Otodectes cynotis (Acari: Psoroptidae) infestations in Southern pudus (Pudu puda): In situ and ex situ data of an unexpected host-parasite record

IF 2 3区医学 Q3 ECOLOGY

International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife Pub Date : 2025-01-28 DOI:10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101043

Caroline Wilhelm , Edwin Kniha , Pamela Muñoz , Ángelo Espinoza , Laura Platner , Saskia Dreyer , Lisa Grund , Zoë Tess Lara Lindhorst , Ulrich Gärtner , Julia Walochnik , Anja Taubert , Dominik Fischer , Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck , Carlos Hermosilla , David Ebmer

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Otodectes cynotis (Acari: Psoroptidae) constitutes an obligate, non-burrowing ectoparasite and causes otodectic mange primarily in domestic and wild carnivores. Only few studies have described this parasite in herbivore hosts so far. In the current study, we report O. cynotis infestations in Southern pudus (Pudu puda), categorized in the IUCN red list as near threatened. Otodectes cynotis was detected in free-ranging animals in Chile (in situ), as well as in zoo-housed pudus at the Zoo Wuppertal, Germany (ex situ). During clinical work, two free-ranging pudus temporarily rehabilitated at the Centro de Rehabilitación de Fauna Silvestre (CEREFAS), Valdivia, Chile, were observed with low to moderate yellowish-brown secretions and encrustations inside the pinna and external auditory canal accompanied by an inflammatory Otitis externa. Analysis via light microscopy exhibited the presence of mange mites, which were identified as O. cynotis via morphological characteristics and molecular analysis. At the Zoo Wuppertal, ear mites were detected in 15 pudus between 2015 and 2024, however, a definite species identification (O. cynotis) was carried out in 4 animals within the current study between 2023 and 2024. Some affected pudus showed bald spots around the ears and the head and exhibited headshaking behavior, whilst others were asymptomatic. In some cases, mites were found as a secondary finding when clinical examination under general anesthesia was performed for other reasons. To the best of our knowledge, this signifies the first report of O. cynotis infestations in pudus by combining morphological and molecular identification. We here present clinical in situ and ex situ data and show that zoological gardens and widlife rehabilitation centers play an important role in research and monitoring of neglected wildlife diseases.

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来源期刊

International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife Medicine-Infectious Diseases

CiteScore

3.80

自引率

5.60%

发文量

113

审稿时长

45 days

期刊介绍： The International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife (IJP-PAW) publishes the results of original research on parasites of all wildlife, invertebrate and vertebrate. This includes free-ranging, wild populations, as well as captive wildlife, semi-domesticated species (e.g. reindeer) and farmed populations of recently domesticated or wild-captured species (e.g. cultured fishes). Articles on all aspects of wildlife parasitology are welcomed including taxonomy, biodiversity and distribution, ecology and epidemiology, population biology and host-parasite relationships. The impact of parasites on the health and conservation of wildlife is seen as an important area covered by the journal especially the potential role of environmental factors, for example climate. Also important to the journal is ''one health'' and the nature of interactions between wildlife, people and domestic animals, including disease emergence and zoonoses.