Hypopigmentation in mantled howler monkeys Alouatta palliata (gray 1849): First documented cases of whole-body leucism in South America.

The existence of hypopigmentation like leucism is the result of genetic anomalies that might be enhanced by external factors such as pollution. This anomaly may reduce survival rates. Leucism has been recorded in wildlife, but overall, it is considered very rare. There have been few records of mantled howler monkeys with leucism in Mexico and Costa Rica, but whole-body leucism in howler monkeys from South America was unknown. In this article, we report for the first-time documented cases of whole-body leucism in young individuals of mantled howler monkeys Alouatta palliata in an isolated remanent of tropical dry forest in southwestern Ecuador known as Cerro Blanco Protective Forest. In total, we found two juvenile individuals with leucism in October 2021. The report of howler monkeys with whole-body leucism may be caused by two processes: inbreeding because of isolated populations, environmental pressure caused by pollution, or the interaction of both. Our findings also reveal that hypopigmentation is becoming more frequent in howler monkey populations along its distributional range. Therefore, it is important to promote research in this field to disentangle the causes of hypopigmentation and to consider a regional management strategy for the species.

La existencia de afecciones que causan hipopigmentación, como el leucismo, son el resultado de anomalías genéticas que pueden verse potenciadas por factores externos como la contaminación. Estas anomalías puedes reducir las tasas de supervivencia. Se ha registrado leucismo en la vida silvestre, pero en general, se considera muy raro. En México y Costa Rica se ha reportado la existencia de casos aislados de monos aulladores de manto con leucismo, pero se desconocía el leucismo de cuerpo completo en monos aulladores para América del Sur. En este artículo, reportamos por primera vez casos documentados de leucismo en todo el cuerpo en individuos juveniles de monos aulladores de manto Alouatta palliata en un remanente aislado de bosque seco tropical en el suroeste de Ecuador conocido como Bosque Protector Cerro Blanco. En total, encontramos dos individuos juveniles con leucismo en octubre de 2021. Este reporte de monos aulladores con leucismo en todo el cuerpo puede ser causado por dos procesos: apareamiento dentro de individuos de la misma población causado por el aislamiento, la presión ambiental causada por la contaminación o la interacción de ambos. Nuestros hallazgos también revelan que la hipopigmentación es cada vez más frecuente en las poblaciones de monos aulladores a lo largo de su rango de distribución. Por lo tanto, es importante promover la investigación en este campo para determinar las causas de la hipopigmentación y considerar una estrategia de manejo regional para la especie. Palabras clave: aberraciones cromáticas, pérdida de conectividad, anomalías genéticas, endogamia, cambio de pigmentación en primates por contaminación, Bosque Seco del Pacífico Ecuatorial.

First description of sarcoptic mange in a wild coati (Nasua narica), in Ecuador, and cooccurrence of canine distemper virus.

We present a case of Sarcoptes and canine distemper virus (CDV) infection in a white-nosed coati (Nasua narica) that was trapped in the dry tropical forest of Cerro Blanco reserve, located in the coastal region of Ecuador. Sarcoptic mange is a highly contagious and zoonotic disease with worldwide distribution that causes epidemics. Mange is produced by Sarcoptes mites that causes severe epidermal damage. Secondary infections and physiological constrictions without treatment can lead to death of the host. In addition, cooccurrence of canine distemper virus was detected via iiRT-PCR from serum samples. Physical analyses showed that 90% of the skin was affected by severe alopecia due to the sarcoptic mange infection. The presence of mites and histopathological analyses confirmed the diagnosis of infection. This coati was taken to a veterinary clinic and was fed every day, but it died after four days. This is the first report of sarcoptic mange and the first report of CDV in white-nosed coatis in South America. Further studies are needed in this region, to seek out other suspected cases, given the high capacity for disease transmission. Preventive actions to avoid epidemic and zoonotic episodes are needed.

First description of sarcoptic mange in a wild coati (Nasua narica), in Ecuador, and cooccurrence of canine distemper virus / Primeira descrição da sarna sarcóptica em um coati selvagem (Nasua narica), no Equador, e coocorrência do vírus distemper canino

Abstract We present a case of Sarcoptes and canine distemper virus (CDV) infection in a white-nosed coati (Nasua narica) that was trapped in the dry tropical forest of Cerro Blanco reserve, located in the coastal region of Ecuador. Sarcoptic mange is a highly contagious and zoonotic disease with worldwide distribution that causes epidemics. Mange is produced by Sarcoptes mites that causes severe epidermal damage. Secondary infections and physiological constrictions without treatment can lead to death of the host. In addition, cooccurrence of canine distemper virus was detected via iiRT-PCR from serum samples. Physical analyses showed that 90% of the skin was affected by severe alopecia due to the sarcoptic mange infection. The presence of mites and histopathological analyses confirmed the diagnosis of infection. This coati was taken to a veterinary clinic and was fed every day, but it died after four days. This is the first report of sarcoptic mange and the first report of CDV in white-nosed coatis in South America. Further studies are needed in this region, to seek out other suspected cases, given the high capacity for disease transmission. Preventive actions to avoid epidemic and zoonotic episodes are needed.

Resumo Apresentamos um caso de Sarcoptes e infecção pelo vírus da cinomose canina (CDV) em um quati-do-nariz-branco (Nasua narica) que ficou preso na floresta tropical seca da reserva de Cerro Blanco, localizada na região costeira do Equador. A sarna sarcóptica é uma doença altamente contagiosa e zoonótica de distribuição mundial que causa epidemias. A sarna é produzida por ácaro do gênero Sarcoptes que causa graves danos epidérmicos. Infecções secundárias e constrições fisiológicas sem tratamento podem levar à morte do organismo. Além disso, a coocorrência do vírus da cinomose canina foi detectada, via iiRT-PCR, a partir de amostras de soro. As análises físicas mostraram que 90% da pele estava afetada por alopecia severa devido à infecção pelo ácaro da sarna sarcóptica. A presença de ácaros e análises histopatológicas confirmaram o diagnóstico de infecção. Esse quati foi levado a uma clínica veterinária e foi alimentado todos os dias, mas morreu após quatro dias. Esse é o primeiro relato de sarna sarcóptica e o primeiro relato de CDV em quatis-de-nariz-branco na América do Sul. São necessários mais estudos nessa região, para buscar outros casos suspeitos, dada a alta capacidade de transmissão da doença. Ações preventivas para evitar episódios epidêmicos e zoonóticos, são necessárias.