Parasites and pathology of the respiratory tracts of native and feral mammals in Australia - a review.

2002 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 177 ◽  
Author(s):  
DM Spratt
Keyword(s):  
Brushtail Possum ◽  
Full Spectrum ◽  
Elephant Seals ◽  
Wild Mammals ◽  
Larval Stages ◽  
Fur Seals ◽  
Sugar Glider ◽  
Frontal Sinuses ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Petaurus Breviceps

This paper summarizes knowledge of the biodiversity and pathology associated with parasites of the respiratory tract of wild mammals, including feral species, in Australia. Representatives of 21 genera of nematodes distributed in the superfamilies Trichostrongyloidea, Metastrongyloidea, Thelazioidea, Filarioidea, Trichinelloidea and Muspiceoidea are included. Larval stages of the cestode, Echinococcus granulosus, occur in the lungs of macropodids and feral pigs (Sus scrofa). Trematodes occur in the lungs of dugongs (Dugong dugon) and in the cranial sinuses and blowholes of dolphins. Pentastomes occur in the lungs of the sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) and in the frontal sinuses of dingoes (Canis lupus dingo) and foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Nymphal stages of the latter have been found in the lungs of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and nymphs of a pentastome of tree pythons occur in the lungs of the northern brown bandicoot (Isoodon macrourus). Pneumonyssid mites occur in the lungs of the northern brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula arnhemensis) and an undescribed speleognathine mite has been found in the lungs of P. breviceps. Trombiculid, tydeoid, dermanyssid and halarachnid mites are endoparasitic in the nasal sinuses of rodents, antechinuses, possums, gliders, elephant seals and fur seals. Larvae of oestrid bot-flies occur in the trachea of macropodids and in the nasal sinuses of camels (Camelus dromedarius). Host specificity in these parasites represents the full spectrum from species specific to class catholic with the intranasal chigger, Ascoschoengastia rattus, occuring in metatherian and eutherian mammals as well as varanid lizards. Similarly, pathological changes associated with these parasites range from inapparent to verminous bronchitis and bronchiolitis resulting in mortalities or severely impaired respiratory reserve or hypoxia precipitating death.

Habitat relationships of the mahogany glider, Petaurus gracilis, and the sugar glider, Petaurus breviceps

2000 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen M. Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Acacia Mangium ◽  
Adjacent Area ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
Fragmented Forest ◽  
Eucalyptus Pellita ◽  
Continuous Forest ◽  
Sugar Glider ◽  
Food Species ◽  
Petaurus Breviceps

Trapping data of the mahogany glider, Petaurus gracilis, and the sugar glider, Petaurus breviceps, in sympatry, in north Queensland, were analysed with vegetation variables to determine the habitat relationships of these two species. The study area contained a trapping grid (80 traps) within an area of continuous forest and trapping transects within an adjacent area of fragmented forest (44 traps). The mahogany glider was trapped more often at 43 of the 124 locations (38 in the continuous and 5 in the fragmented forest), with the sugar glider dominant at 46 locations (18 in the continuous forest and 28 in the fragmented forest). The remaining 27 trap locations where gliders were caught did not favour either species. Eight trap locations within riparian rainforest had no captures of either species. The presence of mahogany gliders was significantly correlated with the presence of Corymbia clarksoniana, Eucalyptus platyphylla, the absence of Corymbia intermedia and Acacia mangium, and a small mid and upper canopy cover. In contrast, the presence of sugar gliders was most correlated with a large number of stems. When the presence of the mahogany glider was compared with that of the sugar glider with respect to various habitat variables for the entire study area, the mahogany glider was most associated with the presence of C. clarksoniana, Eucalyptus pellita, Lophostemon suaveolens, Melaleuca dealbata and a reduced lower and upper canopy. In contrast, the sugar glider was most associated with C. intermedia, A. mangium, a large number of potential food species, rainforest species and a dense mid and upper canopy cover.

