Zoological Collections Research Articles

The discovery of the remains of the last Tasmanian tiger (Thylacinus cynocephalus)

ABSTRACT When the last known Tasmanian tiger or thylacine (Thylacinus cynocephalus) died in Hobart Zoo, during the night of 7th September 1936, its body was reportedly forwarded to the Tasmanian Museum. The apparent failure of the museum to preserve the body has always been disquieting to thylacine researchers. A detailed examination of the unpublished zoo and museum archival records has resolved this anomaly. The apparent preservation failure being occasioned by searching for the wrong specimen: the much photographed and filmed penultimate thylacine on display. This research has resulted in the discovery and identification of a later thylacine arrival at the zoo, the endling of the species: an aged, adult female, whose body was indeed forwarded to the museum upon her death, and preserved therein; and we explain why no contemporary details of this arrival were recorded in the zoological collection registers. Now, for the first time, eighty-six years after the event, we present photographs identifying the skin and skeleton of the last-known living thylacine.

Demodex carolliae in a colony of Seba's short-tailed bats (Carollia perspicillata): clinical, pathological and parasitological findings

Seba's short-tailed bats (Carollia perspicillata) are a frugivorous species native to Central and South America. Despite their importance as a reservoir for zoonotic pathogens and their popularity in zoological collection and as research models, there are relatively few reports on non-zoonotic diseases of bats. Mites of the genus Demodex are obligate commensals of the skin of a range of mammals, are highly host-specific and are not associated with clinical disease when present in low numbers. However, infestation with high numbers can result in severe or even fatal disease and substantially affect the well-being of the animals. The clinical, pathological and parasitological findings in 12 Seba's short-tailed bats with demodicosis from a colony kept at Munich Zoo Hellabrunn between 1992 and 2021 are described in this report. From 2002, skin lesions became apparent on the head, especially the periocular region, nose and ears, as well as the genital area of some animals. In advanced cases, skin changes were also present on the abdomen, back and extremities. Gross findings typically included alopecia and thickening of the skin, with the formation of papules, reflecting cystically dilated hair follicles containing myriads of demodecid mites. Histologically, lesions were characterized by a paucicellular lymphocytic dermatitis and folliculitis with perifollicular fibrosis, epidermal hyperplasia, orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis and disproportionately high numbers of intrafollicular arthropods. Demodex carolliae was identified morphologically by light, phase-contrast and electron microscopy. Further characterization was achieved by extraction of parasitic DNA and partial gene sequencing of two mitochondrial genes, 16S rDNA and cox1. This is the first clinicopathological description of generalized demodicosis in Seba's short-tailed bats and includes the first molecular characterization of D. carolliae with provision of a GenBank entry.

Toxoplasmosis in ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) and a peahen (Pavo cristatus) in a zoological collection caused by the common toxoplasma genotype in wild animals in the US

Toxoplasmosis is caused by the ubiquitous Apicomplexan protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. This pathogen affects domestic and wildlife species, but prosimians including ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) are highly susceptible to infection with high mortality rates. Avian species are considered resistant to infection and are often used in surveillance efforts to determine genotypes of T. gondii present in geographical areas. This study describes the gross and histologic lesions of an outbreak of toxoplasmosis in a university-run zoological collection involving three ring-tailed lemurs and a peahen (Pavo cristatus). DNA was extracted from the liver of the lemurs and peahen to determine the genotype of T. gondii by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), which revealed that all samples were ToxoDB PCR-RFLP genotype #5 (haplogroup 12) that is common in wildlife in North America.

Retrospective analysis of histologic lesions in captive arachnids.

