses were identified in the Cressdnaviricota phylum and Microvirdae family.