Real Time PCR detection of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man, 1879) larvae with emphasis to their ecology

2021 ◽  
Vol 34 ◽  
pp. 12
Author(s):  
Mahadevan Harikrishnan ◽  
Deepak Jose ◽  
B. Nidhin ◽  
K.P. Anilkumar
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Macrobrachium Rosenbergii ◽  
Freshwater Prawn ◽  
Larval Abundance ◽  
Larval Stages ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
De Man

Species specific identification of early larval stages of many decapod crustaceans sampled from plankton collections remains cumbersome owing to lack of distinguishable characteristics, where DNA based molecular methods provide accurate results without taxonomic ambiguities. In the present study, an attempt was made to detect temporal occurrence of early zoea of freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man) using real-time PCR assays in polyhaline, mesohaline and oligohaline areas of a tropical positive estuary, the Vembanad lake (S. India). High caridean larval abundance could be recorded in polyhaline areas in all seasons while it could be recorded in monsoon season in mesohaline and oligohaline areas. 113 DNA isolations were successfully made from morphologically identified taxonomic units (MOTU) and SYBR Green based RT-PCR amplifications using designed primer for M. rosenbergii yielded positive detections in 38 samples (34%) representing all seasons in all three zones. Positive detections could be recorded in all months except May in mesohaline areas and differed significantly (F = 17.2 p < 0.01) with the same in polyhaline and oligohaline areas. The present results of molecular detection of M. rosenbergii larvae extend confirmation of its breeding ground in Vembanad lake where appropriate management strategies could be enforced for stock conservation of this species.

The role of Acacia in the diets of Australian marsupials ? A review.

2003 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 121 ◽  
Author(s):  
NA Irlbeck ◽  
ID Hume
Keyword(s):  
Tammar Wallaby ◽  
Energy Budgets ◽  
Brushtail Possum ◽  
Seasonal Component ◽  
Acacia Gum ◽  
Form Part ◽  
Dry Seasons ◽  
Petaurus Breviceps ◽  
Quantitative Contributions

Many of the 600 species of Acacia found in Australia form part of the diet of several groups of marsupials. Acacia foliage is generally high in tannins but is consumed by several folivorous possums and by some macropods (kangaroos and wallabies), but the macropods eat it mainly as dry leaf litter during times of food shortage (in dry seasons and drought). Acacia gum is an important diet component of two omnivorous possums (Petaurus breviceps, Gymnobelidius leadbeateri) and, to a lesser extent, two rat-kangaroos (Bettongia sp.). Acacia seeds are consumed by marsupials to a limited extent, but are an important seasonal component of the diet of the mountain brushtail possum (Trichosurus cunninghami), and possibly the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) on Kangaroo Island. Likewise, Acacia arils (lipid-rich appendages to the seeds of some species) are an important seasonal component of the diet of the mahogany glider (Petaurus gracilis). Acacia pollen and nectar are consumed by several omnivorous possums (e.g., Petaurus norfolcensis) as well as by at least one species of rock-wallaby (Petrogale sp.), but the quantitative contributions made by these floral products to the protein and energy budgets of the consumers have been difficult to determine. Thus several parts of the Acacia plant are food resources for one or more groups of marsupials, but the contribution of the genus to marsupial nutrition is often overlooked.

Use of Tree Hollows by Two Sympatric Gliding Possums, The Squirrel Glider, Petaurus norfolcensis and The Sugar Glider, P. breviceps.

1998 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 79
Author(s):  
B.J. Traill ◽  
A. Lill
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Nest ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Forestry Practices ◽  
Tree Hollows ◽  
Sugar Glider ◽  
Squirrel Glider ◽  
Petaurus Breviceps ◽  
Artificial Nest Boxes

Populations of the Squirrel Glider, Petaurus norfolcensis and the Sugar Glider, P. breviceps, are often sympatric and the two species are potential competitors for tree hollows. Their use of hollows and artificial nest-boxes was examined in a Box-Ironbark forest where natural hollows are scarce due to past forestry practices. We found gliders used hollows in the boles and branches of trees and in coppicing stumps. There was considerable interspecific overlap in the use of hollows and nest-boxes, both by gliders and other birds and mammals. Both gliders preferred hollows and nest-boxes with narrow entrances (&lt;50 mm diameter). Petaurus breviceps preferred nest-boxes and possibly natural tree hollows with entrances too narrow for the larger P. norfolcensis. When abundant nest-boxes of this type were introduced at the study site, P. breviceps numbers increased and then decreased when the nest-boxes were removed. The results suggest that the larger P. norfolcensis monopolise the best available hollows. Petaurus breviceps numbers may have been limited by a lack of suitable hollows.

