Systematic Pathologic Findings Report of Callosciurus finlaysonii (Horsfield, 1823) (Rodentia, Sciuridae) Squirrels from Maratea area (South Italy) to Investigate Species-Specific Pathologies, Reliability of CO2 Euthanasia Method, and Possible Use as Environmental Sentinels

Giuseppe Passantino; Massimiliano Tursi; Cristina Vercelli; Ilaria Filippi; Nicola Decaro; Antonella Tinelli; Luciana Valente; Rosa Leone; Nicola Zizzo

doi:10.3390/ani10101771

Systematic Pathologic Findings Report of Callosciurus finlaysonii (Horsfield, 1823) (Rodentia, Sciuridae) Squirrels from Maratea area (South Italy) to Investigate Species-Specific Pathologies, Reliability of CO₂ Euthanasia Method, and Possible Use as Environmental Sentinels

Animals (Basel). 2020 Sep 30;10(10):1771. doi: 10.3390/ani10101771.

Authors

Giuseppe Passantino¹, Massimiliano Tursi², Cristina Vercelli², Ilaria Filippi³, Nicola Decaro¹, Antonella Tinelli¹, Luciana Valente¹, Rosa Leone¹, Nicola Zizzo¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Strada Prov.le per Casamassima Km. 3 70010 Valenzano (Bari), Italy.
² Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, University of Turin Largo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (Turin), Italy.
³ Independent Researcher, 00045 Genzano di Roma (Roma), Italy.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to macroscopically and microscopically describe the main pathological findings occurring in this invasive species, in order to better understand the real risks for naïve animals and humans. The present study was conducted on Callosciurusfinlaysonii squirrels (n = 165), captured in the Maratea area and euthanatized with CO₂ according to a population control of invasive species of the Italian Agriculture Ministry project (ex CIPE project) and conferred to the Department of Veterinary Medicine of Bari (Italy). Macroscopic analysis demonstrated heart, lung, and liver congestion, probably due to the euthanasia method, and variable lesions of bowel, liver, and kidney. The microscopically examination showed the presence of lymphocytic infiltration in the lower layers of the bowel, suggesting enteritis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systemic report of gross and microscopical anatomopathological lesions in C.finlaysonii, in South Italy. The results could be useful to fill a gap of knowledge of this species in Italy.

Keywords: Callosciurus finlaysonii; invasive species; pathology; south; systematic report.