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Article << Previous     |     Next >>   Contents Vol 57(2)

Sarcoptic mange in southern hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons): distribution and prevalence in the Murraylands of South Australia

Laura Ruykys A D, David A. Taggart B, William G. Breed C, David Schultz B

A School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
B Royal Zoological Society of South Australia, Frome Road, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.
C School of Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: laura.ruykys@adelaide.edu.au
 
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Abstract

This study examined the history, prevalence and distribution of sarcoptic mange in southern hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons) in the Murraylands, South Australia. Results from a survey suggested that there had been a long history of sporadic mange outbreaks, with 43% of 85 respondents indicating that they had seen diseased animals. There was a concentration of positive sightings (59%) in the vicinity of one town, Swan Reach. A total of 67 wombats was also caught on three pastoral properties; 0% (n = 21), 4% (n = 21) and 76% (n = 23) were found to have mange at each respective site. Diseased wombats presented with erythema, parakeratosis and alopecia and had lower median condition, subcutaneous fat and higher bone prominence scores than healthy animals. Severely diseased adult wombats had an average bodyweight that was 9.86 kg lower than those without mange. Infected animals suffered higher mortality, with a rate of ~37% in eight months on one property. It is suggested that mange may have a significant effect on southern hairy-nosed wombats and outbreaks could result in the decline and/or possible extinction of small, isolated populations. Population management initiatives, including suspending culling quotas in infected populations, should thus be considered.

   
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