{"topic_id":"evidence_exotic_sugar_glider_husbandry_health","category":"evidence","context":"---\ntopic_id: evidence_exotic_sugar_glider_husbandry_health\ncategory: evidence\ntitle: \"Evidence cluster — Sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) husbandry, health & nutrition (peer-reviewed, Europe PMC)\"\nlang: en\nsource: \"Europe PMC (Europe PubMed Central) REST search, first-hand peer-reviewed abstracts, pulled 2026-08-01\"\nsource_file: pdf-raw/evidence/europepmc_sugar_glider_husbandry_health_2026-08-01.txt\ndate_parsed: 2026-08-01\ntokens_estimated: 5331\nverification:\n method: substring_match\n claims: 12\n passed: 12\n date: 2026-08-01\nsource_document: \"Peer-reviewed Sugar glider husbandry/health/nutrition literature (Europe PMC, first-hand abstracts)\"\ncitation:\n authority: \"Europe PMC\"\n title: \"Evidence cluster — Sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) husbandry, health & nutrition (peer-reviewed, Europe PMC)\"\n url: \"https://www.ebi.ac.uk/europepmc/\"\n retrieved: \"2026-08-01\"\n doc_type: \"first-hand abstracts (Europe PMC REST)\"\n needs_review: false\n---\n\n# Evidence: Sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) husbandry, health & nutrition\n\nSource: Europe PMC (Europe PubMed Central) REST search — first-hand peer-reviewed abstract records, pulled 2026-08-01.\nQueries covered husbandry, health/disease/parasitology, and nutrition/feeding for Petaurus breviceps.\nThe cluster returns **12** representative studies with abstracts below. Abstract text is verbatim from source; each study is traceable by PMID.\n\n## Studies\n- **PMID 42329413 (2026, Environmental management)** — Typology of Agricultural Land Systems in Germany to Support Tailoring of Agri-Environmental Schemes to Reduce Pressures on Farmland Biodiversity.. Abstract (opening): Farmland biodiversity and associated ecosystem services are threatened by the expansion and intensification of agriculture. Despite substantial efforts, European conservation policies have largely failed to halt or reverse the decline of farmland biodiversity. To address the pressures associated with agricultural intensification more effectively, conservation measures - such as agri-environmental schemes - need to be tailored based on spatially explicit land system classifications that reflect the interdependencies between agricultural land use and biodiversity. In this study, we present a spatially explicit typology of agricultural land systems in Germany offering a meaningful generalization of the country's agricultural landscapes to inform and support the tailoring of agri-environmental schemes. We applied a cluster analysis based on indicators of land cover, landscape structure, land-use intensity of different production systems, as well as biophysical indicators, such as climate and topography. Experts from agriculture, conservation, and administration sectors contributed to refining both the indicator selection and the clustering results. Clustering revealed eight distinct agricultural land system types in Germany, including arable cash crop-dominated, animal husbandry-dominated, and mosaic land-use agricultural land system types. Each type represents a characteristic combination of indicators, offering key insights into the specific pressures affecting farmland biodiversity. Drawing on this typology, we discuss entry points for tailoring agri-environmental schemes to reduce land system-specific pressures on biodiversity. This typology has the potential to increase the ecological effectiveness of agri-environmental schemes by tailoring them to land system-specific pressures. Moreover, the methodological approach can be adapted to other countries or scaled beyond the national level.\n Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42329413/\n- **PMID 42328068 (2026, Frontiers in veterinary science)** — Do fermented herbal extracts affect pig behavior, health and productivity? An on-farm study.. Abstract (opening): Respiratory disorders and tail biting represent common issues in pig husbandry. Dietary supplementation with a combination of microbes and herbal extracts could offer welfare benefits. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a fermented herbal extract (FHE), a blend of fermented herbs, lactobacilli and yeasts, on behavior, aspects of health and productivity in rearing and fattening pigs. Two commercial Austrian welfare label farms, raising pigs with intact tails, were included over three batches covering all seasons. Animals were kept from weaning to slaughter in control (CON; n = 11 and 9) and treatment pens (FHE; n = 11 and 9) during rearing and fattening, respectively. Behavior as well as body, tail and ear lesions were assessed at the end of the rearing and at the middle and end of the fattening period, productivity data was measured on farm while slaughter data were additionally recorded at the abattoir. Data were analyzed using (generalized) linear mixed models. One main finding of this study was the significantly lower prevalence of the indicator \"tail shorter\" of FHE-fed pigs compared to control (CON) pigs at the end of rearing (FHE = 7.2 %, CON = 38.8 %; p = 0.012). The higher prevalence of intact tails in the FHE group may suggest a beneficial effect of the supplement on behavior, with a possible reduction in tail-biting activity in rearing pigs. During fattening, FHE pigs also coughed and sneezed less during behavioral observations on farm (p = 0.026). Nevertheless, slaughter findings concerning the respiratory tract did not differ. Overall, the present results suggest a potential of FHE to avert abnormal behavior and promote aspects of respiratory health in rearing and fattening pigs, which warrants further investigation.\n Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42328068/\n- **PMID 41571885 (2026, Scientific reports)** — Feed intake, digestibility and passage kinetics in grazing horses.. Abstract (opening): Feed intake and digestibility are important indicators for sufficient nutrient supply, but they can be assessed only to a limited extent in horses on pasture. In horses, feed intake is embedded in a complex behavioural pattern of searching, selecting, chewing and almost constant movement called foraging. The objectives of this study were to estimate organic matter intake (OMI) and organic matter digestibility (OMD) in six horses, 24 h/day on pasture, based on plant alkanes and synthetic n-hexatriacontane (C36) excretion. A multi-compartmental model was fitted to the marker excretion and the C36 mean retention time (MRT) was estimated. The travelling activity influences the intestinal passage and digestion of the forage. For this reason, the travelled distances were tracked during the daylight hours (i.e., 13 h/day) by the global positioning system (GPS). The C36 MRT was 17.5 h based on an excretion curve, in which all horses were considered. Fitting individual excretion curves was less successful due to limited data points available for each horse. Depending on the plant marker, an OMI of 1.4 to 2.8% of body weight (BW)/day was estimated, which is analogous to a dry matter intake (DMI) of 1.5 to 3.1% of BW/day. The estimated OMD ranged from 0.45 to 0.68, dry matter digestibility (DMD) analogously from 0.39 to 0.65. The estimates obtained using n-nonacosane (C29), followed by those obtained using n-hentriacontane (C31), seemed to be the most plausible compared to the literature. Using C29, a feed intake of 2.5% of BW/day (group) or 2.1% of BW/day (individuals) was estimated on organic matter basis, which was 2.7% of BW/day or 2.3% of BW/day on dry matter basis. An OMD of 0.64 and a DMD of 0.61 was estimated using C29. Individually travelled distances ranged from 0.09 to 4.64 km in 1 h with differences detected among the days (p < 0.01), but not among the hours monitored within a day. Despite clear limitations, the methods seemed to be reliable to assess feed intake on pasture and to track movement activity. In modern husbandry systems, foraging should be as much unrestricted as possible to satisfy natural behavioural needs.\n Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41571885/\n- **PMID 40097606 (2026, Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco)** — Effects of Sweeteners and Cinnamon Flavor on Oral Nicotine Choice Behaviors.. Abstract (opening):

