Macroparasites in Antarctic Penguins

Díaz, Julia Inés; Fusaro, Bruno; Vidal, Virginia; González‐Acuña, Daniel; Costa, Erli Schneider; Dewar, Meagan; Gray, Rachael; Power, Michelle; Miller, Gary D.; Blyton, Michaela D. J.; Vanstreels, Ralph Eric Thijl; Barbosa, Andrés

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-46343-8_9

Cited by 34 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 76 publications

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“…Despite its isolation, Antarctica is home to a diversity of fauna and associated microorganisms, including viruses (27), parasites (28), and even antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (29). As such, Antarctic wildlife plays an important role in the epidemiology of many microorganisms.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Antarctic Penguins as Reservoirs of Diversity for Avian Avulaviruses

Wille

Aban

Wang

et al. 2019

J Virol

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Wild birds harbor a huge diversity of avian avulaviruses (formerly avian paramyxoviruses). Antarctic penguin species have been screened for avian avulaviruses since the 1980s and, as such, are known hosts of these viruses. In this study, we screened three penguin species from the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula for avian avulaviruses. We show that Adelie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) are hosts for four different avian avulavirus species, the recently described avian avulaviruses 17 to 19 and avian avulavirus 10-like, never before isolated in Antarctica. A total of 24 viruses were isolated and sequenced; avian avulavirus 17 was the most common, and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated patterns of occurrence, with different genetic clusters corresponding to penguin age and location. Following infection in specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chickens, all four avian avulavirus species were shed from the oral cavity for up to 7 days postinfection. There was limited shedding from the cloaca in a proportion of infected chickens, and all but one bird seroconverted by day 21. No clinical signs were observed. Taken together, we propose that penguin species, including Antarctic penguins, may be the central reservoir for a diversity of avian avulavirus species and that these viruses have the potential to infect other avian hosts. IMPORTANCE Approximately 99% of all viruses are still to be described, and in our changing world, any one of these unknown viruses could potentially expand their host range and cause epidemic disease in wildlife, agricultural animals, or humans. Avian avulavirus 1 causes outbreaks in wild birds and poultry and is thus well described. However, for many avulavirus species, only a single specimen has been described, and their viral ecology and epidemiology are unknown. Through the detection of avian avulaviruses in penguins from Antarctica, we have been able to expand upon our understanding of three avian avulavirus species (avian avulaviruses 17 to 19) and report a potentially novel avulavirus species. Importantly, we show that penguins appear to play a key role in the epidemiology of avian avulaviruses, and we encourage additional sampling of this avian group.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Antarctic Penguins as Reservoirs of Diversity for Avian Avulaviruses

Wille

Aban

Wang

et al. 2019

J Virol

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“…Penguins are affected by a wide number of parasites, pathogens and diseases (Clarke and Kerry, 2000;Barbosa and Palacios, 2009;Barbosa et al, 2014;Grimaldi et al, 2015a;Diaz et al, 2017) including emergent diseases, such as feather loss disorder that likely spread from African Penguins to Magellanic penguins (Kane et al, 2010;Barbosa et al, 2015;Grimaldi et al, 2015b). Information about the health status of penguin species and their populations is very scarce and generally has been focused on reporting the presence/absence of pathogens, parasites or diseases with little information of epidemiological variables such as prevalence or intensity of infestation.…”

Section: Prevalence Of Disease Outbreaks In Penguinsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Happy Feet in a Hostile World? The Future of Penguins Depends on Proactive Management of Current and Expected Threats

et al. 2019

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Penguins face a wide range of threats. Most observed population changes have been negative and have happened over the last 60 years. Today, populations of 11 penguin species are decreasing. Here we present a review that synthesizes details of threats faced by the world's 18 species of penguins. We discuss alterations to their environment at both breeding sites on land and at sea where they forage. The major drivers of change appear to be climate, and food web alterations by marine fisheries. In addition, we also consider other critical and/or emerging threats, namely human disturbance near nesting sites, pollution due to oil, plastics and chemicals such as mercury and persistent organic compounds. Finally, we assess the importance of emerging pathogens and diseases on the health of penguins. We suggest that in

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“…According with Quillfeldt (2002) adult Wilson's storm-petrels from this colony fed mainly on crustaceans (80-90%), being krill the most important prey, whereas samples at nests (mainly regurgitates from chicks) contained a higher sh content. It is known that S. macronectes use krill as intermediate host (Diaz et al 2017).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Antarctic Peninsula together with their surrounding islands represent areas with rapid environmental changes (Klimpel et al, 2017) as a result of multiple stressors originated by anthropogenic disturbances. These actions could directly affect the diet, causing changes in the parasitic diversity of birds (Vidal et al 2012;Diaz et al 2017) generating poor body conditions which directly affect their migration (Klasssen et al, 2012). In Antarctica, parasitological researches are relatively recent.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gastrointestinal helminths of two storm-petrel species, Oceanites oceanicus and Fregetta tropica, (Aves: Oceanitidae) from Antarctica

Fusaro,

Lorenti,

Panisse

et al. 2023

Polar Biol

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Although knowledge about parasitic diseases in Antarctic birds is scarce, an increasing number of studies are currently being carried out in this area. The importance of the host-parasite relationship in Antarctic seabirds is key to understanding trophic ecology and epidemiology of infection diseases, especially in those birds with extensive migratory routes that can act as reservoirs and distributors of diseases. This study aims to provide information on helminths of two Storm Petrel species, the Wilson's storm-petrel Oceanites oceanicus and the Black-bellied storm-petrel Fregetta tropica. Twenty individuals were analysed: 18 O. oceanicus (8 adults, 10 chicks) and 2 F. tropica (adults); 89% of the O. oceanicus were parasitized with the nematode Stegophorus macronectes, whereas 100% of F. tropica was parasitized by at least one of three parasite species identi ed: S. macronectes, Seuratiasp., and Tetrabothrius sp. The low richness of parasites observed is associated with a stenophagic diet. However, a clear difference is observed between both species related to a higher sh ingestion by F. tropica, unlike O. oceanicus with a higher ingestion of krill.

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Macroparasites in Antarctic Penguins

Cited by 34 publications

References 76 publications

Antarctic Penguins as Reservoirs of Diversity for Avian Avulaviruses

Antarctic Penguins as Reservoirs of Diversity for Avian Avulaviruses

Happy Feet in a Hostile World? The Future of Penguins Depends on Proactive Management of Current and Expected Threats

Gastrointestinal helminths of two storm-petrel species, Oceanites oceanicus and Fregetta tropica, (Aves: Oceanitidae) from Antarctica

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