Diseases of Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica)

Abstract

Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica) is an ecologically and economically relevant medium-sized emblematic mountain ungulate. Diseases participate in the population dynamics of the species as a regulating agent, but can also threaten the conservation and viability of vulnerable population units. Moreover, Iberian ibex can also be a carrier or even a reservoir of pathogens shared with domestic animals and/or humans, being therefore a concern for livestock and public health. The objective of this review is to compile the currently available knowledge on (1) diseases of Iberian ibex, presented according to their relevance on the health and demography of free-ranging populations; (2) diseases subjected to heath surveillance plans; (3) other diseases reported in the species; and (4) diseases with particular relevance in captive Iberian ibex populations. The systematic review of all the information on diseases affecting the species unveils unpublished reports, scientific communications in meetings, and scientific articles, allowing the first comprehensive compilation of Iberian ibex diseases. This review identifies the gaps in knowledge regarding pathogenesis, immune response, diagnostic methods, treatment, and management of diseases in Iberian ibex, providing a base for future research. Moreover, this challenges wildlife and livestock disease and wildlife population managers to assess the priorities and policies currently implemented in Iberian ibex health surveillance and monitoring and disease management.

Keywords: Disease; Epidemiology; Iberian ibex; Management; Pathogens; Sarcoptic mange.

Fig. 1

Iberian ibexes affected by sarcoptic mange with skin lesions of different severity. a Female ibex with mild sarcoptic mange (grade I). b Scratching mangy adult male collared for monitoring (left) accompanied by a healthy young male. c Young male ibex with severe sarcoptic mange (grade III–IV). d Young male ibex died because of sarcoptic mange with 100% of the body surface affected (grade IV)

Fig. 2

Different population trends in two Iberian ibex populations affected by sarcoptic mange, namely, Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park population (deep gray) and Sierra Nevada Natural Space population (light gray), before and after the outbreak in 1985-1986 and 1992-1993, respectively

Fig. 3

Distribution of Iberian ibex populations not affected (light grey) and affected (dark grey) by sarcoptic mange at a municipality scale, indicating the year(s) of the first description or initial outbreak of sarcoptic mange in each affected population

Fig. 4

Male Iberian ibex captured and GPS-collared in Sierra Nevada Natural Space and monitored for more than 2 years. The disease evolved through different infestation stages, and finally, the ibex healed and completely recovered from sarcoptic mange spontaneously without treatment. Similar trends were observed in a number of individuals

Fig. 5

Free-ranging Iberian ibex kid from Sierra Nevada Natural Space with mild conjunctivitis in the right eye consistent with infectious keratoconjunctivitis. Different clinical stages of infectious keratoconjunctivitis caused by Mycoplasma conjunctivae in Iberian ibexes kept in captivity in Sierra Nevada (Espinosa et al. ; Fernández-Aguilar et al. 2017b)

Fig. 6

Free-ranging Iberian ibex kid (a) and adult male (b) from Sierra Nevada with apparently draining prescapular lymph node fistulae, compatible with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection. c–e Fistulized popliteal lymph node of a female Iberian ibex kept in captivity at the Ports de Tortosa i Beseit National Game Reserve enclosure. The presence of C. pseudotuberculosis was confirmed through bacterial culture and microbiological characterization (Colom-Cadena et al. ; Espinosa et al. 2017c)

Fig. 7

Adult Iberian ibex female (a–c) and kid (d) with crusted skin lesions affecting the commissures of the mouth, peripheral lip epidermis (a, d), oral mucosa (b), and interdigital area (c), consistent with severe proliferative, pustular, and ulcerative dermatitis compatible with orf virus infection (contagious ecthyma)