Investigador veterinario | Javier Millán

Javier Millán

Veterinary researcher in wildlife diseases

Ancla 1

Latest News

January, 2025- Three papers published

In the last few weeks, three new contributions came out. From parasites of mice to virus of carnivores. All of them are Open Access:

-Millán J., ... & Miró G. (2024). Large-scale molecular survey for piroplasmids in Iberian wild carnivores. Parasitology Research, 123(12), 1-6.

-Miljevic M., ... & Millán J. (In press). Hydatigera parva population genetics in Iberian rodents provides insights into its introduction from Africa. Parasitology.

-Canuti M., ... & Millán J. (In press). Molecular ecology of novel amdoparvoviruses and old protoparvoviruses in Spanish wild carnivorans. Infection Genetics and Evolution.

December, 2024- Cristina passed her viva

Congratulations to Cristina for passing her MSc Viva!

Cristina Ruiz defended her MSc in Global Health thesis about Leptospira in periurban wild rodents with getting the highest grade. Well done!

October, 2024- Mélody got her paper published

Our latest publication cames from Mélody Imbert's veterinary degree final project.

"Molecular screening of selected vector-borne pathogens circulating in owned dogs in the Caribbean archipelago of Guadeloupe (France)".

It is Open Access: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405939024001655

September, 2024- Attended the EBRS at Tarragona

I attended the 16thEuropean Bat Research Symposium that took place at Tarragona (Spain).

April, 2024- New article

We have described a new species of tick!

Description of Rhipicephalus hibericus sp. nov. (Ixodoidea: Ixodidae), a species of the Rhipicephalus sanguineus group in southwestern Europe.

Open access clicking here.

About me

I am a wildlife veterinarian broadly interested in the epidemiology of parasitic and infectious diseases in micro and mesomammals (carnivores, rodents, bats). For the past few years, I focus on vector-borne pathogens. I am also interested in animal conservation, diseases shared by wild and domestic animals, wild and peridomestic disease reservoirs, and zoonoses.

I am affiliated to the Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2, based at the Veterinary Faculty of Zaragoza University. I am funded by the Aragonese Agency for R+D (ARAID). I am also a member of the research group "Zoonoses and emerging diseases of public health interest" (Official group #A16_20R of the Aragón Government).

I am a Council Member of the Wildlife Disease Association and an Editorial Board Member of the Journal of Wildlife Diseases.

Research Gate profile

Scopus profile

Twitter: @millan_wildvet

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Current students

Grad students

I am currently advising one doctorate student

Undergrad students

Sofia Soares, DVM

PhD student Ticks in the Pyrenees

I supervise Veterinary Medicine final projects.

If you are interested in doing an internship with wildlife, contact me.

Eva Astiz

Parasites of Eurasian badgers

Natalia Juárez

Ticks in Pyrenean wild rodents

Yeray Calleja

Behavioural effect of parasites (review)

Alumni

I have supervised so far four PhD theses, three MSc theses and several degree final projects.

Aitor Cevidanes

Now a postdoc at NEIKER

Sophia Di Cataldo

Now a postdoc at CONICET, Argentina

Irene Sacristán

Now a postdoc at CISA-INIA

Tatiana Proboste

Now a postdoc at the University of Queensland, Australia

Complete list of dissertations

PhD Thesis

Raquel Sobrino-Menchero. 2008. PhD Thesis. “Contribution to the knowledge of diseases of carnivores in the Iberian Peninsula”. IREC, National Institute for Game Research (CSIC), Spain.
Irene Sacristán. 2019. PhD thesis. “Effects of landscape anthropization on the interspecific transmission of pathogens and antimicrobial resistance genes in guignas (Leopardus guigna) of Chile”. Universidad Andrés Bello, Chile.
Aitor Cevidanes. 2019. PhD thesis. “Evaluating inter-specific transmission of canine vector-borne pathogens between dogs and foxes in a human-dominated landscape”. Universidad Andrés Bello, Chile.
Sophia di Cataldo. 2020. “Distribution, transmission, and risk factors of infection with canine vector-borne pathogens in wild foxes and free-ranging dogs in Chile”. Universidad Andrés Bello, Chile.

