Dermatomycosis caused by <i>Paranannizziopsis australasiensis</i> in five tuatara (<i>Sphenodon punctatus</i>) and a coastal bearded dragon (<i>Pogona barbata</i>) in a zoological collection in New Zealand

Abstract

These are the first reported cases of dermatomycosis associated with P. australasiensis infection in tuatara, and the first cases in which systemic therapeutic agents have been used in the treatment of such disease. Tuatara at the Auckland Zoo are now routinely examined every 3 months and tissue samples from any lesions sent for histopathology and fungal culture. Further work to elucidate the epidemiology and significance of P. australasiensis infections in reptiles in New Zealand is important for both welfare and conservation purposes.