Introduction

Oral nicotine products (ONPs) are emerging as a new nicotine delivery method, with varied types and flavors such as sweeteners and cinnamon. This study evaluates how sucrose, saccharin, and cinnamaldehyde influence nicotine preference, shedding light on the potential appeal of ONPs and how they may impact on harm reduction.

Methods

For oral choice behavior studies, we utilized a four-bottle choice (BC) test in male and female adult Sprague-Dawley rats. We first examined most common sucrose (1%) and saccharin (0.32%) concentrations as sweet solutions, and quinine (0.01%) as a bitter solution, to determine 4BC sensitivity and ability to distinguish between sweet and bitter tastes. We then performed dose-response analyses with sucrose (0.01%, 0.1%, and 1%), saccharin (0.032%, 0.1%, and 0.32%), and cinnamaldehyde (0.0005%, 0.005%, and 0.05%), in comparison to water in 4BC. Lastly, we tested nicotine (10 µg/mL) choice behaviors in the presence of sweeteners and/or cinnamaldehyde.

Results

Female and male rats significantly preferred sucrose (1%) and saccharin (0.1% and 0.32%) but not cinnamaldehyde. Moreover, rats differentiated sweet and bitter solutions with the highest preference for saccharin. Sucrose increased nicotine preference in females, but cinnamaldehyde increased nicotine preference in males. Saccharin increased nicotine preference in females, but not in males. Additionally, the combination of cinnamaldehyde and saccharin increased nicotine preference in females.

Conclusions

We found differential preferences among the test solution concentrations with the highest sweetener concentrations being most preferred. Sweetness value of the nicotine solution played a major role on nicotine preference in females but not in males.

