Case ReportObesity and Gastrointestinal Impaction in Giant Burrowing Cockroaches (Macropanesthia rhinoceros): A Potential Effect of the Thrifty Phenotype
Section snippets
Case Study
Two adult M. rhinoceros were presented to the Melbourne Zoo Veterinary Hospital following progressive abdominal distension. The first case developed over a period of 2 months and the second over 2 weeks. The diet of both invertebrates consisted of eucalyptus leaves that had been collected from a singular tree for the entire history of the insect collection, supplemented with occasional apple and banana pieces. The 2 female cockroaches had been housed from birth in a group with other adults
Discussion
Abdominal distension, obesity and gastrointestinal impaction were observed exclusively in female cockroaches demonstrating an elongated body conformation. Altered conformation may represent metabolic or dietary differences from unaffected individuals, or conversely, congenital deformation causing reduced intracoelomic space to accommodate fat reserves.
The diagnostic procedures applied to bloated M. rhinoceros required only minor modification for physical size and respiratory physiology compared
Acknowledgements
The advice and assistance of the Melbourne Zoo invertebrate and veterinary departments is gratefully acknowledged.
References (14)
- et al.
Sex differenced in longevity of starved cockroaches (Leucophaea maderae)
J Invertebr Pathol
(1969) - et al.
The formation of tumorlike lesions in the cockroach Leucophaea maderae after anal blockage
J Invertebr Pathol
(1969) Subsociality of the Australian giant burrowing cockroach, Macropanesthia rhinoceros (Blattodea: Blaberidae)
- et al.
Biology of Macropanesthia rhinoceros Saussure (Dictyoptera: Blaberidae)
Ann Entomol Soc Am
(1991) - et al.
Reproductive biology of some Australian cockroaches (Blattodea: Blaberidae)
J Aust Entomol Soc
(1984) - et al.
Thelastomatoidea (Nematoda: Oxyurida) of the Australian giant burrowing cockroach, Macropanesthia rhinoceros (Blaberidae: Geoscapheinae)
Nemat
(2006) Husbandry Manual For Giant Burrowing Cockroach, Macropanesthia rhinoceros
(2006)
Cited by (1)
Nutritive Support for Critical Exotic Patients
2023, Veterinary Clinics of North America - Exotic Animal Practice