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Featured researches published by Stephanie Hing.


Wildlife Research | 2016

The relationship between physiological stress and wildlife disease: consequences for health and conservation

Stephanie Hing; Edward Jitik Narayan; R.C. Andrew Thompson; Stephanie S. Godfrey

Abstract. Wildlife populations are under increasing pressure from a variety of threatening processes, ranging from climate change to habitat loss, that can incite a physiological stress response. The stress response influences immune function, with potential consequences for patterns of infection and transmission of disease among and within wildlife, domesticated animals and humans. This is concerning because stress may exacerbate the impact of disease on species vulnerable to extinction, with consequences for biodiversity conservation globally. Furthermore, stress may shape the role of wildlife in the spread of emerging infectious diseases (EID) such as Hendra virus (HeV) and Ebola virus. However, we still have a limited understanding of the influence of physiological stress on infectious disease in wildlife. We highlight key reasons why an improved understanding of the relationship between stress and wildlife disease could benefit conservation, and animal and public health, and discuss approaches for future investigation. In particular, we recommend that increased attention be given to the influence of anthropogenic stressors including climate change, habitat loss and management interventions on disease dynamics in wildlife populations.


Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases | 2016

Host stress physiology and Trypanosoma haemoparasite infection influence innate immunity in the woylie (Bettongia penicillata)

Stephanie Hing; Andrew J. Currie; Steven Broomfield; Sarah Keatley; Krista L. Jones; R.C.A. Thompson; Edward Jitik Narayan; Stephanie S. Godfrey

Understanding immune function is critical to conserving wildlife in view of infectious disease threats, particularly in threatened species vulnerable to stress, immunocompromise and infection. However, few studies examine stress, immune function and infection in wildlife. We used a flow cytometry protocol developed for human infants to assess phagocytosis, a key component of innate immunity, in a critically endangered marsupial, the woylie (Bettongia penicillata). The effects of stress physiology and Trypanosoma infection on phagocytosis were investigated. Blood and faecal samples were collected from woylies in a captive facility over three months. Trypanosoma status was determined using PCR. Faecal cortisol metabolites (FCM) were quantified by enzyme-immunoassay. Mean phagocytosis measured was >90%. An interaction between sex and FCM influenced the percentage of phagocytosing leukocytes, possibly reflecting the influence of sex hormones and glucocorticoids. An interaction between Trypanosoma status and FCM influenced phagocytosis index, suggesting that stress physiology and infection status influence innate immunity.


Australian Journal of Zoology | 2016

Wildlife in the line of fire: evaluating the stress physiology of a critically endangered Australian marsupial after bushfire

Stephanie Hing; Krista L. Jones; Christine Rafferty; R.C. Andrew Thompson; Edward Jitik Narayan; Stephanie S. Godfrey

Abstract. Australian native fauna are thought to be well adapted to fire-prone landscapes, but bushfires may still pose considerable challenges or stressors to wildlife. We investigated the impact of bushfire on the stress physiology of the woylie (brush-tailed bettong, Bettongia penicillata) a critically endangered Australian marsupial, and assessed whether fitness indices (body condition and parasite load) influenced stress physiology before and after the fire. We hypothesised that there would be a significant change in stress physiology indicators (in the form of faecal cortisol metabolites, FCM) following the fire, compared with the months previous. We trapped woylies (n = 19) at Whiteman Park Reserve in Perth, Western Australia, two days after a major bushfire and measured FCM concentration by enzyme immunoassay. Population-level comparisons of FCM were made between these samples and those collected in previous months (n = 58). While mean FCM varied by month of sample collection, it was not higher after the fire. We suggest that woylies may be able to maintain homeostasis through change (allostasis), at least in the period immediately after the fire. This is supported by our finding that FCM did not relate significantly to body condition or parasite load. Our results potentially highlight the physiological and behavioural adaptations of woylies to fire, which could be further explored in future studies.


Conservation Physiology | 2014

A review of factors influencing the stress response in Australian marsupials

Stephanie Hing; Edward Jitik Narayan; R.C. Andrew Thompson; Stephanie S. Godfrey


Endangered Species Research | 2013

First parasitological survey of Endangered Bornean elephants Elephas maximus borneensis

Stephanie Hing; Nurzhafarina Othman; Senthilvel Nathan; Mark Fox; Matthew Fisher; Benoit Goossens


Ecohealth | 2017

Evaluating Stress Physiology and Parasite Infection Parameters in the Translocation of Critically Endangered Woylies (Bettongia penicillata)

Stephanie Hing; Amy Northover; Edward Jitik Narayan; Adrian F. Wayne; Krista L. Jones; Sarah Keatley; R.C. Andrew Thompson; Stephanie S. Godfrey


Journal of Zoology | 2017

Identifying factors that influence stress physiology of the woylie, a critically endangered marsupial

Stephanie Hing; Edward Jitik Narayan; R.C.A. Thompson; Stephanie S. Godfrey


Journal of Zoology | 2018

Perturbations have minor impacts on parasite dynamics and body condition of an endangered marsupial

Krista L. Jones; C. Rafferty; Stephanie Hing; R.C.A. Thompson; Stephanie S. Godfrey


Hing, S. <http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/view/author/Hing, Stephanie.html> (2016) Stress, wildlife health and the conservation of a critically endangered marsupial, the woylie. PhD thesis, Murdoch University. | 2016

Stress, wildlife health and the conservation of a critically endangered marsupial, the woylie

Stephanie Hing


65th International Conference of the Wildlife Disease Association | 2016

Stress and parasite infection dynamics in wildlife translocation

Stephanie Hing; Edward Narayan; Amy Northover; Krista L. Jones; Sarah Keatley; A. N. Thompson; Stephanie S. Godfrey

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