Knemidokoptinid (Epidermoptidae: Knemidokoptinae) mite infestation in wild red-crowned parakeets (cyanoramphus novaezelandiae): Correlations between macroscopic and microscopic findings

B. Jackson; A. Heath; C. Harvey; C. Holyoake; R. Jakob-Hoff; A. Varsani; I. Robertson; K. Warren

doi:10.7589/2014-10-251

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Knemidokoptinid (Epidermoptidae: Knemidokoptinae) mite infestation in wild red-crowned parakeets (cyanoramphus novaezelandiae): Correlations between macroscopic and microscopic findings

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Knemidokoptinid (Epidermoptidae: Knemidokoptinae) mite infestation in wild red-crowned parakeets (cyanoramphus novaezelandiae): Correlations between macroscopic and microscopic findings

B. Jackson, A. Heath, C. Harvey, C. Holyoake, R. Jakob-Hoff, A. Varsani, I. Robertson and K. Warren

Journal of Wildlife Diseases, Vol.51(3), pp.651-663

2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.7589/2014-10-251

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Abstract

During a study on health and disease in Red-crowned Parakeets (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae) on Tiritiri Matangi Island and Little Barrier Island (Hauturu-o-Toi) in New Zealand between 2011 and 2013, an outbreak of feather loss prompted the collection of skin biopsies (n5135) under anesthesia from the head of captured birds. A subset of samples (n57) was frozen to obtain whole specimens for identification of ectoparasites. Mites (range 1–11) were observed in 79/135 (58.5%) skin biopsies, whereas feather loss was only found in 47/142 (33.1%) birds captured during the sampling period. Compact orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis and acanthosis were found in association with mites. Procnemidocoptes janssensi (Acari: Epidermoptidae, Knemidokoptinae) was identified from whole mites obtained from skin biopsies. We describe the presence, pathology, and stages of infestation for knemidokoptinid mange in a wild parrot population in New Zealand. Given the clinical and pathologic changes observed and poor knowledge of the parasite’s New Zealand host and geographic distribution, further work is recommended for this and sympatric parrots, to understand relationships between the host, parasite, environment, and expression of disease. Results from this study reinforce the value of including biopsy samples for the investigation of skin disease in wild birds, particularly to link etiologic agents with pathologic changes.

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Title: Knemidokoptinid (Epidermoptidae: Knemidokoptinae) mite infestation in wild red-crowned parakeets (cyanoramphus novaezelandiae): Correlations between macroscopic and microscopic findings
Authors/Creators: B. Jackson (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
A. Heath (Author/Creator)
C. Harvey (Author/Creator) - New Zealand Veterinary Pathology, Auckland Zoological Park, Motions Road, Western Springs, Auckland 1022, New Zealand
C. Holyoake (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
R. Jakob-Hoff (Author/Creator) - 1 Auckland Zoological Park, Motions Road, Western Springs, Auckland 1022, New Zealand.
A. Varsani (Author/Creator) - University of Canterbury
I. Robertson (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
K. Warren (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
Publication Details: Journal of Wildlife Diseases, Vol.51(3), pp.651-663
Publisher: Wildlife Disease Association
Identifiers: 991005545556807891
Copyright: © Wildlife Disease Association 2015.
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Veterinary and Life Sciences
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.35 Zoology & Animal Ecology; 3.35.2036 Avian Parasitology
Web Of Science research areas: Veterinary Sciences
ESI research areas: Plant & Animal Science