Master's dissertations

Tatiana Proboste. 2013. MSc Thesis. “Molecular detection of Tick-borne Pathogens in rural Dogs and Ticks, Uganda”. Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Spain.
Aitor Cevidanes. 2014. MSc Thesis. “Factors affecting the prevalence of ticks and mites in periurban micromammals”. Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Spain.
Nina Rygh. 2017. MRes Thesis. “A Comparison of Diet and Trophic Level of Culpeo Foxes (Lycalopex culpaeus) and Sympatric Free- Ranging Dogs in a Human-Dominated Landscape of Central Chile Through Stable Isotope Analysis”. Nottingham Trent University, United Kingdom.
Cristina Ruiz. 2024. MSc Thesis. "Molecular detection of pathogenic leptospires in wildlife in the Middle Ebro Valley". Universidad de Zaragoza, Spain.

Degree final projects

Fernanda Vera. 2017. DVM final project. “Contribution to the knowledge of the species of fleas infesting dogs in Eastern Island”. Universidad de Santo Tomás, Chile.
Paula Mujica. 2018. DVM final project. “Characterization of the parasitic nematode fauna of wild foxes in Chile”. Universidad Andrés Bello, Chile.
Natalia Pino. 2018. DVM final project. “Detection of Echinococcus sp. antigen in fox feces from central Chile”. Universidad Andrés Bello, Chile.
Claudia Ulloa. 2019. DVM final project. “Characterization of flea infestation (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) in culpeo foxes (Lycalopex culpaeus) from anthropized habitats in the Metropolitan Region, Chile.”. Universidad de Chile, Chile.
Manuela Romeo. 2023. DVM final project. "Study of the distribution of ticks in Aragon". Universidad de Zaragoza, Spain.
Mélody Imbert. 2024. DVM final project. "Molecular screening of the vector-borne pathogens circulating in dogs in Guadeloupe (France)". Universidad de Zaragoza, Spain.
Javier Marco. 2024. DVM final project. "Study of cardio-respiratory helminths in wild carnivores from Navarra". Universidad de Zaragoza, Spain.

Collaborators

I have an extense network of collaborators. Below are some of them that I currently work with.

Fernando Esperón

Univ. Europea de Madrid

Agustín Estrada Peña

Retired

Diego Villanúa

Gobierno de Navarra

Alejandro Rodríguez

Estación Biológica de Doñana

Ruth Rodríguez Pastor

Universidad de Zaragoza

Aitor Cevidanes

Neiker, Bilbao

Luis Monteagudo

Universidad de Zaragoza

Paula Santibáñez

CIBIR, La Rioja

Isabel García

IREC, Ciudad Real

José de la Fuente

IREC, Ciudad Real

about

projects

Projects

I am currently or was recently involved the following funded projects:

2024-2027

“Ticks and diseases transmitted in the Pyrenean environment: updating knowledge, harmonizing theirstudy and prevention proposals”.

Interreg-POCTEFA. PI: Javier Millán. www.pyrtick.eu

Budget: 890,000€

2024-2027

"Estudio del estado sanitario de los lagomorfos silvestres y domésticos en la Península Ibérica bajo un enfoque de Una Sola Salud (Iber-LagoHealth)". Proyectos de Generación de Conocimiento, Mº de Ciencia, Investigación y Universidades. PI: I. Bocanegra & C. Rouco.

2022-2023

“Bats in urban environments: what is the price of living in the city?”.

Universidad de Zaragoza. PI: Javier Millán.

Budget: 9.600€

2022-2023

“Morphological and molecular characterization, ecology and pathogens transmitted by Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. ticks in the mid-Ebro valley”.

Gobierno de Aragón. PI: Javier Millán.

Budget: 65.500€

2021-2022

“Bites of knowledge”.

Fecyt, Fundación Española para Ciencia y Tecnología. PI: Javier Millán.

Budget: 19.900€

Link to the project website.

2021-2023

“Ciclos silvestres de enfermedades transmitidas por vectores en un escenario de cambio global”.

