Serosurvey for Selected Infectious Agents in Two Sympatric Species of Cormorants (Phalacrocorax Atriceps and Phalacrocorax Magellanicus) From Coastal Patagonia, Argentina

Abstract

ABSTRACT:We conducted a serologic survey for selected infectious agents on two sympatric cormorants, the Imperial Cormorant (Phalacrocorax atriceps) and the Rock Shag (Phalacrocorax magellanicus). Blood was collected from 267 Imperial Cormorants and 106 Rock Shags at 17 colonies along the Patagonia Atlantic shore during nine breeding seasons (1994, 1999-2001, 2005-2008, 2010). Antibodies to four pathogens were common to both species and frequently observed: avian paramyxovirus type 1 (56% of Imperial Cormorants and 56% of Rock Shags); avian adenovirus (67% of Imperial Cormorants and 40% of Rock Shags); infectious bronchitis virus serotypes IBV-41, IBV-46, IBV-99, and IBV-JMK (53% of Imperial Cormorants and 64% of Rock Shags); and Salmonella pullorum (18% of Imperial Cormorants and 7% of Rock Shags). Antibody prevalence for these pathogens varied significantly between species, except for avian paramyxovirus type 1. Exposure to avian paramyxovirus type 1 and all serotypes of infectious bronchitis virus varied significantly among seasons in both species. In contrast, the sporadic occurrence of positive titers suggest that cormorants had occasional exposure to Aspergillus spp. . Both species were antibody negative for avian encephalomyelitis virus, avian influenza virus, avian laryngotracheitis virus, avian paramyxovirus type 2, and infectious bursal disease virus. We provide the first information on pathogen exposure, indicated by detection of antibody in blood samples, for two sympatric species of South Atlantic cormorants. To determine major causes of morbidity and mortality in these birds future efforts should focus on necropsy surveys in cormorant colonies.

Serological Survey for Select Infectious Agents in Wild Magellanic Penguins (Spheniscus Magellanicus) in Argentina, 1994–2008

“…Previous surveys of Avian orthoreovirus in penguins found seroprevalences ranging from 0% to 23% (Karesh et al 1999;Travis et al 2006;Smith et al 2008;Parsons et al 2016). In addition, antibodies to this pathogen were also reported in other seabirds that share breeding habitat with Magellanic Penguins in Patagonia (Gallo et al 2013), and it therefore seems likely that wild penguins are sporadically exposed to Avian orthoreovirus.…”

“…(Gandini and Frere 1998;Frere et al 2005). Cormorants are known to have high seroprevalence (40-67%) for Aviadenovirus in Argentina (Gallo et al 2013), suggesting a potential interface for interspecies transmission.…”

Linking foraging behavior and diet in a diving seabird

“…Upon device removal, 2 ml of blood was extracted from the jugular vein of individuals (see Gallo et al . for more methodological details). The extracted blood was centrifuged in the field and plasma and blood cells were separated and kept at –80 °C.…”

“…Loggers were attached to the lower back feathers using Tessa tape (http://tessatape.com/) to record two consecutive foraging trips (see Wilson et al 1997 andQuintana et al 2011; for more methodological details). Upon device removal, 2 ml of blood was extracted from the jugular vein of individuals (see Gallo et al 2013 for more methodological details). The extracted blood was centrifuged in the field and plasma and blood cells were separated and kept at -80°C.…”

The complexity of ecological impacts induced by great cormorants

“…H5 subtype was, however, detected using molecular methods (RT-PCR) in cloacal lavages of P. carbo inhabiting the north-western area of the Caspian Sea (Iashkulov et al, 2008) but its prevalence was very low (below 5.0%). Because AIV in other cormorant species such as P. magellanicus, P. atriceps (Gallo et al, 2013) and P. harrisi (Travis et al, 2006) has not been identified, and only a very low prevalence of AIV was found in P. auritus for which AIV-specific antibodies and AIV matrix protein were positive only sporadically (Cross et al, 2013), it can be suggested that this group of birds is unlikely to be involved in the circulation of the virus. However, more extensive surveys on P. carbo, including populations from other parts of the world, are necessary before any definitive conclusions can be drawn.…”