Herpestes javanicus

Abstract: On most of the islands on which it has become established, the small Indian mongoose has commanded more attention than all indigenous mammals and introduced exotics. As a consequence of its impact on the neotropical single island ecosystems, both as a predator and as a vector of human and animal diseases, the mongoose is uniquely significant. The present study of the mongoose was initiated in 1968 when Everard was appointed by the United Kingdom Medical Research Council (MRC) to the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC), formerly the Trinidad Regional Virus Laboratory (TRVL). The terms of the appointment included a study of the biology of the mongoose in Trinidad and Grenada, surveillance of mongoose rabies in Grenada, and an investigation of methods to control mongoose rabies. Coincidentally, in 1968 Nellis was contracted by the Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands to investigate the wild hosts of the African Bont Tick Amblyomma variegatum (the mongoose being of primary concern). The study was continued in a survey of wild animal parasites and diseases of concern to man or livestock, and it gained impetus as part of the rabies contingency plan for the Virgin Islands. Throughout the course of their work, the investigators continuously exchanged ideas, opinions, data and techniques.

Abstract: Oral vaccination of free-ranging wildlife is a promising technique in rabies control. The small Asian mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) is an important reservoir of rabies on several Caribbean islands, but no vaccines have been evaluated for this species. Captive mongooses were used to test the safety and efficacy of the commercially licensed vaccinia-rabies glycoprotein (V-RG) recombinant vaccine and a newly developed genetically engineered oral rabies virus vaccine (SPBNGA-S). In one study using V-RG, no vaccinated animals developed detectable rabies virus–neutralizing antibodies, and all but one died after experimental challenge with rabies virus. In contrast, all animals given SPBNGA-S demonstrated seroconversion within 7 to 14 days after vaccination and survived rabies virus challenge. On the basis of these preliminary results indicating the greater efficacy of SPBNGA-S vs. V-RG vaccine, additional investigations will be necessary to determine the optimal dose and duration of vaccination, as well as inc...

Abstract: Ecological aspects of the mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) were studied in the Luquillo Mountains, a rain forest region in eastern Puerto Rico. Information was obtained by removal trapping of mongoose from grids placed in tree plantations, colorado and tabonuco forests. Trapping efficiency was two mongoose per 100 trap-days, suggesting mongoose abundance is low in wet montane forests of Puerto Rico. Sex ratio was biased (2.6:1) in favor of males. Body masses of male mongoose inhabiting rain forests of the Luquillo Mountains were larger than those in dry forests at Guainica (P < 0.0001). Stomach contents from 18 mongoose were examined, animal matter comprised 75 percent of the. total food items encountered. Of these, 33 percent were from vertebrates. The food items most frequently encountered were lizards (Anolis spp.), centipedes (Scolopendra spp.), and cockroaches (Blatellidae).