Health status indices of Kelp Gull populations in South Africa

Reusch, Katharina; Ryan, Peter G.; Pichegru, Lorien

doi:10.1080/01584197.2022.2114089

Cited by 2 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…This is consistent with a recent study reporting a prevalence of Haemoproteus sp. ranging between 13% and 56% in the blood smears of adult kelp gulls sampled at other breeding colonies in South Africa (Reusch et al, 2022) and with the 23% prevalence of H. jenniae in swallow-tailed gulls at Española Island (Levin et al, 2012). Włodarczyk and colleagues (Włodarczyk et al, 2022) reported a 44% prevalence of DNA from Haemoproteus https://doi.org/10.1017/S003118202300029X Published online by Cambridge University Press spp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This is consistent with a recent study reporting a prevalence of Haemoproteus sp. ranging between 13 and 56% in the blood smears of adult kelp gulls sampled at other breeding colonies in South Africa (Reusch et al ., 2022) and with the 23% prevalence of H. jenniae in swallow-tailed gulls at Española Island (Levin et al ., 2012). Włodarczyk et al .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, Haemoproteus sp. infection status does not have a significant effect on the body condition of kelp gulls (Reusch et al ., 2022), which suggests low pathogenicity at chronic infection. Because the gulls sampled at the South African rehabilitation facility in the current study had other health problems (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A recent study reported the detection of Haemoproteus sp. in the blood smears from kelp gulls ( Larus dominicanus ) at various breeding colonies in South Africa, with an average prevalence of 1.6% in chicks ( N = 121) and 39.3% in adults ( N = 211), however the parasite species was not identified (Reusch et al ., 2022). In this study, we report on the occurrence of H. jenniae in kelp gulls and Hartlaub's gull ( Larus hartlaubii ) in South Africa and complement the original description of H. skuae based on its type specimens.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Haemoproteus jenniae (Haemoproteidae, Haemosporida) infects gulls (Larus spp.) in South Africa, with redescription of Haemoproteus skuae

et al. 2023

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Haemoproteus spp. are dipteran-borne protozoa that infect erythrocytes and reticuloendothelial cells of birds. These parasites are not usually transmitted between birds belonging to different orders. The suborder Lari (order Charadriiformes) comprises c. 170 avian species, the majority of which are aquatic, including gulls, terns, auklets, murres, and skuas, among others. In spite of the diversity of this avian group, there is limited known diversity of haemosporidian parasites, with only four recorded Haemoproteus morphospecies thus far. We examined the blood smears of 21 kelp gulls (Larus dominicanus) captured at a breeding colony in South Africa, as well as Haemoproteus-positive archival blood smears of 15 kelp gulls and one Hartlaub's gull (Larus hartlaubii) sampled while under care at seabird rehabilitation facilities in South Africa. Haemoproteus sp. infection was detected in 19% of wild-caught kelp gulls. All parasites from gulls were morphologically identified as Haemoproteus jenniae, a species previously recorded in Lari birds at the Galapagos Islands (Ecuador), Rocas Atoll (Brazil), and Poland. Gene sequencing uncovered a new cytb lineage, LARDOM01, which was closely related to the previously reported H. jenniae lineage CREFUR01. Additionally, we evaluated a hapantotype blood smear of Haemoproteus skuae, which had been described infecting a brown skua (Catharcta antarctica) in South Africa. We provide a redescription of H. skuae and discuss the morphological characters distinguishing it from H. jenniae. Further research is necessary to improve our knowledge about the host and geographic distribution, health effects, and phylogeny of H. jenniae and H. skuae.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Haemoproteus jenniae (Haemoproteidae, Haemosporida) infects gulls (Larus spp.) in South Africa, with redescription of Haemoproteus skuae

et al. 2023

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Spatio‐temporal differences in the diet and trophic ecology of Kelp Gulls (Larus dominicanus) in South Africa

Reusch,

Connan,

Ryan

et al. 2024

Ibis

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Opportunistic species, including some gulls (Laridae), can benefit from urbanization and increased anthropogenic food resources. Knowledge of the level of exploitation of anthropogenic resources by gulls is crucial to understand how changes in food availability might affect their populations, which in turn may impact other species. The Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus is widely distributed in the southern hemisphere and consumes a wide variety of resources, from waste in landfills to seabirds. We assessed if proximity to landfills influenced the diet and trophic ecology of Kelp Gull incubating adults and chicks using a combination of conventional diet sampling (stomach contents, regurgitated pellets), and carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis of blood plasma in seven colonies over two consecutive years in South Africa. Kelp Gulls consumed a variety of resources, including marine (e.g. fish), coastal (e.g. molluscs), terrestrial natural (e.g. insects, mammals), or terrestrial anthropogenic (e.g. chicken, bread) items. Inter‐annual differences were most apparent among gulls breeding next to a seabird colony, whereas gulls breeding at other colonies were more consistent in diet and trophic ecology. At most colonies, chicks were fed more natural and higher trophic level food items than were consumed by incubating adults. Overall, distance to landfill did not strongly affect the diet and trophic ecology and our results suggest that the Kelp Gull's broad feeding ecology allows it to buffer changes in food availability by switching among food resources. However, such dietary changes triggered by human actions may impact other species, including threatened seabirds.

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Health status indices of Kelp Gull populations in South Africa

Cited by 2 publications

References 64 publications

Haemoproteus jenniae (Haemoproteidae, Haemosporida) infects gulls (Larus spp.) in South Africa, with redescription of Haemoproteus skuae

Haemoproteus jenniae (Haemoproteidae, Haemosporida) infects gulls (Larus spp.) in South Africa, with redescription of Haemoproteus skuae

Spatio‐temporal differences in the diet and trophic ecology of Kelp Gulls (Larus dominicanus) in South Africa

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