Capture of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) by remote injection of tiletamine - zolazapam (Zoletil®) and medetomidine

2003 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Lynch ◽  
Roger Martin
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Depression ◽  
The Other ◽  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
Dose Rates ◽  
Specific Antagonist ◽  
Free Ranging

A combination of tiletamine–zolazapam (Zoletil®) and medetomidine delivered by remote injection was used to capture free-ranging Victorian koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus victor). The trial established that dose rates in the order of 3.5 mg kg–1 Zoletil and 55 μg kg–1 medetomidine were appropriate to capture animals in this way. Of 17 animals receiving the combination by dart and left for at least 10 min before intervention, 13 fell or could be easily pushed from the tree. The other four animals did not become sufficiently anaesthetised and were captured manually. Two animals displayed mild bradycardia and another two animals had mild respiratory depression, which were attributed to the medetomidine component of the combination. All animals recovered uneventfully with the aid of atipamezole, a specific antagonist for medetomidine.

Relationships between morphometric variables and age for captive individuals may not accurately estimate the age of free-ranging juvenile koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus)

2012 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gail M. Tucker ◽  
I. Delma Clifton ◽  
Stephen C. McKillup
Keyword(s):  
Growth Curve ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Growth Curves ◽  
The Other ◽  
Head Length ◽  
Morphometric Data ◽  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
Exact Date ◽  
Captive Populations ◽  
Free Ranging

Several studies report methods for determining the age of juvenile Queensland koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus adustus) but these are mostly based on data from captive populations, because observing the birth of koalas in their natural habitat is extremely rare. We identified the exact date of birth for two male joeys by initially observing one within minutes and the other within hours of their birth, at St Bees Island, central Queensland. Successive measurements of head length, as these individuals matured, were used to construct a growth curve for free-ranging juveniles. When tested, only one previously published growth curve (based on body mass) was able to accurately estimate the age of the two joeys. Both methods were then tested for precision using morphometric data for other juvenile koalas in the St Bees population. The estimation of age of juvenile koalas was considerably more precise when based on head length. These results demonstrate the inaccuracy that may be inherent in growth curves derived from captive animals and also show that estimates of age based on data from individuals in a particular population or locality may not be accurate throughout the range of a species.

scholarly journals Taking sociality seriously: the structure of multi-dimensional social networks as a source of information for individuals

2012 ◽  
Vol 367 (1599) ◽  
pp. 2108-2118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise Barrett ◽  
S. Peter Henzi ◽  
David Lusseau
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Life ◽  
The Other ◽  
Feedback Process ◽  
Cognitive Evolution ◽  
Systems Approaches ◽  
Entropy Measures ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Source Of Information

Understanding human cognitive evolution, and that of the other primates, means taking sociality very seriously. For humans, this requires the recognition of the sociocultural and historical means by which human minds and selves are constructed, and how this gives rise to the reflexivity and ability to respond to novelty that characterize our species. For other, non-linguistic, primates we can answer some interesting questions by viewing social life as a feedback process, drawing on cybernetics and systems approaches and using social network neo-theory to test these ideas. Specifically, we show how social networks can be formalized as multi-dimensional objects, and use entropy measures to assess how networks respond to perturbation. We use simulations and natural ‘knock-outs’ in a free-ranging baboon troop to demonstrate that changes in interactions after social perturbations lead to a more certain social network, in which the outcomes of interactions are easier for members to predict. This new formalization of social networks provides a framework within which to predict network dynamics and evolution, helps us highlight how human and non-human social networks differ and has implications for theories of cognitive evolution.

scholarly journals Daily Activity Patterns and Co-Occurrence of Duikers Revealed by an Intensive Camera Trap Survey across Central African Rainforests

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2200
Author(s):  
Fructueux G. A. Houngbégnon ◽  
Daniel Cornelis ◽  
Cédric Vermeulen ◽  
Bonaventure Sonké ◽  
Stephan Ntie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Daily Activity ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Camera Trap ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
The Other ◽  
Species Pairs ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
First Time ◽  
Daily Activity Patterns ◽  
Temporal Overlap