Implications

Understanding how sweeteners and flavor additives affect oral nicotine choice behavior and nicotine preference in ONPs can guide the development of targeted harm reduction strategies and regulatory policies. By identifying which additives enhance product appeal and potentially influence addiction, this research can inform the creation of safer ONP formulations. This research also supports the utility of evidence-based guidelines for ONP use.\n Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40097606/\n- **PMID 42432024 (2026, Scientific reports)** — Molecular identification of trichomonads in captive sugar gliders and tortoises with diarrhea: a case study.. Abstract (opening): Trichomonads are widely distributed protozoa; however, studies on these organisms in captive sugar gliders and tortoises kept as companion animals remain limited. This study investigated trichomonads in four captive companion animals presenting with diarrhea-two sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps), one red-footed tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonaria), and one Horsfield's tortoise (Testudo horsfieldii)-using conventional PCR and 18S rRNA gene metabarcoding. Light microscopic examination of fresh fecal samples at a veterinary clinic confirmed the presence of motile protozoa morphologically consistent with trichomonads in all animals. To identify the species, fecal samples were collected from each animal, and DNA was extracted for PCR and metabarcoding targeting the 18S rRNA gene. Trichomonads were not detected in any of the four samples by screening conventional PCR. In contrast, subsequent metabarcoding targeting the V9 region of the 18S rRNA gene successfully identified Trichomitus batrachorum in both tortoises and low abundance trichomonads in one sugar glider. Subsequent PCR using alternative primer sets confirmed the presence of trichomonads in all four animals. Phylogenetic analysis identified T. batrachorum in both tortoises, Simplicimonas sp. in one sugar glider, and Pentatrichomonas hominis in the other sugar glider. These findings expand current knowledge of the host range of trichomonads in captive sugar gliders and tortoises and suggest their possible clinical relevance in these animals presenting with diarrhea.\n Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42432024/\n- **PMID 42472037 (2026, Case reports in veterinary medicine)** — Surgical Intervention and Treatment of a Mammary Adenocarcinoma in the Sugar Glider (<i>Petaurus breviceps</i>): A Double Case Report.. Abstract (opening): A 6-year-old, intact female sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) presented for evaluation after experiencing progressive weight loss and lethargy. Sedated examination revealed a firm, 7-mm wide marsupium mass, and surgery was pursued after cytology results suggested epithelial malignancy. The patient's entire marsupium was surgically excised, and biopsy of the associated tumor revealed a primary mammary adenocarcinoma without vascular infiltration. Preoperative and postoperative antibiotics and meloxicam were used to decrease inflammation and infection following the procedure. At the 6- and 12-month recheck examinations, the initial patient was well-muscled and energetic with no signs of neoplastic recurrence. Case 1 had confirmed disease-free survival at 12 months. A second 6-year-old, intact female sugar glider presented for surgical consultation following the fine-needle aspiration of a bilobular marsupium mass. Analogous surgical protocols were implemented with the second patient. Subsequent biopsy revealed neoplastic epithelial cells consistent with a mammary adenocarcinoma. No local recurrence or disease progression has been reported for the second patient following the operation. Case 2 had owner-reported well-being at 11 months without clinical re-examination. To the authors' knowledge, these cases represent the first reported survival beyond 11 months following surgical treatment of mammary adenocarcinoma in P. breviceps, though long-term recurrence risk remains unknown.\n Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42472037/\n- **PMID 42053689 (2026, Veterinary research communications)** — Intramedullary pin fixation for a transverse diaphyseal fracture of the femur in a sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps).. Abstract (opening): Sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps) are increasingly popular as pets yet there is little published guidance on orthopaedic management of long bone fractures in this species. We report a case of transverse femoral fracture in a sugar glider successfully managed through intramedullary pinning. A 60-gram female intact sugar glider was diagnosed with a closed transverse diaphyseal femoral fracture. Open reduction and intramedullary pin fixation using a 0.8 mm pin was performed. Post-operative management emphasized environmental modification with a flat-walled enclosure to restrict movement and close monitoring. The pin was removed after 70 days with clinical union of the fracture and return of normal limb function. Although intramedullary pinning alone is considered insufficient to control rotational and shearing forces in small animal orthopaedics, this case suggests that such limitations may not fully apply in sugar gliders. Surgical decisions were influenced by species-specific anatomical and behavioural constraints, and housing modification functioned as an adjunct stabilizing strategy. This report highlights the need for further research into the biomechanics of small exotic mammals and subsequent case series of orthopaedic cases in sugar gliders.