Related Experiment Videos
Sarcoptic mange in Spanish ibex from Spain
L León-Vizcaíno1, M R Ruíz de Ybáñez, M J Cubero
1Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Patología Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Murcia, España. lleonvi@fcu.um.es
Journal of Wildlife Diseases
|November 26, 1999
Summary
Sarcoptic mange caused the extinction of a Spanish ibex population. This study tracked the disease dynamics, finding high infection rates and severity across all demographics, with clinical signs matching classic descriptions.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Wildlife Ecology
- Parasitology
Background:
- Sarcoptic mange, caused by *Sarcoptes scabiei*, is a significant disease in wildlife populations.
- An epidemic of sarcoptic mange led to the isolation and subsequent extinction of the Spanish ibex (*Capra pyrenaica hispanica*) population in the "Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas" Nature Park.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the dynamic characteristics of a sarcoptic mange epizootic in a wild Spanish ibex population.
- To characterize the pathology, incidence, prevalence, and mortality rates of sarcoptic mange.
- To compare clinical and pathological findings with classic descriptions of the disease in other ruminants.
Main Methods:
- Monthly tracking of 35 Spanish ibex throughout the epizootic.
- Calculation of morbidity, severity, mortality, and lethality rates.
- Examination of mite prevalence across different infection stages and anatomical regions.
- Histological study of skin lesions in affected animals.
Main Results:
- The disease duration was 2-3 months, leading to severe illness and death.
- At the end of the mating season, 81% of the population was affected, with no significant differences in severity by sex or age.
- 73% of captured ibex (46 of 63) were infected with *Sarcoptes scabiei*.
- Clinical and pathological findings aligned with classic sarcoptic mange descriptions.
Conclusions:
- Sarcoptic mange can lead to population extinction in susceptible wildlife.
- The disease affected all age and sex classes of Spanish ibex with high severity.
- The findings confirm the characteristic presentation of sarcoptic mange in Spanish ibex, consistent with other ruminant species.