Un-bear-able itchA female black bear (Ursus americanus) was trapped in Akins, OK as part of a population-research study. Trail cam photos of this bear were initially normal, but the ones taken two months later documented a rapid onset of alopecia. The bear was sedated and held for two weeks for treatment and observation. The following were observed after a skin scraping: Image 1 and 2: Specimens observed from skin scraping. Sarcoptes scabiei adult (Image 1) and egg (Image 2)
This parasitic mite causes sarcoptic mange or scabies in humans, dogs, horses, pigs and others, including foxes and bears. Infestations commonly start on relatively hairless areas of skin and may later generalize. Bears can also get infested with the mite Ursicoptes sp. which appears morphologically similar to Sarcoptes scabiei, except for the anterior–ventral elongation (idiosoma elongate-ovoid in both sexes) and is primarily restricted to the hair follicles; while Sarcoptes scabiei have idiosoma ventrally flat and dorsally convex. Sarcoptes scabiei legs of both females and males are short and stubby. Legs III and IV of both sexes do not extend beyond the lateral posterior margin of the idiosoma (Image 1). Legs have suckers or pads on long unsegmented stalks (Image 3; legs I and II in females and legs I, II an IV in males). The anal opening of females is terminal, and the dorsum of females have many pointed scales while the males have only a few. Image 1: Adult, legs III and IV of both sexes do not extend beyond the lateral posterior margin of the idiosoma. Image 2: Egg collected on skin scraping. Image 3: Adult, legs have suckers or pads on long unsegmented stalks (legs I and II in females and legs I, II an IV in males). |