\n Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42053689/\n- **PMID 42118172 (2026, Journal of mathematical biology)** — Propagation dynamics of reaction-diffusion systems in sugar beet agro-ecosystems.. Abstract (opening): This article investigates the spreading properties of yellows viruses within sugar beet agro-ecosystems using reaction-diffusion systems, with spreading speeds and traveling wave solutions serving as key analytical tools. In these systems, each unknown function corresponds to a distinct ecological variable: infected hosts (i.e., sugar beets), infected vectors, susceptible vectors, and vector predators. In the absence of predators, we analyze the spreading characteristics of infected hosts and infected vectors, with susceptible vectors treated as the native population. The spreading speed of yellows viruses is given, which equals the minimal wave speed of monotonic traveling wave solutions modeling disease spreading and prevalence. When predators are introduced for biological control, the existence and nonexistence of traveling wave solutions starting from the disease-free and predator-free steady state are studied. For the corresponding Cauchy problem, the invasion speed of predators is established. Specifically, this speed is derived under the assumption that vectors are native species, and it remains independent of disease prevalence. Subsequently, we numerically compare the observed viral prevalence under the presence of predators with different expansion capabilities. We then present two distinct scenarios focusing on the spread or extinction of yellows viruses. In the context of virus prevention and control, these results deepen our understanding of the importance of the predation rate, predator mobility, and biting rate.\n Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42118172/\n- **PMID 41981684 (2026, Animal microbiome)** — Metagenomic profiling of bacterial and fungal microbiota and putative pathogens of southern greater gliders (Petauroides volans).. Abstract (opening): BACKGROUND: The microbiome is significant for conservation biology and should be considered in threatened species management programs. Commensal microbes contribute important functions for host health, while pathogenic microbes can negatively impact the host, leading to morbidity, mortality, and population declines. Shotgun metagenomics, involving the agnostic sequencing of all DNA within a sample, has utility for simultaneous microbial community profiling and pathogen detection. Herein, we used shotgun metagenomics to profile the faecal bacteriome and mycobiome of the southern greater glider (Petauroides volans), an endangered Australian marsupial, and identify putative pathogens that could represent threats to population health. RESULTS: We analysed faecal samples collected from wild southern greater gliders (n = 48) across southeastern New South Wales, Australia. Geographic location had significant effects on both bacterial and fungal community composition. The bacteriome was dominated by Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes, with 58 core bacterial species shared among all locations. The mycobiome was dominated by the Ascomycetes, with 261 core fungal species shared among all locations. Geographic location was associated with significant differences in bacterial and fungal microbiota abundance but not host sex or weight. We identified 18 bacterial pathogens and 41 fungal pathogens of veterinary interest, ranging from low prevalence to ubiquitous. Bacteroides fragilis was associated with shifts in the Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio, and therefore, potential dysbiosis. CONCLUSIONS: Geographic location is a key determinant of faecal microbial community structure and abundance in southern greater gliders. Core communities of faecal bacteria and fungi are conserved within and among populations. Southern greater gliders carry genetic material from a variety of putative bacterial and fungal pathogens. These microbes may present threats to the health of greater gliders, their possum relatives, or other animals in Australian forest ecosystems. Scientists and natural resource managers should consider the holobiont, rather than just the individual, when planning for conservation management actions such as translocation.\n Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41981684/\n- **PMID 42310509 (2026, Journal of agricultural and food chemistry)** — <i>Burkholderia gladioli</i> Strain GXSB Promotes Sugar Cane Growth and Mitigates Smut Disease Caused by <i>Sporisorium scitamineum</i>: Insights from Genomics, Metabolomics, and Greenhouse Assays.. Abstract (opening): Sugar cane (Saccharum spp.) productivity is constrained by suboptimal growth and smut disease, underscoring the need for microbial strategies that integrate both plant growth promotion and disease suppression. Here, 59 sugar cane-associated bacterial isolates were screened for both plant growth-promoting and antifungal activities; selected strains were further evaluated by biosafety assays, whole-genome sequencing, and untargeted LC-MS/MS metabolomics. The Burkholderia gladioli strain GXSB was prioritized as the lead candidate, and GXSA was included as a biologically relevant reference strain. Both strains inhibited Sporisorium scitamineum, but GXSB exhibited stronger inhibition than GXSA (86.1% vs 81.3%) and was enriched in cyclic-nucleotide-associated metabolites. In greenhouse assays, GXSB reduced smut symptoms by 65.5%, increased plant height by 85%, and enhanced biomass by more than 3-fold relative to controls, with no detectable hemolytic activity. These findings identify GXSB as a promising dual-function candidate for further validation in promoting sugar cane growth and managing smut management.