4 ms·

The elephants died of sepsis related to Pasteurella bacteria, the same bacteria which killed 200,000 antelopes in Kazakhstan. The bacteria is normally commensu

The elephants died of sepsis related to Pasteurella bacteria, the same bacteria which killed 200,000 antelopes in Kazakhstan. The bacteria is normally commensurate in the pharynx/tonsils however a virulence factor or increased infectiousness was gained somehow (possibly ambient temperature related).

Sparkyte 3y ago
Might not be, it could be bacterial evolution. While temperatures shouldn't be ruled out bacteria and viruses evolve much more rapidly compared to multi-cellular organisms. In fact DNA of multi-cellular organisms are often altered by them. Not by much, but enough we can track if our ancestors experienced the bubonic plague in DNA. I think it is possible to assume they acclimated and became stronger maybe due to the introduction of fertilizers. United States is experiencing problems with algae blooms and this is typically downstream of water contaminated with fertilizer. Higher than what typically would be organically washed down stream.
- nerdponx 3y ago
  My understanding of bacterial disease is that generally the disease itself is caused by bacteria emitting various toxins, either as waste materials or as part of their defense system. Does it make sense that a commensal bacterium would evolve into something dangerous?
  - Sparkyte 3y ago
    Depends on the environment. We all evolve due to our surrounding environment. Being stronger doesn't necessarily mean defensive, it might mean longer life cycles. More waste as you said.
  - vkou 3y ago
    It could, evolution is a drunkard's walk. It would be unlikely to outcompete its commensal siblings that don't damage the host.
    - Sparkyte 3y ago
      Many times in history we have seen bad evolution do something and kill itself out. Possible heavily fertilized plants contributed into strengthening the bacteria too. They eat plants. Some gut microbiomes can become a lot stronger just from what we eat and be the leading cause of a particular dementia. Weird I know.
pvaldes 3y ago
I would discard ambient temperature, both species support a lot of heat. neither lack of food fits because all cohorts died simultaneously. Toxins, poison or hidden radioactivity dust most probably [1] if I remember correctly Saiga mortality in Kazahstan happened a few months after wildfires in Chernobyl. Is also an area contaminated with fuel rockets. There are two species of Saiga currently so this makes the problem much worse. Is a fact that elephants have an enemy in farmers, and that lions and other African wild fauna had been systematically poisoned in recent years to be replaced by cattle. [1] triggering low immunity, that leads to opportunist bacterial infections, that leads to (or just facilitate), mass death at all levels.

Sparkyte 3y ago

Might not be, it could be bacterial evolution. While temperatures shouldn't be ruled out bacteria and viruses evolve much more rapidly compared to multi-cellular organisms. In fact DNA of multi-cellular organisms are often altered by them. Not by much, but enough we can track if our ancestors experienced the bubonic plague in DNA. I think it is possible to assume they acclimated and became stronger maybe due to the introduction of fertilizers. United States is experiencing problems with algae blooms and this is typically downstream of water contaminated with fertilizer. Higher than what typically would be organically washed down stream.

nerdponx 3y ago
My understanding of bacterial disease is that generally the disease itself is caused by bacteria emitting various toxins, either as waste materials or as part of their defense system. Does it make sense that a commensal bacterium would evolve into something dangerous?
- Sparkyte 3y ago
  Depends on the environment. We all evolve due to our surrounding environment. Being stronger doesn't necessarily mean defensive, it might mean longer life cycles. More waste as you said.
- vkou 3y ago
  It could, evolution is a drunkard's walk. It would be unlikely to outcompete its commensal siblings that don't damage the host.
  - Sparkyte 3y ago
    Many times in history we have seen bad evolution do something and kill itself out. Possible heavily fertilized plants contributed into strengthening the bacteria too. They eat plants. Some gut microbiomes can become a lot stronger just from what we eat and be the leading cause of a particular dementia. Weird I know.

pvaldes 3y ago

I would discard ambient temperature, both species support a lot of heat. neither lack of food fits because all cohorts died simultaneously. Toxins, poison or hidden radioactivity dust most probably [1] if I remember correctly Saiga mortality in Kazahstan happened a few months after wildfires in Chernobyl. Is also an area contaminated with fuel rockets. There are two species of Saiga currently so this makes the problem much worse. Is a fact that elephants have an enemy in farmers, and that lions and other African wild fauna had been systematically poisoned in recent years to be replaced by cattle. [1] triggering low immunity, that leads to opportunist bacterial infections, that leads to (or just facilitate), mass death at all levels.