How Host Specific Are Herpesviruses? Lessons from Herpesviruses Infecting Wild and Endangered Mammals

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walid Azab ◽  
Anisha Dayaram ◽  
Alex D. Greenwood ◽  
Nikolaus Osterrieder
Keyword(s):  
Endangered Species ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
General Concept ◽  
Species Specificity ◽  
Therapeutic Options ◽  
Interspecies Transmission ◽  
Fatal Disease ◽  
Wild Mammals ◽  
Species Specific

Herpesviruses are ubiquitous and can cause disease in all classes of vertebrates but also in animals of lower taxa, including molluscs. It is generally accepted that herpesviruses are primarily species specific, although a species can be infected by different herpesviruses. Species specificity is thought to result from host-virus coevolutionary processes over the long term. Even with this general concept in mind, investigators have recognized interspecies transmission of several members of the Herpesviridae family, often with fatal outcomes in non-definitive hosts—that is, animals that have no or only a limited role in virus transmission. We here summarize herpesvirus infections in wild mammals that in many cases are endangered, in both natural and captive settings. Some infections result from herpesviruses that are endemic in the species that is primarily affected, and some result from herpesviruses that cause fatal disease after infection of non-definitive hosts. We discuss the challenges of such infections in several endangered species in the absence of efficient immunization or therapeutic options.

PCR-based molecular discrimination betweenMaritrema eroliaeandProbolocoryphe uca(Digenea: Microphallidae) in Kuwait Bay

2013 ◽  
Vol 88 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-182
Author(s):  
W.Y. Al-Kandari ◽  
S.A. Al-Bustan ◽  
M. Alnaqeeb ◽  
A.M. Isaac
Keyword(s):  
Fragment Length Polymorphism ◽  
Pcr Amplification ◽  
Direct Pcr ◽  
Specific Primers ◽  
Kuwait Bay ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Larval Stages ◽  
Marine Snails ◽  
Pcr Rflp ◽  
Species Specific

AbstractMicrophallid trematodes are common parasites in marine snails and crustacean hosts at Kuwait Bay. The larval stages of two microphallids,Maritrema eroliaeandProbolocoryphe uca, are difficult to differentiate morphologically. In this study, two PCR-based techniques were established for quick and accurate discrimination between the larval stages of the two microphallid species, employing restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and species-specific primers. Both techniques utilized nucleotide differences in the second internal transcribed region (ITS2) of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) in the two species. For the PCR-RFLP technique, restriction enzymeAvaII was selected and it generated different restriction profiles among the two microphallids. In addition, species-specific primers were prepared for each microphallid species that amplified distinctive fragments. Both techniques showed that the larval stages of the two microphallid species can be identified accurately. However, direct PCR amplification using species-specific primers was more advantageous than the PCR-RFLP technique since it allowed rapid and specific discrimination between the two species. This technique provides a useful tool that can be used in future studies for the study of the distribution of microphallid species and their definitive hosts at different localities of Kuwait Bay.

Photopollution impacts on the nocturnal behaviour of the Sugar Glider (Petaurus breviceps)

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon M. Barber-Meyer
Keyword(s):  
Industrial Development ◽  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Sea Turtle ◽  
Light Pollution ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
High Luminosity ◽  
Existing Problems ◽  
Sugar Glider ◽  
Dark Regime ◽  
Petaurus Breviceps

Night light pollution is an important environmental problem impacting on many animals including a variety of insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. While some impacts of night light pollution are well-known such as misorientation of sea turtle hatchlings and deaths of migratory birds, other less obvious impacts on reproduction, communication, competition, and predation have recently been reported. As some natural areas in New Guinea and Australia face agricultural and industrial development, conflicts between wildlife and photopollution will add to existing problems of habitat fragmentation and degradation. I report on the photopollution impacts on the nocturnal behavior of the sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps). Captive sugar gliders were monitored using a "super nightshot" camcorder for baseline nocturnal behaviour following a 12 hour dayligh/12 hour dark regime. Treatment consisted of 12 hour dayligh/12 hour simulated ambient low and high luminosity street light photopollution (average 7.0 and 12.0 lux). Over 575 sugar glider-hours were analyzed. The results show marked behavioural impacts under high luminosity treatment, even 7.0 lux reduced foraging time. This is the first report of photopollution impacts on sugar glider foraging and activity levels. Further research, particularly with wild populations, is needed to elucidate the extent of photopollution impacts on sugar gliders and their endangered and vulnerable relatives.

Listeria monocytogenesInfection in a Sugar Glider (Petaurus breviceps) - New Mexico, 2011

2014 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 254-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Nichols ◽  
N. Takacs ◽  
J. Ragsdale ◽  
D. Levenson ◽  
C. Marquez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Mexico ◽  
Sugar Glider ◽  
Petaurus Breviceps
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