Invertebrates, including arachnids, are a common taxon in zoological collections. Invertebrate medicine and pathology are emerging subspecialties, but there is limited reference material or published resources describing histologic lesions in arachnids. Histopathology of 26 captive arachnids (20 spiders and 6 scorpions) from institutional collections was reviewed. Most animals were found dead with limited clinical signs. Tissues evaluated included body wall (cuticle and epidermis), skeletal muscle, book lungs, digestive tract (pharynx, esophagus, sucking stomach, midgut tube, midgut diverticula, and stercoral pocket), central and peripheral nervous system, heart, hemolymph vessels and sinuses, Malpighian tubules, coxal glands, and gonads. Inflammation was frequent (24/26, 92%), and seen in multiple organs (18/24, 75%) with the midgut diverticulum most commonly affected (14/24, 58%) followed by the book lungs (13/24 arachnids, 54%), and body wall (8/24 arachnids, 33%). Inflammation comprised hemocyte accumulation, hemocytic coagula, melanization, and nodulation. Infectious agents, including bacteria (11/26, 42%), fungi (10/26, 38%), and parasites (2/26, 8%), were seen within inflammatory aggregates. Coinfection with multiple infectious agents was common (6/24, 25%). No etiologic agent was identified in 7/24 (29%) cases with inflammatory lesions. Lesions suggestive of decreased nutritional status or increased metabolic rate included midgut diverticula atrophy in 11/26 (42%) animals and skeletal muscle atrophy in 6/26 (23%) animals. Atrophic lesions were seen in combination with infection (8/11, 73%), pregnancy (2/11, 18%), male sex (2/11, 18%), or without other lesions (1/11, 9%). Other suspected contributors to death included dysecdysis-associated trauma (2/26, 8%) and uterine intussusception (1/26, 4%). No animals had neoplasia.

A Comparison of Captive African Lion (Panthera leo) Activity and Social Behaviour in UK Zoological Collections

A Comparison of Captive African Lion (Panthera leo) Activity and Social Behaviour in UK Zoological Collections

Solomon Col Adol (1909–1971), Game Ranger and animal collector in Bor, South Sudan

The study of fauna in South Sudan during the first two-thirds of the twentieth century relied on a web of collection stations, a vast field network of observers, the assembly of many disparate facts, and the collection of animals to be sold for display and study in zoos and museums in Sudan and other countries. This work of zoological study and the trade in animals mobilized great numbers of South Sudanese, relying on their labour, observations, and knowledge about how to capture and care for animals. These participants have rarely been credited for their own contributions to knowledge about the natural history of their country. This paper examines the work of Solomon Col Adol who was based at the zoological collection station in Bor, a small town on the White Nile, where he was a Game Ranger.

Spirometra infection in a captive Samar cobra (Naja samarensis) in the United States: An imported case?

We report a case of Spirometra infection in a Samar cobra (Naja samarensis) imported from the Philippines, belonging to a zoological collection in the southern United States. Under a poor post-surgical prognosis, the snake was euthanized, and at necropsy plerocercoids of a Diphyllobotriidea were found in its subcutaneous tissues and musculature. Molecular and phylogenetic analyses of the complete cytochrome oxidase c subunit I (cox1) gene of the mitochondrial DNA confirmed that the isolate belonged to the genus Spirometra and was closely related to Spirometra mansoni isolates from Asian countries (bootstrap support=99.4%). Considering the origin and clinical history and handling of the animal, the snake probably arrived infected in America. We suggest the inclusion of diagnostic imaging in the investigation of sparganosis in research and disease surveillance protocols applied in the pre- and post-quarantine period to asymptomatic animals imported from endemic areas.

Exploration of Social Proximity and Behavior in Captive Malayan Tigers and Their Cubs.

The survival of endangered felids is becoming increasingly dependent on the successful management and breeding of reserve populations in captivity. While most felid species are reported to be solitary in the wild, increasing evidence suggests that some big cats have greater social plasticity than is currently acknowledged. This social plasticity allows felids to be sometimes socially housed in environments such as zoos and rescue centers. While the effects of such shared enclosures remain in question, many reports provide evidence of several welfare benefits of maintaining these large carnivores in pairs or even groups. Since 2019, Le Parc des Félins has housed a breeding pair of Malaysian tigers (Panthera tigris jacksoni) alongside their offspring. The purpose of this study was to quantify the social affiliation between the male tiger and his cubs and to investigate the female's tolerance toward him. The data were collected using video recordings in the outdoor enclosure when social interactions were observed. The data were coded and categorized in the open-source software BORIS, from which behavioral activity budgets were calculated. Data were analyzed using the chi-squared test for association to determine differences in affiliative frequency, with directed and undirected sociograms created to visualize individual relationships. Overall, the male regularly engaged in affiliative behaviors with the cubs, with no significant difference found in the frequency of interactions with them compared to the female. No physical aggression was directed by the male toward the cubs. Although the female maintained a stronger bond with the cubs compared to the male, he displayed a greater range of affiliative behaviors toward them than male tigers are thought to exhibit. Both adults showed a high degree of tolerance toward their conspecifics, suggesting that maintaining breeding pairs with their offspring is a viable management strategy in zoological collections. This study could therefore improve husbandry and conservation practices by developing our understanding of felid sociality and the potential welfare benefits of social housing, allowing for evidence-based captive management decisions.