Líneas Estratégicas de Investigación del IA2. PI: Javier Millán

Budget: 12.000€

Publications

ORCID 0000-0001-5608-781X

Recent publications (2020-2024)

Complete list at: https://scholar.google.es/citations?hl=en&user=QhIokm0AAAAJ

You can request any of my papers through my RG profile (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Javier-Millan-2) or emaling me: javier.millan (at) unizar.es

Millán, J. et al. (2024). Large-scale molecular survey for piroplasmids in Iberian wild carnivores. Parasitology Research, 123(12), 1-6.
Imbert, M., ..., & Millán, J. (2024). Molecular screening of selected vector-borne pathogens circulating in owned dogs in the Caribbean archipelago of Guadeloupe (France). Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports, 56, 101132.
Millán J., Rodríguez-Pastor, R., & Estrada-Peña, A. (2024). Description of Rhipicephalus hibericus sp. nov.(Ixodoidea: Ixodidae), a species of the Rhipicephalus sanguineus group in southwestern Europe. Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, 15(4), 102340.
Millán J et al. (2024). High diversity, novel genotypes, and vertical transmission of hemotropic Mycoplasma in micromammals. Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 107, 102151.
Millán J., et al. (2024). Epizootiology and Pathology of Sarcoptic Mange in Two Species of Fox (Lycalopex spp.) in Human-Dominated Landscapes of Central Chile. The Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 60(2), 421-433.
Pizarro, et al. (2024). Species delimitation and intraspecific diversification in recently diverged South American foxes. Mammal Research, 69(1), 71-87.
Hayer et al. "Multiple clonal transmissions of clinically relevant extended-spectrum beta-lactamase–producing Escherichia coli among livestock, dogs, and wildlife in Chile." Journal of Global Antimicrobial Resistance 34 (2023): 247-252.
Epelboin et al. (2023) Coxiella burnetii Infection in Livestock, Pets, Wildlife, and Ticks in Latin America and the Caribbean: a Comprehensive Review of the Literature. Current Tropical Medicine Reports, 10 (3), pp. 94 - 137
Di Cataldo,... & Millán, J. (2023). Spirocerca lupi in the stomach of two Andean foxes (Lycalopex culpaeus) from Chile. Parasitology Research, 122 (6), 1261-1269.
Millán, J.et al. (2023). Molecular identification of Bartonella spp. and Rickettsia felis in fox fleas, Chile. Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 101983.
Cevidanes, A., ... & Millán, J. (2023). Co-infection patterns of vector-borne zoonotic pathogens in owned free-ranging dogs in central Chile. Veterinary Research Communications, 47 (2), 575-585.
Nilson et al. (2022). Genetics of randomly bred cats support the cradle of cat domestication being in the Near East. Heredity 129 (6), 346-355
Di Cataldo, S. ... & Millán, J. (2022). Large-scale survey for canine vector-borne parasites in free-ranging dogs and foxes from six diverse bioclimatic regions of Chile. Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports, 30,100721.
Hidalgo-Hermoso, E., ... & Millán, J. (2022). Serosurvey for selected parasitic and bacterial pathogens in Darwin's fox (Lycalopex fulvipes): not only dog diseases are a threat. The Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 58(1), 76-85.
Di Cataldo, S. ... & Millán, J. (2022). A serosurvey for spotted fever group Rickettsia and Coxiella burnetii antibodies in rural dogs and foxes, Chile. Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 83, 101769.
Hidalgo-Hermoso, E. et al. (2022). Molecular Detection and Characterization of Hemoplasmas in the Pudu (Pudu puda), a Native Cervid from Chile. The Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 58(1), 8-14.
Hidalgo-Hermoso, E. et al. (2022). Lack of Exposure to Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in Chilean Cervids, and Evidence of a New Mycobacterium-Like Sequence. The Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 58(3), 680-684.
Canales-Cerro, C., ... & Millán, J. (2022). Carbon and nitrogen isotopic similarity between the endangered Darwin’s fox (Lycalopex fulvipes) and sympatric free-ranging dogs in Chiloé Island, Chile. Isotopes in Environmental and Health Studies, DOI: 10.1080/10256016.2022.2106225.
