C. G . LEE.:!; D.V.M.. M.V.Sc.. M.Sc. J. D. GLASGOW,~B.v.s.c. ~

P. W. LADDS," M.V.Sc., Ph.D. "Department of Tropical Veterinary Science, James Cook University of North Queensland, Townsville. Oueensland. 48 11 j P . 0 . Box' lc2, Hermit Park, Townsville, Queensland, 4812 27 February 1976

References

Anthony, P. P. (1973) - 1. clin. Path. 26: 828. Barsanti, J. A., Attleberger, M. H. and Henderson, R. A. (1975) - 1. A m . vet. med. Ass. 167: 293. Dawson, C. D. and Wright, N. G. (1969) - Vet. Rec. 84: 633.

Emmons, C. W., Binford, C. H. and Utz, J. P. (1964) - Medical Mycology. Lea and Febiger, Philadelphia. Gleiser, C. A. (1953) - J . A m . vet. rned. Assir. 123: 441. Heller, R. A., Robson, H. P., Gowing, G. M., Storts, R. W., Read, W. K. and Bridges, C. H. (1971) Vei. Med. Jniall anirn. Clin 66: 472. Howard, E. B. (1966) - V e f . M e d . small U I I ~ F R Clin. . 61: 549. Lucke, V. M., Morgan, D. G., English, M. P. and Endicott, G. M. (1969) - V e i . Rec. 84: 645. Smith, H. A., Jones, T. C. and Hunt, R. D. (1972) Veterinary Pathology. 4th ed. Lea and Febiger, Philadelphia. Smith, J. M. B. (1968) - N.Z. vet. 1. 16: 89.

THE EUROPEAN RABBIT FLEA SPILOPSYLLUS CUNICULI AS A STRAGGLER ON MAMMALS OTHER THAN THE WILD RABBIT O R Y C T O L A C U S CUNICULUS Barger (1974) has reported the presence of the European rabbit flea, Spilopsyllus cuniculi on a neutered Siamese cat which was a keen rabbiter. In Europe S. cuniculi has been reported as a straggler on several domestic animal species and on several feral animal species (Hopkins and Rothschild 1953). This flea is a relatively common parasite of cats in Europe and occurs so commonly on Lepus spp that it may be considered as a normal parasite rather than a straggler (Rothschild 1963). Prior to the release of the rabbit flea in the field in Australia, Sobey and Menzies (1969) tested its ability to infest certain native mammals. They found that it remained on the species tested for at most a few minutes. The host relationships known for S.cuniculi in Europe suggest that the flea is most likely to infest some introduced mammals common in Australia. It is also possible that some native species may be infested. Such infestations are most likely to occur following drastic reduction of flea infested rabbit populations by myxomatosis (Rothschild 1963). Since the introduction of S. cuniculi into Victoria in 1969 (Shepherd and Edmonds 1976) we have from time to time, at localities where the fllea has been established, examined introduced and native mammals for infestation. At three of eight localities potential hosts were examined following myxomatosis epizootics which reduced rabbit numbers by up 80 per cent. Small rodents and marsupial mice were trapped in and near rabbit warrens; hares, foxes, feral cats, possums and kangaroos were shot: domestic dogs and cats were examined alive. Killed animals were examined as soon as possible after death, generally within five minutes. Results are shown in Table 1. In addition S. cuniculi were not found on any native mammals even Sminthopsis crassicaudata, Trichosurus vulpecula and Macropus frrliginosus melanops which were collected at Patchewollock following severe myxomatosis epizootics, nor were they found on Aniechinus siuarti or Perumeles nasuta. The failure to find S. cuniculi despite the close association between these species and the rabbit population, and the high flea numbers present on the surviving rabbits, (up to 200 per rabbit) suggests that any infestations which did occur were very short. This supports the animal house evidence of Sobey and Menzies (1969). Australian Vcierinary Journal, Vol. 52, August, 1976