The duiker community in Central African rainforests includes a diversity of species that can coexist in the same area. The study of their activity patterns is needed to better understand habitat use or association between the species. Using camera traps, we studied the temporal activity patterns, and quantified for the first time the temporal overlap and spatial co-occurrence between species. Our results show that: (i) Two species are strongly diurnal: Cephalophus leucogaster, and Philantomba congica, (ii) two species are mostly diurnal: C.callipygus and C. nigrifrons, (iii) one species is strongly nocturnal: C.castaneus, (iv) and one species is mostly nocturnal: C.silvicultor. Analyses of temporal activities (for five species) identified four species pairs that highly overlapped (Δ^≥ 0.80), and six pairs that weakly overlapped (Δ^ between 0.06 and 0.35). Finally, co-occurrence tests reveal a truly random co-occurrence (plt > 0.05 and pgt > 0.05) for six species pairs, and a positive co-occurrence (pgt < 0.05) for four pairs. Positive co-occurrences are particularly noted for pairs formed by C.callipygus with the other species (except C. nigrifrons). These results are essential for a better understanding of the coexistence of duikers and the ecology of poorly known species (C. leucogaster and C. nigrifrons), and provide clarification on the activity patterns of C. silvicultor which was subject to controversy. Camera traps proved then to be a powerful tool for studying the activity patterns of free-ranging duiker populations.

scholarly journals Prevalence of cryptococcal antigenemia and nasal colonization in a free-ranging koala population

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (7) ◽  
pp. 848-857 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura J Schmertmann ◽  
Alex Kan ◽  
Valentina S A Mella ◽  
Cristina M Fernandez ◽  
Mathew S Crowther ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Eucalyptus Camaldulensis ◽  
Polymorphism Analysis ◽  
Nasal Colonization ◽  
Agar Culture ◽  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
Cryptococcus Spp ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractCryptococcosis, caused by environmental fungi in the Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii species complexes, affects a variety of hosts, including koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). Cryptococcal antigenemia and nasal colonization are well characterized in captive koalas, but free-ranging populations have not been studied systematically. Free-ranging koalas (181) from the Liverpool Plains region of New South Wales, Australia, were tested for cryptococcal antigenemia (lateral flow immunoassay) and nasal colonization (bird seed agar culture). Results were related to environmental and individual koala characteristics. Eucalypt trees (14) were also randomly tested for the presence of Cryptococcus spp. by bird seed agar culture. In sum, 5.5% (10/181) and 6.6% (12/181) of koalas were positive for antigenemia and nasal colonization, respectively, on at least one occasion. And 64.3% (9/14) of eucalypts were culture-positive for Cryptococcus spp. URA5 restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis identified most isolates as C. gattii VGI, while C. neoformans VNI was only found in one koala and one tree. Colonized koalas were significantly more likely to test positive for antigenemia. No associations between antigenemia or colonization, and external environmental characteristics (the relative abundance of Eucalyptus camaldulensis and season), or individual koala characteristics (body condition, sex, and age), could be established, suggesting that antigenemia and colonization are random outcomes of host-pathogen-environment interactions. The relationship between positive antigenemia status and a relatively high abundance of E. camaldulensis requires further investigation. This study characterizes cryptococcosis in a free-ranging koala population, expands the ecological niche of the C. gattii/C. neoformans species complexes and highlights free-ranging koalas as important sentinels for this disease.

Role of AVP in maintenance of circulatory homeostasis during hemorrhagic shock

1984 ◽  
Vol 246 (2) ◽  
pp. H174-H179 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. E. Hock ◽  
J. Y. Su ◽  
A. M. Lefer
Keyword(s):  
Hemorrhagic Shock ◽  
Cathepsin D ◽  
Mesenteric Artery ◽  
The Other ◽  
Arterial Blood ◽  
Neurohypophyseal Hormone ◽  
Specific Antagonist ◽  
Plasma Arginine ◽  
Artery Flow

