2. Kingdom : Animalia Phylum : Chordata Subphylum : Vertebrata Class : Mammalia Order : Carnivora Suborder : Caniformia Family: Mustelidae Subfamily : Mustelinae Genus : Martes Species: Martes pennanti

3. Active Day and night, but very elusive Climber – sleeps in trees, but hunts on ground Preys on small mammals but also eats fruits, nuts, and fungi Attracted to carrion Known for attacking adult porcupines Does not hibernate Prefers mature coniferous or deciduous-coniferous forest with ample CWD (coarse woody debris) Distribution (see map)

4. Male fisher observed at farmhouse Abnormal behavior Attacked by dog Live-trapped and submitted to DNR alert with ataxia in pelvic limbs Became lethargic and whole body tremors; developed hindquarter paralysis Euthanized; sent to College of Veterinary Medicine for diagnostic examination

5. Estimated to be 5-7 months old, weighing 2.2 kg and in fair condition Pale organs including mucus membranes, skeletal muscle, and liver hemorrhages found in the heart, lung, skeletal muscle, brain, and under the skin.

6. Brain had extensive areas of necrosis and inflammation in brain, especially in gray matter

7. Cytoplasm of several neurons contained oval schizonts arranged in an irregular pattern

8. Within neurons : oval to elongated protozoal zoites were found

9. Brain : schizonts with numerous merozoites developing internally

10. Giardia Amoebiasis Toxoplasmosis Neosporosis Sarcocystis

11. bradyzoites and organelles typical of Sarcocystis

12. Symptoms - no external signs severe infections include: loss of muscle tissue lameness weakness paralysis Gross lesions

14. o Peterson Field Guide to Mammals of North America Fourth edition o http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Martes_pennanti.htmlhttp://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Martes_pennanti.html o Gerhold, Richard W., Elizabeth W. Howerth and David S. Lindsay. Sarcocystis neurona-associated Meningoencephalitis and Description of Intramuscular Sarcocysts in a Fisher (Martes pennanti). Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 41(1), 2005, pp. 224-230 © Wildlife Disease Association 2005 o Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases : Birds. Sarcocystis. Pg 219 – 222. Online