First Report of Uncinaria hamiltoni in Orphan Eastern Mediterranean Monk Seal Pups in Greece and Its Clinical Significance

Abstract

The Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) is classified by the IUCN as “endangered,” with a global population estimated to number fewer than 800 individuals. Our understanding of the biology and health status of the species is still limited, rendering every medical case a challenge for conservationists and veterinary clinicians. Although studying and managing disease in wild marine hosts is complex and challenging, studying and mitigating the effects of any disease to the Mediterranean monk seal is of utmost importance for conservation. The aim of this study was to document for the first time the presence of the hookworm Uncinaria hamiltoni in rehabilitated Mediterranean monk seal pups in Greece. A detailed examination protocol was followed for all pups that live-stranded over 30 years in 22 different locations, including physical, parasitological, and other examinations. Hookworms (adults and/or eggs) were detected in all the fecal samples, from all animals. Molecular identification using MtDNA (COI) and ribosomal DNA (D2/D3 28S and internal transcribed spacer [ITS] regions) identified the nematode species as Uncinaria hamiltoni. The clinical impacts and the benefits of anthelmintic treatment as a tool for the conservation management of the species are discussed.

From Atlantic to Greece. The Case of Nasal Mite in Mediterranean Monk Seal

“…For many years now, due to the increase in maritime traffic, many marine species are introduced to new environments and naturally forced to harmonize with native species [43][44][45], with which they do not share a common evolutionary history, neither behavior or ecology [46][47][48]. A parasite transmission from one species to another is also an expected phenomenon, which results from the unexpected but inevitable species contact [49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59] and could be most of the times disrupt the ecosystem, although adaptation procedures seem to be the solution in every evolution related case after all [60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68].…”

First Report of the Parasitic Nematode Pseudoterranova spp. Found in Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus) in Greece: Conservation Implications

“…It is evident that urgent conservation efforts must be made to protect the M. monachus subpopulation, by enhancing existing protection methods and enlisting new molecular practices that could potentially be of use in rehabilitation, and parasitological surveys that are essential for preventing the emergence of novel diseases, thus consequently helping the survival of the species [26].…”

“…The relationship between hosts and parasites represents a critical issue for wildlife conservation [26] and even though the study of parasites in wild marine hosts is challenging, further research on the parasitic impact in relation to the health status of animals must be conducted, as it is a critical step towards the implementation of appropriate management plans for their protection [94].…”

“…This particular parasite has a global presence and has been found in numerous species of arctic pinnipeds such as Phoca hispida, Phoca vitulina, Phoca groenlandica, and Cystophora cristata [24,25]. Moreover, Komnenou et al [26] recorded for the first time the presence of the hookworm Uncinaria hamiltoni in rehabilitated Mediterranean monk seal pups in Greece, suggesting a cosmopolitan distribution of the parasite in question, and a dynamic evolutionary spatial pattern of its host-parasite interaction.…”

Stalactites Core Prospect as Environmental “Microbial Ark”: The Actinomycetota Diversity Paradigm, First Reported from a Greek Cave

“…In addition, deep-sea sediments provide a cold, oxygen-free, UV-free environment that can facilitate the preservation of virus-containing microorganisms. Isolating pathogenic bacteria from human and animal samples can provide data on pathogenicity, source, systematic geography, and development of targeted microorganisms ( Komnenou et al 2021 , Koitsanou et al 2022 ). This process is well-known as retrospective disease diagnosis ( Rivera-Perez et al 2016 ).…”