A scoring system for coat and tail condition in ringtailed lemurs, Lemur catta

Abstract

Coat condition can be influenced by a wide variety of disorders and thus provides a useful tool for noninvasive health and welfare assessments in wild and captive animals. Using Lemur catta as an exemplar, we offer a 6-step scoring system for coat and tail condition, ranging from perfectly fluffy to half or more of body and tail being hairless. The categories are described in detail and illustrated with sample pictures from a wild population in Berenty Reserve, Madagascar. Furthermore, we elaborate on intermediate conditions and discoloration of fur. Coat condition scoring allows the comparison between years, seasons, and the effect of toxin, disease or stress. Although this system was developed for wild L. catta, we believe it can also be of value for other species. We recommend scoring coat condition in healthy wild mammal populations to give a baseline on yearly and seasonal variations vs. deteriorating health conditions or pathology.

Indicators to assess goat welfare on-farm in the semiarid region of Brazilian Northeast

“…This indicator is important in confined systems and when goats have limited access to food. Hair coat condition: this parameter may indicate the existence of pathologies or diseases on animals (BERG et al, 2009). Dairy goats with matted, rough and scurfy hair had lower ECC, deficiency or excess of minerals and increased presence of abnormal sounds in lungs compared to goats with shiny and homogeneous coat (BATTINI et al, 2015).…”

A non-invasive study of alopecia in Japanese macaques Macaca fuscata

“…Their findings have suggested alopecia scores of the same group are in agreement by different observers and that reliability increased if the study groups were individually identified. Berg et al (2009) however noted that to distinguish between 'good' and 'pointy' could be confused when using a 6-step scoring systems for ring-tailed lemurs, especially from a distance. Honess et al (2005) developed a five-step scoring system using photographs of sedated captive rhesus macaques, and found there are small differences between scoring from photographs and direct observation.…”

“…The reliability in using an alopecia scoring system for primates has been tested by several researchers (Steinmetz et al, 2006;Honess et al, 2005;Berg et al 2009). Their findings have suggested alopecia scores of the same group are in agreement by different observers and that reliability increased if the study groups were individually identified.…”

“…The chief adjustment for other species might be in the location of hair loss. The current scale refers to head and back, while ring-tail lemurs often lose hair on back and tail (Berg et al, 2009), vervet monkeys instead often loss hair on the abdomen, knees, elbows and inner thighs (Isbell, 1995).…”

“…Recently, Honess et al (2005) developed a five-step scoring system for back hair conditions in rhesus macaques and used it as an index of social stress and stress related hair-picking. Berg et al (2009) scored back and tail hair conditions in free-ranging populations of ring-tailed lemurs Lemur catta in six steps.…”