Reluctance to interfere with native mammals has so far restricted the species investigated. However it is possible that S. cuniculi will be reported as an occasional straggler on small native mammals which live in close association with rabbits. The native Ratfrrs spp would seem to be most likely to be infested. Infestation of domestic and feral cats is common as was expected from European records. In all cases S. cuniculi were found firmly attached in the pinnae. The cats were suffering irritation and their ears were scratched and rubbed. Mead-Briggs (1967) aLso reported firm attachment of S. cuniculi in the ears of cats. S. cuniculi found on foxes and dogs were not firmly attached and had caused no obvious injury. N o reports of infestation of dogs were received from farmers although the six farm dogs inspected at Patchewollock all carried fleas. Infestation of mammals other than rabbits and hares has been found only where the infested species were in close contact with rabbit populations. In all cases so far investigated the animals infested were species which live in burrows or dens or were active predators on rabbits. Although unattached adult S. cuniculi can readily infest hosts under field conditions (Mead-Briggs 1964) the high frequency of infestation of predators examined in this survey suggests that predator behaviour during hunting or direct transfer from captured prey may be more important than the ability of unattached fleas to find a host. The role of non-lagomorph hosts in flea dispersal is not known. There is no evidence from Europe or from our collections that the flea is able to breed in a w xia tion with hosts other than the rabbit and possibly the hare. The extremely close association between the breeding cycles of flea and rabbit, in particular the dependence of the flea on the hormonal sequence of the doe (Rothschild 1965) make it extremely unlikely that flea breeding could occur in association with feline, canine or rodent hosts. Under these circumstances the hosts would remain infested only during the life span of the adult flea unless reinfested. Straggler hosts could, however, contribute to flea dispersal, particularly hosts such as foxes which have a wide territorial range (Brunner, personal communication). Feral cats, which have a smaller range than foxes but which are widespread in Victoria, may contribute significantly to flea dispersal where their range covers isolated rabbit 389

TABLE I Survey o f H a t s Other Tlrnri the Rabbit f o r /lie Eitropeurr Rubhit Flea iri Vicforia, Jrrrte 1972 October 1975 Mammal Species

Locality

Introduced: Fl,/i.S ( ‘ U i l l S

(Domestic cat) f.’cIi.v

“UtiIS

Frequency Range of of Infestation Infestation

Werribee Frankston Strathbogie Patchewollock‘::

4/4 3/3 2/2 6/8

(Feral cat) Curris foiniliuris Patchewollock 6 / 6 (Domestic dog) Vii1pe.s 1,rtEpr.v Patchewollock 3/3 (Red fox) Werribee 3/3 Swift’s Creek 1/1 Lrpirs o ~ i ~ ’ o p n c i i s Baring I12 (European hare) Point Cook::: 12/24 Walpeup” 212 Patchewollock::: 2 / 2 Hritttr.v irori3c,gicu.s Werribee 1/5 (Brown rat) Knttus ruttiis Werribee 0110 (Black rat) Mirs niuscu1u.s Patchewollock:!: 0 / I 2 (Feral housemouse) * Includes

2 2 40 0 4

- 100 5 - 50 - 100 -

10

2 7 2 - 30 6 0 3 0 - 21 1 3 I - 47 0 2 -

ohservations following myxomatosis epizootics

populations. The firm attachment of fleas on cats may limit random dispersal but the irritation which fleas cause cats and the scratching and biting response of

the cats may result in significant numbers of fleas becoming unattached in locations where they are more likely to find a rabbit host, particularly in rabbit warrens. Rothschild’s ( 1963) suggestion that Lcpus spp are ‘normal’ hosts implies that L. europoeus may be actively involved in flea population regeneration. Although gravid fleas can be found on hares (Shepherd and Edmonds unpublished data) there is as yet no evidence that the flea can complete its breeding cycle in association with the hare alone. However the ability of fleas to sustain themselves on wide-ranging hares may be important in flea dispersal. ROSAMOND C. H. SHEPHERD, MSc. J. W. EDMONDS, M. Agr. Sc. Keith Turnbull Research Institute, Vermin and Noxious Weeds Destruction Board, Department of Crown Lands and Survey. Frankston, Victoria, 3 199 19 Frhrunry 1976 References Barger, 1. A. (1974). - Aust. vet. J . 50 (7): 328. Hopkins, G. H. E. and Rothschild, Miriam (1953). ”An Illustrated Catalogue of thc Rothschild Collection of Fleas (Siphonaptera) in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume I Tungidae and Pulicidae”, p. 173. University Press, Cambridge. Mead-Briggs, A. R. (1964). - 1. Artim. Ecol. 33: 13. Mead-Briggs, A. R. (1967). - Eritornnlogisfs’ mon. Mag. 103: 115.