Comparison of Plasma Trace Elements Between 2 Captive Humboldt Penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) Populations.

Environmental pollutants and their effect on wildlife health play an important role in the conservation of endangered species and can be clinically relevant in captive animals too. Data on relevant concentrations of trace elements in captive birds with no known exposures are rare. For this study, silver, arsenic, gold, barium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, mercury, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, thallium, selenium, and zinc were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in lithium heparinized plasma samples from 18 Humboldt penguins at 2 zoological collections in Germany. The results showed that the plasma concentrations of silver, arsenic, gold, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, mercury, and selenium differed significantly (P ≤ 0.05) between the 2 penguin collections. The results indicate that the location of the birds has a strong influence on the plasma trace element concentrations. Well water used in the enclosures was suspected to be associated with these significant differences. Trace elemental concentrations in feed (eg, marine fish) and contamination from enclosure construction materials may also play a role. This study could provide a basis for further comparative, biomonitoring, toxicity, and reference interval studies.

Zoos as Sentinels? A Meta-Analysis of Seroprevalence of Terrestrial Mammalian Viruses in Zoos.

The One Health framework links animal, human, and environmental health, and focuses on emerging zoonotic pathogens. Understanding the interface between wildlife and human activity is critical due to the unpredictable nature of spillover of zoonotic pathogens from animals to humans. Zoos are important partners in One Health because of their contributions to education, conservation, and animal health monitoring. In addition, the housing of wildlife in captive and semi-natural settings makes zoos, especially relevant for detecting animal-related pathogens. A first step to determine the utility of zoos in contributing to pathogen surveillance is to survey the peer-reviewed literature. We, therefore, retrieved data from the previous 20years and performed a meta-analysis to determine global patterns of viral seroprevalence in mammals housed in zoo collections from peer-reviewed literature. We analysed 50 articles, representing a total of 11,300 terrestrial mammals. Increased prevalence was found in viruses strictly targeting specific host taxonomy, especially in viruses transmitted through direct contact. Potentially complex patterns with geography were also identified, despite uneven sampling. This research highlights the role zoos could play in public health and encourages future standardized epidemiological surveillance of zoological collections.

The Red Coral Community in the Messina Strait: New Findings from the 1700s Lazzaro Spallanzani Collection

The precious red coral (Corallium rubrum L.) represents one of the most fascinating marine species of the Mediterranean Sea. Several samples, including red coral together with its accompanying species, were found in the zoological collection of the Italian pioneer biologist Lazzaro Spallanzani (1729–1799), collected in the Messina Strait during his voyage in Sicily (1788). The study of these samples allowed the inclusion of numerous additional species in the traditional red coral facies as the large oyster Neopycnodonte cochlear, the giant barnacle Pachylasma giganteum, the mesophotic scleractinian Caryophyllia (Caryophyllia) cyathus. These specimens proved to be very useful in describing the diversity of the paleo-community including red coral, shedding light on its formation processes. In particular, some specimens are composed of red coral rubble consolidated and cemented with other carbonatic remains Probably, these peculiar specimens have a similar origin to those of the Sciacca Banks already known from the Sicily Channel. In fact, the two areas are prone to intense seismic activity that periodically causes mass mortalities of red coral from nearby rocky reliefs and the formation of biogenic detritus, while the resulting chemical environment of the water and the sediments allows the consolidation of the carbonatic remains.

Deciphering mysteries: On the identity of five enigmatic jumping spiders from Northeast India, China and Philippines (Araneae, Salticidae)

The type specimens of salticid species from Northeast India described by B. K. Biswas and K. Biswas kept in the National Zoological Collections, Kolkata were studied. Four new synonyms are recognized: Marpissa mizoramensis Biswas & Biswas, 2007 syn. nov. and Evarcha optabilis (Fox, 1937) syn. nov. with Evarcha flavocincta (C.L. Koch, 1846), and Phidippus tirapensis Biswas & Biswas, 2006 syn. nov. and Hyllus maskaranus Barrion & Litsinger, 1995 syn. nov. with Hyllus diardi (Walckenaer, 1837). A new combination is proposed: Pancorius manipuriensis (Biswas & Biswas, 2007) comb. nov. (ex. Marpissa). P. manipuriensis is illustrated for the first time and redescribed based on the type material. Detailed digital illustrations of the examined type material and distributional map are also provided.

