Mycotic disease in the common New Zealand gecko (Hoplodactylus maculatus)

Abstract

Two adult female geckoes (Hoplodacrylus maculatus) from the National Wildlife Centre, Mt Bruce, Masterton, died within 1 month and were presented for necropsy. The first gecko had numerous punctate ulcers, 1–2 mm in diameter, over ventral and dorsal regions of the skin. The second animal was seen to have widespread variable discolouration of epidermal scales. Swabs were taken from the skin of each case for culture. There were no other gross lesions apparent on necropsy. On histological examination of the first gecko, there were areas of epidermal and dermal ulceration containing mycelia and bacteria, while in the second gecko there were lung lesions including necrosis of the pulmonary septa and constituent muscle bundles caused by fungi whose septate mycelia extended into adjacent large blood vessels causing thrombi. Hyphae were also found in the spleen and liver. Paecilomyces sp. septate fungi were recovered from both geckoes and Pseudomonas spp. and a mixed Gram-negative flora were recovered from the cutaneous lesions. The death of the first gecko was considered to be due to widespread ulcerative dermatitis while that of the second gecko was thought to be due to mycotic pneumonitis and mycotic septicaemia.