Rothschild, M. (1963). - Proc. Z o o l . Suc. Lorid. 140 ( 2 ) : 341. Rothschild, M. (1965). - Errdevour 21: 162. Shepherd, Rosamond C. H. and Edmonds, J . W. (1976). - Arrst. Wildl. Res. in press. Sobey, W. R. and Menzies, W. (1969). - Aust. J . Sci. 31: 404.

COCCIODOSIS IN PIGEONS DUE TO EIMERIA LABBEANA Coccidiosis in pigeons has not been reported in Ausl( 1 part intestinal tissue to 9 parts of dichromate) and ralia to date. This paper records coccidiosis in pigeons kept as a shallow layer in petri dishes at room temperain a breeding loft situated in an outer suburb of Sydney. ture with periodic agitation to facilitate sporulation. Approximately 1,200 pigeons of mixed ages were bred The sporulation time was 36 to 48 hours as observed by and reared for table purposes in conditions of over- Srivastava ( 1967). Coccidial species identification was based on the shape crowding and poor hygiene. Sickness and mortality at the time of investigation were confined to 1 of 18 lofts and measurements of the oocysts, which were spherical in which 40 pigeons (mostly 3- to 4-months-old) were to sub-spherical in shape with an average size of 18.85 fi housed. The onset of the disease was sudden, 10 of 40 X 17.5 j t . The oocyst wall was quite thick and appeared birds dying within 3 days from the first signs of sickness. to consist of two to three layers. N o niicropyle was The clinical symptoms were general malaise, weak- present (Pellbrdy 1974; Srivastava 1967). On these findings the coccidium was identified, and ness, ruffled appearance, anorexia, and greenish diarrhoea. A few birds showed inco-ordination and partial subsequently confirmed by the Pathological Laboratory paralysis of one or both legs. Some birds were vomiting. of Merck Sharp & Dohme, Rahway, United States of Two live and 2 dead pigeons all in reasonably good America, as Einieriu labbeanu. physical condition were submitted for pathological A mixture?. of amprolium (16.67%) and sulphaquinoxaexamination. On autopsy examination the 2 pigeons line (16.67%) at the rate of 60 g in 100 litres of drinking water was administered for a period of 5 days, which which had died showed a distended duodenum and jejunum with markedly inflamed mucosa and few petechial brought about a rapid recovery. S. HUNT,* D.V.M., M.A.C.V.Sc. haemorrhages. All other organs appeared normal. The J. O G R A D Y other pigeons showed no macroscopic lesions at autopsy. On microscopic examination of the scrapings of the Merck Sharp & Dohme (Aust.) Pty Ltd, small intestinal mucosa a few oocysts and a moderate Veterinary Research and Development Laboratory, number of schizonts were found. The surface scrapings Ingleburn, New South Wales 2565 were preserved in a 2.5% potassium dichromate solution 26 November 1975

t

Duocoxin Merck Sharp & Dohme, Granville. New South Wales * Present address: 12 The Avenue. Newport, New South Wales 2106.

390

References Pellerdv. L. P. (1974) - “Coccidia and Coccidiosis”. 2nd edn. Verlag Paul Pakey, Berlin. . 37: 78. Srivastava, H. K. (1967) - Indian 1. ~ ‘ e tSci. Australiarr Veterinury

Joiirtiul,

Vol. 5 2 , August, 1976