We report alopecic syndrome (hair loss in areas of the body, including chest, abdomen, and back) in four frugivorous bat species (Artibeus jamaicensis, Artibeus lituratus, Sturnira lilium, and Sturnira ludovici) within urban and periurban areas of Villahermosa, Tabasco, México, during 2007 and 2008. The overall prevalence of alopecic syndrome was 5.25% (135/2,567 bats). The highest prevalence was found in A. lituratus (5.6%; 62/1,105), followed by A. jamaicensis (5%; 3/ 1,462). We found a higher prevalence in the dry season, when more than 90% of the alopecic individuals (n=122) were captured. Higher prevalence of alopecia was recorded in urban areas (80% of captured alopecic bats, n=108) than in periurban areas (20%, n=27). Histopathologic studies revealed no evidence of infectious agents. The syndrome may be related to nutritional or endocrinal deficiencies. Spatial and seasonal aggregation in urban areas suggests that anthropogenic activities may interfere with nutritional processes. Further studies are needed to confirm the etiology of the syndrome as well as its impact on population dynamics. This is the first report of alopecic syndrome in sylvatic bats.
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Research Article|
July 01 2010
Alopecia in Bats from Tabasco, México
Joaquín Bello-Gutiérrez;
Joaquín Bello-Gutiérrez
3
1 Ecología y Conservación de Fauna Silvestre Neotropical, División Académica de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, Carretera Villahermosa-Cárdenas Km. 0.5 entronque Bosques de Saloya, C. P. 86039 Villahermosa, Tabasco, México
3 Corresponding author (email: joaquin.bello.gutierrez@gmail.com)
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Gerardo Suzán;
Gerardo Suzán
2 Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, México City, Distrito Federal, México
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Mircea G. Hidalgo-Mihart;
Mircea G. Hidalgo-Mihart
1 Ecología y Conservación de Fauna Silvestre Neotropical, División Académica de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, Carretera Villahermosa-Cárdenas Km. 0.5 entronque Bosques de Saloya, C. P. 86039 Villahermosa, Tabasco, México
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Gerardo Salas
Gerardo Salas
2 Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, México City, Distrito Federal, México
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J Wildl Dis (2010) 46 (3): 1000–1004.
Article history
Received:
July 24 2009
Accepted:
February 12 2010
Citation
Joaquín Bello-Gutiérrez, Gerardo Suzán, Mircea G. Hidalgo-Mihart, Gerardo Salas; Alopecia in Bats from Tabasco, México. J Wildl Dis 1 July 2010; 46 (3): 1000–1004. doi: https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-46.3.1000
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