Virological Investigation of Avian Influenza Virus on Postglacial Species of Phasianidae and Tetraonidae in the Italian Alps

Land-based birds, belonging to Galliformes order are considered to be potential intermediaries in the emergence of new strains of influenza A viruses (AIVs), but the viral circulation in these birds remains largely unknown. To gain insights into the circulation of AIV in the wild Galliformes populations in Italian Alps, we conducted a virological survey on rock partridge (Alectoris graeca saxatilis) belonging to Phasianidae family and on tetraonids including rock ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus helveticus) and black grouse (Tetrao tetrix tetrix). In 2003 and 2004, during the hunting seasons, 79 wild Galliformes, categorised into age and sex classes, were hunted in the Sondrio Province (Central Alps). Cloacal swabs were collected from 11 rock partridges and from 68 tetraonids including 23 alpine rock ptarmigans and 45 black grouses. We tested cloacal swabs by a high sensitive reverse transcription- (RT-) PCR detecting the matrix gene of AIV. No AIV was detected in the investigated samples, thus, suggesting the lack of AIV circulation in these relict populations in the study period. In terms of threatened species conservation, during wildlife management activities, it is very important to exclude the introduction of AIV-carrier birds in shared territories, a fact representing a health risk for these populations. 1. Introduction Global surface temperatures have increased about 0.74°C since the late nineteenth century, and the linear trend for the past fifty years of 0.13°C per decade is nearly twice that for the past hundred years [1]. As a consequence, snow extent and sea ice are projected to decrease further in the northern hemisphere, and glaciers and ice caps are expected to continue to retreat, resulting in dramatic impacts on polar and alpine environments. In these habitats, many plants and animals have already responded to this change by advancing their annual cycles [2], by modifying their distribution and the composition of communities [3]. In addition, during the last decades, human pressure on alpine wildlife habitats has significantly increased [4]. Areas above the timberline are most attractive for tourism, and disturbance by human leisure activities is considered one of the most serious threats to alpine species [5]. Moreover, the progressive abandonment of traditional farming practices as well as afforestations of high-altitude areas results in an upward advance of timberline posing serious threats to alpine and subalpine species adapted to cold habitats [6]. Among them, postglacial relict species belonging to Galliformes order such as rock