Anatomopathological findings and identification of Cryptococcus gattii in a captive African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)

The African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) is becoming increasingly common in zoological collection and as pets, increasing the risk of disease transmission. Here, we describe a case of cryptococcosis caused by Cryptococcus gattii in a captive African pygmy hedgehog and the other anatomopathological findings. The macroscopic analysis of the lung found white-yellowish masses of gelatinous consistency. The microscopic analysis of the lung revealed severe pulmonary involvement resulting from granulomatous pneumonia caused by C. gattii yeasts, identified through polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. Other histopathological findings included hepatic steatosis, biliary hyperplasia, and renal lesions with deposition of hyaline cylinders in the lumen of tubular epithelial cells, glomerulopathy, and tubular necrosis. Our findings demonstrate the importance of anatomopathological studies in diagnosing relevant diseases in the context of one health. We emphasize that adequate environmental management is essential to avoid the emergence of certain diseases in captivity.

Investigating Market and Conservation Education Influences on Global Zoo and Aquarium Animal Collections

There is evidence to suggest that visitors to zoological collections prefer to see large, active mammals. To attract visitors, zoos and aquariums might be tempted to select for mammal species in their collection plans to maintain visitor interest. However, collections also play a role in endangered species breeding, many of which are not mammals. Using International Zoo Yearbook data, we explored the number of species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates housed in collections across the globe. These data were compared against three hypothetical collection plan strategies: a) marketing, as shown by the prevalence of each taxon in toy retail; b) biodiversity, in which taxa in proportions that reflect their wild abundance, and c) in which all six taxa are represented equally. The global zoological collection plan indicated that on average, collections contain more bird species than other taxonomic groups, followed by fish, mammals, invertebrates, reptiles and amphibians.

Estudio del biodeterioro y evaluación de actividad proteolítica causada por microorganismos en especímenes de una colección zoológica en Colombia

Zoological collections shelter specimens that represent the history of biodiversity at a particular time and place. Their deterioration over time results in the loss of information, therefore, it is crucial to evaluate the state of preservation of the collections to take measures regarding their management. In this study, the state of conservation of the specimens deposited in the zoology collection was diagnosed, taking into account the presence of indicators of deterioration and biodeterioration. In addition, fungi and bacteria were isolated and the proteolytic activity of some dominant strains of fungi was evaluated. It was found that 42% of the 146 specimens analyzed showed signs of biodeterioration associated with microorganisms commonly reported in the environment, such as Penicillium sp. and Cladosporium sp., which presented proteolysis in feather and hair substrates. This suggests an association between environmental conditions and the manner of storage with the deterioration of the specimens.

The first, private and unknown small anatomical Ruijsch collection of Peter the Great

The anatomical collection of Frederik Ruijsch (1638–1731) concerning injected dry and wet preparations attracted the attention and interest of several generations of scientists and other admirers, including Tsar Peter the Great of Russia (1672–1725). Even today, this interest has not weakened since its manufacture more than three hundred years ago. The main collection of the famous Dutchman was purchased by Tsar Peter the Great in 1717 for his Kunstkamera, now Peter the Great’s Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography in Saint Petersburg. In books and articles, first written by A. I. Tarenetsky, later by M. A. Tikotin, and again by V. V. Ginzburg was pointed out that several dozens of preparations of Frederik Ruijsch are located in the anatomical museum of the Military Medical Academy named S. M. Kirov in St. Petersburg. This collection is called “the small collection” and was acquired by Peter the Great in 1697–1698 as a private collection. This collection was intended for educational purposes and is nowadays almost unknown in, and outside the scientific world. We set ourselves the task to study the history of the acquisition of this small collection, to find out its journey to the end destination by researching early published or unpublished sources. The small collection paved the way for other botanical, zoological, and anatomical collections and has significant historical importance.

