A serologic survey for selected infectious diseases of black bears in Idaho.

Two hundred sixty-five black bears (Ursus americanus) from northcentral Idaho were examined serologically over a five-year period for antibodies against selected infectious disease agents. The number of positive serum samples number of sera tested and percent positive for each infectious agent is: tularemia, 65/340 (19); brucellosis, 18/332 (5); toxoplasmosis, 23/303 (8); leptospirosis, 2/196 (1); trichinosis, 16/122 (13); Q-fever, 13/210 (6); St. Louis encephalitis, 3/340 (1); western equine encephalitis, 4/334 (1); Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, 6/282 (2).

Clinical mange of the black bear, Ursus americanus, associated with Ursicoptes americanus (Acari: Audycoptidae).

Numerous specimens of a mite, Ursicoptes americanus Fain and Johnston, 1970 (Acari: Audycoptidae), were found in skin scrapings from an aged female black bear, Ursus americanus, afflicted with a severe generalized mange. The mite had not been found previously in association with clinical dermatitis. The male, nymph and larva of Ursicoptes americanus, heretofore unknown, are described and the generic diagnosis is amplified.