First Records of Chorioptic and Sarcoptic Mange in a Japanese Serow (Capricornis crispus) in Shikoku, Japan

To clarify the species of mange-causing mites and their genetic characteristics, we performed morphological and molecular identification of mites inducing mange-like symptoms on a Japanese serow found in Shikoku, Japan. We identified two mites as Sarcoptes scabiei and Chorioptes japonensis. On a Japanese serow with mange-like symptom, only one female S. scabiei individual was found, whereas numerous C. japonensis were present. Therefore, it is plausible that infection with C. japonensis caused severe symptoms on the Japanese serow. Chorioptes japonensis were detected in four of five samples from the ears of Japanese serows in western Tokushima. The wide distribution and host specificity suggest that the Japanese serow may be the natural host of C. japonensis. Published online 16 October, 2024; Print publication 31 January, 2025