The conservation management of threatened wildlife increasingly relies upon translocations to augment populations. Translocations, however, pose various risks: from the host perspective these include the spread of parasitic disease, whereas from a broader biodiversity perspective translocation may lead to the loss of rare parasites and other dependent fauna. Although Disease Risk Analyses are recommended during translocation planning, knowledge regarding the parasites infecting threatened species or their pathogenicity is often lacking. Between March 2014 and June 2016, woylies (Bettongia penicillata) and sympatric marsupials were screened for the presence of endo- and ectoparasites, during two fauna translocations in south-western Australia. Here, we summarise the parasite taxa identified from B. penicillata, brush-tailed possums (Trichosurus vulpecula hypoleucus) and chuditch (Dasyurus geoffroii), including prevalence data for host, parasite taxon and site. Results from the opportunistic sampling of other species (Isoodon fusciventer, Phascogale tapoatafa wambenger, Tiliqua rugosa and Felis catus) are also presented. New host–parasite records including Hepatozoon spp. from T. v. hypoleucus, Trypanosoma noyesi from T. rugosa, Ixodes australiensis and Ixodes tasmani from D. geoffroii, and I. australiensis and Amblyomma sp. from a P. t. wambenger were identified. This study highlights the importance of monitoring sympatric species, particularly when compiling baseline data of parasite fauna present within translocation sites and enhances our knowledge of parasites infecting terrestrial wildlife within Australia’s south-west, a Global Biodiversity Hotspot.
Details
Title
The parasites of free-ranging terrestrial wildlife from Australia's south-west
Authors/Creators
A.S. Northover - Murdoch University
Stephanie S. Godfrey
Alan Lymbery - Murdoch University, Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems
Adrian F. Wayne - Department of Parks and Wildlife
Sarah Keatley - Murdoch University
Amanda Ash - Murdoch University, Centre for Biosecurity and One Health
Dazlyn Badsha
Siobhon Egan - Murdoch University, Centre for Computational and Systems Medicine
Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems; School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences; Centre for Computational and Systems Medicine; School of Agricultural Sciences; Centre for Biosecurity and One Health; School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences
Resource Type
Journal article
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