Conservation Medicine on the Galápagos Islands: Partnerships Among Behavioral, Population, and Veterinary Scientists

Parker, Patricia G.; Whiteman, Noah K.; Miller, R. Eric

doi:10.1093/auk/123.3.625

Cited by 32 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 60 publications

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“…The Galapagos Islands support large numbers of sea and land birds and have had no known extinctions of endemic bird species (Parker et al. ). Despite the geographic isolation of the islands, pathogens such as avian pox ( Avipoxvirus sp.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiple Lineages of Avian Malaria Parasites (Plasmodium) in the Galapagos Islands and Evidence for Arrival via Migratory Birds

Levin

Zwiers

Deem

et al. 2013

Conservation Biology

108

126

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Haemosporidian parasites in the genus Plasmodium were recently detected through molecular screening in the Galapagos Penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus). We summarized results of an archipelago-wide screen of 3726 endemic birds representing 22 species for Plasmodium spp. through a combination of molecular and microscopy techniques. Three additional Plasmodium lineages were present in Galapagos. Lineage A-infected penguins, Yellow Warblers (Setophaga petechia aureola), and one Medium Ground Finch (Geospiza fortis) and was detected at multiple sites in multiple years [corrected]. The other 3 lineages were each detected at one site and at one time; apparently, they were transient infections of parasites not established on the archipelago. No gametocytes were found in blood smears of infected individuals; thus, endemic Galapagos birds may be dead-end hosts for these Plasmodium lineages. Determining when and how parasites and pathogens arrive in Galapagos is key to developing conservation strategies to prevent and mitigate the effects of introduced diseases. To assess the potential for Plasmodium parasites to arrive via migratory birds, we analyzed blood samples from 438 North American breeding Bobolinks (Dolichonyx oryzivorus), the only songbird that regularly migrates through Galapagos. Two of the ephemeral Plasmodium lineages (B and C) found in Galapagos birds matched parasite sequences from Bobolinks. Although this is not confirmation that Bobolinks are responsible for introducing these lineages, evidence points to higher potential arrival rates of avian pathogens than previously thought. Linajes Múltiples de Parásitos de Malaria Aviar (Plasmodium) en las Islas Galápagos y Evidencia de su Arribo por Medio de Aves Migratorias.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiple Lineages of Avian Malaria Parasites (Plasmodium) in the Galapagos Islands and Evidence for Arrival via Migratory Birds

Levin

Zwiers

Deem

et al. 2013

Conservation Biology

108

126

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“…As part of an ongoing survey effort (Parker , Parker et al ), an avian blood parasite within the genus Plasmodium (lineage A), was recently found in the Galapagos penguin ( Spheniscus mendiculus ) with prevalence ranging from 3 to 9.4% across six field seasons from 2003–2009 (Levin et al , , Palmer et al ). This is the first known occurrence of any Plasmodium parasite within the archipelago.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The distribution of mosquitoes across an altitudinal gradient in the Galapagos Islands

Asigau

Hartman

Higashiguchi

et al. 2017

Journal of Vector Ecology

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An avian malaria parasite (genus Plasmodium) has been detected consistently in the Galapagos Penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus) and less frequently in some passerines. We sampled three resident mosquito species (Aedes taeniorhynchus, Culex quinquefasciatus, and Aedes aegypti) using CDC light and gravid traps on three islands in 2012, 2013, and 2014. We sampled along altitudinal gradients to ask whether there are mosquito-free refugia at higher elevations as there are in Hawaii. We captured both Ae. taeniorhynchus and Cx. quinquefasciatus at all sites. However, abundances differed across islands and years and declined significantly with elevation. Aedes aegypti were scarce and limited to areas of human inhabitation. These results were corroborated by two negative binomial regression models which found altitude, year, trap type, and island as categorized by human inhabitation to be significant factors influencing the distributions of both Ae. taeniorhynchus and Cx. quinquefasciatus. Annual differences at the highest altitudes in Isabela and Santa Cruz indicate the lack of a stable highland refuge if either species is found to be a major vector of a parasite, such as avian malaria in Galapagos. Further work is needed to confirm the vector potential of both species to understand the disease dynamics of avian malaria in Galapagos. Journal of Vector Ecology 42 (2): 243-253. 2017.

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“…Because 14 of 17 extant species of honeycreeper in Hawaii are endangered, these parasites continue to be a serious threat (Atkinson & LaPointe 2009). By comparison, the Gal apagos Islands have suffered no recorded extinctions of birds (Parker, Whiteman & Miller 2006). However, with the number of tourists and island residents continuing to increase each year (Watkins & Cruz 2007), anthropogenic introductions of parasites are a growing concern.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An introduced parasitic fly may lead to local extinction of Darwin's finch populations

Koop

Kim

Knutie

et al. 2015

Journal of Applied Ecology

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Summary Introduced pathogens and other parasites are often implicated in host population level declines and extinctions. However, such claims are rarely supported by rigorous real-time data. Indeed, the threat of introduced parasites often goes unnoticed until after host populations have declined severely. The recent introduction of the parasitic nest fly, Philornis downsi, to the Galápagos Islands provides an opportunity to monitor the current impact of an invasive parasite on endemic land bird populations, including Darwin’s finches. In this paper we present a population viability model to explore the potential long-term effect of P. downsi on Darwin’s finch populations. The goal of our study was to determine whether P. downsi has the potential to drive host populations to extinction and whether management efforts are likely to be effective. Our model is based on data from five years of experimental field work documenting the effect of P. downsi on the reproductive success of medium ground finch Geospiza fortis populations on Santa Cruz Island. Under two of the three scenarios tested, the model predicted medium ground finches are at risk of extinction within the next century. However, sensitivity analyses reveal that even a modest reduction in the prevalence of the parasite could improve the stability of finch populations. We discuss the practicality of several management options aimed at achieving this goal. Synthesis and applications. Our study demonstrates the predicted high risk of local extinction of an abundant host species, the medium ground finch Geospiza fortis due to an introduced parasite, Philornis downsi. However, our study further suggests that careful management practices aimed at reducing parasite prevalence have the potential to significantly lower the risk of host species extinction.

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Conservation Medicine on the Galápagos Islands: Partnerships Among Behavioral, Population, and Veterinary Scientists

Cited by 32 publications

References 60 publications

Multiple Lineages of Avian Malaria Parasites (Plasmodium) in the Galapagos Islands and Evidence for Arrival via Migratory Birds

Multiple Lineages of Avian Malaria Parasites (Plasmodium) in the Galapagos Islands and Evidence for Arrival via Migratory Birds

The distribution of mosquitoes across an altitudinal gradient in the Galapagos Islands

An introduced parasitic fly may lead to local extinction of Darwin's finch populations

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