Sarcoptic mange in wild quichua porcupines (Coendou quichua Thomas, 1899) in Colombia

Abstract

The Quichua porcupine (Coendou quichua) is a neotropical rodent with uncertain taxonomic and conservation status. Two Quichua porcupines with severe hyperkeratosis and alopecia were found in the Magdalena River Basin of Colombia. Sarcoptes scabiei, the mite causing mange, a disease carried mainly by domestic animals, was confirmed via parasitological and molecular methods. This is the first report of mange in neotropical porcupines to date. The population-level impact of mange in Coendou spp., related mammals and predators in Colombia might represent a threat and needs further investigation.

First Description of Sarcoptic Mange in a Free-Ranging European Wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris) from Spain

“…In the Mediterranean Iberian Peninsula, other threats include the loss of its main prey, the European wild rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus, and the low density and fragmentation of its populations [ 9 , 46 , 47 ]. Under this scenario of silent extinction, understanding the impact of diseases such as sarcoptic mange is paramount, since the introduction of parasites to naïve host populations can result in drastic population declines and localized extinctions [ 48 , 49 ]. Further research is warranted to monitor this disease in European wildcats in order to recognize the potential risk that sarcoptic mange could represent for the conservation of the species.…”

Sarcoptic mange; an emerging threat to Chilean wild mammals?

“…Indeed, this mite is continuously reported in new species (Gonzalez-Astudillo et al, 2018), it can devastate populations of wild species (Martin et al, 2017) and it is currently considered a global emerging threat for wildlife conservation (Astorga et al, 2018). Further, S. scabiei may interact with other conservation threats or it could generate fragmented populations susceptible to stochastic events.…”

First description of sarcoptic mange in a wild coati (Nasua narica), in Ecuador, and cooccurrence of canine distemper virus

“…Although sarcoptic mange has been shown to have worldwide prevalence, few reports have been published about its presence in South American wild animals (Montecino-Latorre et al, 2020;Verdugo et al, 2016). Most reports have been done on domestic animals such as rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), dogs (Canis familiaris), cats (Felis catus), pigs (Sus domesticus), cattle (Bos taurus), llamas (Lama glama) and alpacas (Vicugna pacos) (Alcaino & Gorman, 1999;Bornstein, 2010;Gonzalez-Astudillo et al, 2018). Epidemic episodes and associated high rates of mortality have been detected in different species of herbivores and carnivores on different continents, such as in lynxes (Lynx rufus) and American black bear (Ursus americanus) in North America (USA); foxes (Vulpes vulpes and Vulpes macrotis mutica) in Europe (Fennoscandia) and USA; and wombats (Lasiorhinus sp.…”

“…Even if several variant forms of Sarcoptes scabiei can coexist due to regionalism, they still are able to display their infection cycles both in humans and in diverse animal hosts (Zhao et al, 2015). Domestic animals can become vectors, hosting Sarcoptes mites and transmitting mange to wildlife (Gonzalez-Astudillo et al, 2018). Because of the lack of a formal national monitoring system in Ecuador, tracking of wild animals health and diseases becomes a very difficult task.…”