Journal article
Characterization and causal investigations of an alopecia syndrome in Australian fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus)
M Lynch, R Kirkwood, R Gray, D Robson, G Burton, L Jones, R Sinclair, JPY Arnould
Journal of Mammalogy | OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC | Published : 2012
Abstract
Fur seals rely on pelage consisting of dense, fine underfur protected by guard hairs as their primary means of limiting thermoregulatory cost. A distinctive syndrome of alopecia occurs at high prevalence in 1 colony of Australian fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus). It is characterized by bilaterally symmetrical hair loss on the dorsal body surface and a biased prevalence toward juvenile females. Light and scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that alopecia is due to fracture of the hair shaft above the skin level. No evidence of viral, bacterial, fungal, or parasite infection was found and histological examination of skin biopsies revealed no pathological variation between case..
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Funding Acknowledgements
Research was conducted under Department of Sustainability and Environment (Victoria) research permit 10004150. Funding was provided by Phillip Island Nature Parks; Melbourne Zoo; Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Canberra); and the Winifred Violet Scott Trust. We gratefully acknowledge all field volunteers-A. Mitchell, M. Wills, S. Murphy, D. Dyson, N. Heafield, K. Halloran, S. Dower, K. Scanlon, A. Hoskins, N. Schumann, J. Back, A. Howard, B. Oke, W. Elsner, J. Bergfeld, I. Hoffman, M. Terkildsen, and D. Stoke Id. Thanks also to L. Barnett of the Melbourne Veterinary Specialist Centre and P. Wynne for their help with the project. Special thanks are extended to R. McQuilty of the Trace and Toxic Element Unit, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, for making the trace element analysis possible.