Psoroptes sp. Infestation in Sulawesi Bear Cuscus (Ailurops ursinus) in Indonesia

Abstract

One male and two female sulawesi bear cuscus (Ailurops ursinus), weighing 4.4, 5.1 and 4.6 kg was admitted to the Animal Health Center of the Gowa Agriculture Extension College. Upon physical examination auricular skin lesions, and erythematous and pruritic skin lesions, both on the ventral abdomen and on extremities were detected. Microscopic examination of skin scrapings taken from pinnae and hair plucked from the medial extremities region revealed the presence of Psoroptes sp. The ventral abdominal and extremitas localization of Psoroptes sp. was evaluated as an ectopic infestation. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Psoroptes sp. in Sulawesi Bear Cuscus (Ailurops ursinus) in Indonesia. The Sulawesi bears cuscus were injected subcutaneously with ivermectin at 0.1 mg/kg of bodyweight, as well as with injected intramusculary a ADE combination to supportive therapy. Three Sulawesi Bears Cuscus became negative for mites after third treatments of ivermectin at seven days interval, and clinical mange did not recur.

Microstructure of the tongue surface and lingual glands of the Sulawesi bear cuscus, Ailurops ursinus (Marsupialia: Phalangeridae)—A light and scanning electron microscopic study

“…Considering the phylogenetic origin of the Ailurops ursinus, it is a rather primitive member of the Phalangeridae (Ruedas & Morales, 2005; Raterman et al., 2006). Moreover, there are few reports concerning its morphology (Norris, 1994; Purwanta et al., 2014; Klećkowska‐Nawrot et al., 2019). A molecular analysis revealed that Ailurops ursinus belongs to the Ailurops Phalangeridae family and Ailuropini subfamily, while the Trichosurus are a second subfamily of the Phalangeridae, Trichosurinae (Kirsch and Wolman, 2001).…”

“…It is held captive in only five zoos worldwide (three of which are in Europe, one of these is in Poland), as it requires specific living conditions and a unique diet. Moreover, there are scarce data available on this species (Purwanta et al., 2014). The Ailurops ursinus leads an arboreal lifestyle.…”