Occurrence of the introduced snake mite, Ophionyssus natricis (Gervais, 1844), in the wild in Australia

Norval, Gerrut; Halliday, Bruce; Sih, Andrew; Sharrad, Robert D.; Gardner, Michael G.

doi:10.24349/acarologia/20204385

Cited by 8 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Not only is there a risk that new populations will establish to the detriment of native ecosystems (Lockwood et al, 2019), but released pets, regardless of whether they are outside their native range or whether they successfully establish, pose a biosecurity risk through the potential transmission of pet‐borne pathogens and parasites (e.g. Norval et al 2020). Additional risks include the release on non‐native subspecies or captive breeding morphs that may hybridise with native populations (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Drivers of the Australian native pet trade: The role of species traits, socioeconomic attributes and regulatory systems

Toomes

García‐Díaz

Stringham

et al. 2022

Journal of Applied Ecology

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The pet trade is a major driver of both biodiversity loss and the introduction of invasive alien species. Building a comprehensive understanding of the pet trade would improve prediction of conservation and biosecurity threats, with the aim to prevent further negative impacts. We used South Australia’s native wildlife permit reporting system as a data‐rich example of a vertebrate pet market, spanning 590 distinct taxa across 105 families of terrestrial vertebrates (mammals, reptiles, birds and amphibians). Using a piecewise structural equation modelling (SEM) approach, we tested the influence of 11 a priori variables relating to pets (e.g. species traits), pet owners (e.g. socioeconomic metrics) and regulatory systems (e.g. permit requirements) on the quantities of captive pet keeping, breeding, trading and escapes into the wild. Birds and reptiles with higher annual fecundity were more likely to be kept in captivity and birds with larger adult mass were more likely to be sold. Species with more stringent permit requirements were possessed and escaped, in lower abundances. Pet keeping was weakly correlated with regions of lower human population densities and higher unemployment rates, yet all socioeconomic variables were ultimately poor at explaining trade dynamics. More escapes occurred in regions that possessed larger quantities of pets, further emphasising the role of propagule pressure in the risk of pet escapes. Synthesis and applications. Species traits are a strong determinant of native pet trade dynamics, yet permit systems also play a key role in de‐incentivising undesirable trade practices. While our research highlighted the positive potential of trade regulatory systems, we recommend that consistent permit category criteria are established to reduce trade in threatened species as well as invasive alien species of high biosecurity risk. Implementation of such systems is broadly needed across a greater diversity of wildlife markets and jurisdictions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Drivers of the Australian native pet trade: The role of species traits, socioeconomic attributes and regulatory systems

Toomes

García‐Díaz

Stringham

et al. 2022

Journal of Applied Ecology

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“…Ophionyssus natricis is one of the most problematic parasites infested captive snakes and has been reported from numerous native and captive reptiles and lizards in many countries of the world (Yunker, 1956;Till, 1957;Miranda et al, 2017;Norval et al, 2020). However, we have currently very limited information on the presence and the prevalence of O. natricis infestations on the native and captive snakes and lizards in Turkey.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The genus Ophionyssus Mégnin (Mesostigmata: Macronyssidae) is represented currently by 17 species in the world (Moraza et al, 2009). One of them, Ophionyssus natricis (Gervais) is naturally lizard and snake hosts in Africa (Till, 1957;Evans and Till, 1966), but it has been distributed by pet trade in various parts of the world (Miranda et al 2017;Norval et al, 2020). Individual herpetocultures, especially, have a big risk due to the ability to spread fast of this mite from a single infested animal to others.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occurrence of Ophionyssus natricis (Acari: Macronyssidae) on the captive corn snake, Pantherophis guttatus, (Squamata: Colubridae) in Turkey

Keskin

2021

Acarological Studies

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Exotic snakes may harbour numerous parasites and play an important role in the spreading of parasites. Ophionyssus natricis (Gervais) (Acari: Macronyssidae) has been found in natural conditions on a wide variety of snakes in Africa, but this mite has been distributed by exotic pet trade in various parts of the world. In the present study, O. natricis was reported on the captive corn snake, Pantherophis guttatus (L.) (Squamata: Colubridae), in Turkey, for the first time. Male and protonymph stage of O. natricis were also first time reported in Turkey. In addition, some setal variations in the pygidial shield of protonymphs were documented.

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Zoonotic Parasites in Reptiles, with Particular Emphasis on Potential Zoonoses in Australian Reptiles

Leung

2024

Curr Clin Micro Rpt

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Purpose of Review Zoonotic infections are a major public health issue, but reptiles are generally overlooked as sources of zoonoses compared with other classes of vertebrate animals. This paper provides an overview of the biology and ecologies of zoonotic parasites, including helminths, arthropods and protozoans from reptiles. Recent Findings Reptile zoonoses include parasites from a wide range of taxa, and a variety of different infection routes. In particular, Australia’s diverse reptile fauna may be harbouring a range of parasites with varying degrees of zoonotic potential, but the basic biology and ecology of many of those parasites are poorly known. Summary While some reptile parasites are foodborne zoonoses, many others may be acquired from exposure to infective stages which have been shed into the environment, especially among captive reptiles. Within Australia, consumption of reptile meat is rare in comparison to other parts of the world, but the increasing popularity of reptiles as pets means that captive pets and the reptile trade may become a key source of emerging zoonoses in the future.

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Occurrence of the introduced snake mite, Ophionyssus natricis (Gervais, 1844), in the wild in Australia

Cited by 8 publications

References 15 publications

Drivers of the Australian native pet trade: The role of species traits, socioeconomic attributes and regulatory systems

Drivers of the Australian native pet trade: The role of species traits, socioeconomic attributes and regulatory systems

Occurrence of Ophionyssus natricis (Acari: Macronyssidae) on the captive corn snake, Pantherophis guttatus, (Squamata: Colubridae) in Turkey

Zoonotic Parasites in Reptiles, with Particular Emphasis on Potential Zoonoses in Australian Reptiles

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