SARCOPTIC MANGE AND ITS ICONIC HOSTS IN SOUTHEASTERN AUSTRALIA
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Open Access
Type
ThesisThesis type
Doctor of PhilosophyAuthor/s
Young, Ellyssia TallaraAbstract
Introduced pathogens are a major source of infectious disease in wildlife globally. The Sarcoptes scabiei mite, causing sarcoptic mange, is an invasive pathogen which has expanded its geographic and host species distribution through the movement of humans, domestic animals and ...
See moreIntroduced pathogens are a major source of infectious disease in wildlife globally. The Sarcoptes scabiei mite, causing sarcoptic mange, is an invasive pathogen which has expanded its geographic and host species distribution through the movement of humans, domestic animals and wildlife. The aim of this thesis was to advance our understanding of the impact of sarcoptic mange on two Australian iconic animals, koalas and bare-nosed wombats. To advance understanding of mange as an emerging disease in koalas, I investigated the epidemiology of mange in Victoria which suggested that mange is a severe disease in koalas which may have become enzootic and that male koalas may play an important role in seasonal disease dynamics. I then evaluated the pharmacokinetics and clinical safety of transdermal fluralaner (Bravecto® MSD Animal Health) in healthy, captive koalas. Findings suggest fluralaner is a safe and long-lasting chemotherapeutic agent that may be efficacious against S. scabiei in koalas. I then investigated broad-scale landscape epidemiology of mange in bare-nosed wombats. Megafires can have dramatic impacts on wildlife, but how fires shape wildlife disease is almost unknown. I examined the impact of the Black Summer bushfires 2019/2020 in NSW on wombat-mange dynamics. Results suggest that mange temporarily increases as a function of the extent of local area impacted by severe fire conditions, but this does not persist beyond the year of the fire. Lastly I incorporated fire into broad-scale landscape epidemiology in Victoria. I found that wombats, and wombats with mange, were widespread. Mange occurrence in wombats was most strongly predicted by year, was higher in areas with more topographic roughness, lower annual mean precipitation and with increasing distance to freshwater sources. This thesis has direct implications for future disease management and findings here also contribute to our broader understanding of an invasive visual pathogen in iconic host species.
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See moreIntroduced pathogens are a major source of infectious disease in wildlife globally. The Sarcoptes scabiei mite, causing sarcoptic mange, is an invasive pathogen which has expanded its geographic and host species distribution through the movement of humans, domestic animals and wildlife. The aim of this thesis was to advance our understanding of the impact of sarcoptic mange on two Australian iconic animals, koalas and bare-nosed wombats. To advance understanding of mange as an emerging disease in koalas, I investigated the epidemiology of mange in Victoria which suggested that mange is a severe disease in koalas which may have become enzootic and that male koalas may play an important role in seasonal disease dynamics. I then evaluated the pharmacokinetics and clinical safety of transdermal fluralaner (Bravecto® MSD Animal Health) in healthy, captive koalas. Findings suggest fluralaner is a safe and long-lasting chemotherapeutic agent that may be efficacious against S. scabiei in koalas. I then investigated broad-scale landscape epidemiology of mange in bare-nosed wombats. Megafires can have dramatic impacts on wildlife, but how fires shape wildlife disease is almost unknown. I examined the impact of the Black Summer bushfires 2019/2020 in NSW on wombat-mange dynamics. Results suggest that mange temporarily increases as a function of the extent of local area impacted by severe fire conditions, but this does not persist beyond the year of the fire. Lastly I incorporated fire into broad-scale landscape epidemiology in Victoria. I found that wombats, and wombats with mange, were widespread. Mange occurrence in wombats was most strongly predicted by year, was higher in areas with more topographic roughness, lower annual mean precipitation and with increasing distance to freshwater sources. This thesis has direct implications for future disease management and findings here also contribute to our broader understanding of an invasive visual pathogen in iconic host species.
See less
Date
2026Rights statement
The author retains copyright of this thesis. It may only be used for the purposes of research and study. It must not be used for any other purposes and may not be transmitted or shared with others without prior permission.Faculty/School
Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental SciencesAwarding institution
The University of SydneyShare