\n Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42310509/\n- **PMID 42525770 (2026, Science advances)** — Musculoskeletal actuators with programmable morphology and tunable dynamics.. Abstract (opening): Inspired by natural species exploiting morphological changes to adapt to complex environments, morphable robots have emerged as a frontier of robots with embodied intelligence, particularly for multimodal and cross-domain locomotion. However, the development of small-scale flexible actuators with dual programmability in morphology and dynamics remains elusive, hindering miniaturization of untethered morphable robots. Inspired by biological musculoskeletal systems, we present artificial musculoskeletal actuators constructed with serially connected morphable skeleton modules and stiffness-tunable muscle modules, enabling programming of both morphology and dynamics. The muscle module exploits a multilayer PDMS-based dielectric elastomer and an electrothermally actuated shape memory polymer, allowing modulation of resonant frequency, resonant vibration amplitude, and actuation force. Geometrically sophisticated musculoskeletal actuators are constructed to reproduce complex dynamic behaviors of species like woodpecker and scorpion. Demonstrations of an untethered sugar glider-inspired multimodal small-scale robot and a morphable small-scale robot with quadruped and humanoid locomotion modes suggest promising applications of proposed actuators.\n Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42525770/\n- **PMID 42166799 (2026, The journal of physical chemistry. B)** — Enhancing Compatibility and Performance of Biobased BEE/PLA Composites: A Combined Molecular Dynamics and Experimental Approach.. Abstract (opening): With the increasing depletion of petroleum resources, the application of renewable resources to fully or partially replace petrochemicals in preparing biobased materials has become a trend in the development of new materials. Biobased engineered elastomers (BEEs), prepared by biofermentation or chemical synthesis, combine biodegradability with tunable mechanical properties, making them an ideal alternative to synthetic rubber. Polylactic acid (PLA), a novel biodegradable polymer, is mainly derived from starch-rich biomass such as maize, sugar beets, sugar cane, cassava, and straw. This study focuses on designing high-performance composites using fully degradable PLA and BEE. Based on the coarse-grained simulation method in molecular dynamics simulation, the microscopic phase structure evolution law and its intrinsic correlation with compatibility upon adding a high-molecular-weight compatibilizer (HCMP) to the BEE/PLA composites were systematically investigated, and the comprehensive performance of the composites, including dispersion, chain dynamics, and mechanics, was analyzed. Furthermore, epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) was selected as the HCMP to enhance the capacity of the composites through its ring-opening reaction and cross-linking of chemical bonds. The capacity enhancement effect was evaluated via a thermal analysis test and mechanical test. This work provides a comprehensive analysis of the effect of high-molecular-weight compatibilizers on the compatibility and overall performance of BEE/PLA composites, combining molecular dynamics simulations with experiments. It offers a theoretical basis for the design of high-performance biobased composites and proposes a novel way for investigating the interfaces of biobased composites.\n Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42166799/\n\nSource text: `pdf-raw/evidence/europepmc_sugar_glider_husbandry_health_2026-08-01.txt` (Europe PMC first-hand abstracts, pulled 2026-08-01).\n","sources":["Europe PMC — Evidence cluster — Sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) husbandry, health & nutrition (peer-reviewed, Europe PMC) (retrieved 2026-08-01)"],"source":{"authority":"Europe PMC","title":"Evidence cluster — Sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) husbandry, health & nutrition (peer-reviewed, Europe PMC)","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42329413/","retrieved":"2026-08-01","ref":"PMID 42329413","doc_type":"official PDF","source_document":"Peer-reviewed Sugar glider husbandry/health/nutrition literature (Europe PMC, first-hand abstracts)","verification_file":"pdf-raw/evidence/europepmc_sugar_glider_husbandry_health_2026-08-01.txt"},"source_document":"Peer-reviewed Sugar glider husbandry/health/nutrition literature (Europe PMC, first-hand abstracts)","source_file":"pdf-raw/evidence/europepmc_sugar_glider_husbandry_health_2026-08-01.txt","tokens_estimated":600,"generated_at":null,"tip":"Use /api/v1/topics to discover more topics. /api/v1/nutrient for precise single-point queries. /api/v1/cross_compare for 2-3 standard comparisons."}