Files and links (1)
CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Making the most of mortalities: Novel host-parasite records in a sandy inland mouse (Pseudomys hermannsburgensis)
International journal for parasitology. Parasites and wildlife, Vol.26, 101037
2025
Abstract
From 2020 to 2022, systematic investigation of wildlife mortalities on Dirk Hartog Island, Western Australia was initiated to inform wildlife disease risk analyses for translocation purposes. As part of this monitoring, in November 2020, a sandy inland mouse (Pseudomys hermannsburgensis) was found deceased with multiple comorbidities. Gross necropsy, histopathology and ancillary molecular testing identified several novel host-parasite associations. Sarcoptes scabiei was identified via molecular methods in association with consistent cutaneous pathology, representing the first known detection of this parasite in an Australian native rodent. A putative novel virus belonging to the subfamily Gammaherpesvirinae was also identified, representing the first known detection of a herpesvirus (Orthoherpesviridae) from this species, although it was not clearly associated with other disease processes. A heavy burden of the cestode Hymenolepis microstoma was also present in the gastrointestinal tract, representing a new host record for this species, whilst a pancreatic adenocarcinoma was also found. Beyond the novelty of these host records, these findings contribute to important health baselines of rodent populations on Dirk Hartog Island and highlight the value of investigating mortalities and implementing health surveillance as part of ecological monitoring and wildlife translocation projects.
Details
- Title
- Making the most of mortalities: Novel host-parasite records in a sandy inland mouse (Pseudomys hermannsburgensis)
- Authors/Creators
- Fiona Knox - Murdoch UniversityNahiid Stephens - Murdoch University, Centre for Sustainable Aquatic EcosystemsSarah Keatley - Murdoch UniversityAmanda Ash - Murdoch University, Centre for Biosecurity and One HealthJames DouchSaul Cowen - The University of Western AustraliaKelly RaynerRebecca Vaughan-Higgins - Murdoch University, Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability
- Publication Details
- International journal for parasitology. Parasites and wildlife, Vol.26, 101037
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Australian Society for Parasitology.; AMSTERDAM
- Number of pages
- 7
- Grant note
- Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment & The Ecological Society of AustraliaWildlife Disease Association - Australasia research awardDirk Hartog Island Ecological Restoration Project fundingGorgon Barrow Island Net Conservation Benefits FundAustralian Government Research Training Program ScholarshipNational Taxonomy Research Grant Program
This work was supported by the Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment & The Ecological Society of Australia, the Wildlife Disease Association - Australasia research award, and the Dirk Hartog Island Ecological Restoration Project funding.The Dirk Hartog Island Ecological Restoration Project funding is provided through the Gorgon Barrow Island Net Conservation Benefits Fund.In addition, Dr. Fiona Knox and Mr. James Douch were each supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship, and the latter was also supported the National Taxonomy Research Grant Program.
- Identifiers
- 991005731478407891
- Copyright
- © 2025 The Authors.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Veterinary Medicine; Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems; Centre for Biosecurity and One Health; School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Metrics
108 File views/ downloads
25 Record Views
InCites Highlights
These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Citation topics
- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.163 Parasitology - General
- 1.163.2096 Scabies
- Web Of Science research areas
- Ecology
- Parasitology
- ESI research areas
- Plant & Animal Science