Hemorrhagic hypotension produces significantly increased plasma arginine vasopression (AVP) concentrations. We have utilized a specific antagonist (AVP-A) of the pressor effects of endogenous AVP to investigate the role of this neurohypophyseal hormone on the pathogenesis of hemorrhagic shock. Infusion of the AVP-A (2 micrograms/kg bolus + 2 micrograms X kg-1 X h-1 infusion) into sham-shocked animals produced no significant changes in any of the observed experimental variables. Cats subjected to hemorrhagic shock given AVP-A had final superior mesenteric artery flow (SMAF) values significantly (P less than 0.05) higher than shock cats given vehicle (7.7 +/- 1.1 vs. 4.5 +/- 0.8 ml X kg-1 X min-1, respectively). Increases in postreinfusion plasma cathepsin D activities were significantly blunted in hemorrhaged animals treated with AVP-A (10.4 +/- 2.0 vs. 24.8 +/- 5.5 U/mg protein; P less than 0.05). Plasma proteolysis as well as the plasma accumulation of myocardial depressant factor (MDF) were also significantly modulated by AVP-A treatment in hemorrhaged animals. MDF activities were 75 +/- 6 and 53 +/- 4 U/ml (P less than 0.02) for shock cats given vehicle or AVP-A, respectively. However, these beneficial actions were not reflected in any significant improvement in postreinfusion mean arterial blood pressure (MABP). These findings suggest that endogenous AVP functions not only as a potent splanchnic vasoconstrictor but also as a key humoral factor in the maintenance of postreinfusion MABP, a profile that is different from the role of angiotensin II, the other major splanchnic vasoconstrictor, in shock.

Production of Milk and Nutrition of the Dependent Young of Free‐Ranging Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus)

1998 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew K. Krockenberger ◽  
Ian D. Hume ◽  
Steven J. Cork
Keyword(s):  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
Free Ranging

Detection of Chlamydia psittaci in free-ranging koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus): DNA hybridization and immuno-slot blot analyses

1989 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.A. Girjes ◽  
B.J. Weigler ◽  
A.F. Hugall ◽  
F.N. Carrick ◽  
M.F. Lavin
Keyword(s):  
Dna Hybridization ◽  
Chlamydia Psittaci ◽  
Slot Blot ◽  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
Free Ranging

Tree Species Selection by Free-Ranging Koala Populations in Victoria.

1985 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 137 ◽  
Author(s):  
MA Hindell ◽  
KA Handasyde ◽  
AK Lee
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Species Selection ◽  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
Individual Trees ◽  
Free Ranging

Tree species selection was studied in free-ranging populations of koalas [Phascolarctos cinereus] on Phillip Island and the Brisbane Ranges in Victoria. At both sites koalas were found mainly on Eucalyptus spp. but occasionally used Acacia spp. Although koalas occurred on most of the Eucalyptus spp. present, both populations showed preferences for one or two species, particularly E. viminalis. Individual koalas showed different preferences, but the majority preferred E. viminalis. Some occurred exclusively on other species even when E. viminalis was close by. Koalas also showed preference for individual trees within a species.

scholarly journals Development and application of two multiplex real-time PCR assays for detection and speciation of bacterial pathogens in the koala

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 523-529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lyndal S. Hulse ◽  
Danica Hickey ◽  
Jessica M. Mitchell ◽  
Kenneth W. Beagley ◽  
William Ellis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Bacterial Pathogens ◽  
Simultaneous Detection ◽  
Turnaround Time ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Labeled Probe ◽  
Free Ranging

Infectious diseases have contributed to the decline in the health of koala ( Phascolarctos cinereus) populations in the wild in some regions of Australia. Herein we report the development and validation of 2 multiplex real-time PCR (rtPCR) panels for the simultaneous detection of Mycoplasma spp., Ureaplasma spp., Bordetella bronchiseptica, and Chlamydia, including speciation and quantification of Chlamydia, in ocular, reproductive, and nasal swab samples in addition to semen and male urogenital and reproductive tissues, from koalas. Each rtPCR panel was developed for use as a single-tube reaction using pathogen-specific primers and fluorescently labeled probe sets. DNA extracted from reference strains and isolates was used for validation of sequence gene targets for the multiplex rtPCR panels. Each panel was shown to be sensitive and specific in detecting and differentiating the bacterial pathogens. The multiplex rtPCR panels were used to screen clinical samples from free-ranging and hospitalized koalas for multiple pathogens simultaneously. The multiplex rtPCR will improve turnaround time compared to individual-pathogen rtPCR methods used, to date, for confirmation of diagnosis and will provide the wildlife clinician with the ability to make treatment decisions more rapidly.

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