Non-invasive blood sampling from primates using laboratory-bred blood-sucking bugs (Dipetalogaster maximus; Reduviidae, Heteroptera).
Primates are easily stressed by the conventional veterinary blood sampling routine and consequently, measured blood parameters may be biased. In this study, we tested blood-sucking bugs (Dipetalogaster maximus) on one lemur and two ape species (Microcebus murinus, Pongo abelii, Pan paniscus) as an alternative, non-invasive technique for bleeding primates. Within time periods of between 6 and 62 min we obtained blood volumes of 0.01-2.4 ml in 11 out of 12 trials from all three species. Therefore, we conclude that these bugs represent a new, gentle and effective tool for bleeding captive primates without stress.
Thomsen
Ruth
R
Institute of Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany. thomsen@izw-berlin.de
Voigt
Christian C
CC
D000818:Animals; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000379:methods*; D016565:Cheirogaleidae; D005260:Female; D015186:Hominidae; D008297:Male; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000517:prevention & control; D014225:Triatominae