Hematology, Plasma Chemistry, Serology, and Chlamydophila Status of the Waved Albatross (Phoebastria Irrorata) on the Galapagos Islands

Abstract

Venipuncture was performed on 50 adult, free-ranging waved albatrosses (Phoebastria irrorata) on Española, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, to establish hematologic and plasma biochemistry reference ranges and to determine the prevalence of exposure to important domestic avian pathogens. Weights and plasma creatine phosphokinase activities differed significantly between males and females. Serum was tested for evidence of exposure to avian influenza, avian paramyxoviruses 1, 2, and 3, avian cholera, adenovirus groups 1 and 2, avian encephalomyelitis, Marek's disease, infectious bursal disease, and infectious bronchitis virus (Connecticut and Massachusetts strains). Of 44 birds, 29 (66%) seroreacted to adenovirus group 1, and four seroreacted to avian encephalomyelitis. Cloacal swabs were negative for Chlamydophila psittaci DNA.

Hematology, Plasma Chemistry, and Serology of the Flightless Cormorant (Phalacrocorax Harrisi) in the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

“…Hemoparasites are common worldwide and are present in the avifauna of the Galá pagos archipelago (Padilla et al, 2003). One third of the flightless cormorants evaluated (33%) were positive for microfilariae.…”

“…and Chlamydophila psittaci (Gottdenker et al, 2005). Antibodies to avian adenovirus type I and avian encephalomyelitis virus have been reported from waved albatrosses (Phoebastria irrorata) endemic to Españ ola Island (Padilla et al, 2003). On several islands in the Galá pagos archipelago, endemic Galá pagos doves (Zenaida galapagoensis) have been positive for a Haemoproteus sp.…”

“…On several islands in the Galá pagos archipelago, endemic Galá pagos doves (Zenaida galapagoensis) have been positive for a Haemoproteus sp. and for C. psittaci, while introduced rock doves (Columba livia) have been positive for Trichomonas gallinae (Padilla et al, 2004). Furthermore, avipoxviruses have been detected in endemic Galá pagos finches (Geospiza fortis), Galá pagos mockingbirds (Nesomimus parvulus), and yellow warblers (Dendroica petechia) on Santa Cruz Island, representing two variants of canarypox virus, while isolates from chickens represent a distinct fowlpox virus (Thiel et al, 2005).…”

New haematological data in Cory's shearwater,Calonectris diomedea(Aves, Procellariiformes)

“…In seabirds, few accounts of haematological reference values from the Order Procellariiformes (albatrosses and petrels) have been published (Work 1996;Newman et al 1997;Padilla et al 2003;Uhart et al 2003;Quillfeldt et al 2004Quillfeldt et al , 2008Edwards et al 2006), although this group comprises more than 125 species, many of which undertake longdistance migrations at the end of the breeding period (Brooke 2004). During these migrations, individuals may come in contact with a wide array of pollutants (e.g.…”

Enzyme histochemical, histometric and hematological features of peripheral blood cells in SparrowhawkAccipiter nisus(Falconiformes: Accipitridae)

“…For instance, the leucocyte number is 2.64 ± 0.30 10 3 /mm 3 in Japanese quails (Nazifi & Asasi 2001), 20.80 ± 0.58 10 3 /mm 3 in rock partridges (Keskin et al 2002), 19.00 ± 8.30 10 /mm 3 in vultures (Polo et al 1992). Among the possible reasons for this are interspecific differences, the methods of being caught and captured, the taking of blood from these birds and the different anti-coagulant items used (Padilla et al 2003). The percentage of leukocytes in the peripheral blood is an important parameter for evaluating the healthy status of humans and animals.…”