Disease dynamics and mortality risk in tapirs (Perissodactyla: Tapiridae) through a systematic literature review: Implications for preventive medicine and conservation

Renata Carolina Fernandes-Santos; Kristin Warren; Rebecca Vaughan-Higgins; Tatiane Micheletti; Mieghan Bruce

doi:10.1016/j.prevetmed.2025.106470

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Disease dynamics and mortality risk in tapirs (Perissodactyla: Tapiridae) through a systematic literature review: Implications for preventive medicine and conservation

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Disease dynamics and mortality risk in tapirs (Perissodactyla: Tapiridae) through a systematic literature review: Implications for preventive medicine and conservation

Renata Carolina Fernandes-Santos, Kristin Warren, Rebecca Vaughan-Higgins, Tatiane Micheletti and Mieghan Bruce

Preventive veterinary medicine, Vol.239, 106470

2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2025.106470

PMID: 40010001

Appears in Open Access via Read & Publish Agreements

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Abstract

Boosted Regression Tree (BRT)

Disease Risk Analysis (DRA)

Epidemiology

Health

Modelling

Threats

Wildlife

The impact of diseases on tapir mortality and potential implications for preventive medicine and conservation remain unclear. A systematic literature review was conducted using seven databases and grey literature to address these gaps. The PRISMA statement was adopted to report results, and boosted regression tree models were employed for data analysis. After screening 5323 records and removing duplicates, the title and abstract of 2484 records were assessed. Out of 502 eligible studies, only 206 met all inclusion criteria. These were published between 1924 and 2023 in ten languages, comprising mainly case reports (45.1 %) and cross-sectional studies (41.3 %). Infectious diseases were found in 72.9 % of the reports, and 27.2 % presented clinical signs. The most affected systems were gastroenteric (22.7 %), integumentary (22.1 %), and respiratory (17.5 %). Respiratory diseases were associated with increased mortality. Factors affecting tapir mortality included species (relative influence 41.5 %), followed by geographic location (23.5 %) and captivity (16.8 %). Clinical signs were the least important variable (4 %). While infectious diseases were associated with higher mortality risk, tapirs were more likely to become ill from non-infectious than infectious diseases. Captive individuals were also more likely to present with illness than their wild counterparts. When considering external causes, vehicle collisions represented the most significant cause of death (52.2 %), followed by hunting (38.2 %). Diseases (8.7 %) were the third most important, with bacterial infections the leading cause of death. This review represents the most comprehensive overview on tapir health to date and provides novel ways to collate epidemiological data from disparate study designs.

Details

Title: Disease dynamics and mortality risk in tapirs (Perissodactyla: Tapiridae) through a systematic literature review: Implications for preventive medicine and conservation
Authors/Creators: Renata Carolina Fernandes-Santos - Murdoch University, School of Veterinary Medicine
Kristin Warren - Murdoch University, Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability
Rebecca Vaughan-Higgins - Murdoch University, Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability
Tatiane Micheletti - University of British Columbia
Mieghan Bruce - Murdoch University, Centre for Biosecurity and One Health
Publication Details: Preventive veterinary medicine, Vol.239, 106470
Publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Number of pages: 26
Grant note: Murdoch International Post-graduate Scholarship (MIPS), Murdoch University, Australia, under the Australian Government Research Training Program
This research was supported by a Murdoch International Post-graduate Scholarship (MIPS) , Murdoch University, Australia, under the Australian Government Research Training Program.
Identifiers: 991005751329307891
Murdoch Affiliation: Centre for Biosecurity and One Health; Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability; College of Environmental and Life Sciences; School of Veterinary Medicine
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.51 Dairy & Animal Sciences; 3.51.2057 Colostrum
Web Of Science research areas: Veterinary Sciences
ESI research areas: Plant & Animal Science