A comparative study of parasites in captive and wild Tasmanian devils

Chapter 1. Review: Parasites of the Tasmanian devil and the potential impact of conservation Management. Chapter 1 consists of a literature review of Tasmanian devil parasites and the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program. The review outlines current and historical knowledge of parasites in the Tasmanian devil, and discusses ways in which conservation management may theoretically change hostparasite interactions, both generally and with detail specific to the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program. I reviewed the literature and wrote this chapter with feedback provided by Michelle Power, my supervisor, and Samantha Fox, our collaborator with the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program. Chapter 2. Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium and Giardia from Tasmanian devils. Chapter 2 describes the molecular characterisation of Cryptosporidium and Giardia from captive and wild Tasmanian devils. Faecal samples were collected from wild and captive devils, DNA was extracted, PCRs targeting Cryptosporidium and Giardia were performed, and sequence analysis of PCR amplicons allowed parasite species identification. The findings are discussed in the context of current knowledge of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in other Australian marsupials. Faecal samples were collected by staff of the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, Devil Ark, Healesville Sanctuary, Monarto Zoo, Taronga Zoo, and Western Plains Zoo. I participated in fieldwork and sample collection with the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, performed all laboratory work, data analysis and statistics, and wrote the chapter with feedback from my supervisor, Michelle Power. Chapter 3. Parasite diversity in the Tasmanian devil - a comparative study of wild and captive devils. Chapter 3 investigates gastrointestinal parasite prevalence and diversity in the Tasmanian devil, and compares findings between wild and captive populations. Zinc sulfate faecal flotations and microscopy were used to identify gastrointestinal helminths and coccidia, and prevalence data on Cryptosporidium and Giardia from Chapter 2 were also analysed. Faecal samples were collected by staff of the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, Devil Ark, Healesville Sanctuary, Monarto Zoo, Taronga Zoo, and Western Plains Zoo. I participated in fieldwork and sample collection with the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, performed all laboratory work, data analysis and statistics, and wrote the chapter with feedback from my supervisor, Michelle Power.