Millán J & Becker DJ. 2021. Patterns of Exposure and Infection with Microparasites in Iberian Wild Carnivores: A Review and Meta-Analysis. Animals (Basel). 11:2708.
Estrada-Peña A, ... & Millán J. 2021. Pitfalls in Tick and Tick-Borne Pathogens Research, Some Recommendations and a Call for Data Sharing. Pathogens 10:712.
Benavides JA, ...& Millán J. 2021. ESBL-Producing Escherichia coli Carrying CTX-M Genes Circulating among Livestock, Dogs, and Wild Mammals in Small-Scale Farms of Central Chile. Antibiotics (Basel) 10:510
Di Cataldo S, ... & Millán J. 2021. Widespread Infection with Hemotropic Mycoplasmas in Free-Ranging Dogs and Wild Foxes Across Six Bioclimatic Regions of Chile. Microorganisms 9:919.
Cevidanes, A... & Millán, J. 2021. Marked host association and molecular evidence of limited transmission of ticks and fleas between sympatric wild foxes and rural dogs. Medical and Veterinary Entomology 35:239-250.
Sacristán, I. et al. 2021. Cross‐species transmission of retroviruses among domestic and wild felids in human‐occupied landscapes in Chile. Evolutionary Applications 14, 1070-1082
Gargano, V., ..., Millán, J. & Vicari, D. 2021. Serological Survey and Molecular Characterization of Theileria annulata in Sicilian Cattle. Pathogens, 10, 101.
Busch, J., et al. 2021. High seroprevalence of feline morbilliviruses in free-roaming domestic cats in Chile. Archives of Virology, 166, 281-285.
Sieg, M., et al. (2020). Identification of Novel Feline Paramyxoviruses in Guignas (Leopardus guigna) from Chile. Viruses, 12, 1397.
Müller A, ...& Millán J*. 2020. Molecular investigation of zoonotic intracellular bacteria in Chilean bats. Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases 73, 101541.
Sacristán, I., et al. 2021. Epidemiology and molecular characterization of Carnivore protoparvovirus‐1 infection in the wild felid Leopardus guigna in Chile. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 68, 3335–3348
Millán J et al. 2020. Worldwide occurrence of hemoplasmas in wildlife: insights into the patterns of infection, transmission, pathology, and zoonotic potential. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases. 68, 3236–3256.
Di Cataldo S, ...& Millán J. 2020. Babesia vogeli in dogs in Chile. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 67, 2296-2299
Fernández-Escobar, M., Millán, J., et al. 2020. Molecular survey for cyst-forming coccidia (Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, Sarcocystis spp.) in Mediterranean periurban micromammals. Parasitology Research, 119:2679-2686
Di Cataldo S, ... & Millán J.. 2020. Hemoplasmas are asymptomatically endemic in the endangered Darwin's fox (Lycalopex fulvipes). Applied and Environmental Microbiology
Cevidanes A, ...& Millán J*. 2020. Antimicrobial resistance genes in Andean foxes inhabiting anthropized landscapes in central Chile. Science of The Total Environment 724: 138247
Moreira‐Arce D, ...., Millán J, Hidalgo-Hermoso E, & Farías AA. 2020. A forest-specialist carnivore in the middle of the desert? Comments on Anabalon et al. 2019. Ecology and Evolution, in press
Chirife AD, Cevidanes A, & Millán J. 2020. Effective Field Immobilization of Andean Fox Fox (Lycalopex culpaeus) with Dexmedetomidine and Ketamine and Antagonism with Atipamezole. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 56:482-485.
Hidalgo-Hermoso E, ... & Millán J. 2020. An eight-year survey for canine distemper virus indicates lack of exposure in the endangered Darwin’s fox (Lycalopex fulvipes). Journal of Wildlife Diseases 56: 447-451.
Di Cataldo S, ... & Millán J, *. 2020. Hemotropic mycoplasmas in bats captured near human settlements in Nigeria. Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases 70:101448
Calatayud O, ... & Millán J. 2020. Genetic characterization of Carnivore Parvoviruses in Spanish wildlife reveals domestic dog and cat-related sequences. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 67: 626-634
Sacristán I, ..., Millán J, Napolitano C. 2020. Antibiotic resistance genes as landscape anthropization indicators: Using a wild felid as sentinel in Chile. Science of the Total Environment. 703: 134900