Title
Health Assessment of Guanay Cormorant (Phalacrocorax Bougainvillii) and Peruvian Pelican (Pelecanus Thagus) Populations at Punta San Juan, Peru
Date Issued
28 September 2021
Access level
metadata only access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Watson M.K.
Langan J.N.
Allender M.C.
Cardenã M.
Adkesson M.J.
Publisher(s)
American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
Abstract
The Punta San Juan Marine Protected Area (PSJ) (15°22′S, 75°12′W) protects key breeding populations of Peruvian pelicans (Pelecanus thagus) and guanay cormorants (Phalacrocorax bougainvillii) within the Humboldt Current Large Marine Ecosystem (HCLME). This project's aim was to define current population health and provide an important baseline for continued temporal monitoring. Samples from 110 cormorants and 45 pelicans were collected for complete blood cell counts, plasma biochemistries, plasma protein electrophoresis, and diagnostic testing for avian pathogens (paramyxovirus types 1, 2 and 3; adenovirus types 1 and 2; reovirus; equine encephalitides [Eastern, Western, Venezuelan]; West Nile virus; avian influenza; infectious bursal disease; Marek disease; encephalomyelitis virus; Mycoplasma gallisepticum; Salmonella pullorum; Chlamydia; and Aspergillus). Results of this health assessment demonstrated a low exposure to common avian pathogens. Evidence of exposure to paramyxoviruses, adenoviruses, and Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus was identified most frequently. Although overall prevalence was low, the detection of these viruses highlights potential susceptibility risks for disease outbreaks in this relatively naïve population that can help guide conservation efforts. Continued monitoring of avifauna health at PSJ is a vital component of protection of the unique HCLME.
Start page
975
End page
985
Volume
52
Issue
3
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Biología marina, Biología de agua dulce, Limnología Zoología, Ornitología, Entomología, ciencias biológicas del comportamiento
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85120851858
Source
Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine
ISSN of the container
10427260
Sponsor(s)
Acknowledgments: The authors thank all persons involved with this project, with specific thanks to Michael Macek, Armando Valdes-Velasquez, Daniel Abugattas, Santiago De la Puente, Patty McGill, Larissa Oliveira, and Eric Jeltes. Special thanks to Dr. Patricia Majluf of Punta San Juan Marine Protected Area and Dr. Sharon Deem. The authors acknowledge collaboration from the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture for entry to Punta San Juan Marine Protected Area for sample collection. The authors graciously acknowledge funding support from the Chicago Board of Trade Endangered Species Fund, Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Center, and Saint Louis Zoo Field Research for Conservation Fund.
Sources of information: Directorio de Producción Científica Scopus