Investigations of sarcoptic mange in southern hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons) in the Murraylands of South Australia

Abstract

Sarcoptic mange is an emerging, cosmopolitan disease that is of substantial medical and veterinary importance. Caused by infestation of the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, the disease affects ten orders of wild and domestic animals. Burrowing of the ectoparasite into the host’s epidermis causes intense itching, skin lesions, dermal inflammation, skin crusting and alopecia. Chronic infections can also affect host mass, reproduction and behaviour. Mortality is high, and this can lead to changes in both population abundances, and to wider ecosystem effects. Sarcoptic mange is the major infectious disease affecting Vombatidae, and is most widespread in common wombats (Vombatus ursinus), in which it causes significant mortality and substantial decreases in local abundance. Although there have been previous anecdotal reports of mange in individual southern hairy-nosed wombats (SHNW), it was unknown whether there had ever been a widespread and persistent population-wide outbreak. Consequently, the disease was previously considered to be insignificant in the species. However, in late 2001/early 2002, a significant and ongoing mange outbreak occurred in SHNW in the Murraylands population of SA. Considering the paucity of data regarding mange in SHNW, the aims of this study were to determine the distribution and prevalence of this outbreak, the behavioural effects on individuals, and the treatment effectiveness of the drug Ivermectin.