Drew, M.L., Wigle, W.L., Graham, D.L., Griffin, C.P., Silvy, N.J., Fadly, A. & Witter, R. 1997: Reticuloendotheliosis in captive greater Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus and Attwater's prairie-chickens T. c. attwateri. - Wildl. Biol. 3: 290.
A captive propagation program was started for prairie-chickens in 1991 using wild-caught greater prairie-chickens Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus. Eggs from nests of wild Attwater's prairie-chickens T. c. attwateri were collected in 1993 to create a breeding flock of this subspecies. Two adult female, wild-caught greater prairie-chickens were observed in September 1993 to have multiple subcutaneous nodules on the face. These nodules increased in size and number, and the two birds were euthanized in August 1994. Neoplastic masses were found in multiple organs of both birds at necropsy. Histopathologic examination revealed pleomorphic lymphoreticular cells suggestive of reticuloendotheliosis. Reticuloendotheliosis virus was demonstrated in tumor tissue by polymerase chain reaction and virus isolation. Subsequently, seven additional birds (5 greater and 2 Attwater's) have been euthanized or found dead with evidence of lymphoreticular neoplasia in a variety of organs. The captive flock was screened periodically for evidence of viremia and antibody to reticuloendotheliosis virus. Prior to initiation of control efforts, over 75% of greater and Attwater's prairie-chickens in captivity were viremic, but only two developed antibodies. Viremic greater prairie-chickens had higher morbidity and mortality rates than viremic Attwater's, which tended to remain outwardly healthy. Subsequent testing and selective culling of viremic birds has been used to gain control of the disease in the captive flock. To date, no free-ranging Attwater's prairie-chickens have been found to be infected with reticuloendotheliosis. The presence of this disease in captive Attwater's will have important ramifications in release programs for this subspecies. Testing of free-ranging greater and Attwater's prairie-chickens for reticuloendothelial virus is recommended prior to translocation.
Key words: Attwater's prairie-chicken, captivity, greater prairie-chicken, lymphoreticular neoplasia, reticuloendotheliosis, Tympanuchus cupido attwateri, Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus
Mark L. Drew, Department of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
W.L. Wigle, Texas Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Texas Department of Agriculture, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
David L. Graham, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
Clifton P. Griffin & Nova J. Silvy, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
Aly Fadly & Richard Witter, Avian Disease and Oncology Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture, East Lansing, Michigan 48910, USA