Diversity and distribution of genus Amegilla Friese, 1897 in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Hymenoptera: Apoidea)

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the genus Amegilla Friese, 1897 is represented by four species. The known diversity of species of the genus Amegilla in Bosnia and Herzegovina was compared with current data on the diversity of bees in the Balkan Peninsula and Europe as a whole. Through extensive field research carried out in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the presence of the following Amegilla species was established: Amegilla albigena (Lepeletier, 1841), Amegilla garrula (Rossi, 1790), and Amegilla quadrifasciata (de Villers, 1789). Additionally, the species Amegilla magnilabris (Fedtschenko, 1875) was documented based on specimens stored in the Zoological Collection of the National Museum in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Amegilla species are distributed in the Mediterranean and Pannonian regions. It's significant to mention that the distribution of Amegilla species in Bosnia and Herzegovina appears to be influenced by specific climatic and geographic factors. These species tend to be absent in the Dinaric region characterized by a continental climate, suggesting a preference for other ecological niches. Analyzing the distribution data further reveals the thermophilic nature of Amegilla species, primarily favoring open-type habitats. The research results highlight the significance of certain climatic variables in shaping their habitat suitability. For instance, the variable Bio 9, representing the mean temperature of the quarter with the least rainfall (the driest period), significantly influences the suitability of the habitat for Amegilla albigena (38.0%) and Amegilla quadrifasciata (16.1%). Meanwhile, for Amegilla garrula, the variable Bio 1, representing the mean annual temperature, plays a pivotal role, accounting for 36.2% of its habitat suitability. These findings underscore the importance of understanding the intricate relationships between climatic factors and species distribution, shedding light on the ecological intricacies of Amegilla species in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Trichonephila sexpunctata (Araneae: Nephilidae): New Record from Rio Grande do Sul State, Southern Brazil

Araneae order has almost 51,500 described species in the world, distributed in 135 families. Nephilidae is one of those families and presents 58 species, but only three in South America. Specifically southern Brazil there are two representants of this family: Nephilingis cruentata, Trichonephila clavipes. In this way, we aim to record the Trichonephila sexpunctata (Giebel, 1687) species from Rio Grande do Sul state, southern Brazil. For this, we observed, collected, fixed, preserved, analyzed, and deposited in the institutional zoological collection six specimens between 2017 and 2018. They were also seen in later years in the region. Our survey indicates that this species, commonly called golden orbweaving spiders, appears to have a limited distribution. In fact, there are few records of T. sexpunctata, totalizing 15 records. Therefore, the ecology of T. sexpunctata is not fully determined. Thus, we record T. sexpunctata from southwest of Rio Grande do Sul, region characterized by Brazilian Pampa biome presence. Moreover, our observations suggest that these spiders can be well adapted in anthropic environmental.

Did the smalleye hammerhead ever inhabit the Mediterranean Sea? A reappraisal of the only Italian record of Sphyrna tudes (Valenciennes, 1822)

Three species of Sphyrna (S. lewini, S. mokarran and S. zygaena) are known to inhabit the present-day Mediterranean Sea, whereas uncertainties exist about the presence of S. tudes in the same basin. Indeed, the presence of this typically westernAtlantic shark in the Mediterranean Sea is supported by as few as two historical specimens that were captured at Nice (southeastern France) and Leghorn (northern Tyrrhenian coast of central Italy). Here, we provide a redescription and an updated taxonomic identification of the Leghorn specimen of smalleye hammerhead, which is currently kept in the zoological collection of the Natural History Museum of the University of Pisa and is believed by some authors to represent a misidentified representative of S. lewini. Based on first-hand observations, we confirm the taxonomic identification of this specimen as belonging to S. tudes. Considering the ontogenetically young nature of both the Nice and the Leghorn specimens of S. tudes, parturition in the Mediterranean Sea is hypothesised, which in turn may evoke the occurrence of a population of smalleye hammerheads inhabiting this basin at least as recently as the early 19th century.

As aranhas Salticidae exóticas sinantrópicas no Brasil (Araneae)

ABSTRACT Salticidae is the most diverse family of Araneae and in Brazil, there are 667 species. Among these species, five are synanthropic exotics: Plexippus paykulli (Audouin, 1826), Hasarius adansoni (Audouin, 1826), Menemerus bivittatus (Dufour, 1831), M. nigli Wesołowska & Freudenschuss, 2012 and Thyene coccineovittata (Simon, 1886). To understand the current distribution of these species in Brazil, seven collections of 643 lots were examined from seven Brazilian zoological collections. The synanthropic exotic species with the highest records were Plexippus paykulli, Menemerus bivittatus, and Hasarius adansoni, generally collected and associated with human dwellings and buildings. They are present in all regions (North, Northeast, Midwest, and South macro-regions), with the largest region, in all regions of the country in 22 states and 98 municipalities, followed by Hasarius adansoni in 17 states and 88 municipalities, Menemerus bivittatus in 19 states and 68 municipalities. Menemerus nigli and Thyene coccineovittata are from recent introductions that occurred in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.